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 9
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I have referred to our Indian relations and wars somewhat at length in order to defend the government of my country, under all adminis- trations, irrespective of party, against the charge frequently made, of injustice to the aboriginal inhabitants. Never was accusation more unjust. Witness the millions paid them for the lands over which they only roamed, as do the deer, elk and buffalo. None of the Na- tions that preceded ours in this Valley ever recognized Indian title, or paid them for land. See also the heroic and self sacrificing efforts put forth from time to time, by brave men and noble women to educate, civilize and christianize the red man. All ending, with a few gratify- ing exceptions, in lamentable failure.
Born west of the Mississippi, all my early life was passed on the frontier which, as a boy and a private, Itwice aided to defend against savage aggression, I claim to know something whereof I speak. In- stead of long since exterminating by the bloody hand of War, the remnants of an unfortunate race, which still lingers in our way, we have sought and are seeking to save them from their fate, by locating them on suitable reservations of land and protecting them against un- lawful encroachments from the whites or from each other. Generos- ity and humanity have ever characterized the policy of our Govern- ment towards these people; while our treatment of them, far from disparaging, tends to add lustre to the National escutcheon.
All our early Superintendents and agents during the troublous times from 1827 and 1832, down to the date of the removal of the Indians from Iowa, were gentlemen of well known integrity and mor- al worth. They were Generals Wm. Clarke and Joseph M. Street, Messrs. Felix St. Vrain (killed by the Indians), Schoolcraft, Joshua Pilcher, Taliaferro, Beach, Gratiot (proverbial for his kindness to men ) of all colors), Marsh, Burnett, Davenport and others. The two firstt named, (Clarke and Street), were among the most eminent men of their day and distinguished for extraordinary services in peace and in war, as they were for all the qualities that grace and adorn human nature.
8 .- Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min'? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o'lang syne?
CHORUS .- For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o'kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
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We twa hae ran about the braes, And pu't the gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary foot, Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl't i' the burn Frae mornin sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar'd, Sin auld lang syne.
And here's a hand, my trusty frier, And gie's a hand of thine; And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
9 .- The Star-Spangled Banner.
Oh say, does that star-spangled banner vet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave"
10 .-- The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
11 .- Praise ye the Lord! His bounteous hand Prepared of old this glorions land, And sent his children here to be A people prosperous, bold and free.
Praise ye the Lord! through all our past His mighty arm hath held us fast; 'Till faith and hope and toils and tears Have brought the rich and peaceful years.
O Lord of hosts, our heavenly;King, Accept the grateful praise we bring; And evermore from age to age Guard and defend our heritage. Tune, Hebron.
Be Thou, O God, exalted high, And as Thy glory fills the sky, So let it be on earth displayed, Till Thou art here as there obeyed.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below, Praise Him above, ve heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Tune, Old Hundred
12. - Benediction by Dr. Wm. Ross.
Wild as the fruits he scorned to till, These vales the idle Indian trod; Nor knew the glad, creative skill,- The joy of him who toils with God.
Thanks, Lord, that from our daily need The joy of simple faith is born; That he who smites the summer weed May trust Thee for the autumn corn.
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Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; Let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; Who sows a field, or trains a flower, Or plants a tree, is more than all.
For he who blesses most is blest; And God and man shall own his worth Who toils to leave as his bequest And added beauty to the earth.
WHITTIER.
CORRESPONDENCE.
HON. GEORGE G. WRIGHT, OF DES MOINES.
I hope you will appreciate my reasons for declining to speak. I hope, however, to be with you and see many old and familiar faces. I can shake hands and feel good, if I cannot talk. I am sure you will have a joyous reunion.
HON. EDWARD JOHNSTONE, OF KEOKUK.
I have not words with which to convey my thanks for the honor and preference thus expressed, but I am greatly grieved in being con- pelled to say in reply, that I have neither the time nor the ability to prepare a paper fit and adequate to be presented at your contemplat- ed meeting:
"Gone are the plumes and pinions gay Of young romance; And linger but her ruins gray, And broken lance."
I hope to be present at your great gathering, and if so will cordial- ly assist in that behalf in any prosaic manner, but you must not ask me to drop into poetry. I feel assured, and it is my heartiest desire, that the assemblage on the Ist of June, in your prosperous and hos- pitable city, where I first set foot forty-six years ago, will be all that the most ardent projectors and friends of the Semi-Centennial could wish.
HON. SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD, OF IOWA City.
