SIMPSON S. WHITE.
   During the fall of 1829, Simpson S. White and Amzi Doolittle (as is asserted in the chapter on the settlement of the county ) visited what afterward came became the Black Hawk purchase, in the capacity of workmen on the trading-post buildings. They then discovered the richness of this region, and selected a "town site," in anticipation of the day when lawful claims could be made.
   As this statement differs from the generally published account, we conclude to make it only on the written authority of Mr. White himself. He is now living in Portland, Oregon, and thither a letter of inquiry was dispatched. In response we received a detailed history of his first days west of the Mississippi, and, for the benefit of posterity, that letter is here preserved.

THE FIRST CLAIM AND CABIN.
   "In 1829," observes Mr. White, "the present site of Burlington was occupied by a branch of the American Fur Company, who had a trading-post with the Indians. In the summer of that year, Amzi Doolittle and S. S. White were employed to put up an addition to the buildings at the post, and spent about three weeks in labor at that place. While thus engaged, they had frequent opportunities to explore the country around the post, and were enabled to select prospective claims. One of the strong tendencies among Western men at that early period, was a location of future town-sites. White and Doolittle were not exempt from the prevailing epidemic of speculation, and prosecuted their search for "claims" with this thought in mind. The country was then Indian Territory, with no immediate prospect of becoming public lands; but the pioneers felt confident that so choice a locality could not long remain closed to the grasping hand of the white man. So they planned their claim, in anticipation of the inevitable change, and attempted to take Time by the forelock.
   The period of waiting proved less extended than they had dared to hope, for, in 1832, the Black Hawk disaster sealed the fate of the decaying bands. The treaty was made September 21, 1832. Within one week after the signing of the document, or as soon as news reached the men, who were living in Illinois, S. S. White, Amzi Doolittle and M. M. McCarver came across the Mississippi River and made claim to the lands on which the river-front of Burlington is now standing. A cabin was immediately erected. The claim commenced at the ravine, near the upper part of the bottom-lands and extended down the river one mile.

"THE FIRST FERRY-BOAT.
   "While the cabin referred to was in process of erection, the pioneers employed men on the east shore, to build a flat boat, for use as a ferry. Application was at once made to the County Court of Hancock County, Illinois, for license to maintain a public ferry across the Mississippi at this point, which was granted.

"THE SECOND BAND OF PIONEERS.
   "Theodore Jennings located the land north of the original claim, and Benjamin Tucker and Isaac Crenshaw, that on the southwest thereof, during the fall of 1832. David Tothero built the second cabin in the region, and the first one away from the site of Burlington, southwest of town, some 2 miles or so. Before winter set in, 12 or 15 families located in the surrounding country. The Smiths built cabins about 2 miles below 'town.'
   "S. S. White moved his family into the 'company' cabin in February, 1833. When he did so, the crude building was not finished. The floor when was made of puncheons, or split logs; there was no door hung, for sawed lumber could not be obtained; and the home of the pioneer was exceedingly well ventilated. The nearest point where lumber could then be procured was St. Louis.
   "The treaty with the Indians did not require them to give up possession of the lands until June 1, 1833; but no attention was given to that clause by the settlers. We did not feel that we were infringing on the rights of the Indians by making our claims, but complaint was made to the commanding officer at Rock Island, and a company of 15 man was sent down to drive us off. We received notice of their purpose in time to move our effects across the river. The evening of the day on which we moved, the soldiers arrived. They were under the command of

