Chapter XLVII: Section 1: Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the (3)

Where the Golden Eagle store is now located, 60×140 feet was sold in 1848 by James M. Berry to Homer Bishop for $150. After passing through several hands the ground was purchased by P. Mullally and W. W. and M. A. Higley, who, in 1874, sold 60×140 feet of it to John T. Waterhouse for $12,300.

The ground where George A. Mullin's store is located, 120×140 feet, was sold by Mary A. Ely in 1853, to D. M. McIntosh, for $350. H. G. Angle bought it in 1854 for $600. It was afterwards taken by creditors, and was held by them until 1875, when it was sold to J. T. Waterhouse for $13,000.

These are cases illustrative of the wonderful growth in the value of Cedar Rapids real estate. It will of course some day find its level, and will very probably go above it, but it is quite safe to say that just now it is worth all that is paid for it.

Every time a real estate transfer is made it is amusing to get an "old citizen" started, and have him bemoan his failure to invest a few dollars in a block or so twenty years ago, and hold on to it until the present time. If he had done so he would have been rich--but the trouble is he didn't do it.

Thomas McGregor, who was working for a Mr. Robinson in the fifties, was offered lots where the Quaker Oats plant is now located at $10 a lot, but needed the money to keep his family on as he got only 75 cents per day.

On arrival of the first steamer in Cedar Rapids lots were offered free to passengers and crew in case they wanted to locate. Many lots were given away by real estate boomers in those days to increase the population of the city. Many of these lots were later lost because the owners thought so little of their value that they let them go to tax sales.

Property on Second avenue between Second and Fourth streets was then only residence property, sand hills, and the like. Now all of this has become valuable business property and is held at not less than $1,000 a front foot, and still going higher. These lots were sold less than fifty years ago at $25 a lot.

Property on Third avenue was even less valuable than property on Second avenue. With the location of the station here with the hotels, bank buildings, etc., lots are now selling at fabulous prices. With the advance of prices rents have also advanced. I. C. Emery some twenty years ago had the same location which he has recently gone into, and paid at that time about one-third of the rent he pays today. Rents on the ground floor in the Kimball building, the Ely block, the Dows block, and in others of the old buildings have gradually advanced in accordance with the advance in prices of the real estate holdings, and pretty much in the same ratio.

Large office buildings have been erected from time to time, and it has been said that the city would never demand such quarters. It has only been a little time till there has been a demand for more office and store buildings on a larger scale and these have been filled without any trouble.

The property where is located the Denecke building was once used for a livery stable, and the property on which is located the Magnus block was occupied as a dwelling house. These properties were traded back and forth for a song. The O'Haras finally snapped them up and began improvement and were thought at the time to be crazy. Mr. Denecke then began purchasing and the same was said of him. When Mr. Magnus made his purchase of the block in 1894, during the depression, they said he would never get his money out of it. Today he has been offered more than twice what he paid and refuses to consider the offer. The corner where the Security bank is now located had been sold and re-sold, and no one thought it worth anything, and when G. F. Van Vechten purchased a few feet for a bank location many years ago the people of the town still thought it impossible that this corner would be worth so much. The bank later had to pay a handsome price in order to get ground enough to make the improvements desired, and would have made money by having bought much earlier. The Taft building was purchased by the late Judge Hubbard some ten years ago at $55,000, and is now worth twice that sum.

However old settlers say that for years real estate in Cedar Rapids did not move and it was a drug on the market, and the rents were not in ratio with the values. For years town lots were peddled about the town and traded for stocks of goods, for old horses, and other personal property, and it was always thought that the person who obtained the real estate got the poor end of the bargain.

William Stone, Osgood Shepherd, Thomas Gainer, David King, H. G. Angle, and others of the early settlers did not know what a mine they possessed had they only hung on long enough. Stone settled on the Iowa river and later left for Wisconsin, and Shepherd soon followed, all thinking he had made a good thing by selling his squatter rights to Brown and his friends.

Dr. E. L. Mansfield arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1847, going overland to California in 1850. He traded the west one-half of the block between Third and Second avenues west, and between First and Second streets for a rifle, which was considered a high price in those days. On this lot Dr. Mansfield erected a large dwelling house and lived there for many years. He purchased the lot on which the Whelihan drug store now stands for $600, and the lot adjoining many years later for $10,000, at what was then considered a very high price. Thus the property of 140 feet fronting on Second street and 120 feet fronting on Second avenue were purchased for less than $12,000, property which is now some of the most valuable in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Mansfield also held part of the property which was later purchased by the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, and was held by him up to the time of his death. This had been purchased at an early day at low prices, when it was nothing but the cheapest kind of renting property.

