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IOWA BIOGRAPHICAL SERIES
EDITED BY BENJAMIN P. SHAMBAUGH

SAMUEL JORDAN KIRKWOOD

SAMVEL J". KIRKWOOD

SAMFEL J. KIBKWOOl)

IOWA BIOGRAPHICAL SERIES
EDITED BY BENJAMIN ¥. SHAMBAUGH

SAMUEL JORDAN KIRKWOOD
BY
DAN ELBERT CLARK

THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP IOWA
IOWA CITY IOWA 1917

EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
Samuel J. Kikkwood is one of the out
standing figures in the political history of
Iowa. Familiarly called the "War Gov
ernor", his name is perhaps more widely
known than that of any other man in the
annals of this Commonwealth. He was a
pioneer, a westerner, a man of common
sense and of decision. In his life and ideas
he typifies much that is characteristic of the
pioneer period in the history of Iowa.
Benj. F. Shambaugh
Office of the Superintendent and Editor
The State Historical Society of Iowa
Iowa City Iowa

AUTHOR'S PREFACE
The life of Samuel Jordan Kirkwood is a part
of the history of three Commonwealths. His
boyhood and youth were spent in Maryland.
In Ohio from 1835 to 1855 he practiced law,
became prosecuting attorney of Richland Coun
ty, and served in the convention which revised
the State Constitution. Coming to Iowa at a
time of great political upheaval, he was soon
elected State Senator, and in 1860 was elevated
to the position of Chief Executive. Subse
quently he was United States Senator and
Secretary of the Interior. But it is his service
as the "War Governor" of Iowa from 1860 to
1864 that gives his name an assured place on
the honor roll of the State and Nation.
In the pages which follow an attempt has
been made to tell the story of Governor Kirk-
wood's life as far as possible by the use of his
own letters and papers and those of his contem
poraries. Hence the frequent quotations. This
plan has been made possible by the great abun
dance of material. In fact, the problem with
regard to sources was largely one of selection.

X AUTHOR'S PREFACE
The manuscript sources are voluminous.
Seven large Military Letter-Books for the Civil
War period and three letter-books for the time
when Kirkwood was Secretary of the Interior
are in the possession of The State Historical
Society of Iowa at Iowa City. In the Historical
Department at Des Moines there is a large col
lection of letters written to Kirkwood, covering
the period between 1850 and 1890. The Public
Archives at Des Moines likewise contain a great
mass of material bearing on his administrations
as Governor. The printed sources are no less
plentiful, as is indicated in the Notes and Ref
erences at the close of the volume. It was of
interest to the writer that most of the printed
sources which he used were copies of books and
pamphlets donated to The State Historical So
ciety of Iowa by Mr. Kirkwood and bearing his
name. Special mention should be made of The Life
and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, by Mr.
Henry W. Lathrop, published in 1893. The
manuscript of this volume was read and ap
proved by Mr. Kirkwood before it was sent to
the printer. Mr. Lathrop 's work was therefore
of no little assistance to the writer.
Among the persons to whom the writer is

AUTHOR'S PREFACE xi
indebted for help and information, his gratitude
is first of all due to Mrs. Kirkwood, who is still
living in the old home at Iowa City. Although
nearly one hundred years of age her memory is
remarkably keen and trustworthy. She gener
ously placed valuable materials at the writer's
disposal and furnished much personal informa
tion concerning her husband elsewhere un
available. The writing of this volume was suggested by
the editor of the series, Dr. Benj. F. Sham-
baugh. To him the writer is under obligation,
not only for his careful editing of the manu
script, but also for advice and encouragement
throughout the preparation of the book. Miss
Ruth Gallaher of the staff of The State His
torical Society assisted in verifying the manu
script. Acknowledgments are due to Mr. Edgar
R. Harlan, Curator of the Historical Depart
ment of Iowa, for facilitating the writer's re
searches in the materials at Des Moines.
Daw Elbert Claek
The State Historical Society of Iowa
Iowa City Iowa

