USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 60
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education thus complete, he struck out for himself to reach the settlements. With all of his woodcraft, he made a mistake and took the wrong direction, and ran into the Comanches. He stayed with them until he learned their language, and endeavored to get away again. He had not much better luck this time, for he ran into the Mohawks. His adventures in this direction are interesting enough. He gave two evenings to the Scientific Association of Davenport, Iowa, on the Mound-Builders, and has now a strong testimonial from that society. In 1867, he found his way back to Cascade, Iowa, among his old friends. No one knew him. He could hardly talk English, and almost every one had forgotten him. He was one of the best scouts, under Gen. Sully, in the Government service. In person, he is as different from the ordinary idea of a bold frontiersman, as one of Cooper's heroes is from ' Lone Wolf.' He is quiet, courteous, direct in speech, caring nothing for notoriety, and attending to his Indians as a small business venture that will help tide over the dull times. One of the Arapahoe chiefs that took him prisoner was named ' Three Kettles.' He was severe on Jo, and the latter made up his mind to get even with him. Among his relics and Indian curiosities, and he has a whole trunk full, is the scalp of 'Three Kettles.' Jo is a good talker, for, while his education has been wholly in the mountains and among savages, he has a quick eye, wonderful observation, and an easy and graceful elocution."
(DECEASED) DUBUQUE.
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
HUMAN SKELETON FOUND.
A skeleton was recently discovered in the excavation being made on a lot owned, it is said, by Mrs. Spitzenberger, who had purchased the same only a year ago. The bones were found only two or three feet below the surface. From the appearance of the bones, the body must have been buried there thirty, forty or more years ago. The skull and teeth appeared to be those of a white man between twenty-five and forty years old.
It is a curious fact that the body had been placed face downward, with the head down the slope of the ground. The spot is a few rods south of Heeb's brewery, on the west side of the street.
The attention of Coroner Coakley was called to the matter. He visited the place, but did not think the circumstances warranted the holding of an inquest.
Only a few rods from that place, Julien Dubuque had a lead-smelting fur- nace some time between 1788 and 1810. But the Indian burying-ground of that day was near the mouth of Catfish Creek, where, no doubt, some French- men may have been buried. Dubuque himself was buried on the bluff over- looking the French and Indian cemetery.
If this case was a murder and concealment of the body, it may have occurred after Dubuque was permanently settled, in 1832-33.
The cemetery on the site of Jackson Square was commenced in 1833. The early settlers knew nothing of a burial place in what is now the upper part of the city before that date. Had any person died a natural death since that time, the interment would have been in the old square, or in one of the several cemeteries.
About thirty years ago, a man was supposed to have been murdered in that vicinity, but, after a thoroughi search, his body could not be found. There is only a mere possibility, without evidence, that these may be the bones of the man who so mysteriously disappeared. The discovery may lead to some spec- ulative ideas to solve the matter, but it is not probable that any light will ever be thrown on the singular fact that a skeleton was thus found under such uncertainty as to time and identity.
AMONG THE FIRST ARRIVALS.
There is now in Dubuque a man, whose feet are trembling on the verge of the tomb, that can tell some strange and interesting stories about the early his- tory of Dubuque. His name is Basil Godair. Two years ago Mr. Godair was stricken with paralysis, from the effects of which he is still suffering, being confined to his house. He is now in the sixty-seventh year, and, while unable to do any physical labor, still possesses a clear brain and active mind.
He was born in 1812, near Kaskaskia, Ill., one of the first settlements in this Western country. His father was a Canadian, and his mother a half- breed Indian woman, who was born at Prairie du Chien, Wis. At an early period in his life, Godair's parents removed from Kaskaskia to Belleville, St. Clair Co., Ill., now a suburb of St. Louis. Here he was stolen by some horse- jockeys, who, because he was small and light, thought he would be useful as a rider of horses in races, and wanted him for that purpose. His parents searched for him unceasingly for several months, and then gave up their son for lost. He went from place to place with the jockeys, riding horses in races, and enduring many hardships for one so young in years.