A. C. Taylor, holder of much valuable real estate in Cedar Rapids, first owned the property where the First Christian church now stands. He also purchased the property on First avenue near the Union block. Mr. Taylor is the second oldest merchant in Cedar Rapids, and has not moved more than a block from the time he came here to locate in part of the postoffice on the alley where the Masonic Temple now stands. In speaking of rents, Mr. Taylor says that he has been surprised at the way rents have gone up year by year.

Osgood Shepherd, of whom it is said that he jumped Wilbert Stone's claim, held this claim till 1847, when he disposed of his squatter interest in what became Cedar Rapids to N. B. Brown, George Greene, H. W. Gray, A. L. Roach, and S. H. Tryon for the sum of $3,000.

FIRST DECORATION DAY CELEBRATION IN CEDAR RAPIDS

FROM THE CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 1906

When was the first Decoration Day celebration in Cedar Rapids? That is a question which many might find it hard to answer, and the story of the preparations for that day and of the day itself is so interesting that it is well worth a place here. There were comparatively few graves to decorate on that occasion. Not many of those who fought in the war had passed over the great divide in the year 1873, more than thirty years ago. Men whose heads are silvered and their steps trembling were then young and they marched firmly to the cemetery to take part in the exercises on that first Decoration Day. Since that time many of them have been laid beneath the sod and their comrades have done for them what they helped to do for others.

The day was made memorable by an eloquent and beautiful address by the late Judge Hubbard, a man who always loved the flag and the men who fought for it. Patriotism was one of the subjects that always lay nearest his heart.

The first meeting to arrange for the Decoration Day exercises was held May 8, 1873. The Cedar Rapids _Daily Republican_ of the following morning has the following interesting account of the meeting:

"The meeting called for the purpose of taking measures to
suitably observe Decoration Day, took place at the City Hall
last night.

"It was called to order by A. D. Collier, Esq., upon whose
motion J. H. B. Otto was elected president of the meeting.

"On motion of Hiel Hale, A. N. Neidig was chosen secretary.

"On motion of Mr. Collier, a committee of five was appointed
to recommend names to the meeting for the various committees
to be appointed to make preparations for that day.

"The following persons were selected as said committee:

"A. D. Collier, Geo. A. Lincoln, D. A. Dingman, P. H.
Francis, Hiel Hale.

"After some time spent in deliberation the committee
reported the following names to be placed upon the several
standing committees. They also reported names of persons as
officers of the day, the whole report being adopted:

"President of the day, Capt. Wm. B. Leach.

"Chief marshal, Col. T. Z. Cook, with power to choose his
own assistants.

"Finance committee, J. F. Charles, Capt. Otto, George Wynn.

"Committee on grounds, Ed. Thompson, Ed. Buttolph, J. I.
Calder.

"Flowers, L. M. Ayers, Geo. A. Lincoln, Geo. H. Rhodes, R.
A. Austin, George Hesse.

"Decorating graves, P. H. Francis, Hiel Hale, C. H.
Sterneman, Dr. Bliss, Jos. Stoddard, with privilege to
choose five ladies to fill the committee.

"Invitation, Capt. W. W. Smith, S. Neidig, Dr. Skinner.

"Speakers, A. D. Collier, D. A. Dingman, W. B. Leach.

"Printing, A. H. Neidig, Dr. F. S. McClelland, Dr. Camburn.

"Music, C. Ferguson, Mr. Baxter and Dr. Bliss.

"On general arrangements, W. B. Leach, J. F. Charles, Ed.
Thompson, L. M. Ayers, P. H. Francis, W. W. Smith, A. D.
Collier, A. H. Neidig, and C. Ferguson.

"On motion of Capt. Wm. B. Leach, Captain Otto, as the last
commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, was instructed
to call a meeting of the soldiers and sailors of this
vicinity to have them meet and consult with regard to the
part they shall take in the observance of the day.

"On motion adjourned."

The program of that first Decoration Day was as follows:

"The following programme will be observed on Decoration Day:

"President of the day--Col. W. B. Leach.

"Chief Marshal--Col. T. Z. Cook.

"Assistant Marshals--Capt. W. S. Bradley, Geo. W. Wynn, A.
D. Collier.