I am still suffering from the effects of the accident I met with some weeks ago, and do not feel in a condition to deliver an address I would like very much to do it, but do not feel that I could do jus- tice to the occasion in my present condition.
HON. C. C. NOURSE, OF DES MOINES.
"I am in full sympathy with the measure and hope to be able to attend, but on account of urgent professional engagements cannot promise an address."
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HON. W. H. LEAS. Lawyer, Mayor, etc. of that City.
DES MOINES, IOWA, MAY 15, 1883.
My Dear Friend :- Your very kind invitation to Mrs. Leas and myself, to attend the anniversary of the First Settlement of Iowa, has been received. Whilst we are obliged to decline, we nevertheless thank you. I have just returned from Florida, and may be induced to return before the first of June, to finish my selections of govern- ment land in that state; Mrs. Leas will be absent also. With the highest considerations of esteem, I remain as ever,
Your Attached Friend, W. H. LEAS.
A. H. BOX.
Postmaster of Floris, Davis county.
There is a great deal of talk in this neighborhood respecting the semi-centennial celebration to be held at Burlington the Ist of June. Please give me an outline of the exercises to be observed on that day. John Box, my father, settled at Fort Madison early in 1833, made his claim in April of that year and soon thereafter moved his family across the river. He was a member of the ist Legislative Assembly of Wisconsin and Iowa Territories, and attended its sessions at Bel- mont and Burlington.
HON. ERSKINE M. PHELPS. President of the Iroquois club, Chicago, Ill.
CHICAGO, MAY 16, 1883.
Mr. A. G. ADAMS, Burlington, Iowa --
Dear Sir :- I am just in receipt of your kind invitation to attend the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Iowa. Nothing would afford me greater pleasure than to be there at that time, but I fear a previous engagement will prevent. I have the hon- or to be, very truly, ERSKINE M. PHELPS.
HON. WM. F. VILAS.
MADISON, WIS., MAY 19, 1883.
My Dear Sir :- Pray accept my hearty thanks for your kind re- membrance by an invitation to the semi-centennial of Iowa, and for the honor of your compliments therewith. I wish I might attend for the gratification of paying my respects to the most venerable of Iowa's Pioneer's, and witnessing the interesting ceremonies over which he will honorably preside. But my engagements will prevent, and I can only express my regrets, and my hope that the day will prove as suc- cessful in the happy performance of the prescribed exercises as were 6
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the undertakings of the heroes of early days, who brought the banner of civilization to the State, never to be stayed; as successful as the merits of the Pioneers' deserve it should be for their worthy commem- oration.
With sincere wishes for your long preservation to your friends and state, I am,
Very truly yours, W. F. VILAS.
HON. A. C. DODGE, Burlington, Iowa.
GEORGE WASHINGTON JONES, OF DES MOINES.
GENERAL A. C. DODGE-My Esteemed Friend :- Allow me to thank you for the kind invitation to the semi-centennial celebration of the old settlers at Burlington, and the very kind expressions ac- companying it. It revives many recollections of the past, among the dearest and most cherished of my life. My father with his family, constituting eleven persons (only three of whom are now living), crossed the Mississippi at Smith's Ferry, three miles below Burling- ton, October 23, 1834. A day or two after that I was at the first election held at Burlington, and think the first ever held in what is now Iowa. A judge (Wm. Morgan), a justice of the peace and a con- stable were elected. I attended the first school I have any knowl- edge of ever being taught in the territory, in a log cabin built up the hollow, where Mr. Rand's lumber yard was located for many years. I was frequently at the sessions of the territorial legislature of Wis- consin, that convened at Burlington. Your distinguished father, Henry Dodge, then the governor, being present, whose acquaintance I made, although I was a mere boy. Could the imagination picture the grand progress of this great State since that date? It will not do to enlarge. The theme is too fruitful. Allow me to express my most sincere regrets at my inability to be present on this interest- ing occasion, and to indulge the hope that it will be a most happy event for my many old settler friends.
With great respect, I am most truly your friend,
GEO. W. JONES.
HON. JAMES GRANT, OF DAVENPORT.
DAVENPORT, IA. MAY 19, 1883. Hon. A. C. Dodge, Chairman:
DEAR SIR: Your kind invitation to the "Semi-Centennial of Iowa" is received. Nothing could give me greater pleasure than to accept it, with Mrs. Grant, if she were in Iowa. She is, however, in Cali- fornia, once the "Land of Gold" and now the land of the orange, the olive and the vine. I have always been and now am a pioneer. I have traveled, more or less, in all the states of the union, but when I reflect and discuss the merits of them all, my judgment and affec-
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tion cling to Iowa as the best of them all. There is "None such. This is the place?"
