The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-06-12
From the Dubuque Times.l
A Race for Life.

While on our way to McGregor the other
day, on the steamer Milwaukee, we made the
acquaintance of one of our fellow passengers
who had just escaped from the Southern
Confederacy. Many of our citizens know
him well, as he was once in business here.
We will give the narrative in his own words
as near as possible.
"You see had been doing heavy whole
sale and retail provision business, in the city
Of Augusta, Georgia, for two years, and was
getting along with the inhabitants very
smoothly, until little circumstance trans
pired last fall which melted the populace
against me. had taken more or less inter-
est in political affairs while lived there and,
as much from policy as from anything else,
adopted a conservative southern view of mat
ters. was strong Bell and Everett man,
and when the State Convention was in ses-
sion vas mentioned as ons Of the State
electors.
AS it was known that came from Du-
buque, some Of my constituents wrote to the
latter city for information as to my political
antecedents The letter was addressed to
one of the prominent law firms Of Dubuqu e,
and for some unaccountable reason answered
in such manner as to direct the deepest in,
dignation of the community where 1 lived,
towards me. They were informed that
was a loud.mouthed Abolitionist and had
stumped the State of Iowa for Fremont
Within short time of the receipt of that
letter my house was surrounded by an infu-
rated mob, eager to wreak blind vengeance
on me. appealed to the Mayor, who was
warm personal friend OF mine, for protec-
ton. He responded.by calling out the en-
tire police force to disperse the rabble.
Myself and son-in-law stood all that night
at tie head of the first flight of stairs, in my
house, with firearms and axes, resolved to
sell our lives as dearly as possible, should
the miscreants break in. My brave wife
knew no fear and would not leave my side,
although entreated her to do SO. She
seemed nervcd to desperation by our COM
mon danger and ready to face and sacrifice
her life, if necessary, in defense Of our
home.
The people were pacified at last when they
found us too rcsolute to be imposed upon,
and after short time was allowed to pur.
sue my business as usual; satisfied them
apparently that did not entertain princi
pies repugnant to their peculiar views and
convinced them that the information they
had received was tissue of ffalsehoods, yet
there ever lurked amongst them suspicion
of my loyalty to the South. Thus we lived
through the winter the community daily
becoming more excited and bitter agains
those who did not coincide to the letter with
the damnable opinions that then ruled tn,
hour.
In illustration of this will only cite on,
instance. A party Of merchants were dis
cussing the impending crisis one afternoon
in store not far from mine, when cne o
my neighbors made the following remark
"Gentlemen we must be careful and no
underrate the strength Of the enemy" Tha
same night committee called on him an,
asked him If he made such remark, wheI
he rcplied"Yes. And do not see the harm
in It. It is one of the first lessons in militia
Ty strategy not to underrate the power Of tn
foc." His explanation availed him nothing
He was seized and one side Of his head an
face shaved clean Of the hair and whiskers
Then tho newly barborcd portions wer
daubcd with tar and feathers. He then r.
ceived forty lashes, and was given to under
stand that he had twelve hours in which I
make himself scarce.
This was moi m isolated instance. Deed
of violencs were of daily occurrence, an
many times they resulted In the death Of tf
&. i,.,