"JEFFERSON DAVIS,
   who became President of the 'late Confederate States.' He was then a Lieutenant in the army. As I afterward learned, the troops occupied our house overnight, and in the morning set fire to the cabin. They then departed.
   "The settlers from the surrounding country had taken refuge on the large island below our claim.
   "After getting my household goods across the river, I erected a cabin over them, leaving no opening to get in. My wife then went on a visit to her father in Warren County, Illinois. I had two men employed at this time, who were cutting wood for boats, near where I built this cabin, and I deemed it prudent not to leave an opening by which the goods could be taken out, as I was obliged to be absent several days. On my return, about a week later, I found that the cabin had been robbed, and an attempt had been made to burn it down; but the logs were green and would not take fire. The rascals had succeeded in burning merely the covering. The walls were still standing. This was in March, 1833. We then abandoned the place until the middle of May, when I returned to the west side of the river, bringing my family with me. As we had no house to move into, we built a camp, which rails, and covered it over as best we could, with boards split out of logs. The next work undertaken was to build a cabin. Three weeks were consumed in getting the log house up, as the weather was so rainy and windy that we could do but little each day. Our goods were constantly wet, and my wife's clothing had to be dried by the fire, almost every morning, before she could dress.
   "About this time, M. M. McCarver built a cabin near mine, and brought his family over. This was in June, 1833."
   The statement explains away the confusion on the question of the visit of troops to the settlement. One account has it that White had two cabins destroyed by the soldiers, while another report says that but one was burned. It is here shown that the first cabin erected on the site of Burlington was destroyed by Jeff Davis, and that the second cabin erected by White (but on the east shore) was destroyed by the thieves. The conflict in statement is quite natural.
   The second cabin erected by Mr. White, on the site of Burlington, stood on Front street, just below Sunderland's mills. It was afterward removed to Mr. Keeler's lot, near Hawkeye Bridge. The final disposition of the historic building was ignominious enough, for it was torn down, and the logs which composed its walls were driven as piles, into the embankment, near the spot on which it last stood.
   By the foregoing letter it will be seen that the man rightfully entitled to the second place on the list of settlers is

MORTON M. M'CARVER.
   This assertion is also made on the strength of the following information gained by personal interview with Dr. Ross. The latter was, in the summer of 1833, a single man. He said, in the interview already referred to:
   "In July, 1833, by cross the Mississippi River into Iowa, and landed 1/2 mile below the mouth of Flint River, where it empties into the former stream. The place was called Flint Hills, and extended 5 miles below the site of Burlington.
   "Morton M. McCarver and Simpson S. White were residing in cabins, about 20 feet apart, on the bank of the river, with a view to holding a claim extending from the mouth of Hawkeye Creek to the mouth of Flint River, and � a mile in width, it being the location of an old trading-post with the Indians. There was a root-house and a grave, the latter paled in, with a cross thereon, with the name of Maurice Blondeau inscribed upon the cross, on the margin of the river. Numerous trees were growing there, from the limbs of which depended canoes in which dead Indians were deposited."
   Mr. Ross explored the country roundabout, and then returned to Quincy Illinois. He there employed some workmen to proceed to the new region, in company with his aged father, and erect a cabin on that claim he had made. This claim was 1 mile long, north and south, by 1/2 mile wide, east and west, and lay immediately west of, and adjoining, the claims of White and McCarver. Upon this place, besides erecting the dwelling-house spoken of, Mr. Ross cleared land and sowed grass seed; built a cabin for religious exercises and day school, in the fall of 1833. The latter cabin was occupied during the winter of 1833-34 by the family of Mr. Phillips.

