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Audubon County |
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CHAPTER X.AUDUBON COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR. (CONT'D)From History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915)
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An old settler, who is a Christian gentleman and a lifelong Democrat, recently told the writer that at the time President Lincoln was assassinated he met a man in the timber on the road from Troublesome to the steam mill (at Louisville), and, in conversation, asked him if he had heard the news. The man asked to what he referred, and he then informed him that it was reported that Lincoln had been assassinated. "Thank God for that," he fervently responded. The gentleman reproved him and said that he should not make such remarks. The same gentleman also said that another prominent man on the same occasion set out free whiskey all day at his residence to any one who would drink it, in approval of the event, and was apparently rejoiced that Lincoln was gone. The writer recalls that in 1865 it was currently rumored and believed that the anti-war party in Audubon county were elated at Lincoln's death. But in later years that fact has been disclaimed. During war times Judge Daniel M. Harris published a violent anti-war paper, the Guthrie County Ledger, which was generally circulated and read in Audubon county. It was the Democratic organ in this part of Iowa. At a political meeting in the old school house in Exira in 1866, the Judge said that two things should be found in every family, the Bible and the Guthrie County Ledger. The latter part of the statement was literally observed by his followers. The Judge once told the writer that, as a member of the Iowa Legislature, he supported every war measure passed by that body in 1861. He certainly changed his political sentiments soon afterwards. In later years his political utterances were greatly modified. Not long before his death he wrote and published in his paper, the Missouri Valley Times, on the occasion of the anniversary of Lincoln's birth, an encomium of Lincoln not surpassed for patriotism by anything then published. The following letters from the adjutant-general of Iowa, confirm the statements of Captain Thomas, relative to the action of J. Lyman Frost and the militia. "State of Iowa, "Sir: Your letter to the Governor has been referred to me for answer. "Your muster roll has not been received from Frost as yet. Get proper blanks, make out your roll and certificate of election and forward direct to me, and your commission will be forthcoming in due time. "They will be sent you through J. L. Frost, who will deliver them to you upon your taking the required oath. "Yours etc., "Hamlin's Grove, "Dr. Sir: I have given J. L. Frost a peremptory order to issue your commissions after you have taken the oath--which may be done before any notary public or justice of the peace. Enclosed find blanks for the purpose. Write me if further delay is experienced. "Yours etc., Notwithstanding the unhappy events related, which transpired locally at home during that period of hardships and distress, the soldiers who went to war and gave their lives and services to perpetuate the government, established a proud record and inheritance for the people of this county which is most estimable and should ever be profoundly cherished and never forgotten. They are richly entitled, as always has been the custom of the country, to have erected to their memories, elaborately carved in stone, at some convenient place, a monument, consecrated to their fidelity, patriotism and loyalty to the cause of the Union, and for which they served, fought, bled and died. Some of the people, who, in their short-sightedness, at that period opposed the war, some of whom are now alive, lived to witness their folly and to observe the great value and prosperity of this great undivided country, the best on earth; the home of teeming millions of prosperous, happy, intelligent, liberty-loving people; and great and powerful enough, and willing, to protect its citizens anywhere on earth. From such small beginning, the county reached its present, happy, prosperous position in the galaxy of sister counties in the great, proud state of Iowa. |
