Burlington Hawk Eye
Burlington, Iowa
June 7, 1883

REGRETS.
Kindly Words From Iowans Who are Not Here To-day.

FROM THE GOVERNOR
STATE OF IOWA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, DES MOINES, MAY 28, 1883, HON. A.C. DODGE, BURLINGTON, IOWA- My Dear General- Pray accept my grateful thanks for your invitation to attend the celebration of Iowa's semi-centennial at Burlington on June 1st next.
    If it is possible for me to leave my public duties I shall certainly be present on that occasion and enjoy with yourself and the people the services of the day, and I earnestly hope the occasion will be a glorious one, and ever to be remembered by the citizens of the city and the state.
    Very respectfully, your obe't ser't.
    BUREN R. SHERMAN.

THE FIRST ELECTION AND SCHOOL.
    GENERAL A.C. DODGE- My Esteemed Friend: Allow me to thank you for the kind institution to the semi-centennial celebration of the old settlers at Burlington, and the very kind expressions accompanying it. It revives many recollections of the past, among the dearest and most cherished of my life. My father with his family, constituting eleven persons (only three of whom are now living), crossed the Mississippi at Smith's Ferry, three miles below Burlington, October 23, 1834. A day or two after that I was at the first election held at Burlington and think the first ever held in what is now Iowa. A judge (Wm. Morgan), a justice of the peace and a constable were elected. I attended the first school I have any knowledge of ever being taught in the territory, in a log cabin built up the hollow, where Mr. Rand's lumber yard was located for many years. I was frequently at the sessions of the territorial legislature of Wisconsin, that convened at Burlington. Your distinguished father, Henry Dodge, then the governor, being present, whose acquaintance I made, although I was a mere boy. Could the imagination picture the grand progress of this great state since that date? It will not do to enlarge. The theme is too fruitful. Allow me to express my most sincere regrets at my inability to be present on this most interesting occasion, and to express the hope that it will be a most happy event for my old settler friends.
    With great respect, I am most truly your friend,  GEO. W. JONES.

FIRMIN A. ROZIER.
    ST. GENEVIEVE, Missouri, May 26, 1883. - Gentlemen:- Your kind invitation to attend the celebration of the anniversary of Iowa was received; nothing would give me greater pleasure in participating in same, but my health and business prevents me, of that pleasure.
    My recollections of the early settlement of Iowa, is replete with interest, and what is gratifying to us here, at St. Genevieve is that some of our most illustrious citizens, became the pioneers of your great state, who distinguished themselves in the service of their country, embracing the Dodge's, Jones', Davis' and others. My thanks for your kindness and hoping your state great prosperity.
    Yours truly,
    FIRMIN A. ROZIER.

HON. H.J.B. CUMMINGS,
ex-member of congress, of Winterset, Iowa, will be present at the celebration, if possible. He writes:
    "Mr. and Mrs. H.J.B. Cummings return their thanks to General A.C. Dodge for his kind remembrance and invitation to attend Iowa's semi-centennial, and they will certainly be present if it is at all possible.

FROM SENATOR GRAVES.
DUBUQUE, MAY 24, 1883.
    Gentlemen: I thank you for your cordial invitation

[C.J.L. JULY 2004]