CONTENTS
I. Boyhood and Youth in Maryland
and Washington City .... 1
II. Westward over the Cumberland
Road  11
III. First Years in Richland County . 19
IV. Member of the Mansfield Bar . . 32
V. The Ohio Constitutional Conven
tion at Columbus . . .47
VI. Constitution-making in Cincinnati 65
VII. Removal to Iowa . . . .75
VIII. Miller and Farmer . ,. ... 81
IX. The Sixth General Assembly . . 90
X. In the Senate at the New Seat
of Government . ... 100
XI. Director of the State Bank of Iowa 116
XII. Kirkwood Against Dodge . . . 123
XIII. First Inaugural .... . . 144
XIV. Governor During a Year of Peace 155
XV. The Crisis  . . 173
XVI. Men and Arms . ... .181
XVII. A War-time Political Campaign . 195
XVIII. The First Year of the War . . .206
XIX. Message and Inaugural of 1862 . . 220

XIV xx.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIII. XXIV. XXV.
XXVI.
XXVII.
XXVIII. XXIX. XXX.
XXXI.
XXXII.

CONTENTS
The Governor and his Soldiers . . 230
The Altoona Meeting of Loyal
Governors  247
Border Defense  253
Fire in the Rear  262
Politics and Prospects  279
The Life of a War Governor . . . 292
A Short Term as Senator .... 301
Lawyer and Railroad President . 318
Governor Against his Will . . . 328
Senator in his Own Right . . . 341
Secretary of the Interior . . . 359
Last Participation in Politics . . 371
The Closing Years  379
Notes and References . . . . 391
Index  . 449

Boyhood and Youth in Maryland and
Washington City
The War of 1812 was at its height when on
December 20, 1813, there was born on a Mary
land farm in the county of Harford a boy to
whom was given the name of Samuel Jordan
Kirkwood. Harford County, lying to the north
west of the head of Chesapeake Bay and west of
the Susquehanna River and bordering on the
Pennsylvania line, was not so far from scenes
of hostility as to leave the inhabitants long in
undisturbed peace of mind. As a matter of
fact, in the spring of 1813 Havre de Grace, the
principal coast town of the county, was the ob
ject of attack by British ships; while the late
summer of the following year witnessed the
destructive raid of the English through Balti
more to Washington City, not far to the south
ward. The name Kirkwood was not unknown along
the coast. Samuel's ancestors had come to this
country in 1731 from Londonderry in the
northern part of Ireland,1 and found for them
selves a home in New Castle, Delaware.2 Here

2 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
the family was living when the Revolutionary
War broke out, and one Robert Kirkwood3 en
listed and became a captain in the only regi
ment of troops furnished by Delaware. "The
remnant of that corps, less than two companies,
from the battle of Camden, was commanded by
captain Kirkwood, who passed through the war
with high reputation; and yet as the line of
Delaware consisted but of one regiment, and
that regiment was reduced to a captain's com
mand, Kirkwood never could be promoted in
regular routine. . . . Kirkwood retired,
upon peace, a captain; and when the army
under St. Clair was raised to defend the West
from the Indian enemy, this veteran resumed
his sword as the eldest captain of the oldest
regiment." In the memorable defeat of St.
Clair's army on November 4, 1791, Robert
Kirkwood fell bravely fighting to avert what he
must have known to be an inevitable disaster.*
Another Robert Kirkwood,5 the grandfather
of Samuel, apparently became a well-to-do
land owner, for he was able to start each of his
five sons out in life with a goodly farm. To
Jabez, the youngest son, born in 1776, he gave
the quarter section of land in Harford County,
Maryland, which was Samuel's birthplace.
Jabez Kirkwood 's first wife was Mary Coulson;
and to them were born two sons, Robert and
Coulson. But she died before many years, and