K
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But he never forgot his parents, nor where his old home was, and, when. eighteen years of age, he returned to Belleville, where his parents were then residing. He did not make himself known at first, but remained in the town for some time before he approached his parents, and revealed himself. When he did so, they could hardly believe his story, and it was some time before they became reconciled to the fact that he really was their son.
Two years later, in 1832, he came to Dubuque, being then twenty years of age. There was no city here then, nor even a prospect of one-not even a set- tlement of any size. A few miners had camps in this vicinity, and that was all. At the time of his first visit to this section, the Black Hawk war was at its height. He enlisted in the war, and fought valiantly against the hostile Indians. He was engaged in several fierce battles, in one of which he was severely wounded. After the war was over, and peace was once more assured between the whites and Indians, Mr. Godair took up his abode in this section, where a small settlement was formed. Gen. Jones and Mr. McNight each had a large smelting furnace here at that time, and for them he worked in the capacity of teamster, hauling mineral from the mines to the furnaces. The spot whereon the business portion of Dubuque now stands was then covered with a thick growth of scrub oaks. Mr. Godair remained here and saw the settlement grow to a village, from a village to a town, and from a town to the beautiful city it now is, without a peer in all Iowa.
This aged man, for several years previous to his illness, did janitor work for different persons in the city, thereby supporting himself. Since his illness, he has been kindly cared for by his niece, Mrs. Matilda Cole, who resides on Seventh street, where he now is.
Such, in brief, is the history of one of the old settlers, who must soon be laid away to rest in the city he has seen spring up before his eyes from the wilderness. His life has been full of strange events and hard privations. May his reward hereafter compensate him for all.
DUBUQUE'S BONES.
Nearly every one in and about Dubuque knows of the locality of Julien Dubuque's grave. The spot is romantic in situation, and, from its eminence on the top of a high bluff at the mouth of Catfish Creek, two miles below, commands an extensive view of the city and the mighty Mississippi as it flows by. But when visited, the famous grave is found to be merely a slight depres- sion in the ground, containing nothing, and without indication, slab, stone, or otherwise. Once, however, it is said. the place was rockbuilt, fenced in, and within was a leaden coffin, containing the remains of the adventurous founder of Iowa's chief city. All that is now left of the man, which can certainly be identified, is the lower jawbone, or a portion of it. This is in the possession of the children of Mrs. Graves, formerly Miss Dexter. They reside about six miles from town, in Center Township. From their mother, who came to this country, with her husband, at an early date, they have the following history of the relic: One morning it was told among the neighbors that the grave had been robbed. Mrs. Dexter, among others, went to the spot and found that the leaden coffin had been carried away. Around the grave, with the debris of dirt, stoncs and boards, were scattered the bones of the illustrious miner. Dishonest cupidity had vandalized all the sacred associations of the sleeping dead in order to grasp the metal which so appropriately urned the remains of . one who had sought it as the chief object of liis life. Mrs. Dexter, selecting the jawbone mentioned, took it home with her.
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This only relic, whether more can be got or not, should be secured and once more re interred in the place, now become classic, or, to say the least, pre- served in a museum, say the Institute of Science and Arts.
AN INDIAN REMINISCENCE.
Capt. Hauver was a talented and ambitious young man. He was a graduate of one of the most celebrated of the Eastern colleges. He took a very high position in his class, standing, in fact, "A No. 1." Lan- guages were his specialty. He was familiar with Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Chaldaic, etc., etc., as also of most modern languages, as German, French, Spanish, Italian, Congo and Irish (although he was not an Irishman). But he was not satisfied with all these vast attainments. Indeed, he was only stimu- lated thereby to still greater exertions and more intense study. Among all his vast and varied acquisitions, he had a most consuming desire to become a proficient in one or more of the many languages of the aborigines of the " Western plains and mountains." This all-absorbing desire and ambition to conquer and acquire languages of "the noble red man " impelled him, immedi- ately upon the completion of his studies, to abandon his childhood home in the East and all its associations, endearments and luxuries, for the Far West. He came to "The Beautiful Land," the home of the " departed heroes of the dusky children of the soil." That is, he came to Iowa, hoping thereby to gratify his lifelong hope and desire to speak in " the language of the chil- dren of the plains and mountains." . (These are his own eloquent words.) He had perfected himself in a pre-eminent degree in the science of the law. That is, he was a pretty good lawyer for a young man. Even thus early, he hoped that at some time in the course of human events, he might become a judge, and dispense justice and equity to his fellow men, and especially to the lawyers. Visions of the ermine and judicial dignity haunted his dreams and intruded his waking hours. Then, if he could only speak in some one or more of the aboriginal languages, his happiness would be complete. He would then have reached the summit of his earthly ambition- perhaps, but many doubted. Fortune favored him in a most pre-eminent degree. At the breaking-out of the war, young Hauver raised a company of congenial spirits -men of like ability, aspirations and ambitions. His company was incorpo- rated into a regiment that was sent to the Western Plains to overawe and keep in subjection the wild savages during the impending conflict. This was exactly what young Hauver above all things desired. The regiment was sent far out on to the Plains to garrison several forts and important military posi- tions, which commanded the passes through the mountains between the savages and the frontier settlements.
