The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-04-20
WHOLE NO. 392.
For the TIMRS.

Death of this truly noble, kind and good.
hearted man as having taken place on Fri.
day, the first day of April, has caused
gloom of sorrow and sadness throughout
the community, which time alone can wear
away.
For several months before the sad event
occurred, he had been gradually declining.
and sensible himself that he must soon
leave the world and all the dear associations
Of long lifetime, which he had formed, he
meekly and calmly resigned himself to that
fate which awaits US all, and be died like a
christian and philosopher.
Accustomed for nearly a quarter of
century, to see that familiar face almost
daily-to see that pleasing smile, which lit
and frightened every part Of noble and
manly countenance-to hear the pleasing
salutation and the affectionate inquiry after
the health Of yourself and family, and to
know and think that countenance is now
cold, that voice now forever silent, and that
noble soul that gushed forth those manly
and affectionate feelings for another's well
fare, has gone to the Geld and silent grave,
are thoughts which produce sadness, a
sorrow upon the mind, relieved only by
tears.
He was born Aug. 81, 1890, in Norfolk
county, England, and emigrated to America
in 1917, and first settled in Philadelphia
Here he first learned that far away towards
the evening Sun, across majestic rivers,
and over lofty mountains, there was wide
spread land, skirting upon either shore of
great river; young, ardent, brave,
daring, resolute and in the v,gor Of man.
hood, full Of wild adventure, he turned his
face toward the great west, and arrived on
the banks Of the Mississippi in 1927.
In company with Governor Dodge, of
Wisconsin, he made his way to the lead
mines, where they both made settlement
in what is now the county of Grant. At
this time the whole Of that vast and fertile
tract of country lying between the Wiscon-
sin on the north, the Kaskaskia on the
south, and embracing the rich valley of
Rock river, was but sparsely settled Here
and there along the streams clustered the
few log huts Of the hunter and the trap.
per. men who had early bid ai.u to
civilization and refinement in some far off
eastern home, and who by their acts were
fast precipitating the country into cruel,
bloody and desperate border war. Others
as bold and daring as themselves, prompted
by the prospect Of sudden riches and
wealth, had clustered around the lead mines
Of Illinois and Wisconsin. To expel both
Of these, that brave and daring old chief,
Blackhawk, in the year 1882, raised the
flag OF war, and for long time desolated
this fair and lovely portion Of the great and
fertile west. Of the causes which mpelled
and led this brave old savage to take up
arms at this time, and which finally pro.
duced his own ruin and hurried him down
at last to premature grave, | shall not now
speak, nor would it be at all creditablc to
the Americans if l did. A long and bloedy
frontier war followed, which by a little act
of kindness and humanity, might have been
averted, during which, however, many
brave and gallant fellows pershed.
Among the first, our old friend, Captain
Robert r. Read, took up arms to defend
the settlers. He daily saw and heard of
the depredations committed upon the help
less and innocent by Blackhawk and his
bloody bands, and rode and travelled from
settlement to settlement, to alarm and
organize for defence. BY his advice and
exertions strong stockade fort was erect
ed, and into this all the women and children
were collected from tho surrounding coun
try. Leaving strong guard in the fort,
he shouldered musket, placed knapsack
upon his shoulder, mounted fleet horse
and joined the forces collecting under Gen.
Dodge. No man was more welcome the
brave old General embraced him and shed
tears at meeting his old friend again, COM
panions Of many hard rough and tumble
in the wilds of Wisconsin. He was the
very man the General wished to see, for he
Immediately dispatched him forward upon
dangerous scout. The duty could not
be trusted to one more brave or one more
skillful, and he filled it to the satisfaction
of his General, and rendered signal and
important service to the army with the same
perseverance and love Of duty which has
characterized his whole life. As compl-
ment to his bravery, and reward for his
distinguished services, Gen. Dodge CON-
missioned him Major of the 9th Infantry,
Grant county volunteers. He accompanied
that General throughout all his campaigns
against the Indians, acting most Of the time
as one Of bis aids, and was by his side at
the last and final battle of the Bad Axe,
which terminated the war, dethroned Black
hawk and restored peace to the country.
How often has it been the pleasure of all
who knew him, to listen for hours to his
| thrilling tales Of frontier life, among which
he himself had taken an active part. These
he would always enliven with rich fund
Of anecdote, that made his company and
conversation agreeable in every social circle
When We look around US and see and know
the men who, within the last half century
and within the nemoru Of men still lix;nn