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ANNALS OF IOWA
Volume XI January, 1873 No. 1
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF
NORTH-WESTERN IOWA.
BY N. LEVERING, OF GREENWOOD, MO.
(Continued)
During the winter of 1863-4 , the young men of Sioux
City organized a debating lyceum for mutual improvement and the general
dissemination of knowledge, many of the officers and soldiers who were quartered
here at the time participating, and adding much to the interest of the society.
The meetings were usually held in the Old School Presbyterian Church, which was
invariably crowded on these occasions to its full capacity. Every alternate week
a lecture was delivered by some one selected for that special purpose. Among the
many lectures delivered that and the following winter were some that would have
done credit to some of our noted eastern lecturers, and tickled the ears and
called forth the admiration of the most fastidious. The genius, research, and
profound ability displayed in some of these lectures was a source of pride to
our citizens. I regret that I cannot now call to mind all of the different
lecturers and their subjects. I will briefly notice such as present themselves
to my mind, but not with the view of doing them merited justice, as my inability
pleads my excuse. Rev. Stephen Phelps, of the Old School Presbyterian Church, a
young man of much promise and unquestionable ability, who was pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church of Sioux City, was among the first to lecture;
subject, "A Proper Economy of our Time." This clerical gentlemen was a
forcible, eloquent, and flowery speaker, and invariably drew a crowded house,
but on this occasion the audience was unusually large, and the lecture was a
grand success, abounding with rich and wholesome advice and instruction as to a
proper improvement of our time. Rev —Eddy, of the Episcopal Church, lectured
on "Poetry." The subject was well chosen. The speaker was a man of
fine discriminating powers and flowery imagination, was an excellent reader, and
his quotations were well selected, and evinced a fine literary taste. This
lecture was received in a manner flattering to the speaker. J. C. C. Hoskins,
the present popular postmaster in Sioux City, delivered a lecture on
"Geology." Mr. H. is a thorough and polished scholar, and was complete
master of his subject. His remarks were full of interest to lovers of this
science. We felt quite an interest in the subject of geology, and were more
benefited by that lecture than by weeks of study from books. Hon. I. Pendleton
delivered one of the finest lectures of the season; subject,
"Thought," which was handled in a most truly eloquent manner, calling
forth the admiration and most flattering encomiums of a large and appreciative
audience, whose minds were carried back with that of the speaker, to the
earliest dawn of the giant mind down through the labyrinths of time, and along
the golden steps of progress, to the present—from the depths of the surging
deep up to revel in the starry-decked heavens—amid shining worlds and flying
orbs—dashing down through the blue ethereal, to hear the rolling thunder and
play with the forked lightning, and, in its onward flight, descending into the
bowels of Mother Earth, exploring her geological structure, her glittering oars
and fiery craters—thus embracing all of that expansive field where thought
loves to roam. Hon. P. Bliss, then a resident of Sioux City, delivered an able
lecture on "Natural Rights." Judge B. was an able lawyer, well skilled
in legal lore; was a profound reasoner and an able jurist. He was, at this time,
one of the judges of the United States District Court in Dakota, which position
he soon after resigned, and removed to St. Joseph, Mo., where he still resides,
and has for some years served with distinction on the bench of the supreme court
of this state. I cannot well pass the eloquent lecture of John Currier, Esq.,
without a brief notice—subject, "Rufus Choate." Mr. C. showed
himself fully competent to delineate the life and character of this eloquent and
powerful orator. The lecture abounded with glowing eloquence and sparkling wit,
highly appropriate to his subject. The subjects of lectures delivered by
Rev.____ Zingley, W. L. Joy, O. C. Treadway, and others, is not now remembered.
These gentlemen were Sioux City's most brilliant literary characters. Hon. M. K.
Armstrong, of Yankton, D. T., and the present popular delegate in congress from
that territory, gave a most interesting lecture—his theme, "Footprints of
the Northwest." This lecture was elaborately prepared and well delivered.
Mr. A. was a young man of no ordinary ability, was an able and vigorous writer,
was the prime mover in founding the Historical Society of Dakota Territory, and
served as its corresponding secretary for several years. He is now serving his
second term in congress as delegate. Rev. S. Aughey, pastor of the Lutheran
Church at Dakota City, Nebraska, favored the society with a lecture, which was a
grand success as a literary effort; subject, "The Scholar's Work." The
literary ability of this gentleman gave him an enviable notoriety as a lecturer.