THE FIRST STORES.
   In September, 1833, William R. Ross shipped a fine stock of goods to the new settlement, and almost simultaneously, Maj. Jeremiah Smith, Jr., shipped a similar general stock to the place. This was the beginning of the commercial industry of Burlington. Both of these men dealt largely with the Indians, in furs, etc.
   Again we quote from Mr. White's letter:
   "During the summer of 1833 (September) a boat landed on the shore and began to discharge a quantity of goods. Upon going down to the boat, I learned that Dr. William R. Ross, of Quincy Illinois, had shipped a stock of merchandise to my care. I was much surprised, as I had received no notice of his intention, and had no building in which to store the goods from the weather. There was but one course to pursue, and that was to collect all the force at hand and build a cabin at once. The goods were left in an exposed condition for several days, with Indians about all the time.
   'shortly after Ross became established in business, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., and Daniel Strong located land on the prairie west of town. Smith caused us to lay off some lots, as he said he would purchase a lot if we would sell it to him. If we would not do that, he would occupy the ground anyway, as he had come to start in trade. If he could not do it peaceably, he would forcibly. It was not our intention to lay off a town until we had acquired a title, but the positive stand taken by Smith caused us to change our minds. Dr. Ross surveyed the front line of two blocks, which was all the survey made that year. Smith purchased a lot, build a house and commenced business that fall (1833).
   "The same fall I purchased McCarver 's interest in the town and ferry. McCarver went to Monmouth, where he remained for two years and then returned to Burlington.
   "In the spring of 1834, John B. Gray came to Burlington and opened the first "grocery" in the place. Subsequently, he associated with Samuel Stephens in mercantile business, and opened the third general store in Burlington. In the fall of 1834 or the spring of 1835, Jesse Weber began mercantile trade, and about the same time W.W. Chapman opened the first law office.
   "During 1834, the town was surveyed and many lots sold. John S. David came this year. I purchased the claim of Theodore Jennings north of our location, and about that time made arrangements with William Morgan to hold and and occupy that portion of our claim lying below what is now called Black Hawk Creek. He was to secure the title and give us 1/2 of the land. He resided there but few months, however, and then sold out to Wood.
   "In 1834, I put 20 acres of the Jennings claim under cultivation, and continued to do so for two years.
   "Jonathan Donnel and myself built the first saw mill in Iowa, on Flint River, in 1835.
   "In 1835-36, several mercantile houses were established , viz., Chase and Kimble, Dickenson Hedges and S. Benson. The next year, Robert Ralston and Kelly & Newhall opened stores.
   "Amzi Doolittle did not become a resident of Burlington until 1833, at which time he moved his family there.
   "March, 1836, David Rorer became a resident of Burlington- the second lawyer to locate in the place.
   "John B. Gray first proposed the name of Burlington for the new town.
   "The first tavern was kept by a man named Cooper.
   "The Indian name of the region extending from the lower part of the high land up to the mouth of the Flint River, was Sho-ko-kon, meaning Flint Hills.
   "Lyman Chase, Henry Moore and James Wells were our first carpenters, and Jeremiah White, plasterer."
   It will be observed that a conflict of statement occurs concerning two or three claims of priority. The most noticeable is that of the Donnel mill. The Augusta people claim that Moffett's mill was built before Donnel's was, and we are of the opinion that they are right. Upon this question we're are unable to get positive information.
   The first tavern is said to have been kept in Doolittle's frame house; but White asserts that a man named Cooper entertained before the erection of the frame in the spring of 1834. If he did so, it was in a humble way.
   In every historic sketch thus far published, White and Doolittle have been termed the "Romulus and Remus of Burlington." The reliable statements herein made, prove that Doolittle did not become a citizen of the place until the fall of 1833, although slightly interested in the claim. It is a pity to spoil so pretty an expression, but the duty of the writer of history is strongly iconoclastic.

THE FIRST TAVERN.
   In September, 1833, Amzi Doolittle, who had an interest in the claim of Burlington, moved there with his family. The following spring, Lyman Chase who was the first carpenter to locate in the place, built two frame houses, one for White and the other for Doolittle. The latter was used as an hotel. Henry Moore, who has attained the distinction of being the oldest mechanic and oldest citizen in Burlington, did his first carpenter work on those original frame buildings. John G. Kennedy, who has lived in Ft Madison since 1836, relates that in the spring of 1834 (his residence then being at Rushville Illinois) he took passage on the steamboat at Quincy for Galena. In due time, the boat arrived at Flint Hills. At that time, there were three or four log cabins in the place, as seen from the river. Near the landing was a grocery, for which the boat put off two or three barrels each of sugar and whiskey, and a sack or two of coffee. Kennedy noticed three or four men at work about what seemed to be the frame of a house, near the site of the old Burlington house, corner of Water and Washington streets, and being a carpenter himself, he strolled up the landing where the men were at work. The frame was for a story and 1/2 house, corner posts of heavy timber, squared with an ax, and studding prepared in the same way. Kennedy asked who was "boss" of the job; one answered that he was trying to be, but he hadn"t force enough to raise the timbers. Kennedy turned to the six or eight passengers on the boat, and called out: "Boys come ashore and help these men, and we will have it to say that we assisted in raising the first frame house in Flint Hills." The passengers responded with alacrity, and in half an hour the timbers were in place, and the boat preceded up the river.

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