USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > Burlington > The semi-centennial of Iowa. A record of the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Iowa held at Burlington, June 1, 1883 > Part 11
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his brother and Conrad Geiselhart were among the party. One oth- er reminiscence and I will finish. I attended the first sale of town lots in Carrollton. At that time Mitchel was Judge of the County, and Mc Cudy Clerk of Courts. The Court room was then the wood pile, and the nearest jail Des Moines. Bad mens' doings were then pun- ished by home made law administered with a club, which they did not soon forget.
The principal settlers at that time were Messrs. Robt. Morris, T: Morris, Loomis, Copeland, Floyd, Slack, Gilley, W. Gilley, Slacke Davis, Ferguson, Mc Clelland, Blizzard, Niles, Geiselhart, Zellers, R. Squires, Robt. Haney, Cadman Malloy, Ponell, all of whom lived about Carrollton. Again regetting my inability to be present at the Semi-Centennial Anniversary, I hope you and my numerous other friends of your city, will have a grand time, and that it will be an oc- casion long to be remembered by all with pleasing recollections.
I remain yours fraternally,
JOHN W. HANEY.
GEO. L. DAVENPORT.
Indian agent-United States Indian Service,-Sac and Fox Agency.
TAMA COUNTY, IOWA, MAY 27, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE-Dear Sir :- Your letter, dated 24th inst., received, inviting a delegation of twenty or thirty Fox Indians and! their agent to attend the celebration on the Ist prox.
I have the honor to inform you that I read your letter of invitation to the chiefs, and head men of Musquakees, and they have accept- ed your invitation, and twenty of the principal men of the tribe will come, accompanied by their agent. Our nearest place of embarka- tion is Tama City.
Thanking you for so kindly remembering us in this your semi-cen- tennial anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa, I am
Very respectfully, GEO. L. DAVENPORT, U. S. Indian Agent.
TAMA COUNTY, IOWA, June 20, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE, Burlington, Iowa.
My Dear Sir :-- Your very kind letter has been received, with
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reference to our non-attendance at the Semi-Centennial anniversary of the settlement of Iowa, held in your city. I would explain, that after accepting your invitation to attend, I received your letter of the 30th ultimo, advising me that your committee had made arrange- ments with the B. C. R. & N. railway company for our transporta- tion (free of cost) to Burlington and return. I immediately called on the agent of the C. & N. W., at Tama City, to see what arrange- ments could be made to take us to Cedar Rapids, but owing to the time being short, it was found impossible to communicate with the officers of the road in Chicago; and as the Indians had no means to pay their fare, we were obliged to give up going. We again thank you for your kind invitation, and regret exceedingly our inability to attend. Our Indians expected to have the pleasure of meeting many of the old pioneers who first settled in Iowa, and who were always such good friends to them, and through whose influence a law was passed, granting permission to the "Mus-qua-kees" to make their homes in the "fair State of Iowa," and on this account they will ever feel grateful to the old settlers.
Very respectfully,
GEO. L. DAVENPORT. U. S. Indian Agent.
CAPTAIN GEORGE B. COLE, POTOSI, MO.
HILL FARM, NEAR POTOSI, MO., MAY 27, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE-My old Friend :- Your invitation to attend the meeting at Burlington on the Ist of June, was received yesterday. Mrs. Cole and myself have not been well for some time; the cause, old age. It would give me pleasure if I was able to meet with you on the anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa. The Indians had possession of Iowa, and where Burlington stands was called Flint Hills. If you meet George W. Jones or Warner Lewis, present my kind regards. Mrs. Cole and myself hope we will be spared to see you and Mrs. Dodge at our house this summer. The first boat I brought out on the Upper Mississippi was the Dubuque, in 1835; Pal- mira, 1836; Des Moines, Iowa, Rapids, Uncle Toby followed. You have my best wishes for a pleasant and interesting meeting.
Truly your friend, GEORGE B. COLE.
GEN. A. G. EDWARDS, OF ST. LOUIS, MO. ST. LOUIS, MAY 28, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE, CH'N.,-Dear Sir :- It is with sincere regret that I find myself compelled to decline the invitation to attend the celebration in commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the set- tlement of Iowa," with which you have been pleased to honor me.
As marking the wonderful growth of your great State, it will be an
1
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event of much interest, and especially to me, as it seems almost as yesterday, that at the close of the Black Hawk War, I camped on the ground now occupied by one of your largest cities.