"Chaplain--Rev. A. B. Kindig.

"Orators--Rev. Col. S. H. Henderson, Hon. Col. N. M.
Hubbard.

"At ten o'clock a. m. the procession will form on the corner
of Iowa avenue and Commercial street in wagons, and headed
by the band, will proceed to the cemetery on the west side,
where the graves will be decorated, and after which an
oration will be delivered by Col. S. H. Henderson.

"At two o'clock the procession will form on Iowa avenue, the
right resting on Commercial street.

"The following will be the order.

"Music.

"1. Grand Army of Republic.

"2. Independent Fire Company.

"3. Bohemia Society.

"4. Hook and Ladder Company.

"5. Odd Fellows.

"6. Fire Company Steamer.

"7. Citizens on foot.

"8. Carriages.

"Line of march will be down Commercial street to Eagle, up
Eagle to Madison, down Madison to Greene street, thence to
Oak Hill Cemetery, where the graves will be decorated, after
which an oration will be delivered by Hon. Col. N. M.
Hubbard.

"All soldiers and citizens in the vicinity are cordially
requested to be present, and assist in paying respect to our
honored dead.

"Soldiers will leave the number of their regiment at the
_Times_ office and they will be furnished with a badge to
wear on the occasion."

Following is the account of the exercises of that day with the text of the address delivered by Judge Hubbard. It is taken from the _Daily Republican_ of May 31, 1873:

"Decoration Day has come and gone. It brought with it the
noble thought to honor the heroic dead of our land, and left
thousands of green graves strewn with choicest flowers of
spring. This kindly and befitting token of love and honor
was placed on every soldier's grave, to show how green and
fresh in our hearts are the memories of their noble deeds.
This day is one of mixed sorrow and pleasure--sad for the
heavy sacrifices that had to be made, but happy to keep
green the sacred memories of those who fell for their
country's good.

"The soldiers and sailors, who have died to save the
nation's life, will never be forgotten so long as flowers
are strewn upon the quiet graves beneath whose verdant
mounds those gallant hearts lie stilled forever.

"It is the sum of mortal glory for posterity to gather
around the tombs of fallen heroes, as around holy shrines,
and pour out their libations in songs, prayers and in
fitting words of praise on their noble lives and gallant
deeds.

"The day opened yesterday morning with a rain storm, which
continued more or less until about ten o'clock. It looked
discouraging indeed, and many hearts felt sad at the
uninviting prospect.

"At eleven o'clock a few persons gathered on the west side
and proceeded to the cemetery on that side of the river, and
spent a short time in decorating the graves of a few
soldiers that lie buried there. Rev. S. H. Henderson spoke a
few moments on the importance of the occasion when the
company dispersed and returned to their homes.

"By noon the clouds had cleared away and the sun shone forth
beautifully. At half past 2 o'clock Washington street in the
vicinity of the City Hall was crowded with a large number of
people who were listening to the fine strains of music that
the Ferguson band were discoursing. About three o'clock the
procession began to move, and in pretty much the same order
as has already been published in the _Republican_. Between
seventy-five and a hundred carriages, buggies, and wagons
were in the procession, preceded by many footmen; also a
number were on horseback. It was one of the most brilliant
occasions of the kind that was ever witnessed in Cedar
Rapids.

"We are unable to go into the particulars, as we have not
the space today to record them.

"The number on the cemetery grounds has been estimated by
many at two thousand people, and some have raised the
estimate a thousand more. The following graves were
decorated:

"John Harrison, Henry N. Graves and Carter Berkley, 6th Iowa
Cavalry, Co. K; Henry Fleck, 40th Ind. Inft.; John Hall,
31st Iowa; Amos Fergeson, Band, 15th Iowa Inft.; James
Morehead, Sr., Co. I, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Morehead, Jr.,
Co. K, 9th Iowa Inft.; Judson L. Boughton, Co. D, 12th Iowa
Inft.; Parker Ayres, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft,; Robert
Mallahan, Co. A, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Hammersley, 31st Vt.
Int., J. R. C.; Henry Berger, Minn., Minn.; Geo. Wells,
141st Penn. V. Inft,; Edward W. Calder, Co. D, 12th Iowa
Inft.; Lt. Joseph Hollan, 20th Inft.; Benj. Shaw, 20th
Inft.; Donald Lothian, 31st Inft. West side--David Martin,
24th Inft,; Ebenezer Martin, 12th Inft,; John Dean, 20th
Inft.; Donaldson,--. After these interesting decoration
ceremonies were over, the people gathered around the stand
that had been erected for the purpose, where the following
programme was carried out:

"Music by the Band.

