Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-10-01

whore there had been much rubbish
un oaded. The search for the bodies
began at once, and they were found
about noon. After making the con-
fession Cumberland was secretly hur-
ried out OF town to prevent a possible
lynching when the news became
known. On the evidence now in the
hands of the grand jury it will at
once bring in an indictment and Cum
berland will be brought before the
court 10 plead. Two years ago James
Robertson and his grown son, Jasper,
old residents, mysteriously disap-
peared from Harlan. They had re-
Gently sold their little farm and were
living with j. X. Cumberland. The
latter soon sold out and went to Mis-
souri, Tho Robertsons were good
people and for years were engaged in
the selling of milk in Harlan, People
began talking and when it was dis
covered that they had some 50, 200 on
deposit in the local bank, Sheriff
Rainbow began to investigate. Cum
bcrland and his wife were charged
with the murder Of the couple and in
May last were brought back from Mis-
souri, to answer for tho crime. The
wife and husband were separated in
the hope of securing confession.
The household goods clothing and
property generally of the Robertson's
was found in the possession of the
Cumberlands.
2 The city OF Fairfield is in mourning
for '.Auntie" Woods, and every sol
der from Iowa will join in their sor-
row, whore her death is known. She
was a co-laborer with Mrs. White
meyer during the war, but her work
went more directly and certainly to
the places of need. How many lives
she saved on the battle field and in
the hospitals will never be known.
She came to the Iowa soldiers who
were sick or wounded like special
providence. She was childless
widow, one OF the first settlers in the
country and the friend of all. When
the war broke cut she gathered hos
pital stores for the sick, and lint and
bandages for the wounded and was
sent by the mothers and wives to
minister to the soldiers. As the
war went on her labors increased and
took in a larger field. No obstacle
prevented her going to the front with
her precious supplies. When the
smaller officers with their red tape
forbade her going, she appealed to
their superiors, and before Vicksburg
when our boys We're dying in the hos
pilals for want OF proper stores and
delicacles she called on General Grant,
and by his special order was permit
ted to go through the lines with her
supplies from home Governor Kirk
wood smoothed the road by issuing
her regular commission as an Iowa
major, so she should bear her own
proper credentials to go wherever
Iowa soldiers were found. She or
ganized a sanitary soc ETY. which was
the model for others. Fairs and festi-
walls were held for its benefits, raising
many hundred dollars. Every loyal
woman was called upon and enlisted
in the work of preparing naces-
saries and delicacies. And Major
'Auntie' Woods made trip after trip
to the seat OF war in charge of the
stores, never leaving them until they
were delivered at the place where they
were needed. Her labors did not cease
till the war was ended. The soldiers
loved her as mother. And she,
without children of her own. called
them all her boys. She was the only
woman ever admitted as regular
member into the Grand Army of the
Republic. On Decoration days she
marched in the ranks with them And
at her special request she was tenderly
and reyerently carried on their shout
ders in her last march to the grave.
The country recognized her public
services, giving her pension by
special act of Congress. She was
woman of ability, keen minded, we'll
informed and shrewd. Fairfield owes
many OF the public institutions which
mark it above others Of like size to
Aunties. Woods' suggestions and assist
ance. She was the patroness of the
Ellis Hose Company which was
named for her. And by her Will she
provided an annual income of 500 for
Its perpetual support. She also gives
a valuable tract OF ground near the
public square to the city for a city
hall and market place. Her private
life was consistent with her public
acts. She was respected, revered and
beloved by all, and when she was car
ried to the grave by the old syldiers,
with the martial music and the honors
of war, all places of business were
closed and the people of the city and
country turned out en- masse 10 join
the mournful procession. Such u fun
eral was never seen at Fairfield be-
fore. She lived to the age OF 81, and
died suddenly of apoplexy while pre-
pairing for the reunion of the Third
Cavalry, which was held in that city
last week, dying as sue lived-in the
service of her boys.