Very respectfully, A. G. EDWARDS.
HON. W. B. ALLISON. United States Senator, of Dubuque.
DUBUQUE, IOWA, MAY 28, 1883.
My Dear Sir :- Your kind invitation to the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Iowa, was received a few days ago. I delayed an- swering some days, hoping to be able to say that I would be with you, but I find that it will be impracticable for me to attend.
It is every way fitting that such anniversary should be held, and that a recapitulation should be made of our growth during this period. It will show rapid, steady and healthful progress. What was an un- inhabited region fifty years ago, now constitutes a state of nearly, if not fully, two millions of people, as energetic, intelligent and virtu- ous as are to be found within a like area in any part of the globe. The successive steps that have led to this marvellous growth, will be properly portrayed by those chosen tospeak on the occasion. It will be an event full of interest to all the people who now dwell in the state, and at intervals will be repeated by the generations that come after us. I regret very much my inability to participate in the cere- monies and festivities of the occasion. Please accept my thanks for your invitation, and believe me with great respect.
Yours very truly, W. B. ALLISON.
GENERAL A. C. DODGE, Ch'n. Burlington, Ia.
BRO. FRANCIS DE SALES, OF NOTRE DAME, IND.
NOTRE DAME, IND., MAY 28, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE-My Dear Friend :- Your very kind invita- tion to attend the semi-centennial celebration of the first settlement of Iowa, to be held at Burlington, the first of June, 1883, came to hand in due time, and I must return you my most sincere and cordial thanks for your very kind remembrance of your old and trusted friend who in return invites you and Mrs. Dodge, and your sons Charles and William, to our Annual Commencement June 2Ist and 22nd Prox.
It would be to me personally a great pleasure to receive you here, as of old, and point out to you all of our immense improvements since your last visit.
Again permit me to thank you, and I beg to say that we are now very busy, and therefore it will be impossible for me to attend your
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celebration. Kind regards to Mrs. Dodge, Charles and Willie and all old friends, I remain as ever,
Yours devotedly etc., BRO. FRANCIS DE SALES.
JOHN CARROLL WALSH.
THE MOUND, HARTFORD CO., MARYLAND. NEW JERUSALEM MILLS, P. O., May 29, 1883.
My Dear General and most valued Friend :- The invitation to attend the celebration of Iowa's Semi-Centennial at "Shokokon Ca- puch" on June Ist, has been received, and for this mark of your kind and thoughtful remembrance I am most grateful.
To me it is a most pleasing thought, the reflection that I have the right to claim to be one of the earliest pioneers of Iowa, on her soil, by the border of the "Great River", on the spot where is now locat- ed one of her most beautiful cities, Fort Madison known to the In- dians as "Potowonok", I may say I entered upon life's career. What vast changes have taken place since the 22nd of February, 1834, and none greater than is your great and prosperous state, and that she may go on and continue to grow and prosper, is my sincere and heartfelt wish.
But for the ill health of my wife, I should be most truly gratified to visit Burlington and lend my humble assistance in doing honor to the occasion, and especially as it would afford me the opportunity of meeting with those dear old friends, whose hands I would so much like to clasp. Doubtless Gen Jones will be present,-give him my heartiest love. For him my first stump speech was made from a stump in my old friend John Box's yard, and for him my first vote was cast. It was in Lee County, in October, 1835.
Believe me my dear friend to be ever
Sincerely yours, JOHN CARROLL WALSH.
GEORGE BERRY.
Old settler of Lee county, and surveyor of public lands.
MT. PLEASANT, IOWA, May 28, 1883.
GEN. A. C. DODGE, and others-Gents :- I received your kind invitation to attend the semi-centennial anniversarsary of the first settlement of Iowa, to be held in your city on the first day of June, 1883.
The spring of 1837, found me with my wife and child in the N. E. part of Lee county, Iowa, near where we subsequently settled, and to our joy and satisfaction, we met as kind, intelligent, and enter- prising a class of people, as I ever saw in any country, and what I say of the first settlers of Lee county, I say for all the first settlers of Iowa.