"Music by the Glee Club, 'Praise of the Soldier.'

"Prayer by Rev. A. B. Kendig.

"Music, 'Star Spangled Banner,' by the Glee Club.

"Oration by Col. N. M. Hubbard.

"Music by the Band.

"Music, 'America' Sung by the Glee Club and Audience.

"Benediction by Rev. A. B. Kendig.

"JUDGE HUBBARD'S ADDRESS

"Judge Hubbard's address was so fine that we reproduce it
entire. He spoke as follows:

"My Countrymen, and Comrades of the Army of the Union:

"Courage and bravery always challenge admiration, but when
combined with exalted patriotism, they command the affection
and gratitude of mankind.

"The highest earthly care of man is to preserve as long as
possible this life, and therefore the greatest human
sacrifice is to give this life for one's country.

"History is full of examples of this sacrifice in all time,
and yet its frequency has never lessened the appreciation of
it.

"Patriotism--love of country, makes a great nation possible.
Without it men would live isolated, or in mere tribes, and
powerless.

"The intellectual development of man shows him at once how
weak and insignificant he is alone, and he seeks, by a
combination of great numbers, to attain not only great power,
but even immortality. We all know that our own lives are
short, but the life of a nation may be so long, that we are
apt to make delusion that it may be immortal, real.

"The natural love and anxiety we have for our children, who
are to live after us, extend to and embrace the country and
the government in which they are to live.

"Hence, we may be said to have two lives, an individual and a
national one; and the latter commands the former in
proportion to its increased span. We value everything
somewhat in proportion to its power to last.

"The study and contemplation of the national life, of which
we are a part is always a matter of interest and solicitude.

"On every hand men are seemingly wholly engaged in devising
and planning for their individual prosperity and happiness,
and silently but surely national prosperity and greatness
follow these individual efforts. It is only when the nation
stands in immediate peril, that we become aware how much
greater our anxiety is for it, than even for ourselves.

"You who can recall the thrill of horror, of anxiety, and of
grim determination that came over you when the news first
came that Sumter was fired upon, and the Stars and Stripes
were shot away, can tell, but I can not describe what
boundless sacrifices the national life is capable of calling
forth.

"How quick we found what a pride and what an interest we had
in the magnitude, power, and prosperity of our country, and
how firmly we were attached to its beneficent government.

"The history of modern civilization in Europe has shown a
constant struggle for many years for what they call the
balance of power.

"Five leading nations, speaking five different languages, and
having different modes of thought and life, have watched and
emulated each other, and each at times has had the reputation
of being the most powerful. Fifty years ago France was
foremost, today Prussia is the first power in Europe. These
changes may be traced almost indefinitely.

"In all the past, the national life, the national pride has
grown with the growth of civilization.

"It would be impossible that a nation should become great or
powerful without a national self-love that wrought glowing
pictures of its manifest destiny.

"We find ourselves possessed of a country whose productive
extent is far greater than all Europe, with its 300 million
population, put together.

"Beginning a little less than a hundred years ago with a
population of three million, it has doubled every twenty-five
years, if we shall reach forty-eight million in 1875, which
scarcely admits of a doubt. The whole emigration added is
less than six million.

"At the same rate of increase for the next one hundred years
our population will reach the enormous figures of seven
hundred and sixty-eight millions. But suppose we shall touch
the resistance, namely the lack of territory to supply so
great a population with food; yet we may safely estimate
reaching five hundred million, and the population equally
distributed will then be about equal in density to the
present population of Massachusetts.

"I have neither time nor is it necessary to describe the
variety of climate embracing the tropic and the temperate
zones, nor the vastness, nor the fertility, nor the mineral
and coal resources of our country.

"Thus far nothing is problematical, but the people of future
America are a study.

"We know how sturdy and enduring the Anglo-Saxon is, how
volatile yet tenacious is the Frenchman, how sober, solid and
unwavering is the German, and how hardy and everlasting are
the people who inhabit with the Polar bear. These are
American now, but the Ethiopian and the Asiatic are to be
added. The Star of Empire from the East and from the West
have met upon the American continent. I believe the original
Anglo-Saxon trunk will sustain all these grafts and that a
nation will come of us by the cross of all civilized people
that will be as superior to any of them, as the grafted fruit
is superior to that of the seeding. Future America will be
fitly symbolized by the Lion and the Polar Bear, surmounted
by the American Eagle.