In December, 1863, soon after Gen. Sully had
established his headquarters at Sioux City for the winter, Lieut. A. Levering,
his aid-de camp, died. In the death of this officer Gen. Sully sustained a great
loss. He repeatedly said that it was the severest blow that had ever befallen
him during his military career. He regarded the lieutenant as one of the most
accurate and thorough business men that it ever had been his pleasure to meet.
The funeral services took place at the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Stephen
Phelps, officiating, who paid a merited tribute to the many virtues of the
gallant dead, and eloquently eulogized his character as a brave and gallant
soldier He was buried at the corner of Pearl and Sixth streets. The following
obituary was written by Capt. King, a brother staff officer, and appeared in the
Sioux City journals:—
"DIED.—In this city, on the 15th instant, of
congestion of the lungs, Andrew Levering, of company C, First Minnesota
Volunteers, and aid-de-camp to Brigadier General Sully, commanding district of
Iowa, aged thirty-four years. Lieutenant Levering was the first man that
enlisted in the defense of the Union under the first call of the president for
volunteers. He enlisted on the 16th day of April, 1861, as a private in the
First Minnesota Volunteers. He was present and took an active part in the battle
of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and all the battles of the army of the Potomac up to
the battle of Fredericksburg. He was promoted lieutenant in April last, and
immediately placed on duty on the staff of Brigadier General Sully. He was a
gentleman in every sense of the term. He was kind and courteous to those under
him, and his high sense of honor and unflinching attention to the discharge of
his duties, won for him the confidence and respect of his superiors. Among his
brother officers he was respected and beloved for his genial and social
qualities, and strict integrity and gentlemanly deportment gained the confidence
and esteem of all who knew him."
Lieutenant Levering was born in the city of
Philadelphia, Pa. Graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1846. Some
years after he removed to St. Paul, Minn., where he engaged in the banking and
real estate business, which he followed until he enlisted as above stated. It is
claimed by Gen. Sully, Capt. King, and others, that he was the very first man in
the United States to enlist in defense of his country when insult was offered
her glorious stars and stripes, the insignia of American freedom, and the
thunderings of war threatened the demolition of her institutions. He was
prompted by no other or higher motive than that of pure patriotism, as he gave
up the peaceful walks of life and a lucrative business for the hardships and
perils of the camp and field, and meager pay of a private soldier. He asked no
higher commission than to carry a musket, and when promoted, it was without any
solicitation on his part. Pure patriotism has its reward—the names of its
heroes are wreathed in a garland of glory that will last until the extreme verge
of time. About the middle of January following his death, his remains were
disinterred and forwarded to his friends in Philadelphia, where they were
re-entombed in the Roxborough Baptist Church cemetery, where a large number of
his relatives rest, and where he had expressed a desire, a short time previous
to his death, to be buried. There rests the true patriot and brave soldier.
Soon after Lieutenant Levering's death, Gen. Sully took
up his headquarters, temporarily, at Davenport, where he remained until spring.
The General, when in full uniform, was a fine looking officer, and of a very
commanding appearance, but when not in uniform, his appearance was that of an
ordinary and common person, and he was frequently taken by strangers for a
private soldier, or a laborer in soldier habiliments. Soon after his arrival at
Davenport, the General substituted a blouse for the starry coat, his hat was
rather dilapidated, and, like the balance of his apparel, there was no insignia
upon it to indicate his military position. Thus attired, he strolled through the
streets of the city unattended. He met with a rough and uncouth fellow who
doubtless had been reveling with Bacchus, and who mistook the General for some
ordinary person, and accosted him in a very uncouth and insulting manner. The
General, though a kind-hearted and social gentleman, was always quick to resent
an insult. Fighting was his business—he could count his battles by the score,
and was not very easily bluffed—and quickly placing himself in battle array,
he planted his battery of bones between the enemy's optics, and sent him on a
double-quick sprawling into the street. The General stopped for a moment to
survey the field, and, apparently satisfied with the victory, quietly trudged
along. The enemy, recovering his position, with the claret flowing profusely
from his proboscis, he roared out: "Who the h—l is that?" When told
that it was General Sully, he quietly collapsed into silence, thinking that he
had caught a Tartar.
