DENMARK May 2d, 1875
My dear Old Friend Dugdale,
Yours of April the 30th received last evening and was glad to hear from
you- I am doing what I do not often allow myself to do, write on the
Sabbath. I desire to suggest a idea to you. There are in many counties
of our State an organization of "Old Settlers" who hold annual meetings
and talk over the incidents of those times. The Soldiers of the armies
of the Rebellion have their organizations and hold their yearly meetings
to keep in memory their trials during the eventful war and to cultivate
their love of country. Now why not have a convention at some suitable
place and at some suitable time of the old anti-slavery conductors and
stockholders in the underground railroad- Scenes and experiences of
those times and to take each other by the hand once more before we all
cross the river. Many are already gone, and others are going all the
time. All will soon be gone. Please present this thought to your
Conversation Society, and if approved, appoint a committee of
correspondence, and if thought best I would make more sacrifices to
attend such a meeting than any other meeting almost I ever attended. Let
me hear from you on this subject.
In haste, as ever,
GEO SHEDD
D Shed(d) was chairman of the first Republican and Liberty Convention in
Iowa.
("Mount Pleasant Journal", May 6, 1875)
UNDER-GROUND RAIL ROAD.
We learn since the publication of D. Shedd’s letter in our last issue,
that Friend Joseph A. Dugdale attended the late Quarterly Meeting at
Salem, and after preaching, in the business meeting introduced the
subject of holding the State Peace Society and an Under Ground Rail Road
Convention. Many of the stockholders in this honored institution reside
at and near Salem, and are now venerable with years. The meeting
entertained the subject and granted the use of their Quarterly meeting
house. The Methodists sent a messenger offering their chapel for a part
of the sessions. The experiences of these veterans will be full of
interest. We learn the hospitality of the Salemites is very large and
guests will be entertained cordially. The call for the 18th of June,
will be duly published, perhaps next week.
Friend Dugdale remained over the Sabbath and addressed the students in
the Whittier College.
("Mount Pleasant Journal", May 13, 1875)
|