"With one country, one language, one hope, one aspiration,
bent sublimely upon achieving the highest intelligence,
virtue, and culture that man can ideal, diffused through a
population of five hundred million people, inhabiting
one-quarter of the habitable earth with a republican
government, is a spectacle that the world has never yet seen,
but is to see through us and our children.

"And but for these sacred graves, which we, and all the
people throughout the land, have come today to crown with
wreaths of flowers, no such hope, no such picture of the
future of our country would be possible.

"The future destiny of the American absolutely demanded that
the fundamental idea of the Declaration of Independence
should be made true, and that Liberty (in fact, as in name)
should be proclaimed throughout all the land to all the
inhabitants thereof, and also, that the United States should
be one and inseparable forever.

"Need I tell you how bravely and how well the army of the
Union settled these questions? The men who lie silent beneath
our feet and their comrades, have taught the South, and Great
Britain, and the world, that the belt of country usually
known as the North is the heart and power of the Republic. It
is the strong arm that pushes the car of civilization in the
new world. It is the second Defender of the faith of our
Forefathers. It has fought the good fight, and many of its
bravest sons have gone to their reward.

"The Republic is emancipated, impartial suffrage and equality
before the law established, and the work of regeneration is
left for us and our posterity.

"During all the long struggle which literally ridged the
country with graves like these, there was everywhere present,
through the ranks of the grand army, an abiding faith in the
future greatness of their country, and in the final triumph.
No soldier ever despaired of the Republic.

"We come today to crown their valor by decorating their
graves. What great eulogy can we pronounce upon them?

"These silent graves are more eloquent than the tongues of
the living. Their deeds commemorate their fame and their
names do live after them.

"As we meet year after year to perform this ceremony of love
and gratitude to our fallen comrades, new graves will be
added and new obligations will rest upon us, until the last
soldier of the Army of the Union is laid to rest.

"When that day comes, let us trust that the national life and
prosperity that has cost so much to maintain and defend, will
be inestimably dear to our children, and that they may fully
realize all the hopes and aspirations of our forefathers and
the second Defenders of the faith. If we shall not be
disappointed in this, the 30th day of May will be as sacred
as the 4th of July.

"But new trials and new perils await us. Poverty is the home
of virtue, and riches the abode of vice. The Republic has
passed the age of poverty, and is approaching the age of
wealth--always the sure accumulation of generations. Rome
withstood all her enemies from without and within, but the
corruption following in the train of her conquests overcame
her.

"If Heaven permits departed heroes still to know and watch
over our beloved country, what anxious prayers are being made
now, lest the blessing which the hand of their forefathers
have left shall be wasted by the political dissension,
frauds, corruptions, and wealth of coming generations! It is
not fitting that I should name here and now what you all know
so well and deplore. But may I not ask that we consecrate
ourselves anew over these sacred graves, and resolve that our
remaining days shall add something to the purity, patriotism,
and lustre of our country that has been vouchsafed to us
through the blood of these martyrs of liberty.

"But whatever of adversity or misfortune may be in store for
us as a nation, the fault in no way rests upon these graves.
Their services and their fame are secure.

"And today also the graves of the Confederate dead are
decorated and strewn with flowers. It is a deserved tribute
to their valor and patriotism. They had been educated to
believe that the South alone was the nation. We believed and
knew that the nation was from ocean to ocean and from the
gulf to the lakes. But it was half slave and half free.

"Today it is all free, and fifty years hence, if our hopes of
the future of the Republic are realized, the South and North
will rejoice in a common joy, that 'Union and Liberty' have
been so signally preserved to them and their posterity
forever.

"And while we wreath flowers for these graves, let us not
forget to return thanks and give honor to the brave seamen
who guarded our coasts, and let the 'Father of Waters go
unvexed to the sea.'

"And the widow and orphan of the soldier and sailor, let them
be remembered with blessings, with charity and with thanks.
All they have left them for their great sacrifice is their
country and its gratitude. Let these be generous and
unsparing.

"And still again let us not forget the brave men and women
who fed and clothed all, who nursed and cared for the sick
and wounded, who cheered and encouraged all with patriotic
deeds and words. And finally, and above all, let us thank God
who gave us the victory, whereby it has become possible that
the Stars and Stripes float over an unbroken emancipated
Republic, strong enough to maintain its existence against all
foes, and yet without power to abridge the liberties of the
humblest citizen."

