The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-07-13
Correspondence Of the Dubuque Herald

Correspondence Of the Dubuque Herald.j
Letter from southern IoWa--A visit
to the Tomb.
Now let me forget all politics, and turn my
heart away from the busy scenes OF life and
the struggle for more earthly gain, and sit
Quietly down upon the marble slab that
marks the tomb and resting place of dear
old friend. There is nothing 80 inexpresslbiy
mysterious as the law Of sympathy; nothing
so entirely beyond the reach OF human anaiy-
sis as the unbroken affection which the grate-
full and manly living feel Tor the pure and
noble dead. To remember those We have
loved 10 always mingled with sad JOY and
sweetened afniotion that one would not will
ingly forego, yet which it is even painful TO
enjoy. -,
He eame to the Black Hawk Purchase while
the Indians were yet In possession OF the
country. He started out in search OF claim,
and travelled directly from Burlington to the
Des Moines river, tied up his morse ana
walked into the river until he drank from the
waters Of the swift current, returned to the
shore and made the claim, upon which he re-
NAMED until the day of his departure from
this world.
In frame he was gigantic, upwards Of six
| feet. broad breasted and with full chest, he
had the physical power Of giant. | could
never look upon this noble man without call
ing back to nv mind the almost extinct, yet
noble race of men who first settle every coun-
try. His mind, like his body, was broad and
comprehensive. In any community he would
have made an impression and upon any soc-
ety he would have left the marks OF his foot
steps.
| 1t would have done you good to see him
| labor. as what would have been toll to others
was but pastime to him. 1t was treat TO
hear him talk. He looked at every subject
on it's strong points, and although unlettered,
be never said foolish thing. In politics, he
was a patriot. No difference what might be
the question involved, he always took the
side Of his country. In religion, he was a
christian-though he never belonged to any
| religious ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS veneration FOL
the Great God and a harmony with true pi'
ETY. pervaded all his conversation. With
early advantages be would have been to the
country what he was where he was immedi-
ately known, commanding spirit. But il
was the heart of Van Caldwell that made hin
what he was, model man.
/ He was the most hospitable man l eve,
knew. Indians came to his cabin, but never
went hungry away. The hunter in his chase
the politician in the canvass, the pioneer IL
his search of home, would often meet to
gether at his house to partake of the hospi
tally Of his board. But, oh, such hospital
ity. The old giant would sit in his porcl
looking out on the crystal waters with I
broad, honest smile on his face that mad
every guest feel ct home. Whether it wa
his corn bread and venison, and fish, AM
honey, and milk, in an early day, or In late
times, all that the bountiful year could Civ
to load the table, it was given as freely a
the waters ran down the beautiful river be
fore his door. No difference who it was, b
. received the cheerful inequalities of the no
bic pioneer. He never kept tavern. 1t wa
the strangers home with an unpaid hospital
ity, which was there enjoyed. de could hav
been rich, but be was too good to be rich.-
He was frank man, frank as he was power
! FIJI in frame and brave as be was kind.
When his death was announced, there wa
not /, man in the Des Moines Valley who's
heart was not affected. Neither Editor, Law
yer, Judge, Physician, Preacher, from dis
3 lance or neghbor near bis lonely hom'
passes by his tomb without look OF sorro
or sigh of grief.
: Ii is BETTING that his grave should be nea
the resting place Of the great Chief Blac
Hawk, that the great brave of the aboriglne'
; should rest near by the tomb OF the vel
prince of all the pioneers. Here lies an hor
est man who never did little thing.
!. Your old friend,
: TRAVELLER.