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Excuse me Mr. President, if I should remark by your aid, let one ex- ample illustrate many, in passing from Shelby county to Fort Dodge, through a prairie wilderness, we met a party of men who had been hunt- ing near Coon river, and made some inquiry about the route; they said we were on the direct course, but the river was up and we had no chance to cross it; but if we would go with them down the stream fif- teen miles, they had a good canoe, and would help us over; we ac- cepted their kind offer, and after we were safely over, we said, "now gentlemen what is your charge," "not any thing". Many such fa- vors have we received from the first settlers in Lee county; we call them old settlers in Lee county, who do us honor, and we love them as men; not for names, but for actions and works.
I ask myself, are these the half civilized people which persons in older states take them to be? Generally they have more brains, and know better how to use them, than those they left behind; hearts within them in which better blood never coursed through father Adam's veins, than pulsates in theirs.
Years ago, while passing over those prairies, carpeted with green grass, bedecked with flowers of every shape and color; I never saw a sight so beautiful. Now when we pass over them, we see fine houses instead of the log cabin, and broad acres covered with grain, vegeta- bles and fruits of all kinds.
Excuse me, Mr. President, if I shall repeat that I think that not only the first settlers, but their sons and daughters should honor and respect the name of the man, who, so ably defended their ancestors from that odious name of squatter, trespasser and usurper of the pub- lic domain, against some of the ablest men in the Congress and Sen- ate of the United States, and showed them that those pioneers were laying a foundation for State government, after the form of the Fed- eral government, each settler taking the Bible and constitution with him as a guide. See the State Constitution and Laws those first settlers enacted; they will compare favorably with those of any older states, see the liberal provisions for schools, see the rail roads, which the first settlers have helped to build, and are still helping. May our sons carry out the example their ancestors have left them, and make those who villified us ashamed that they said such unworthy things.
May our love for the first settlers never grow less. I regret to say, that age and infirmity will prevent me from meeting with you at the celebration.
Yours, etc., GEORGE BERRY.
DR. GIDEON S. BAILEY.
A member from Van Buren County of the Ist and 2d Conventions to form our State Government of the Ist Territorial Legislature, and U. S. Marshal for four years.
VERNON, IOWA, May 29, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE, Burlington, Iowa.
My father, Dr. Gideon S. Bailey, wishes me to express to you his thanks for an invitation to attend Iowa's Semi-Centennial Celebra-
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tion at Burlington on the Ist of June Prox., as I do for a like courtesy. It would afford him great pleasure to be present on an occasion so in- teresting, and to greet his old friends and early pioneers of Iowa, and above all others, yourself, but the infirmities of age which render it unpleasant for him to get away from home, and the urgency of his private affairs, make it inconvenient for him to attend.
My father's health is good for one of his age, and my own health is excellent. I am under great obligations of gratitude to you for favors already received, and my father and I assure you of our desire for the happiness and welfare of yourself and family.
Very truly your friend,
A. C. BAILEY.
JOHN I. REDIC.
Distinguished Lawyer and Judge of Nebraska.
HON. A. C. DODGE:
Pres. of the Semi- Centennial Anniversary etc., of Iowa, Bur-
lington-My Dear Sir :- I have before me your kind invita- tion to be present on June Ist, at the celebration of the fiftieth anni- versary of the settlement of Iowa.
I regret exceedingly, that I will be unable to be present. Our courts are in session and will occupy my entire time.
The early history of Iowa, I know is fraught with many most in- teresting incidents, and I am sure that your celebration will portray and bring them out in grand style, and I can assure you that I would be delighted to be present if possible. Hoping, my dear sir, that you may have a beautiful day, and that the occasion may prove a grand success, I am with very great respect,
Your friend,
JOHN I. REDIC.
HON. JAMES HAGERMAN, OF KEOKUK.
HON. A. C. DODGE-My Dear General-I am in receipt of your kind invitation to Iowa's Semi-Centennial at Burlington. I had hop- ed to be present, but imperative professional engagements at Kansas City will prevent.
The celebration richly merits success, and no doubt under your splendid leadership will prove the greatest pageant ever held in the state.
The time and place of these imposing ceremonies are appropriate.
Historical associations and traditional memories of the early set- tlers, cluster around your city and her citizens.
Fifty years ago the foundations of our noble State were being laid broad and deep.
The growth, progress and reunion of our people, evidenced by the vast population and high civilization of to-day, are living monuments to the wisdom and patriotism of the old pioneers.
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In commemorating the achievements of the fathers, do not forget the sons.
"For we are the same that our fathers' have been; We see the same sights that our fathers have seen; We drink the same stream and we view the same sun, And run the same course that our fathers have run."
