The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-01-13
Life In the Lead Mines.
LAcoS, ILL.,, Dec. 2sth, 1863.

LEAR LINES: l SEND you sketch CON-
memorative Of worthy man, who years
ago, when men were honest, women virtu.
Gus, and "she Mississippi RIVER" as Geo.
Gardner used to say, twas small stream,''
lived, moved, and ministered to the bodies
and souls Of suffering bipeds throughout
the region known as the Galena Lead
Mines. Old settlers will recollect little
old man who preached the Gospel and
practiced medicine, as circumstances re-
quired assisting little juveniles into the
world and administering the last rites to
those leaving it. Accident made him a
MUSICIAN, anu III t,uio very Hoou o"e,
but believe he became convert to relig.
ion, and minister Of the gospel, from an
earnest sense Of duty, and a desire to do
good. Churches did not abound in those
days; and services were usually held in the
open air, many Of his hearers leaving their
games of "Old Sledge," "Euchre," or
Seven up" to be resumed at tho end Of
the sermon. Father Clark was no dainty
ladies man." educated in the schools to
disguise truth because it was "naked :" but
a man of genuine flesh and blood, a preach.
er of the Peter Cartwright and Parson
Brownlow school, who spoke right to the
point, ard if an oath was needed to clinch
an argument or drive home a conviction, 1t
was forthcoming. His residence was in
the vicinity Of Galena, but his services as
physician extended Throughout whole the
mineral region, and many old residents of
Vinegar Hill, Hard Scrabble, Blackleg,
Red Dog, and Snake Hollow, will grateful.
ly recognize this sketch.
His first surgical experiment was not a
successful one. In battle with the Inii-
ans near tht Pecatonica River, man was
shot in the head, intlcting severe but not
dangerous scalp wound. ANY old woman
would have suggested poultice of whe at
bread, to promote healthy discharge, but
Clark, who certainly had some original
ideas about medicine, took the case in hand
and applied strong decoction of white oak
bark, completely tanning the PATIENTS head.
Of course the mai grew no better under
this novel treatment, and Dr.. Philleo, the
hospital surgeon at Galena, was sent for,
who said the case was past surgery, but
recommended the new Doctor to go to tan
ming hides for an occupation! We are not
advised how many patients died under his
earlier experiments, but in after years none
could better
"Gild q pill
Or make bii''
than he.
Father Clark was once holding series
of meetings at place called New Dggings,
now Furnishing village Of that name. A
swearing fellow n.med Tom -, now a
respected denizen of the Leaden City, with
Il gang Of roughs as graceless as himself,
nightly attended for the "fun of the thing"
AS he expressed it, which consisted in inter.
ruptng the meeting, and going home with
the girls. Tom had defied the minister to
"catch him." but the evening speak Of,
IN spite Of himself, as it were, Tom got in
to a corner, partially screened from the
boys, and began praying with all his might
The meeting progressed and Tom kept
praying, but suddenly he clapped his hands
and shouted what was probably meant for
GLORY to God" only Qrom old habits
the "to" was pronounced "6y."
This new way of shouting glory was too
much for Toms companions, who made
sudden brea!: for the door, while many, like
the writer, found it convenient to be at
tackled with severe fit of coughing.
Our minister was once holding camp
meeting near the village of Hard Scrabble,
since euphoniEsd into Hazel Green. A
stand had been erected for the speaker, a
large crowd was in attendance, and much
interest manifested. Clark was not often
annoyed by outsiders, but some wild fel
lows from Galena had annoyed him not
little, and all the "old Adam" he possessed
was aroused. In the intervals of service,
some fellow, minus the fear of the Lord,
the law, and the minister, entered the pull.
pit and filed the tin horn used to summon
the faithful, with scme nasty compound
and decampcd. The perpetrator was not
noticed, and all unconscious of the trick
played upon him, Father Clark took up the
horn and gave u toot, toot, followed by an
indistinct gurglr, and an extensive scatter
ing Of contents upon the crowd below. l
have seen some angry men in the course Of
IA somewhat varied experience, but never
before or since saw a nan''mad all through"
as Dan Rice would say. Drawing himself
up to his full height, with both hands
he yelled ont in tones heard all
over the encampment, "I'm a little man,
and an old man, but I'll be damned if |
can't whip thu man who filled my horn -
There was rush for tall timber then and
there, in the midst Of which your cores.
pondcnt left.