Fifty years ago Iowa was a wilderness of prairie, now she is the home of two millions of people; and its products and the industry of its people have done more to make Chicago, (my former home,) one of the largest cities in the world, than even the State of Illinois. I congratulate Burlington. I congratulate you, our second Territorial representative and our first Senator, upon the part you have played in the grand drama of making one of the most prosperous states in the world. Your old and long-life friend,
JAS. GRANT.
WM. H. FLEMING.
Long the able Private Secretary of many Governors of Iowa.
DES MOINES, MAY 19, 1883.
HON. A. C DODGE, Ch'n .- Dear General :- Many thanks for your kind invitation. I wish very much I could be with you at the Semi-Centennial, but circumstances will deny me that pleasure; I doubt not it will be worthy of the momentous event it commemorates. I amagine that you will enjoy a felicity akin to that which Henry Clay told Lafayette, in 1825, he might enjoy comparing the new world he had helped to create politically at periods, fifty years apart. Thanking you again for your courtesy,
I am, very truly yours, WM. H. FLEMING.
A. W. HARLAN, ESQ.
One of the earliest settlers of Lee county.
CROFTON, LEE COUNTY, IOWA, MAY 20, 1883.
MR. A. C. DODGE -- MMy Friend of auld lang syne :-- I acknowl- edge the receipt of a formal invitation to participate in the celebra- tion of the first settlement of Iowa. I regret that I cannot attend, and were I to do so, I imagine I would be a stranger in a very strange assemblage.
After traveling several months, I entered Iowa upon the evening of Sep. 16th, 1834, and was invited by Lieut. G. H. Crossman, Quar- ter Master U. S. A., to stop with him, and on the next day, the 17th of September, 1834, I went to work for him. The labor was per- formed in building Fort Des Moines, on the present site of Montrose, Lee county, Iowa; the place was then called Cantonment Des Moines
A few days thereafter, Lieut. Crossman sent his Corporal to notify all the men engaged in the erection of the Cantonment to assemble at a certain place named by him to learn something of importance to the people who had settled there.
It was to listen to the reading by Morton M. Mc Carver of "Flint Hills", of a proclamation of the then Governor of Michigan Terri-
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tory, (Stevens T. Mason). The citizens generally were on hand, in good time, including Lieut. Crossman and his clerk, Tilham, the cor- poral and his four men, the latter marched up in military style and took position, arms in hand.
I can not recite a sentence of the proclamation, but its object was to inform the people that the laws of the U. S. and of Michigan Ter- ritory in particular, had been extended over the "Black Hawk Pur- chase." At the conclusion of the reading of the proclamation, Lieut. Crossman drew his sword, and as a soldier of the Republic, in appro- priate words acknowledged the supremacy of the civil law, and said that with his small force he should be found ever ready to aid the au- thorities in the enforcement of the civil law.
Though having to endure hardships, privations and poverty, the pioneer has many compensations and pleasures unknown to others of a less adventurous spirit. I have ridden alone during my long resi- dence in Lee county, over the beautiful prairies clothed in spring and summer with green herbage and every variety of flowers and wit- nessed herds of deer,grazing with no cabin in sight. I have also stood on the banks of the Des Moines and enjoyed the sporting of golden fish in its crystal waters.
Hoping that your meeting may be in every way a success and that all may have a good time, I remain,
Truly your friend, A. W. HARLAN.
HON. A. J. HOLMES, OF BOONE.
BOONE, IOWA, MAY 20, 1883 .- J. W. BURDETTE, EsQ .- Secretary of committee on semi-centennial anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa.
Dear Sir :- Your esteemed favor extending invitation to be pres- ent at the semi-centennial anniversary of Iowa, to be held at Burling- ton June Ist, received. I regret that a prior engagement will pre- vent my being present.
My best wishes go with you for the successful celebration of the an- niversary which witnesses in the memory of the men now living the transformation of the savage solitude of the Indian hunter to a great State, rich in all that is best in civilization, and standing first in the constellation of the republic in education and progress.
Very respectfully yours.
A. J. HOLMES.
MRS. DR. HAY Daughter of ex Senator Jones.