FIRST LOCAL LABOR UNION ORGANIZED IN THE CITY

FROM CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, JUNE, 1906

It was in 1882 that an agitation was instituted in the city of New York, in which all the great labor organizations of the United States took part, and out of which grew the setting apart of Labor Day as a day of recognition of the cause of labor. It was not until 1887, however, that the germ thus planted gave fruit. On February 21, 1887, the state of Oregon passed a law setting aside the first Saturday in June for the observance of the cause of labor, and six years later the first Monday in September was chosen by the same state. That day has been observed ever since. The second state to legalize the holiday was New Jersey, and in May of the following year New York passed a similar law, Colorado and Massachusetts soon followed. In 1890 many of the other states passed acts recognizing the day. West Virginia and North Carolina were far behind the rest in this regard and did not legalize the day until 1899.

The first great labor demonstration was held in New York city in 1882 and the parade which took place on that day is still remembered as an event of unusual magnitude. All the labor organizations of the city were in line and with their splendid floats, banners, etc., they made an imposing spectacle.

The following year it was determined to repeat, if possible, the parade of 1882, which had come to be termed "The Labor Day Parade." This time the date was changed to the first Monday in September and when in 1884 the discussion of a repetition of the occasion came up, George B. Floyd offered a resolution in the Central Labor Union convention to the effect that the first Monday in September be declared Labor Day. The resolution was unanimously adopted and at the next session of the legislature a bill was introduced declaring Labor Day a legal holiday. There was considerable objection to the measure, however, and it was not until 1887 that a majority in its favor could be rallied together.

With the day recognized by the legislature of New York and two other states a concerted effort was made to secure action by the various labor organizations throughout the country, and in a few years the majority of the states had declared in its favor.

Curiously enough the original Labor Day was just after the organization of the first local in this city, which the "old residents" say is Typographical Union No. 192. There may be some objection to this claim on the part of some of the present members of the typographical union. The charter of the Typographical Union local is now hanging in the K. P. hall, and it is dated December 26, 1881. Unless challenged the members of the Typographical Union will claim the honor of being the first organization of union labor in the city of Cedar Rapids. The charter bears the names of the following charter members:

C. M. Hopkins, George S. Bradley, Harry Ingalls, J. D. Canan, L. C. Hay, L. B. Kramer, J. H. Enos.

If the memory of Sam Snouffer is correct the local was organized among the employees of the _Republican_ office and it was a local of newspaper printers only. Sam says that he was a job printer at the time and the boys on the cases who organized the local didn't at first allow job printers to hold membership in their organizations. He says that the local was organized for a fight and it had it at frequent intervals during the early part of its history. But it grew and flourished and today the Typographical Union Local in Cedar Rapids is recognized as a conservative, yet aggressive body of men, with the courage to ask for its rights and the level headedness to get those rights without trouble.

THE STORY OF A MOUNTAIN HOWITZER

During the war when the boys were about to return home they sought to carry back mementoes of the long struggle. Company E of the Twelfth Iowa as a trophy of the war picked up a mountain howitzer which had been captured by the rebels and re-captured by the United States troops. Some members of Company D of the Twelfth Iowa then, by some means known only to the soldier boys, unlawfully laid claim to the cannon and Homer Morehead, one of the old Cedar Rapids boys, was able to get the cannon as far as Davenport, the city council of Cedar Rapids providing means to get it to Cedar Rapids.

The cannon, a two hundred pounder, was used freely by every organization for a number of years whenever any celebration took place. During the Grant campaign, in October of that year, the republicans had a blow-out and the cannon was used; in this celebration the cannon was slightly damaged and was hauled down to John Mehan's for repairs. While there some person, or persons, saw fit to take it in the night time and nothing was heard of it for many years. A note was tacked up to the wall where the cannon had been left for repairs to the effect that it would be returned and shot off when a democratic president was inaugurated. The soldier boys and many of the prominent citizens of Cedar Rapids were very much stirred up over this affair and publicly accused a number of prominent Cedar Rapids democratic citizens of stealing the cannon, but no one, at least who was publicly accused, admitted having anything to do with it.

The incident was nearly forgotten when Cleveland was elected, the first democratic president since the Civil war. One morning as Harry Brown was walking down the street John Mehan called to him to come over and see what he had found. There, sure enough, was the same old mountain howitzer cleaned up and in first class repair, with a note tied to it that it was returned as agreed and would be ready for action in due time. This affair stirred up the republican camp once more and threats were made that this cannon would never be shot off to celebrate a democratic victory, and it never was.

