The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-05-09

Missouri in all the later SOS, he was
an ardent union man and when ten
eral Green came to Athens to engage
in a battle with the loyal men there,
Mr.. Harlan assisted in the defense OF
the place, taking care of his wounded
neighbors in the improvised hospital,
an old brick building still standing
there. 1t was time when there was
some doubt whether men from Iowa
might constitutionally go into the
state of Missouri with arms, and the
doubt was not alone in the souls OF
unwise men. Mr.. Harlan said the most
inspiring spectacle he has ever wit
messed was the plunge into the Des
Moines river of Captain Faris and his
little band of men and their Wadlng
across into the hostile state, their in
difference to constitution, cold lead
and wet clothes being one and the
same thing as. against the terror sof
intrusion by the slave champions.
He enlisted under Colonel Moore in
the Twenty-first Missouri volunteer
regiment, serving three years. There
are many proofs of the confidence re-
posed in his courage and judgment by
superior officers. He was detailed on
a number of secret missions, and I'M
der direction often penetrated the reD-
ell lines. His comrades relate thrilling
incidents in which he figured as a
union spy, and he never denied state
ments to- the effect that his native
nerve only saved his life on some oc-
casions. Twice he was committed to
rebel prisons, and besides the extra
hazards of a, scout, he accepted those
of the firing line without flinching.
Through it all he lived to return with
no more than bruise on the ankle,
and reduction Of vitality that even
frame of iron must have suffered.
Besides the distinction of living
long, Mr.. Harlan may be said to have
participated in every event through
which he passed. His name occurs as
the source of information upon facts
of natural history presented in re-
ports of early scientific visitors to
the lower Des Moines valley, and his
contributions of objects and materials
to the Smithsonian and other institu-
lions are acknowledged in a multi
tude of instances. He contributed
many articles on early Iowa to the
newspapers of his locality, and his
correspondence with relatives and
friends continued far into his 9th
year. OF positive convictions, he was
never obtrusive with his opinion.
Without an education, he was a care
full observer and a constant reader all
his life. No collector of information
ever called on him in vain His intel
lect was clear and penetrating, and
his power of imparting information
most rare and engaging In appear
ance he was never what would be
expected of one about whom Judge
Wright never tired of reciting ex-
PLOTS. OF him the Judge told that in
the early forties a burly stranger
stepped ashore from passing boat
into Mr.. Harlan's little store in Des
Moines tkeosauqua) and made dep
recatIng statement of the citizens of
that locality. Harlan resented the re-
mark and was promptly invited out
doors to fight. The stranger had in his
mind the code duello. Harlan had no
code in mind and when asked what
weapons he chose, imprudently chal-
lenged his opponent to choose for him.
self. He chose pistols. With too much
nerve to back down, Harlan prepared
to fight, while the second arranged
the details. There seemed deliber.
ate purpose of drawing him into Ger
tain death by the clever fellow, that
the seconds considered that as the
stranger was large, strong young
man, he should be satisfied with
soundly thrashing Harlan. And SO
they persuaded the principals in the
controversy to settle it with bare
fists. Harlan was a. man of small stat
ure, five feet seven inches. weighing
in his prime 135 pounds. But he was
agile, strong and skilled. At the sig.
nal, there was instant action. and In
time the stranger acknowledged from
his PROSTATE position that Iowa citi
zens were fine gentlemen; indeed he
begged for the privilege and honor of
bestowing more than usual civilities
in their name at the adjoining bar.
He has been a very old man ever
since can remember, but he has al
ways had the beautiful rosy cheek, the
cleanliness OF body and mentality, the
cameo-like profile, the generosity ami
forbearance, the memory of almost a
hundred wears and the hones Of f1,tur