The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-12-02
PUBLIC OPINION
) . 90 = = 90 . = 80 . = ..
nstorles Of the Old Frontier


"storles Of the Old Frontier"
To the Editor OF The Gate City:
Editor the Des Moines Register and
Leader Of the 18th inst, had a four
column write-up OF Stories Of the
Old Frontier; Journey of Zebulon
Pike Up the Mississippi in 1906
pixies Own Story 1t is interesting
history for it tells of the passing over
the De Moyen (Des Moines) rapids,
commencing where Keokuk Is now
located and which rapids are now
submerged by thinty.hve feet of wat
err. 1t is also interesting to know
that 100 years ago the rapids were
dangerous as in later years, to trans
portation companies. Quoting from
that part Of the article In the vicin-
ity Of Keokuk only:
tpresident Jefferson after making
the Louisiana purchase in 1903 sent
the Lewis and Clark expedition up
the Missouri river to discover what
sort of bargain he had made, and
zebulon Pike up the Mississippi on q
similar voyage of investigation. Pike
was instructed to go as tar as the
source Of the mississippi, which he
thought he did. The real source of
the river, however. It was left to 9th
ers to discover. Pixies journal of his
trip is one of the most important
original historical documents having
to do with the Mississippi valley
country
Sailed from my encampment, near
st. Louis, at 4 p. M, on Friday, the
ninth Of August, 1905, with one SER
geant, two corporals, and seventeen
privates, in a keel boat seventy feet
long, provisioned for four months,
Water very rapid. Encamped on the
east side OF the river at the head OF
| the island.
Aug. 20.-Arriyed at the foot of the
rapids De. Moyen at O'Clock. Al
though no soul on board had passed
them, we commenced ascending them
inm ediately. Our boat being large
and moderately loaded. we found
great difficulty. The river all the way
through is from three-quafters to a
mile wide. The rapids are eleven
miles long, with successive ridges
and shoals extending from shore to
shore. The first has the greatest fall
and is the most difficult to ascend.
py,l no ic an 10
east side in passing the two first
bars; then passes under the edge OF
the third; crosses to the west, and
ascends on that side all the way to
the Sac village. The shoals continue
| the whole distance. We had passed
the first and most difficult shcal,
when we were met by Mr. William
! Ewing, who, I understand, is an agent
appointed to reside with the Sacs to
teach them the science of agriculture,
with a French interpreter, four chiefs
and fifteen men of the Sac nation, In
their canoes, bearing flag Of the
! United States. They came down to
assist me up the rapids, took out
fourteen Of my heaviest barrels, and
put two of their men In the barge to
pilot us up. Arrived at the house OF
Mr.. Ewing, opposite the village, at
dusk. The land on both sides Of the
rapids is hilly, but a rich soil. Dis
lance sixteen miles.
To the Editor of The Gate City:
In your article referring yesterday
to my appearance at the mayors Of
fee there seems to be beneath big
vein of humor an unwarranted state,
ment or implication that quarantine
was broken and consequently that the
rules of the state board We're not com.
piled with and so there was danger
| II has come to my knowledge that
some women are scared and that SO
am embarrassed when go TO any
! place OF business and my time need
lessly taken up. 1t is not known to
me that anyone knowing the rules
really supposed | Was qusrantined in
1 wish now merely to state that my
business with the mayor seems to
have been attended to with resson
able dispatch and with common sense
and regard for the state board rules
which is more than can be said Of
the way in which the city officials
had acted prior thereto, It is cur
rently talked and behind that great
deal of partially is being shown fav
orites. 1t Is sure my home was no
quarantined because of any notice
to the mayor and that 1t really wat
the intent to house me up indefinite
/ ly and very likely for reasons wholly
aside. 1t does not so much nlattel
what guess is correct as to what an,
official thought.
J. P. DICKSON.