It now remains as a relic in the old postoffice building, and many are the citizens of Linn county who have inspected this little cannon and have heard the story told by the old settlers.

Not until a short time ago was it definitely known who removed the cannon from the Mehan shop in 1868. A Center Point person had been accused of having something to do with it; how true this is no one knows. It is thought that two young men in the employ of N. B. Brown, a stanch democrat, took the cannon and placed it in the stable owned by O. P. Emery which stood on the ground where the Denecke building now stands. Mr. Emery no doubt knew of the whereabouts of the cannon, and when he removed up on Second avenue a heavy box was moved by workmen supposed to contain tools. When Mr. Emery removed to the home of his son-in-law, John B. Henderson, on First avenue, the same heavy box was once more moved. Mrs. John B. Henderson noticed that her father, after the election of Cleveland, spent several days in the barn working steadily polishing up some iron, but she never inquired what he was doing or what he wanted to accomplish. A short time before his death O. P. Emery admitted to his daughter that while he did not remove the cannon he knew of its whereabouts and had some of his intimate friends restore it to the Mehan shop after Cleveland's election as it had been agreed in the letter or note left the night of the capture of the cannon when no one was around to watch this much prized treasure.

A FORTUNATE TUMBLE

Linn county during the Civil war had its share of so-called "copperheads," as well as a goodly number of loyal sympathizers known as "fire eaters." During this period of our country's history many unfortunate affairs occurred of which all parties ever afterwards were ashamed. In a state where the majority was strong in favor of the war measure it behooved those who were against this measure not to say too much. Frequently innocent people had to suffer for the acts of some one who talked openly and above board, not only against the president but against those who were instrumental in sending troops to the front. Democrats in the north were classed by the republicans as follows: Those who went to the front as loyal democrats, and those who stayed at home as "copperheads," although they may have been otherwise law-abiding citizens.

On the morning that news was received of the assassination of Lincoln Cedar Rapids became a town of turmoil and strife. Never in the history of the town had excitement run so high. The question of another war was discussed in saloons and on street corners, and during the entire day this strife was kept up. Towards evening a story got started that Bill Harper, a well-known anti-war democrat and a person who had frequently when intoxicated said some pretty mean things of the republicans in general, said "that he was glad that Lincoln got killed; that he should have been shot four years ago." The story spread like a western wild fire, and in less than an hour it was all over town. A crowd got together and it was not long till a self-appointed committee was organized for the sole purpose of hanging Bill Harper to a rafter or a sour apple tree at sight and without trial. A good sized rope was procured and the yelling crowd, headed by the late I. N. Whittam and others, made for the store room kept by Brown & Harper, on what is now North First street. That Harper was a well-known and outspoken so-called "copperhead" was universally known and no question arose in the minds of the mob as to the truth or falsity of the charge. A few in the party uttered remarks that there might be a mistake and that there ought to be some investigation to bear out the facts before the rope was applied, but the majority ruled and these faint-hearted fellows were laughed to scorn. N. B. Brown, who had heard of the trouble and who was a partner of Harper, got into the store building, mounted a barrel and talked to the crowd, claiming that Harper could not have said the words with which he was charged, for he had not been in town for several days. Squire Knowles, a republican and a believer in fair play, tried to persuade the mob to disperse, but his plea found little favor with a mob who insisted on a hanging. Then Bill Darr, a neighbor of Harper, also a republican, had to come to the front and tell what he knew about Harper. He said that Harper had been at home near Bertram and had been sick in bed for several days, and that he had been to his house and called on him the day before and he was certain that Harper knew nothing of what had taken place at the national capital. Darr was not treated any better than the others and was called "traitor" and all sorts of names because he wanted to save his neighbor's life if possible.

Many of the crowd had been drinking heavily and insisted that something be done, and if they could not do any better they ought to fire the building and burn up the whole thing, while Brown insisted that most of the property was his and that he would vouch for his partner's honor and reputation as far as that charge went. Whittam by this time had gotten over the blood curdling period of his leadership and was willing to turn the job over to other hands, but no one seemed willing to come to his rescue, and there was no opportunity to put a motion for an adjournment till the violence and the temper of the mob would somewhat abate. Brown wanted to hold the mob as long as possible, having in the meantime sent messengers to notify Harper of what might happen. He realized that the infuriated mob at that stage of the game might hang an innocent man.