1921 WABASH AVE., CHICAGO ILL. MAY 21, 1883.
. HON. A. C. DODGE, PRESIDENT, etc .- Dear General :- Please ac- cept the thanks of Dr. Hay and myself for your kind remembrance of
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us. Professional engagements will prevent my husband from leaving the city, and I must add my own regrets that we shall not be able to join you in celebrating your Semi-Centennial.
In spirit, I will be present, recalling as I do so many pleasant rem- niscences of former visits to your hospitable home and city. What a troop of recollections crowd upon me as I write, dating back to 1861, when on the occasion of a walk to the "Cascade", dear, gal- lant, little Charlie showed himself a match for Sir Walter Raleigh, carrying my mantilla which the heat of the day made an incumbrance to me. Later on, during a fair for our dear departed Father Done- lan's church, our loved Bishop Smyth took me with him to Burling- ton, where I was again your guest -- and later still, I would not say -- that of all-15 years ago when the "Golden Hour" entertainments were among the chief attractions of Burlington society life and Mr. Rice was your gallant knight! How pleasant the retrospect!
Affectionately Your Friend, MARIA J. HAY.
HON. JOHN A. LOGAN. United States Senator, of Illinois.
SANTA FE, N. M., MAY 22.
HON. A. G. ADAMS-My Dear Friend: -- I am very sorry that I am so far away and have so many engagements that I can not possibly accept your very cordial invitation to be present at the semi-centen- nial of your attractive city. I have a very vivid recollection of a de- lightful visit there, and of a particularly pleasant evening at your house, and sincerely wish it were possible for me to come now, but I must forego that pleasure for the present. Be kind enough to make my compliments to your daughters. With regards I am, Yours very truly, JOHN A. LOGAN.
COL. PETER PARKINSON, JR.
One of the very earliest settlers of Wisconsin-distinguished in the Black Hawk War, and as a writer of early history.
FAYETTE, MAY 22, 1883.
My Dear and Estimable Friend :-- I have the honor to acknowl- edge the receipt of your courteous invitation to attend the celebration of the first settlement of Iowa, at Burlington on the Ist of June next, and I assure you and the other gentlemen connected with you in the celebration, that nothing of the social and festive character could af- ford me more pleasure than to meet you and the many other noble pioneer men of Iowa, upon that or any other pioneer occasion.
I regard all pioneers, (with a few exceptions), as noble and good men, and nothing affords me more pleasure than to meet and hear them, recount to each other the scenes and incidents connected with their
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early settlement. My bosom always glows with true pioneer pride, when I reflect upon the noble character of pioneer men and women and their many generous qualities.
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But circumstances render it out of my power to enjoy the pleasure of being with you upon the occasion. Our state pioneer association meets on the 6th of June, our county old settlers meeting, on the 12th, and our Pecatonica celebration on the 16th, so you see I have no time to spare from home.
As I cannot be with you allow me to enclose a sentiment.
The noble state of Iowa, whose present prosperity and greatness in the scale of states, is mainly attributable to the wisdom, energy, and prudence of her noble pioneers and first settlers. May her glory and her felicity increase with each revolving year until the last trumpet shall sound the catastrophe of nature, and time shall emerge into the ocean of eternity. PETER PARKINSON JR.
GEORGE VIELE LAUMAN.
DAVENPORT, IA., MAY 22, 1883.
GEN. A. C. DODGE :- Dear General :- The mail of this morning brought me a very complimentary remembrance, in your invitation to "Iowa's Semi-Centennial." Receive my thanks for the same. It will give me pleasure to greet you on that occasion, being in Burling. ton, the guest of my uncle, as I fondly expect to be.
Sincerely Yours,
GEORGE VIELE LAUMAN.
THOMAS MC KEE.
GALESBURG, ILL. MAY 23, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE,-Dear Sir :- I have just recived your com- pliment by way of an invitation to be present at the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa. I suppose I would be termed one of the "first settlers of Iowa". I went into Casey Prairie, north of Flint River, on the first day of May, 1835, and made the farm that was afterwards called the Woods farm, and left there in the fall of 1836, and I will be with you on the first day of June next.
Yours with much respect, THOMAS MCKEE.
HON. THOMAS A. HENDRICKS, OF INDIANA.
INDIANAPOLIS, MAY 23, 1883.
HON. A. C. DODGE -- Dear Sir :-- I have received the invitation from yourself as president, and Mr. Burdette as secretary, to attend "the celebration in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of lowa," on the first day of next month. The occasion
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will be most interesting, and I regret that I can not be present. I observed your note upon the envelope, of personal regard and good wishes. Be assured I appreciate that also.
