The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1868-04-09
LETTER FROM DEs MONIES.


DEs MONIES, Iowa, March 3Oth, 1853
Dear Advcrtiser:-You will doubtless
see In your exchanges the account OF
the burning Of the house Of Hon. Chas.
Dudley, Of Wapello county, and that
three Of his children perished in the
1atnes. But thinking the citizens OF
Cedar county would not see all connect
ed with the tragical affair, and the pro.
ceedings Of the Assembly thereon, and
that 1t might be interesting to know all
! the details, 90 far 90 known, have con.
cluded to write this, which If you deem
Of enough interest, you are at liberty to
publish.
Let me first state that Mr.. Dudley Is q
much honored. and able Representative
from Wapello county, living half q
mile north of the B & NJ II r near
Agency City, Wapello county.
On Friday morning March 18th Mr..
Dudley took his seat in the Hall, ut the
usual hour, 8 o'clock, the House pro-
ceeded to read the Journal of the day
previous, and thus commence the bust
ness of the day. When about the con-
clusion Of the reading Of the Journal, a
Messenger presented Mr.. Dudley note,
he rose, seemed to stagger out of the Hall
and was gone. In few minutes his
colleague (Mr. CaldwelD rose and an
nounced to the House the awful facts,
and moved that the House adjourn till
Monday, also that committee of three
members Of the House be appointed to
accompany the stricken father to his
once home.
Now commenced scene, such as few
ever witness. The Hall but few min
utes previously, resembled hive Of
busy bees, all were engaged, some read
ing letters from home, some reading the
news, many conversing in low tones
while the reading of the Journal pro-
gresses, but now, oil is still, several
members, one after another, rose, aud
made a few touching and appropriate re-
marks. In the awful silence which fol-
lowed, it seemed rs If the Angel of Death
had thrown the shadow of his dark
wings over the Hall, and left the mark
of anguish in each face. There was
hardly q dry eye in the Hall, strong men
sobbed with grief. The resolution was
passed by standing vote, and the House
silently, and sorrowfully dispersed.
A similar scene was enacted in the
Senate Chamber. The resolution passed
by the Senate, asked the officers of the
Bes Moines Valley to run special train
to Agency City to accommodate such as
were disposed to accompany Mr.. Dudley
to that point. A committee of two were
also appointed to accompany him.
About fifty Representatives and Sem
ators repaired to the depot, where we
were assured by Gen. Reed, President of
the road, that special train should con-
vey US there, and return some time in
the night. We started at u o'clock on
the journey Of about ninety miles.
1t was sorrowful, sad journey; all
seemed to sympathize SO deeply with
the poor father, as to restrain all desire
for conversation, and the other usual
methods adopted by travellers to pass off
time. The poor stricken old man sat on
the side Of the cars, where he could
look toward his home, and although the
train was at times making fearful head
way, running at times at the rate of a
mile per minute, still. the longing, ago
nized look continued hour after hour,
ever toward his desolate home In the
distance, over the prairie we swept with
the speed of the bird in its swiftest
flight, and still not change Of position,
not thought apparently but fuster-
faster.
We arrived In Agency City, left the
cars, assembled on the platform before
the depot, and stood with uncovered
heads, while Senator Wilson in behalf
Of the members Of the General Assem-
bly,, taking our poor friend by the hand,
delivered very feeling address assur-
ing him OF our deep sympathy in his
great Affections, and asking him to look
for help and consolation, to the Great
Loving Father Of all. After this each
one went forward, and with streaming
eyes Of sympathy took our poor friend
by the hand aud silently commended
him and his afflicted family to Power
liable to save"
The strong man shook like 4 leaf In
the wind, and every muscle seemed
quivering IN sgony. Two frisnds led