Just at this point of the delicate proceedings, the crowd yelling like warlike Indians, and threatening to hang any "copperhead" and to burn the building provided Harper was not brought into the room, a fourteen year old boy, long, lank and lean, who had also crowded into the building wanting to see what was going on, and to get more air, climbed on top of a hogshead which stood in one corner of the room. As he was gazing out over the crowd others tried to get on to the same hogshead, pushing and pulling, when suddenly the end gave way and the boy fell into a mass of lard and dye stuff up to his neck. The stench acted like morphine upon the infuriated mob. Someone called for the rope to pull the boy out and then a general laugh broke out and when the boy ran down through the crowd, dripping with lard and lye, making for the river, the panic became general and they all followed his movements and forgot all about Bill Harper or the words he was supposed to have uttered.

The boy who thus saved the day and perhaps a life or two is no other than O. C. Carpenter, for many years one of the best known constables in Rapids township. Carpenter still insists that he saved the day, although the ordeal he had to pass through was somewhat harsh. The lye burned his legs and spoiled a suit of clothes, and he got a good thrashing at home, in the bargain. The Greek boy of old fell on his sword, but the modern Linn county boy fell into a soap barrel and by that side-stepping cast honors on himself and on members of his family for all time to come.

Bill Harper never uttered the words of which he was accused, and never knew that Lincoln had been assassinated until the evening of the day when the infuriated mob was hunting him with a rope, wishing to put an end to his earthly existence. This shows how dangerous it is to stir up the mob spirit at any time. It always leads to disgraceful acts, from which a community suffers for a long time afterwards.

HERE'S AN INTERESTING BIT OF ANCIENT HISTORY

In running through the files of the early years of the Cedar Rapids Daily _Republican_, the following interesting historical contribution, from the pen of the late Sampson C. Bever, was found:

"Editor Cedar Rapids _Republican_:

"I notice in the last 'Daily Republican,' in referring to the
City National Bank of this city, in connection with the death
of the Hon. Oakes Ames, the following:

"'The death of Mr. Ames recalls to mind the successful aid
given S. C. Bever, Esq., in getting the charter of the City
National Bank. The First National had already been
established and as Cedar Rapids had a population of only
2,000 people at the time the comptroller of currency declined
to establish another bank here, but by the assistance of Mr.
Ames the charter was finally obtained.'

"The facts in the case are these: The City National Bank
received its certificate of authority and had commenced
successful business some time before the application for
charter or certificate of the First National Bank was
granted.

"It is true an application for a City National Bank, with a
capital of $50,000, was first made, and it was provided by
the law of congress, creating National banks, that no
charter for less than $100,000 should be granted, unless it
should receive the approval of the Secretary of the
Treasury. Mr. Ames being in Washington at the time this
application was made, and being a warm friend of mine, he
kindly offered to give me his influence, and wrote a strong
letter to Mr. Chase, then Secretary of the Treasury, urging
him to sanction my application for $50,000, but before
presenting this letter I was urged by Mr. McCullough, then
comptroller of the currency, that as there was no other
national bank organized in Cedar Rapids, and the population
was about 4,000, I should by all means make my application
for $100,000, to which I finally agreed. And as greenbacks
and government bonds were at my command, I had no further
need for 'successful aid' from anyone, being well known to
Mr. McCullough, the comptroller of the currency. But I none
the less highly appreciated the kindness tendered me by my
friend Mr. Ames.

"I make this explanation, not so much on my own account, as
that of others, who so well understand all the
circumstances.

"S. C. BEVER."

The _Republican_ of that date, May 12, 1873, also printed the following remarks:

"The statement that was made in the columns of the
_Republican_ on Saturday, concerning Oakes Ames and the City
National Bank, is one of those unfortunate kind of errors
that often creep into a daily newspaper. The statement, as
it appeared in print, was precisely as it was handed us by
one of our prominent citizens, and we took it for granted,
of course, that it was correct. Since Mr. Bever's
communication has been handed us, we have made a personal
examination into the matter, and have discovered an
important fact which, it is due the City National Bank,
should be published. We find in the report of the
comptroller of the currency, that the City National Bank
stands upon record as number 483, and the First National
Bank as 500, which goes to show that the former was
organized some time before the latter. Of course neither
bank has any interest in this matter further than to be
placed before the public correctly, and we have it to regret
that the statement appeared in our columns on Saturday in
the form in which it did."