Your invitation has revived in my memory the fact that my father attended the first sale of public lands in Iowa. It was at Burlington the sales took place. He made a purchase of some land, but we nev- er left our home in Indiana to occupy it. That was nearly fifty years ago. The settlements rapidly followed the land s les, and were en- couraged and promoted by the act of congress of 1841, declaring and establishing more fully and liberally the rights of pre emptors.
On next Friday at Burlington, where the lands were first sold, then a village but now a city, the people of Iowa propose to commemo- rate the achievements of industry, enterprise and intelligence, during the first half century of their history. Fifty years is a long period in the lifetime of an individual, but in the history of a people it is only a morning hour. Iowa has much to commemorate Her progress and development have been marvelous. No other state or nation at the close of its first half century can boast a more rapid or more ex- cellent development: Her population is now a million and nearly three-quarters. In it every civilized country is represented, and all persons over ten years of age can read, save only 2.4 per cent, which I believe is a lower per cent than in any other State or Territory. Twelve thousand eight hundred free schools attest the devotion of the people to the cause of education, and their support of the press ap- pears in five hundred and sixty-nine newspapers and other periodicals. Six thousand seven hundred and twenty manufacturing establishments give employment to four thousand employes, using a capital of thirty- one million dollars, paying wages annually nine million six hundred and forty-two thousand dollars, consuming forty-six million dollars of materials, and producing annually seventy million dollars of man- ufacturing values. The field, orchard and garden products of 1880, as stated by Mr. Shaffer, aggregated the enormous value $127, 257,- 500; and the domestic animals on hand in January, 1880, were esti- mated at the agricultural department of the United States, as exceed- ing in value one hundred million dollars. It is an interesting fact, which I recently saw stated, that every one of the ninety-nine coun- ties of the State is passed over, or entered by railroads; but the great system of railroads now covering the State may hardly be included among the results of Iowa enterprise; for the reason that the State and her people were largely aided in their construction by the enormous land grants by the United States. Hospitals for the insane have been completed and universities and high schools in aid of the cause of education are maintained, and yet the debt of the State is so small that it may be said of her as it is said of Indiana, she owes no debt.
I have been told that a rigid economy has characterized the ad- ministration of state affairs in Iowa; and I have been told that in a large degree it has been attributable to the high example set by one whose memory I delight to honor, Governor Grimes. He was a man of absolute integrity. As a representative and servant of the people
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no persuasion could seduce him, nor influence swerve him from the line of conduct which his judgment approved. The influence of his administration is still felt in the affairs of his State.
At the celebration on Friday the inquiry will be, what were the causes that lay at the foundation of such great prosperity, and of de- velopment so rapid and substantial. Industry and enterprise, a soil of great fertility, with less than one per cent of unavailable land, the settler's right of pre-emption, and the system of public surveys that so marked and defined each man's land as to cut off controversy in respect to titles, and the great facilities for transportation by rail and water, are prominent among the causes that have made Iowa what it now appears.
Hoping that nothing shall occur to mar the interest of the occas- ion, and thanking yourself and the committee for the honor of the in- vitation,
I am very respectfully yours, T. A. HENDRICKS.
W. B. GREEN, ESQ. OF GALENA, ILL.
GALENA, ILL., MAY 23, 1883.
A. C. Dodge, President :- Your kind invitation to me to attend the semi-centennial anniversary of the first settlement of Iowa is re- ceived; circumstances will prevent me from availing myself of that pleasure.
The first time I set foot in what is now the state of Iowa, was in the summer of 1832, during the Black Hawk War. The Indians had murdered two men and taken their horses where they were cultivat- ing corn on the Menominee, and a portion of the cavalry company to which I belonged was sent after them. We traced them to what was then known as Jordon's Ferry (now East Dubuque). A canoe and handsaw had been left in the house, there being but two of them, the the canoe was too heavy for them to transport to the river, so they sawed it into in the middle and crossed the river no doubt swimming the horses. Lieutenant Kirkpatrick and myself cross- ed the river in the other half of the canoe by packing clay in the end, and found where the Indians and horses had landed, but we followed them no farther. We found nothing where the beautiful city of Du- buque now is but some wigwam poles; the Indians having deserted the place some time previous. I remained a short time at a branch of Little Maquoketa in the summer of 1833. We were ordered off by the military however, the Indian title not having been extinguished.
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