This was exactly the opportunity for which the young soldier had longed in all his youth and early manhood. "He could now learn the noble Sioux language without let or hindrance, and without any one to molest or make him afraid." These are also his exact words. When the regiment was well settled in its quarters, Capt. H. lost no time in carrying out his long-cherished purpose to acquire the noble Sioux language. He at once sent for the post interpreter, and requested him to send him some chief, head man or sachem of the tribe who well understood the English as well as his own language. A few days thereafter, as the young soldier was on duty some distance from the garrison, a tall, gaunt and savage-looking Indian, in full costume of war paint and feathers, presented himself before the astonished and somewhat startled Captain, with the salutation, "Good-morning, Capt. Hauver. Me big Indian ;
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me chief; me sachem. Me just such big Indian you want-by d-n. Me understand English. Me educated by missionary. Me d-n good scholar. Me teach you d-n good Sioux in no time at all; in short order ; d-n quick." The young Captain was in ecstasies. Here was exactly the oppor- tunity he had so long sought and earnestly prayed for (it must be remembered our hero was a praying man-sometimes). He at once requested the learned professor to give him a specimen of his oratorical powers. He hastened to comply with the polite request of the Captain : "Me berry learned Indian ; me Professor of Polite Literature in the Sioux tongue, by d-n. Missionary teach me; he d-n good teacher. Me can make God d-n big speech. You hear me now, d-n your skin; you just listen good, d-n you. Fourth of July d-n big day ; so Christmas; so New Year; all d-n big days. D-n the secesh. God d-n Black Republican. You d-n fool ; what in h-l you know 'bout it?" He warmed up to the work, and was rolling out all the fear- ful oaths and objectionable literature of which the universal Yankee nation is master. The Captain began to be scared, and almost lost his breath. " Hold on, Professor," he exclaimed ; " that will do for the present. I have got your oration all down " (of course, the pious young Captain left out all the bad and wicked words); "now you just translate it into your own language-the noble Sioux." This was done, and the Captain carefully committed to mem- ory this oration in the original Sioux, including all the gutturals and pow lines. Thus he proceeded from day to day, from week to week, and from month to month, until the youthful Captain became a thorough scholar and proficient in " the noble Sioux language." So intent was he in his studies that he often incurred the censure of his superior officers, and, on several occa- sions, very nearly got himself into the guard-house for dereliction of duty.
On several occasions, especially in the night-time, the camps were thrown into the most fearful cominotion by the most unearthly howls, groans and guttural exclamations coming out of the woods and deep gulches which sur- rounded the camps on every hand. The "long roll" was often beaten, and the whole army turned out in battle array. But it was soon discovered that it was nothing more than the youthful Captain speaking his Sioux ora- tions, which his Indian Professor of "Polite Literature " had given him to learn. But the Captain had triumphed in his long-cherished purpose. He had become a thorough Sioux scholar, speaking the language with perfect grace, fluency and ease, save only the unearthly howls which he was obliged to use on certain occasions.
