Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-03-04
PIONEER LAWMAKERS.
Iowa's Veteran Legislators Meet I'm Re-
Union at Des Moines.

The reunion Of pioneer lawmakers at Des
Moines on the oath and 2oth of February was
very largely attended. The meeting was called
to order at 10 a, m. Feb, cath by Governor
Cue, who read tho call aud announced that
the exercises would be opened with prayer by
Rev, l. p. Teeter Presiding Elder OF the Of
tumwa district The following list of tempo
rary officers was read
President-Reuben Noble, of the Fifth Gen.
eral Assembly.
Vice-Presidents-sf Hawkins Taylor, First Ter
ritorlal Legislature; Isaac N. Lewis, Third Ter
rltorial Legislature; Alfred Herbard, Third Ter
rltorial Legislature; J. II. Bonney, Sixth Terri
torlal Legislature; VIM. Thompson, Sixth Ter
ritorial Legislature; Phil. b. Bradley, Seventh
Territorial Legislature; Samuel Muriock,
Eighth Territorial Legislature.
Standardization. Chas, Aldrich, Clerk of
Eighth, Ninth, Eleventh aud Thirteenth, and
member OF the Nineteenth, b, Van Stienberg,
c. s, Wilson, Judge Il, s. Richman, and J. W.
Dixon.
Sergeant-at-Arms--E r. Clapp.
Judge Noble, the temporary President and
and Speaker of the Fifth and Sixth General
Assemblies, was introduced, and spoke briefly,
thanking them for the honor conferred upon
him.
The choir, consisting OF Mrs. Cheek and
Mrs. Robinson and Messrs. Stevenson aud
Brown, sang Aud Lang Syne with great Of.
feet. The roll was then called, preparatory TO
appointing committee on permanent organi-
xatlon. Each of the veterans as no arose and
gave his county In response to his name, was
pra wit nf nj
recollections aud reunions thus brought about
were most pleasing TO all concerned.
The afternoon was devoted 10 visiting the
senate and house OF representatives at the
capitol, and In the evening the capitol build
ing was brilliantly illuminated for the rccep-
ton given by Governor Larrabee, assisted by
ex-Goyernors Gear and Sherman, Lieutenant
Governor Hull and Speaker Head, who re-
ceived the attending throng informally In the
governors parors, which were filed from the
opening Of the doors until q late hour. The
other state offices were thrown open and tho
officers received their friends there during the
evening.
On the second day there was a largely In
creased attendance of the pioneer members Of
the Iowa legislatures. Permanent officers
were reported by the committees and approved
by the reunion assembly as follows: Presi-
dent, John II. Duncombe; vice presidents,
Hawkins Taylor, |. N. Lewis, Alfred He
bard, p b. Bradley. Samuel Murdoch, q. +.
Green, George G. Wright, |. T. Morton, A.
X. Eaton, II. b. Hcndershott, A. II. McCrary
J. b. Grinnell w. II. NJ. Pussy, Norman
Boardman, J. q. Foote and 7. s. Wilson;
Secretaries, Chas AldrIch, Ben Van Stein
har ~ 4
Nourse, Jacob Rich, II. G.. Curtis; Sergeant
alarms, Isaac w. Griffith. President Dun.
combo, delivered very able and interesting
address
After the calling Of the roll, addresses and
music were the order
At the meeting IN the afternoon an Incl
dent, sad, tragic and exciting occurred. Hon
j. l.. Mitchell, who had been IA member Of the
9th General Assembly, but who had subso-
quently moved 10 Nebraska, was In the midst
Of an eloquent address. Among his last words
were: "Iowa is q magnificent state, evolved
by Gods creative hand and by the American
character. But states grow anywhere grain,
cheap land, aud American enterprise, love
Iowa soldiers" The speaker dropped TO the
floor and instant confusion arose out OF friend
ly curiosity. Senator Caldwell, n physician,
was near by and went to his assistance. Hon.
A. q. Fulton, of Davenport, attempted TO
speak, with the intention Of helping TO pre-
serve order, but could make no Roadway
against the confusion. A motion was made
that recess be taken. DIR. Caldwell opposed,
and Hon. J. b. Grlnnell said Judge Mitchell
was probably dead. The natural confusion
incident to this shocking announcement could
be controlled no longer, and Judge Noble pro-
posed to adjourn till evening to take action
regarding the deceased, Dr. Caldwell having
said the Judge was undoubtedly dead. Mr..
Grinnell said he had been announced to speak
at the Grand In the evening and would take
the responsibility of inviting the old leglsla-
tors to meet them, which was agreed to, and
the audience filed out slowly, leaving those
who knew Judge Mitchell best TO care for
his remains. At the evening meeting a com
mitiee which had been appointed TO prepare
resolutions expressive of the feeling Of the as
sembly, relative TO the sudden death Of Judge
James l.. Mitchell, member Of the assembly,
read It's report, and the resolutions, paying
high tribute TO the deceased were adopted.