BOYHOOD AND YOUTH 3
Jabez later married a widow named Wallace —
a Scotch woman whose husband, a sea captain,
had one day sailed for England and had never
more been heard from. The children of this
union were three sons, John, Wallace, and
Samuel Jordan.6
On the Maryland farm Jabez Kirkwood made
a comfortable living. The rather small, two-
story log house, with its generous, old fashioned
fire-place which had been built shortly before
the Revolution, had received a substantial
frame addition before Samuel's advent.7 Set
on rising ground amid a small grove of trees it
was clearly the home of a family able financially
to enjoy at least the simple comforts of life.
Possibly, however, the father could not have
provided thus well for his family but for the
fact that he was a blacksmith as well as a
farmer. The blacksmith of that day was an
important individual in any community, for
many of the tools used on the farm and in the
house were then the products of the smith's
handicraft. The iron work of plows, chains,
axes, knives, chisels, hay forks, nails, and many
other articles were thus made. Jabez Kirk
wood therefore found work to occupy much of
his time at the forge ; and to the older boys was
left the management of the farm.
Thus the boyhood of Samuel Kirkwood was
not overshadowed by the meagerness of oppor-

4 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
tunity which fell to the lot of so many who later
attained prominence in public life. At the same
time the economy of farm life at that day was
extremely simple, even in the homes of the pros
perous. Boiling, frying, baking, and roasting
— all the operations of cooking — were done at
the huge open fire-place, which was so large as
"to use in one day wood enough to last a cook
stove a whole week."8 Within the home wool
was carded, spun, and woven, and later made
into clothing for the family — either by mem
bers of the family or by someone hired for the
purpose. The shoemaker, likewise, made the
round of the homes and, sitting in the kitchen
with his kit of tools at hand, made all the shoes
needed by members of the family. The. days
for going barefooted began as early as possible
in the spring and extended oftentimes later
than was comfortable into the fall, because it
was sometimes late when the shoemaker ar
rived. Indeed, Samuel as a boy frequently
"stood on the warm spots where the cows had
lain over night to warm his toes chilled by the
ungenerous frost", when he was sent to drive
up the animals for the morning milking.9
Since there were no girls in the family the
lad doubtless ran more errands about the house
and farm than did most boys, but he was not
too early pressed into service unsuited to his
years. In fact, his parents, both members of

BOYHOOD AND YOUTH 5
the Presbyterian Church, in which the father
was an elder, were firm believers in the virtues
of education. And so, at a very early age he
was sent to school in the log schoolhouse, with
its oiled paper windows and split-log seats and
desks, which stood on the corner of the Kirk
wood farm. So anxious were his parents that
he should be regularly in his place that he was
frequently carried to school on the backs of his
older brothers. Until he was ten years old he
attended this country school, making such ad
vancement that he was able to cipher as far as
the "rule of three", an accomplishment which
"in those days was deemed creditable in a
youth of fifteen."10
Then at the age of ten the scenes of the boy's
life were shifted and he found himself, not at
home with his parents on a quiet Maryland
farm, but almost alone among strangers amid
the disconcerting noise and activity of the cap
ital city of the Nation. It happened in this
wise. Twenty-five years before, in 1798, one
John McLeod, a man of some education, came
to America from Ireland, which was then in the
throes of a revolution, and engaged in teaching
as a means of gaining a livelihood. In time he
met, wooed and married a Miss Coulson, a
sister of Mary Coulson who was Jabez Kirk-
wood's first wife. In this way the two men
became brothers-in-law and friends. Later

6 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
John McLeod established a private school in
Washington, D. C, engaging as an assistant his
nephew, Robert Kirkwood, who was Samuel's
elder half-brother. During vacations and at
other times McLeod often found it pleasant to
visit the family of his brother-in-law in Har
ford County; and perhaps he saw latent possi
bilities in the bright lad who was making such
commendable progress in his studies in the log
schoolhouse. At any rate in 1823, when he had
practically mastered the curriculum of the
home school, it was decided that Samuel should
go to Washington and study under the tutelage
of John McLeod and Robert Kirkwood.
It is not difficult to imagine the eagerness
mingled with timidity with which the ten-year-
old boy made the journey to the city and took
up his abode with his half-brother. It was at
the close of President Monroe 's administration ;
and the national capital was not at that time
by any means the beautiful city of which
Americans to-day are rightfully proud. But to
a boy all seemed wonderful. While he was too
young to understand or be interested in politics
and national affairs, just to catch an occasional
glimpse of the President and other public men
whose names were household words was enough
to give zest to life. And so Samuel came as a
lad to the seat of government of the Nation
where later in life he was to sit for a time in
high positions.