But even those "big licks," as the Captain called them, became familiar to the ear .. Even the army mules and the dogs became, after a time, accus- tomed to them. But it took the former a long time before they grew entirely reconciled thereto. This accomplishment stood the Captain in good stead in after years. At the close of the war, our gallant and accomplished Captain returned to the practice of the law. Often, often, when hard pressed by opposing counsel, or nearly worried out of his life by an obstinate or stupid jury, he would hurl a few epithets in the "noble Sioux language" at them. It never failed to subdue the most obdurate counsel, or convince and melt the most stupid jury.
Neither could for an instant withstand the logic of that noble Sioux lan- guage ; especially the polite literature thereof was of the utmost importance to him. If he had an ugly, obstinate, cantankerous and quarrelsome lawyer to deal with, and when all other languages of which he was master failed to bring him to reason, he has only to hurl a few choice Sioux epithets at him,
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and he instantly wilts, caves in and subsides. This has never failed. Some lawyers will stand cursing in every other language in Christendom, without the movement of a muscle or a wink of the eye; but the moment the learned Judge opens on him in the "iligant Sioux language," especially the polite lit- erature thereof-he instantly wilts. They exclaim, "Oh, Judge! anything but that ! I yield ! I yield ! I can hold out no more."
Thus, his mastery of the Sioux language is of more importance to him in the discharge of his official and judicial duties than all his other accomplish- ments combined, vast and various as they are. In view of the signal success of this learned Judge, let no one hereafter assert that the acquisition of the Sioux language is not of vast importance, especially in the profession and prac- tice of the law, and on the bench.
It is thought by some, and especially by our learned Judge, that our Supreme Court reports would be vastly enriched if some portion of the polite literature of the "noble Sioux language " were incorporated therein. Others, however, doubt very much the expediency thereof.
THE NORTHWESTERN AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION.
Throughout a period of about eight years, or from the demise of the Dubuque County Agricultural Society to the organization of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association, 1874, there was nothing in the shape of a fair held in Debuque.
During the winter of 1873-74, a number of our most enterprising citizens organized an effort to secure the location of the State Fair at Dubuque, and, preparatory thereto, secured the grounds, and a sufficient fund, by subscription, to make the necessary improvements for the accommodation of that highly prized, much-abused institution.
A delegation was sent to Des Moines, to represent Dubuque at the annual meeting, to secure the State fair, but were not successful, Keokuk win- ning the elephant. The State fair was a failure, in every respect, that year, and closed with a heavy debt.
The people changed their tack, and went to work and got the consent of about all the subscribers to the fund before referred to, to have it apply to the fitting-up of the grounds for an exhibition of our own.
Messrs. Stout and Peabody, having purchased the grounds from A. W. Richmond (the hopeful son of Dean), proposed to lease the grounds to an organization, as soon as one was legally created, for fair purposes, with the right to purchase the grounds at cost, adding interest and price of improve- ments they had made and should make, embracing the fencing, shade trees, sidewalks, etc.
This brings us down to permanent organization, by the adoption of the articles of incorporation.
The names of the incorporators are the following, to wit : D. N. Cooley, J. W. Parker, George B. Burch, D. H. Conyngham, E. R. Shankland, M. Kingman, A. A. Cooper, V. J. Williams, George Wilde, Edward Langworthy, N. C. Ryder, M. S. Robison, Thomas Connolly, A. F. Jaeger, H. C. Dar- ragh, C. B. Dean, W. W. Woodworth, P. Lagen, Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood and W. H. Peabody.
The articles of incorporation embrace the usual powers and restrictions, after setting forth the objects of the organization. They name the follow- ing officers : D. N. Cooley, President ; A. A. Cooper, Vice President ; E. R.
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Shankland, Secretary ; M. Kingman, Assistant Secretary ; V. J. Williams, Treasurer. Directors-George Wilde, N. C. Ryder, Thomas Connolly, Peter Kiene, Jr., Alonzo Blossom, W. W. Wormood, W. W. Woodworth, George B. Burch, Adam F. Jaeger, H. C. Darragh, M. S. Robison, Charles B. Dean, P. Lagen, J. W. Parker and W. H. Peabody.