Your friend, JAMES HAGERMAN.
COL. WM. H. MERRITT, OF DES MOINES.
Who was editor of the Miners' Express at Dubuque, Register of Land Office at Fort Dodge, and led the Iowa Ist at Wilson's Creek in the late war.
HON. A. C. DODGE, and others,-Committee on invitations: Burlington, Iowa.
Gentlemen :- Your invitation to be present on the first of June and join your citizens in celebrating the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa, was duly received. When we consider the present population of Iowa, and its growth in material prosperity, the event is one which can not fail to excite profound interest with every citizen of Iowa; and it would afford me great pleasure to be present on the auspicious occasion, but other engagements intervene to prevent it.
Fifty years has reclaimed the valleys of the Upper Mississippi and Missouri from a savage wilderness, to civilization and and refinement. The school, the church and countless towns and cities mark the places where the rustic tent afforded the temporary shelter to the rude savage, and the railroad has obliterated the Indian trail. The hand of industry has subdued the soil, and the crack of the rifle and the wild whoop of the red barbarian is answered by the sound of the ax, the anvil, and the click of countless machinery. Mighty changes have been wrought within this semi-centennial period, but who shall say that it is more than the first step towards a material progress which is to make Iowa the granery of the United States, and the center of a great North-West, destined speedily to become the center of political and commercial empire.
Gentlemen, accept my best wishes for the complete success of your noble undertaking, and believe me
Very truly yours, WM. H. MERRITT.
N. C. DEERING, M. C. FROM IOWA.
OSAGE, IOWA, May 30, 1833.
GEN. A. C. DODGE, Pres. etc.,-My Dear Sir :- On my return last evening from Fargo and other points north, I had the pleasure to find your complimentary invitation to attend the celebration in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Iowa.
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Allow me to express to you the gratitude I feel for this kindly re- membrance, and also regrets that ill health and prior engagements will prevent attendance. My heart will be in sympathy with the ex- ercises on that pleasant occasion.
With good wishes and high esteem
Very truly yours. N. C. DEERING.
L. PARKHURST AND LADY.
A very early settler of Iowa, and who was married in Burlington.
DAVENPORT, May 30, 1883.
To HON. A. C. DODGE -- Dear Sir :- Please accept our thanks for your invitation to attend the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the set- tlement of our thrifty and prosperous State. Much as I would like to attend, I cannot leave my home, our family at present being away. We know you will have an enjoyable time, and we send you greet ings and our sincere wishes for its ultimate and complete success.
Please present my wife and self to all enquiring friends and oblige, As ever, your old remembered friends, L. PARKHURST and LADY.
HON. JAMES W. DAVIDSON.
MONMOUTH, ILL. May 31, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE -- My Dear Sir :-- I have your kind invita- tion to attend the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the first settlement of your State for which, please accept my sincere thanks, and I know that you will believe me true when I assure you that no consideration could afford me a higher degree of pleasure than to comply with your kind invitation. I deeply regret to say that business engagements must prevent me availing myself of the honor, as well as the great pleasure of being with you and joining at least to some extent in the merry interesting exercises of the day, which marks the fiftieth anni- versary of the settlement of your great and prosperous State. But a few years have passed since your state was a barren uninhabited waste unused to the methods of civilization, the broad prairies and grand old forests which had never yielded to the white man's plough or the woodman's ax. But it is true that even now, while doubtless many evidences still exist of savage life, while the Indian tracks have scarce- ly faded from the sands, your state has shown a career of prosper- ity and thrift almost unparalleled. It could scarcely be otherwise, however, possessed as it is of such splendid soil and magnificent rivers and forests, all made tributary to American industry, and will not fail to place Iowa among the first in point of wealth and intelligence.
Again thanking you for your kind remembrance of me, I have the honor to be
Truly Yours, JAMES W. DAVIDSON.
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MRS. M. M. ALDRICH.
One of the very first ladies who ever visited Iowa, and one of great respectability and moral worth.
WARSAW, Ill., May 31, 1883.
GEN. A. C. DODGE, Burlington, Iowa.
Dear Friend :-- I fully intended to be in Burlington to-morrow, to attend the celebration; but indisposition will prevent me from go- ing. I thought that as I was the second white woman who lived in Keokuk, I might rank as an old settler of Iowa.