BOYHOOD AND YOUTH 7
Four years were spent at McLeod 's school,
with the result that Kirkwood secured a good
grounding in the English classics and learned
to read Latin and Greek so well that he never
entirely lost the proficiency thus gained. Pub
lic speaking also received emphasis in that
school, and thus at an early age the boy began
to acquire experience as a speaker that later
stood him in good stead.
In 1827, when he was fourteen years of age,
Samuel's mother died; and he remained for a
time at home to be with his father and help him
with the work. But it was not long before he
was back again in Washington — this time not
as a pupil but as a clerk in a drug store kept
by one Patrick Leyne. During the time when
he was thus occupied he was not intellectually
idle; for, stimulated perhaps in part by the
training received in McLeod 's school and partly
by the brilliant debates in Congress, he and
some of his youthful associates formed a liter
ary or debating society. The sessions of this
society, at first private, were later opened to
visitors ; and here, sometimes in the presence of
a considerable audience, the members of the
organization developed their talents for public
speaking. The inauguration of President
Jackson was the great public event of this
period which stood out in Samuel's memory.
After performing the duties of a drug clerk

8 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
for about a year Samuel, now seventeen years
of age, decided to put his education to more
practical use by teaching a country school.
The school in question was in York County,
Pennsylvania, just across the historic State line
from his home in Harford County. Here he
was welcomed to the home of his Aunt Sarah —
his father's only sister — and here he was able
to pay for his board by doing chores about the
place mornings and evenings. At the conclu
sion of the term of school he removed to another
neighborhood not far away and there estab
lished a ' ' subscription school ' ' — one of his pu
pils being his cousin, Daniel Kirkwood, who la
ter attained eminence as an astronomer. Here
he had no fixed abode, but "boarded around"
among the patrons of his school.
But teaching was not altogether to the liking
of the young man, and so after this second
school was closed he was glad to accept an offer
to return to Washington and to the position of
drug clerk, this time in the store owned by his
brother Wallace at the corner of Pennsylvania
Avenue and Eleventh Street. To a youth of
his age and intelligence life at the capital
must now have proved intensely interesting.
Men were still talking about Webster's reply
to Hayne; and not long afterward the stormy
episode of nullification furnished no little ex
citement. Many a time young Kirkwood sat in

BOYHOOD AND YOUTH 9
the gallery and listened to the impassioned
speeches of the great men who then occupied
seats in the halls of Congress.11
He was not, however, so engrossed in public
and business affairs as to forego the pleasures
to be found in the society of the young people
of his acquaintance; nor was he insensible to
the charms of the opposite sex. About this
time he began the keeping of what for want of
a better name might be called an autograph al
bum. In it were inscribed, most often in a dis
tinctly feminine hand, verses chiefly sentimen
tal in character and signed by the initials of
the friends who thus expressed their wishes to
be remembered in later years. Kirkwood like
wise displayed his own leaning toward the
poetic expression of tender sentiments by copy
ing into this album selections from such writers
as Byron and Thomas Moore and from the cur
rent periodicals and newspapers of the day.
And occasionally he even ventured to try his
own powers in the gentle art of verse-making.12
But events were now shaping themselves
toward a momentous change in the young man's
environment and outlook on life. For two or
three years he remained in his brother's em
ploy, and then returned home, where before long
he learned of his father's decision to move west.
To the Kirkwood family had come the call
that has lured so many of our people to follow

10 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
in successive generations the sunset trail to the
West. The Kirkwoods, however, were never
pioneers of the pioneers : they belonged rather
in the ranks of those who came in after the land
had been well spied out to assist in its real and
permanent development.