Thus organized, the lease of the grounds, with right of purchase, was per- fected. The erection of the main exhibition building, amphitheater, stables, sheds, pens, offices, and all the necessary buildings, was proceeded with, to- getlier with the construction of the track, digging and driving wells, and, in fact, all the paraphernalia of a well-appointed exhibition grounds were con- structed in a remarkably short space of time; some by contract and much of it by days' work, under the superintendence of directors and committees specially appointed to look after their several departments.
While some were devoting their time and best efforts to preparing the grounds and buildings, others were talking and writing up the forthcoming exhibition with an enthusiasm that was well worthy of the cause, and which might, with equally good results, be duplicated at the present time in the direc- rection of redeeming the grounds from the debt that hangs like an incubus upon them and the management.
But to return to the point. The usual premium list and programme of the average fair, only with more liberal scattering of money, was prepared and sent broadcast over the Northwest, with the lavish use of printer's ink, in the way of newspaper "ads" and communications. When the fair opened, there was an exceedingly fine display in all the departments, while the attend- ance, as shown by the gate receipts, was as large as the most sanguine friend of the enterprise hoped for or expected.
The weather was all that could be desired ; everything passed off satisfac- torily ; exhibitors received their premiums in full ; all appeared happy, and the first annual exhibition of the Association was voted a success.
It could not be expected, however, that all the expense attending the erec- tion and construction of improvements, such as those mentioned, could be pro- vided for out of the proceeds of one exhibition, liberal as were the receipts. After the subscription for State fair purposes before referred to, as well as others, was all absorbed, it left a large amount to be provided for ; but the men who had inaugurated the enterpise, and spent their time and money in it, were not the men to shrink from the shouldering of the balance, knowing that it was only money loaned, the improvements were there, worth all they cost and just what were needed. Therefore, instead of paying premiums pro rata, as some associations were in the habit of doing, they paid in full, and furnished the money to carry on the enterprise.
The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer at the annual meeting in March, 1875, and the action of that meeting as reported by the Herald, while some of it is a repetition of some things hereinbefore stated, gives so much useful information that the larger portion is copied verbatim (omitting head lines) :
A very fair attendance of citizens, representing the business and capital of Dubuque, responded to the call for a meeting in the interest of the Agri- cultural and Mechanical Association at the court house, Monday evening.
Considerable interest was manifested in the proceedings, and, as will be scen, effective measures were adopted and executed to insure the success of the next fair and promote the prosperity of the Association. The meeting was
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called to order by A. A. Cooper, who nominated M. S. Robison as Chairman of the meeting. The Secretary, pro tem., read his report as follows :
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
To the President and Directors of the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association :
In the absence of your Secretary, it may seem fitting that I should make report of the working of your Association and Corporation at its first annual meeting.
In this room, on the evening of the 30th of December, 1873, was hield the first public meet- ing for consultation as to the propriety of making an effort to secure the State fair to be holden in our city. Committees were appointed, and the next meeting was held on the evening of the 6th of January, 1874. At this meeting, subscriptions from the different wards of the city reported that the sum of $6,345 was already pledged. January 10, another meeting was held with added enthusiasm, and increased subscriptions were the result. January 20, another meet- ing was held, and Col. Shankland made report of reasons why the State Agricultural Board voted to hold their fair at Keokuk.
At this meeting there seemed (mingled with some disappointment) a determined spirit that we could and would have an exposition and fair, and the incipient steps were taken to organize an association for that purpose. January 24, another successful meeting was held. A com- mittee reported a list of names for officers, and the meeting elected them to their respective places : all'of whom went vigorously to work to perfect arrangements for holding a fair in Sep- tember.
The Directors held several meetings at the office of the Assistant Secretary, and, on the 14th of April, Mr. Bonson tendered his resignation as President; the same having been accepted, Hon. D. N. Cooley was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. The newly elected President, emulating the strength and vigor of his "illustrious predecessor," took the matter at once in hand, and, from that time to the closing up of the work of 1874, he was constant, vigilant and efficient in your interest. Since the 14th of April your Board have held thirty-one sessions, having been incorporated under the code of our State as the Northwestern Agricultural and Mechanical Association; and the exposition and fair, held in September last, attests the success- ful results of your united and harmonious action in its behalf. The financial status of your corporation is told by your worthy Treasurer's report.
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