South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-05-31
Letter from Iowa.
DYERsvILLE, Iowa. May l6. !,

! NIX. HAhPER 81 closed my last com =
munication with the miners code of laws,
small volume indeed; but the meaning
Of which. the lawyers, il there were any
such necessary evils in that community,
could hardly find n subject of dispute.
Under this code the mining operations,
although proving very successful, and
| attracting considerable numbers to this
locality, was soon interfered with by the
War Department. The ives: side Of the
river belonging, by treaty, to the Sac &
FOX Indians, the Government to pre-
serve peace on the frontiers, as we'll as
to protect the Indians in their rights, or
dered the Military to dispersc the intru-
ders from the Dubuque mines; this or
der was executed by Col. Zach. TAYLOR,
then in command at Prairie de Chin,
who sent an officer to command the mi-
ners to recross the river; they were not
inclined, however, to relinauish their
claims, and Col Taylor was forced to
send detachment of soldiers TO enforce
his order. A military force was then
stationed at Dubuque TO prevent the mi
ners returning. The Indians received
protection and were encouraged to min G
upon the lodes opened by the whites,
and from one mine alone tits said the
Indians obtained more than n million
pounds Of ore, while the old miners were
forced to look across the Father of Wa
tiers and see the fruits Of their labor and
enterprise enjoyed by the Indians. The
Government troops guarded the mines
the remainder Of the year 1880 & 1881 :;
but the Black Hawk war commencing in
1882 they were withdrawn to protect
the settlements on the east side OF the
river; thus the same soldiers who pro-
tected the Indians ct Dubuque, were
compelled to fight them on the opposite
side of the river. This war only lasted
few weeks, and terminated by the sur.
render Of Black Hawk at the battle ofJad
o1 in Aug. 1882. One of the results Of
this war was treaty, made by General
Winfield Scott on the one, side & Black
Hawk and the Chiefs of the Fox & Sac
Indians on the other, securing to the
Government, territory on the west side
OF the river, extending back some 40
miles. After the close Of the war most
OF the Indians abandoned Dubuque, and
some OF the settlers returned in the fall
of 80. and engaged actively in mining
again, only to be driven off again in
Jan'y, 1888, by the Government troops.
on the grounds that the treaty with the
Indians would not take effect till June
following. This was q great hardship
TO the miners, as they were compelled
to leave their cabins in mid winter
| some recrossed the river and did not re-
turn, Others moved their lead to an is
land in the river, built huts Of poles C re-
NAMED till the opening Of spring should
enable them to float the products ftheir
toll to st. Louis.
Among these were the Langworthy
| Bros, who had on hand three hundred
thousand pounds Of lead. On the first
of June the treaty took effect, the mill
tary we're Withdrawn, and mining again
resumed under Government permits and
regulations, one Of which was the 200
yards square article of the miners code.
From this date the permanent settlement
commenced and was very rapid. In
! 1884 the people assembled and named
the place Dubuque the first survey of
the town was then made: il included so
blocks of land, mostly in what is now
the lower part Of the city. The emigra-
ton during 1884, the establishment of
many branches ofbusiness besides min.
ing, and the attention given TO Dubudue
by the outside public generally, began
to point TO it as a place OF future pro.
mise.
JUDGE LYNCH.
From 1888 to 1886 there was no LEGAL
government extending its protection O.
YER the settlement, the influences of re.
ligion and the restraints of family rela
tions were in great measure wanting;
Sunday was holiday, the vices common
TO mining districts. drinking, gambling
violence and bloodshed were frequent
occurrences, during this period man
named OConnor murdered his business
partner OKeif, by shooting him dead
with rifle. A general meeting Of the
settlers was called, n man was appoint
ed TO net the Sheriff; O'ConnOr was ar-
rested a temporary Court was organic
ed +; twelve jurors were selected law
yer appointed to defend the prisoner;
trial was had the murderer was found
guilty and condemned 20 die. After |
some time being granted him TO prepare |
for death, by the aid OF q priest Of his |
own selection, he was hung on gallows /
erected on a mound az the corner OF what /
Is now White & Seventh streets, i'm the .
presence OF several hundred people. A F.
fellow who stole canoe and loaded il
with stolen lead and started down the
river to market, was pursued TO Rock
Island where he had sold his cargo. ar.
rested and brought back, and tried be-
fore some one representing Judge Lynch
and sentenced to receive 80 lashes-a
Mr.. Enoch acting temporary sheriff
executed the sentence, the whipping.
post was q small oak tree on main street
near the residence known as Judge Dy-
er. Other cases of murder occurred and
arc handed down, but the perpetrators
escaped Judge lynch. This tribunal
took cognizance Of smaller crimes also,
In one instance Of n man who was known
TO shamefully abuse his family, he was