Early in June, 1864, Gen. Sully, at the head of 2,500
cavalry troops, left Sioux City on his second campaign against the hostile
Indians in Dakota territory. Small detachments of troops were left to garrison
the different points in northwestern Iowa and southern Dakota, but
notwithstanding all this military precaution the Indians would steal into the
settlements and commit depredations, and in some cases murder whole families. It
was the latter part of June or first of July that the Fort Randal and Sioux City
stage, when en route for the latter place, was attacked near Plum Creek, Dakota
territory, by Indians, who were secreted behind a small plum thicket in
proximity to the road. There were two passengers and the United States mail in
the coach. Sergeant Teas, of the Iowa 6th regiment, who had been detailed on
duty in the quartermaster's department at Fort Randal, and Mr. Brenigher, a
half-breed. Sergeant Teas was sitting on the front seat of the coach with the
driver, and Brenigher on the back seat. There were but two Indians engaged in
this murder. At the firing Sergeant Teas fell forward against the dash-board,
and expired almost instantly, having been shot through the heart. The driver
leaped from his seat and escaped unharmed. Brenigher made an attempt to escape,
but before he could get out the Indians were upon him. They at once recognized
him, and told him to sit still and they would not hurt him—a proposition that
he was not slow in accepting. The savages then proceeded to rifle the baggage,
taking such articles as they wished. They took the mail, and without waiting to
distribute it threw the sacks upon the horses, which they mounted, and gave Mr.
Brenigher his orders not to stir from his seat until they were out of sight or
they would return and kill him; leaving him in possession of the coach they
fled. The driver made his way to Vermilion, which place was at that time
garrisoned by a company of Dakota cavalry under command of Captain Trip, who,
with a small detachment, started in pursuit, trailing them for several miles by
the mail matter that they had distributed in their flight. The troops soon found
that pursuit was fruitless and returned. Captain Trip's company was mostly made
up of Iowa men who went into Dakota and enlisted. Captain Miner, of Vermilion,
Dakota territory, also commanded a company of Dakota cavalry which garrisoned
Sioux Falls. It was soon after he was ordered to that place (if I mistake not)
when the company, on its way to that point, encountered a small band of Indians
somewhere between Vermilion and the falls. The fight was sharp and desperate
while it lasted, which was but for a few minutes. The troops sustained no loss,
some two or three Indians were killed, one of whom Captain Miner strung upon his
sword, running it through his body. In the latter part of July or first of
August, Judge—and son, who resided at Sioux Falls, were about one and one-half
miles out from the town, making hay on the prairie, when they were surprised and
butchered by Indians, who were lurking in the vicinity. Not returning in the
evening their friends became apprehensive of danger, and a detachment of
soldiers was at once despatched to the place where they had been at work; the
result was soon known,—father and son were found cruelly murdered. The next
day while the soldiers were in the act of burying the dead near where they had
been killed, their horses were left some rods from the graves, in charge of a
few men detailed for that purpose, whose attention was drawn toward their
comrade, who were in the act of lowering the coffins into their final resting
places, when some of the men at the graves looked toward the horses, when, to
their utter astonishment, they beheld a party of Indians beyond them, and
running at the top of their speed toward the horses, which were about an equal
distance from both parties. Captain Miner now thought "let the dead bury
the dead," and ordered his men on a double-quick for their horses. The
order was obeyed with alacrity, the men at every jump, no doubt, thinking
"a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse." The soldiers were a little
too fleet for the red hounds, who, on seeing themselves beaten at their own
game, faced about and fell back as swiftly as their red limbs could carry them.
The men regaining their horses quickly mounted and dashed off after the red
miscreants, who, finding themselves closely pressed, resorted to a strategic
movement, which would have done credit to the most crafty military character.
They headed for the swampy sloughs, over which they bounded like antelopes;
their pursuers came up on the run, and their horses leaping into the mire, they
found themselves temporarily fixed institutions, while the red villains made
good their escape.
