Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-10-12
TIE annals 0|||N ! 1
biographical Sketches u : Number
Of Prominent stoneers Of
the state
Stephen Wh,cher and Bis Influence
in the Formative Period
Of Iowa.
Dr.. salter on Eastern Rorder Of
Iowa in 1877" Othsr Ris,or.
ical ketches

Special to Times-Republican
Des Moines, Oct. 12-EdItor Charles
Aldrich, Of the Annals OF Iowa, in the
October number, which Is just out,
gives another installment OF history,
this number being largely devoted to
Biography. The biographical sketches
are OF the late Judge George q.
Wright by B. F. Cue, the oldest living
former lieutenant governor, and OF
Stephen Whicher by George Meason
Whicher. Tie sketch Of Judge Wright
was prepared some time ago. but 1t is
the hrst publication Of the frs: ade-
quate sketch OF his career. It is, how
ever, brief one. Stephen Whicher, a
lawyer Of Muscatine." to quote from
the opening sentence Of this sketch,
was one Of the early settlers of Iowa,
one OF the ablest members of the terri
ltorial bar and man of large influence
at the formative period OF the state
He was born in Vermont in 1882 grad
8uated from the Transylvania Univer-
sity law school at Lexington, Ky, in
1923. having come west several years
before. He continued his studies in the
law Office of Henry Clay. In the au-
/ tumn OF 1888 he started with light
wagon and team to investigate the
growing towns of the Mississippi, with
the intention OF locating at one OF them.
His letters describing his journey and
what, he saw as he drove thru the coun-
try, then in all its original beauty. form
the most interesting part of the sketch
here presented. He selected Bloom
ington, now known as Muscatine, as
the most promising place and there In
the following year he located with his
family. He lived and died in Muscatine.
Shortly before his death and while he
was sick in bed the call for the meet
ing at which the republican party Of
the state Of Iowa was formed was
brought to him and he signed it He
died before the meeting was held. The;
story of his life as here told is a chap
ter Of absorbing interest and throws
much light on the early life in Iowa.
Ira Cook, Of Des Moines. has another
readable chapter Of "reminiscences.
The last tnstallment Of the historical
sketches Of Iowa forts. prepared in the
adjutant generals Office in the war de-
partment at Washington, is devoted to.
Fort Dodge. The usual grist Of editor
ial matter is given and therein Mr..
Aldrich tells the story Of Governor
Kirkwood' 8 first nomination and how a
compromise was effected with Gov
iernor Ralph Lowe, whereby the latter
became supreme judge as a consola-
4 ton for relinquishing a second term as
i governor. "A biography Of DR.. w Ham
ISalter's contributions has been pre-
pared by Mr.. Aldrich. showing where
all his principal articles may be found.
\ In the Iowa Historical Record for
4 October DR.. Salter has an article on
THE Eastern Border of Iowa in 1911.
4 It gives extracts from the journal of
Maj. Stephen L. Hong, United States
,topograp hical engineer. who made a
| voyage to the Falls Of ST. Anthony in
1Sl7 The extracts from the journal
relate to the return trip from Prairie
du Chen until the party passed the
mouth of the Des Moines river at the
southeast corner of the state. They
4 tried to ascend this river, which they
called DE Moyen,'' but found the
\ water too low to AXE much Roadway.
i The observations of Maj. Hong are We'll
/ written and have romantic color.
4 The series Of Soldiers Letters From
4 the Field, z by Capt. Charles a. Lucas,
of Company d. Twsnty-fourth Iowa. is
n continued. In this installment he de-
Iscribes the battle Of Champions Hill
AMI enters the Nicksburg campaign,
4 following the regiment down the Mis-
4 sissippi
H. S. Kneedler in the second number
s of his little magazine, The Optimist
4 which he is printing at Boone, presents
a a formidable array of talent and va
n riety Of contents pleasing to many
4 tastes. 1t is a brave Undertaking to
4 attempt the publication of such a mag
azine SO far from the literary centers
q but it ought to find remuneratiye APP
probation in Iowa. It is spick, span
u !, q IA ,,a,,. clear thru and is mos