Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-09-05

susie SnaHer Hills, and her children.
Dr. Shaffer's life has probably been as
full OF Iowa history as any living man.
He was a valuable citizen of Fairfield
during the days he spent there and
II every man. woman and child didn't
know him it was because they wece
tenderfoots. We visited him in Keo-
kuk not long since, and in plotting us
over the city and through the beauti-
full parks, we were peculiarly impress.
sed by the number of little boys and
girls who saluted him as they passed
by.
Of the above citizens who have
passed away, we will first speak of
Hon. A. R. Fulton. Previous to 1851,
at which time the system of county
organization was changed by the legis.
latiye, Mr.. Fulton was judge of the
probate court, subsequently county
surveyor, and a member of the lower
house of the 18th general assembly.
He purchased an interest in the Fair
field Ledger Of Orlando McCraney the
founder of the paper on Dec. 10, 1851,
but was connected with it only very
short time. Judge Fulton in 1882,
published work entitled "The Red
Men of Iowa" In the late sixties he
was partner of the writer in the pub.
lication of the Fairfield Home Visitor.
Later he drifted to Des Moines where
for several years he was the local
manager of the Western Newspape
Union until he died. Judge Fulton was
the father Of the late Mrs. DR. Doug
las of Ottumwa.
or H. M. Austin, j. M. Carbaugh,
DR.. j. w. Lewis, we know nothing,
but in the absence of any data, we
are supposing them dead.
Rev Charles H. Gates was pastor
of the First Congregational church,
and had very intelligent wife. He
was an up-to-date preacher We re-
member once Of his making Thanks
giving address. which was published
in full In the Ledger in opposition to
the acquisition of Cuba. 1t created a
furore among his flock, many of them
openly criticising him for preaching
politics.
General VIM. Duane Wilson was a
well known character, and at that
called the Iowa Farmer He was as
sisted by Hon. James w. Grimes, who
was governor of Iowa 1858, and
United States Senator 1s59,69, but re-
signed, Hon. ]. B. Howell Of Keokuk
being elected to fill the vacancy.
Everybody in Fairfield knew Major
Wfckliffe M. Clark He was fami-
liar character on those streets for
more than a half century. He did
not seem to have any visible means
of livelihood, was ubiquitous and ON
nipresent: yet he managed to make
a good living by honest means for a
charming wife and most excellent
family. He was man of wonderful
intellect and while he never became
famous himself, he furnished the
brains that made many men of nation
al reputation famous. There was q
time when distinguished member Of
Congress from the first district had TO
take sides on the bred Scott decision,
of early memory. The gentleman AS
a rising young politician, did not wish
to take a course that would frost"
his future prospects. Hence meet
ing was held by number of the lead
ing republicans of Fairfield, and
Major Clark was called in to help
solve the perplexing problem. 1t is
related that key to the situation
was found and that the level head If
Wickliffe furnished way to slick it
over" He was safe counselor at all
times, and from a personal acquaint-
ance with him from boyhood we
found him to be one of the most low
able men we ever knew His lines
were not always cast in pleasant
places but he was ever cheerful and
happy, and contented with his lot in
life. For many years he was the
power behind the press" at the Led
ger Office before steam was introduc-
ed into that plant, and the boys say
his ideas and pointers were injected
into many of the political editorials
which appeared from time to time i'll
that paper. He was brother~;n-law
of the editor He died in July, 1905,
from the result of an accident, leav--
ing a wife and family of which any
man might be proud The best citi-
zens of Fairfield dropped tear at the
bier Of Major Clark, and bowed in
humble submission to the will of
divine Providence. Peace to his
aSneS
Hen. Bernhart HEM represented Il