Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-08-02

The parsonage property which
formerly belonged to a congregation.
al minister from whom it had been
purchased by our people, included
five acres of ground, the house, barn
and q fine apple orchard occupied
two acres while the other three were
under cultivation. In the spring
had 1t plowed and sowed with oats
and grass seed. The grain yielded
Us fine crop of oats. followed in
due season by good pasture for my
horse and cow, which was Of con-
siderable help toward the expenses
of the family. We have never lived
more comfortably in any parsonage
than on Maquoketa circuit, and in
deed at the present time there are
few outside Of the larger churches
that can compare with it. OF course
1t lacked some modern improvements
which are considered a necessity al
the present time. but 1t made up for
that In some degree. by other COM
forts which few have in these days,
- 4saa q aappy change after :he
crude houe6 at Sumner sNill and the
cramped apartments OF the preced-
ing year. 1t was there our youngest
daughter, Lucy, was born on the 9Th
Of February. 1871. and nearly three
years later, our second son, whom
We named Schuyler Emory.
The Annual Conference in the fall
of 1871 was held at Clinton, with
Bishop e. r. Ames presiding. 1t
will be remembered that FIVE years
earlier he had presided at the De-
corah Conference. He was also to
be with us again later on.
In view Of my extended acquaint-
ance at Lyons and Clinton, was re-
Quested by the pastor of the Clinton
church to spend few days before
Conference in that city, and assist
him In looking up places Of enter
tainment for the ministers during
their stay at the session. This was
glad to do since 1t gave US an oppor-
tunity to make a brief visit among
relatives and friends at Lyons. before
the session opened.
One day while passing up Main
street / heard some one shouting
across the street, and upon looking
In that direction. who should l see
but Jake. a colored boy who came ia
us In the army. Jake, who was q
stout young fellow of twenty-four OF
twenty-five. had made his escape
from his southern master while we
were in Mississippi or Alabama, and
ct his urgent request, had engaged
him more for his accommodation
than my own, for already had one
boy, Billy, whom had inherited
from Captain Howard, my predeces.
sor, so that my needs were not very
pressing. However, took Jake
who stayed with Colonel Howard, az
ter had left the service. He proved
to be q faithful fellow In every re.
spect and l came to think great
deal Of him. Billy did not at first
take kindly to the arrangement: he
was disposed to regard Jake as an
interloper, who had come to oust
him out of his position or at least
to trample upon his rights, and in
asmuch as he was free born and had
never been a slave, while Jake was
'nothin' but a no count niger" "
who had never been free until he
ran away and came to us, Billy
would turn up his sable nose in de-
rision whenever Jake's virtues were
spoken of. But as Jake, who was
much older than Billy. was good
natured fellow and seldom resented
his remarks. there sprang up 9
strong attachment between them and
they got along nicely together. Fob
dc laws sake Marse Cap'n. am dat
youi" "Why. yes. Jake" ] sadd'
s'where IN the world did you come
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