II
Westward Over the Cumberland Road
The reasons which caused Jabez Kirkwood to
seek a new home in the West were not altogether
of his own making, nor did they spring prima
rily from any yearning for an abode in a place
less densely peopled. Financial embarrassment
was the real cause of his decision, for he had
been the victim of misplaced generosity and of
later misfortune. First, he had furnished
security for a friend, a merchant, who desired to
borrow a considerable sum of money. In time
the friend failed in business, thereby shifting to
the shoulders of his bondsman such a burden
that nearly all of Kirkwood 's accumulated sav
ings were swept away and he was left with little
more than the farm with which he had started.
Rallying from this severe blow, he turned to
raising fine horses for the Baltimore market —
a business that offered large returns. Success in
this undertaking was just beginning to replen
ish the empty family treasury when there sud
denly came another calamity: a fatal disease
broke out among his horses and when it had run 11

12 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
its course scarcely one out of a goodly herd
was left alive.13
To a man who was nearing three score years
these reverses of fortune could have been little
less than disheartening. The soil on a portion
of the Maryland farm had long since become so
exhausted that it had been allowed to lie uncul
tivated ;14 while the patronage of country black
smiths had greatly diminished as more and more
manufactured tools and iron articles came into
use. The prospect of again accumulating a
comfortable competency in the home where he
had lived so long seemed small indeed. And
so, in the year 1835, at the age of fifty-nine,
Jabez Kirkwood turned his face toward the
West — the land of new hope for myriads of
discouraged men — and determined to seek a
more favorable home in the State of Ohio.
After disposing of his property, the elder
Kirkwood secured the necessary equipment for
the four hundred mile overland journey.15 A
large, strong wagon was procured, possibly of
the type called "mountain ship", with broad-
tired wheels, curved bottom, and white canvas
cover.16 Into this vehicle were loaded all of
the goods which the family could take, and to
it were hitched as many horses as were neces
sary to haul it to its destination. Then the
emigrants — consisting of Jabez Kirkwood and
certain of his sons including Samuel — bade

OVER THE CUMBERLAND ROAD 13
farewell to the Harford County home ; the word
was given to the horses, and the heavy wagon
rolled out on the road that led westward.
From Baltimore there was a much traveled
thoroughfare extending to the northwestward.
After a space it joined another highway coming
up from Alexandria and Washington City to
the south ; and thence followed very closely the
path marked many years before by the ill-fated
Braddock through forests and mountains until
at last it emerged at Cumberland in the western
end of the State.17 Marylanders bound for the
Ohio Valley in 1835 found this road to be the
best and most direct. Hence it would be natu
ral for the Kirkwood party to prefer as soon as
possible to strike this well-known highway rath
er than to seek their way over less frequented
roads. But by whatever route they traveled
they at last found themselves at the town of
Cumberland on the Potomac, the eastern termi
nus of the great Cumberland or National Road
which "carried thousands of population and
millions of wealth into the West ; and more than
any other material structure in the land, served
to harmonize and strengthen, if not save, the
Union."18 The Cumberland Road in those days was no
mere wilderness trail through an uninhabited
country. It was a highway the like of which
was never again built in America until the auto-

14 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
mobile worked a revolution in the character of
the roads. Stretching like a ribbon from the
Potomac through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indi
ana, it eventually reached the banks of the
Mississippi ; and throughout the greater part of
this distance it was macadamized with a surface
of crushed stone several inches thick. "Leaping
the Ohio at Wheeling", the road extended
"across Ohio and Indiana, straight as an arrow,
like an ancient elevated pathway of the gods,
chopping hills in twain at a blow, traversing
the lowlands on high grades like a railroad
bed, vaulting river and stream on massive
bridges of unparalleled size."19
Nor did the traveler over this highway suffer
from loneliness : at least in Pennsylvania and
Ohio the National Road was a busy thorough
fare. It was traversed by regular stage lines
carrying mail and passengers, both local and
long distance, to and from the West in gaily
decorated and richly upholstered coaches. Hea
vy freighters, drawn by six or eight horses,
carried the manufactured goods of the East to
the growing settlements in the Ohio Valley, and
returned laden with the produce of western
farms. Emigrants by the thousands also trav
eled over the road to find new homes in the
West. Farmers hauled their wheat or corn or
tobacco or drove large herds of cattle or hogs
along the road to eastern markets. And finally,