I landed in Keokuk on the 2nd of July, 1827. At that time there were but three houses, humble cabins, where Keokuk now stands, and the wild roses covered the hills now trampled by the feet of thousands.
It would be a great pleasure for me to see and talk with you, and I hope you will visit us this summer. With many kind remembrances to your wife,
I remain your friend, MRS. M. M. ALDRICH.
JUDGE H. B. HENDERSHOTT.
OTTUMWA, IOWA, June Ist, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE, Burlington, Iowa.
Dear Sir :- I most gratefully acknowledge the receipt of invita- tion to attend the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa. Having settled in Burlington on the 11th day of October, 1837, I should have been present and participated in the joys of the occasion, but circumstances were such that I could not. I now write to acknowledge my obligations to the committee, and to you indi- vidually for the recognition implied in the card sent me.
I am thankful that the day has been all that anxiety could have desired, and I have no doubt my old early Iowa home friends have grandly acquitted themselves on the occasion.
Your Friend and Ob't. Svt. H. B. HENDERSHOTT.
REV. WM. CORBY.
President of the Notre Dame College, Ind., and also Watertown, Wis.
WATERTOWN, WIS., June 2nd, 1883.
GEN. A. C. DODGE-Respected and Dear Friend :- On my re- turn from Milwaukee where I have been for some days on business. I find your esteemed favor inviting me to attend the semi-centennial anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa, held in Burlington June Ist. Allow me to return you sincere thanks for your kindness in re- membering me.
This renews the recollection of the many kindnesses received from
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friends in your truly spirited city. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you all some day, and in the interim please extend my kindest regards to all-especially Mr. Mark Foote and family, and accept for yourself and esteemed family, my regard and affection.
Sincerely,
WM. CORBY.
THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL POET.
The following letter from Eugene F. Ware, who was selected to read a poem at the celebration, explains why he was not present:
FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, June 2nd, 1883. GEN. A. C. DODGE, Burlington, Iowa:
Dear General -- I am disappointed beyond all endurance, at my not being able to be with you yesterday. The case of Briggs vs. Latham was set for May 14. Witnesses came from all the Western States, and it hung on and hung on, and then the jury hung and I had to stay with it. There were several thousand dollars involved, and I was running the suit. I am so disappointed that I am almost sick.
I hope it did not greatly inconvenience you.
Yours very sincerely, E. F. WARE.
JAMES B. SMALLWOOD, OF BALTIMORE.
BALTIMORE, MD. June 5th, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE-Dear Sir :- The invitation to attend the Semi-Centennial anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa, June Ist, came duly to hand. I regret I was unable to accept the same, as it would not only have afforded me a most agreeable trip, but at the same time given me the extreme pleasure of meeting with, not only the warm friends of my own early youth and manhood, for no one holds a warmer place in my affections, than A. C. Dodge, and G. W. Jones; and while I regret my inability to be with you, I do not by any means despair at a very early date of meeting and greeting you under your own "vine and fig tree" and holding pleasant con- verse of days gone by.
I assure you dear General, it afforded me much pleasure to meet with Mr. Spencer in Cincinnati, as I found him one of the old time genial gentlemen,-but doubly so when I learned that he was not only your friend, but immediate neighbor, -- I felt as though I was back in old Washington.
This day one year ago, I left Baltimore for California, to visit my old friend and foster father, ex-Senator Gwin. He did not know I was coming, and you have no idea General, how surprised and delighted he was to see me, when I walked into his library before breakfast, the
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morning after I reached San Francisco. I went unannounced, and you can well imagine his amazement in looking up and seeing his lit- tle boy Jimmie, in the gray haired man before him. I was rejoiced to find the Dr. the same straight and giant-like man that he was when in the Senate. I had a charming visit and shall remember it with the deepest emotions of pleasure. I should like so much to vis- it you, and I shall I assure you before long, and sincerely pray that the Good Being will spare your life and health for many years.
With the warmest regards to yourself and family, and kind remem- brances to Mr. Spencer, believe me,
Truly your devoted friend, JAMES B. SMALLWOOD.
Acknowledgements are due the Hawkeye, and the Gazette, of Bur- lington, and the Democrat, of Fort Madison, for extracts from their full reports of the proceedings.
The expenses of the celebration, and of the publication, (5,000 copies) were defrayed by the contributions of the people of Burling- ton, in appreciation of the great benefits they have received through the benignity of Providence from the settlement of Iowa.
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