The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-07-16
JUNE Il is IOWA DAY
This Was the Date of the Discovery
OF iowa by Father Marquett
in the Year 1878.


was the general opinion that the day
shouldsbe observed some time in June,
1904, and the committecI was selected
consisting Of Governor Cunmins, Pressi-
dent Larrabec and Secretary Conway.
to consult with the st. Louis manage
ment and have a day reserved to be
known as Iowa day. This committee
h.s.,s been in consultation and has tried
to find some event in tho history of
Iowa that could be chosen as a fitting
anniversary, and desires suggestions
from state historians.
Iowa was discovered June II, 1878,
by Father Jacquo MarquettG, who was
French missionary among the Hurons.
He was accompanied by Quebec trad
err, : Louis Joliet, and five French
men. They left Michlimacimac May 13,
| 1873, in two birch canoes on their voy
age of exploration. They sailed on
] Green Bay to the month of Fox River,
and from there on the Wisconsin river
to the Mississippi. On the 18th of June,
1878, they looked out upon the shores
of Iowa, the first point being n few
mics below McGregor, Clayton county.
While this day is u very appropriate
anniversary, it has it's Objectionable
| features, because it is the anniversary
of the Grinnell cyclone, and in 1904 will
come on Friday. The committee is not
superstitious because oil the day COM
ing on Friday, but would much prefer
to have the event transpire in the mid
die OF the week, Tuesday, Wednesday
or Thursdaw.
The bill creating Iowa as territory
was approved by President NanBuren
Juno Is, 1885, In 1904 this date would
come on Sunday.
The steamer Ripple" made its first
trip in Iowa on the Iowa River to the
new capital at iowa City June 20. 1871.
Unfortunately, this date comes on Mon
day in 1903.
These facts were stated to Col. E.
c. Culp, secretary Of the committee on
ceremonies OF the ST. Louis exposition,
WHO was asked for suggestions, and his
letter in reply WIS as follows:
st. Louis, June 11.-Hon. L. r. Coma
way, Commissioners Room Capital
Building, Dcs Moines, Iowa~Dear Sir:
I have your favor of June 8 in which
you state that you are having some DIFF
ficulty in setting upon an appropriate
anniversary. / think that you are re-
markably fortunate if you have any i'm
portant event the anniversary of which
would occur upon Friday, or the 18th
fof the month. About everything con-
nected with this government of a sue
cessful nature is connected with the
18th; far instance the thirteen original
states; if we could cut Oklahoma in
two states it would give us thirteen
states and territories in the Louisiana
purchase Is there anything connect
ed with the Sergeant Floyd Memorial
association which would help you out?
The Lewis & Clark expedition left Oh
the 18th Of May, 1903 but was detained
at Sioux City on account of the death OF
Sergeant Floyd, but think that occur
ed late in the season. Your admission
into the Union was in December SO that
doesn't do any good.
There are some suggestions regarding
I the formation of a society to be kuowl
: as the"Native Sons and Daughters of the
!: Louisiana Purchase" These sugges
e tions come from gentleman who wa
! born in Iowa, his father having LOCATED
:. there in 1889. 1t might be- good Idle;
j kind and make it day to celebrate
:. using some we'll known date of the
n Louisiana Purchase Exposition, but cal
d it Iowa day for the purpose of fatherin:
e the event. Anyhow, | trust to hea
It from you soon. and we desire to give t
= Iowa her choice. 1t is necessary, how
ever, to select the date very early i
S order to have it recorded.
e Sincerely yours,
: E. G. CULp,
Secretary Committee on Ceremonies.
Ex-Governor Cue writes as follows;
Des Moincs, Iowa, June H. I
Conway, Secretary Louisiana Purchas
Commission My Dear Sir: | hay
K, been carefully looking over Iowa histol
r. to find some important event which o
CURED in the month of June. The on
n nr one find in addition to tho two mel
i'd toned in your letter is that on June
at 1888. the Indians surrendered posse
NJ, sion OF the "Black Hawk Purchase al
ny the whites first took legal possessit
ue Of Iowa soil.
AT The great event, however, the OF
nd that overshadows all others in point
aid historical Importance in connecti
ITO with the Louisiana Purchase, is the d
Em covery Of Iowa and upper NIississip