Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-10-13
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Letter from Hon. E. B. Washbu;ae
about the Long Ago.-Reminis-
cences of Pioneer Politicians
and Lawyers.

The following very interesting let
ter from one OF the disting uished
pioneers of the Northwest, Hon. +.
B. Washburne. of Illinois, to Hon, A.
C. Dodge, Of Burlington, Iowa, and
which appeared in the Burlington
Daily Gazette, of Sept, 18th, we take
pleasure in republishing, as very
many of our old readers were ac-
quainted with both of the gentle
men above named, as well as many
of the individuals mentioned in the
letter:
CHICAGO Sept H. 1SS2.-My Dear General:-I
beg to thank you very sincerely for copy of the
Burlington Daily Gazette of the 2lSt utlmo, con
tanning the proceedings ofthe Annual Pioneer and
Cid Settlers Association of DesMoines county
Mrs. Washburne and myself have both read
them with a real interest The proceedings
cover period anterior TO my advent in the west,
but there are many incidents referred to that
am familiar with, and also find the names of
many persons that had an acquaintance with
in our early times. l at Burlington, then
only village in the last days of March, 1919, on
NV way up the Mississippi river, the steam
boat ''Amaranth," Capt George w. Atchison
We stopped several hours at Burlington, putting
off freight. i strolled up into the town, and for
the first time met James W. Grimes. That ac-
quaintance thus made, ripened into friendship,
personal aud political, both in the west and in
congress, which lasted till his death Leaving
nv own native New England to seek home
in the Northwest in the spring of lSin came
by the way of Washington, crossing the noun
tains by stage to Wheeling. 1t was my purpose
at the time left home to settle i'll Iowa Territory
and at Washington made the acquaintance of
Hon. w. W. Chapman, the territorial delegate.
He received me with great courtesy and kind
ness, and gave me letters of introduction to many
prominent men in the territory. My point of des-
tination was first to Stephenson, now Rock Island
Illinois, where my brother, tile late Gov. C.. {.
Washburne of Wisconsin, was at that time study
ing law in the Office of Joseph b. Wells, Esq
afterwards lieutenant governor of Illinois
Many persons whom met at Stephenson recon-
mended Galena as the best place in the North
west TO practice law. After due consideration
concluded to locate there, and gave up my in
tentiou of settling in Iowa. | never for mo
dence that had made. l landed at Galena on
the first day of April, 1910, and it was my home
till l returned from France i'll the fall of 1877.
You speak of Judge Thomas S. Wilson, who
was one of the first territorial Judges of Iowa ter
ritory. / know him well. He admitted me to the
bar of Iowa, at Bellevue, Jackson county, early
in April 1910, and only few days after the cele
brated Battle of Bellevile." Gehen the
United States marshal at that time Soon after
the battle there was an intense excitement. The
session of the court was very interesting one
met there for the first time many prominent
lawyers, and among them may mention Judge
James Grant, of Davenport; Hon. Timothy Davis
with whom | afterward served four years in
congress; Stephen HempSted, subsequently gov
ernor of the State; James Crawford and James
Churchman. / knew Judge Charles Mason well,
and might almost say intimately. for nearly forty
years. When stopping at Burlington, l saw the
then governor of the territory, Gov. Lucas n tall
spare man of unassuming dress and manners
Judge Williams, of the territorial court got on
board our boat to go up TO Bloomington now
Muscatine. He genial, agreeable, full OF
talk and anecdote, and blowing the horn of the
young territory, and particularly Bloomington,
very loudly OF course. | have known General
Jones long time and guest under his
hoSpitable roof at SinSinawa Mound, Wisconsin
territory, in the spring of 1871.
was present in the gallery of the United States
senate when you and General Jones, in Decem-
Der, 1878. took your seats as the first senator's
from the state of Iowa. / saw you draw lots fot
the terms You drew the short term and General
Jones the long term This short term very soon
expired, and have the impression that the same
legislature that elected you BOTH elected you
before its adjournment, for full term-siX years
General Jones drew into the four wears class, and
reelected for six years by a succeeding
legislature.
OF the three commissioners who laid off Bur-
lington into town lots, l knew one of them
| George Cubbage He settled on a farm in Jack
son county, Iowa, and, believe, died there. He
had son, William Z. Cubbase, who for many
years was in business in Galena. 1t was not
Alfred NJ. Harrison. Of Galena, think, who sur
Seyed the town, but George w. Harrison, sur
veyor at Galena, and Who in 1855, was elected
state senator for the territorial district embracing
Galena at that time.
had seen Governor Lucas as before stated,
but do not remember of ever having met Gov
ernor Chambers. Governor Clark knew slight
IL. Moses Meeker, who ran against General Jones
for delegate to congress, was an early settler of
Galena. and the locality, ''Meekers Point" is
still known by that name. think he removed
u Iowa county, Wisconsin, in 1884 or 1855. He
afterwards studied medicine, and became known
as DR.. Meeker." / knew him very well for
many years. During all the time was in con-
Henry Dodge, retired from sthe Uuited States
senate, it was my high privilege to enjoy his
friendship. Our political differences were but
as dust in the balance. and we always worked
together with the utmost harmony in ali matters
affecting the interests of the Northwest The
long acquaintance and friendship which existed
between Governor Dodge and the relatives of
Mrs. Washburne on both sides, the Gratiots and
the Hempsteds, may have had something TO do
with the friendship he extended to ME. For him
always entertained the most profound respect,
Intelligent well informed, patriotic, his name
was the synonym of honor and probity, chiyalry
and courage. He served his state ably, honor
ably and faithfully, and his name and memory
must always be gratefully cherished by the
people of Wisconsin.
/ never knew YOU well as / knew your faith
er, but yet we have been long time aequsinted.
You may not remember our once meeting at old
Ste Genevieve, which 1 believe is your birth
place, and once sleeping in the same rooIn at the
old tavern.
As 9 delegate in congress from the territory of
Iowa, YOU served Your constituents faithfully
ana we'll As AseuAloE III sthtc
of Iowa you served with distinguished honor
and great usefulness. Outside OF political ques-
tions, the re is no man in your state who ever has
or who ever will challenge the wisdom of your
votes or your action during all your term Of
service As We grow older we find the asperities
of politics softened and can look back with more
pleasure on what We have done for the country
than what we have done for party.
The "reminiscences of early life in tie West
have for me the most fascinating interest. That
l.. indeed. the only excuse l can offet for The
length of this letter. will close, therefore, by
asking you TO accept the assurance of the respect
and esteem with which have the honor 10 sub
scribe myself very faithfully,
Your friend and obedient servant
L. b. wAsHBuRSE
Hon. Augustus c. Dodge.