On the 23d day of July, 1864, the ever memorable
grasshopper raid began in northwestern Iowa and southern Dakota. Myriads of
these winged miscreants put in an appearance at Sioux City. They were as thick
and pestiferous in numbers as the creeping lice and slimy frogs were in Egypt,
in the days of God's judgment. So thick were the clouds of these little invaders
that the sun was at times darkened; houses, fences, trees, &c., were
literally covered with these little pests, and, in fact, the whole face of the
earth; where they struck the houses they fell down in piles from one to two feet
in depth. Mrs. A. Groniger can testify to the truth of this statement. At the
time of their arrival she was making some calls on her lady friends. When she
returned to her house she found a conglomerated mass of these little hopping
invaders who had hopped in her way, but were not willing to hop out again;
whereupon she notified her husband of the barrier that lay at their door, who
promptly appeared with shovel in hand, which he applied most vigorously, and
soon excavated his way into his domicile. Gardens looked promising, and each
family felt that their wants in the culinary department from this source would
be amply supplied, but, in about three hours after these little ravenous
intruders entered the city, our fondest hopes in this direction were cut as
short as the luxurious vegetation that was swept away like snow before the sun;
within three hours not a vestige of vegetation that peered above the ground was
to be seen, except squash vines, which alone were left to wind their way.
Hundreds of acres of luxurious corn, whose rustling leaves inspired the poor
settler with hope, were in a few hours swept away. This was very disheartening.
Many of the settlers removed their families to the states, where they spent the
winter, and returned in the spring, while others were so disheartened that they
never returned. The Indians who lived in the devastated district felt their loss
keenly; when they viewed their desolated fields the most pitiful and touching
wailings went up from every camp fire to the Great Spirit, who they thought was
very angry with his red children. Charles P. Booge, at the time of this raid,
owned and resided on what was known as the Cottage Hill farm, which adjoined
North Sioux City on the northwest. He had about forty acres of very fine corn
completely demolished by these little gormandizers. Now Charley was a
magnanimous man, on the broad gauge style, and had a heart in him as big as a
bullock, and was always liberal in bestowing honor wherever it was deserving,
even upon the little grasshopper. He had at this time a store in Sioux City, on
the corner of Third and Pearl streets. Charley concluded to commemorate the
advent of the grasshopper family, and being something of a suigeneris, he took
his own way for it. He employed G. R. McDougal (who was quite a genius) to paint
him a sign for his store, that the public might know where he held forth. In due
time the sign appeared over Charley's store door. Mc. executed the work in
strict compliance with the directions of the proprietor. It was painted on
canvas about four by six feet. On it was represented a huge grasshopper,
covering nearly the whole sign. In front of this hopping monster was a hunter of
diminutive size compared with the grasshopper, who had his enormous right foot
raised as if to rake the hunter in, who had thrown away his gun, and was making
rapid strides for dear life, while his dog, with tail tucked between his legs,
was at the top of his speed, and, like his master, the picture of a big scare.
The work was well executed, and attracted much attention, especially of
strangers, who would often inquire of Charley what it meant, when they were told
that that grasshopper was to represent the father of all grasshoppers. His store
was known as the grasshopper store.
It was during General Sully's campaign of the summer of
1864 that Fort Rice was erected and garrisoned by the forces under Generals
Sully and Sibley. During this expedition the Indians kept at a safe distance, as
the drubbing that they had received the previous year at Whitestone Hills was
fresh in their memory. A few small bands, however, followed the expedition at a
safe distance for the purpose of plunder, stampeding horses, and picking off
straggling soldiers, and when attacked would take shelter in the ravines, which
were inaccessible to our troops, but were not to shot and shells, which they
found disagreeable, and regarded with fear. "Me puck-a-chee (run), me no
like rotten shot," they would say. It was said that a detachment of
soldiers en route from
Fort Clark to Fort Berthold, while passing the side of a mountain, were attacked
by Indians from a ravine below. The only field piece of ordnance they carried
was a small mountain howitzer, which they packed on a mule, which they made a
breastwork of; laying the howitzer across the back of his muleship, they poured
a volley of shot into the red scalawags. The concussion was so great that it
caused the mule to loose his balance, and he went whirling down the mountain
toward the enemy, who, on seeing this kind of ammunition, brought their
locomotive powers into full requisition. One of these Indians was afterwards
heard to say, "Injin no like big gun, big gun seach-e-do (very bad) when it
shoots whole jackass at Injin."
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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