OVER THE CUMBERLAND ROAD 15
the traveler along the National Road might
expect to meet persons of note riding in stylish
conveyances — capitalists, literary lights, Con
gressmen, and even the President of the United
States.20 Along this lively roadway Jabez Kirkwood
and his sons journeyed after leaving the town
of Cumberland on the Potomac. At first the
road wound upward toward the west through
the rugged, mountainous country of western
Maryland. Then, finding a pass between the
hills it turned into Pennsylvania, crossing the
first westward-flowing water — the Youghio-
gheny River — at the town of Somerfield. A
short distance further to the northwest the road
passed close by the grave of General Braddock,
the man who had blazed the trail which had now
grown into a great highway. Thence, descend
ing gradually into the fertile, smiling valley of
the Monongahela, crossing the ponderous stone
bridge at Big Crossings (now Smithfield), and
passing through Uniontown, the route led at
length to Brownsville, the village on the Monon
gahela River which in early years had attained
prominence under the name of Redstone Old
Fort. Crossing the river at this historic point
the thoroughfare ran through the prosperous
farms of Washington County across the West
Virginia line to Wheeling, whence after cross-

16 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
ing the Ohio it continued its way almost in a
direct line to the westward.21
How the Kirkwood party fared on the jour
ney, whether they put up at night in taverns or
in less pretentious road-houses which lined the
way or slept in the open in the shelter of their
wagon, how long they were on the road — all
these and other details which would be of inter
est must be left to the imagination. Only one
incident of the long trip apparently remained
firmly fixed in the memory of the youngest mem
ber of the party. All the money belonging to
the family had been put in a common purse and
entrusted to the care of John, the oldest son.
One morning upon arising and preparing for
another day's travel it was discovered to their
great consternation that the bag of money was
missing. Here, indeed, was a pretty situation !
Not only had they lost their small accumulations
with which they had planned to buy land and
the things necessary to set up a new home, but
even on the Cumberland Road they could not
travel far without at least a little money. There
were tolls to pay and they must have food for
themselves and their horses. Robbery of course
was feared, but nevertheless a diligent search
was made. The contents of the wagon were
feverishly ransacked, but to no avail. At length
the precious bag was found in the very bottom
of the wagon, where it had fallen through the

OVER THE CUMBERLAND ROAD 17
chinks between the articles which made up the
load.22 It is needless to say that thereafter
the purse was guarded with even more jealous
care. Doubtless Jabez Kirkwood and his sons had
already definitely determined upon the region
where they would seek for land. In 1835 the
country in north-central Ohio, somewhat back
from the lake and away from the principal
lines of travel, still offered better opportuni
ties to settlers than were to be found in the more
developed portions of the State. To reach this
region the Kirkwoods would have the choice of
at least two well-defined courses after crossing
the Ohio River at Wheeling. From Bridgeport,
across the river from Wheeling, there was a
road running to the northwest through Cadiz
and New Philadelphia to Wooster; and thence
another road led westward to Mansfield in the
heart of the region toward which the travelers
were wending their way. Or they might pro
ceed along the National Road across the State
of Ohio until they reached a point about midway
between Zanesville and Columbus, where they
would strike a road running north through
Newark and Mt. Vernon to Mansfield.23
Although there is no way of telling which of
these two routes the Kirkwoods adopted, they
found themselves in Richland County, where the
father was to spend the remainder of his days,

18 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
and where Samuel was to live for twenty years
— years which gave to him the maturity and
wide experience which fitted him later to assume
a position of leadership in another western
Commonwealth.

Ill
First Years in Richland County
Richland County, Ohio, had long ceased to be
a frontier region before the Kirkwoods arrived :
it was a well settled community in which nearly
all the public land had been taken up and cov
ered with prosperous farm homes. Indeed, the
population of the county in 1835 must have
been upwards of thirty thousand, for this was
the period of the flood tide of emigration to
Ohio.24 Along the forks of the Mohican there
were settlements as early as the year 1809, and
during the following years there poured in a
stream of pioneers, chiefly from Pennsylvania.
Of these early settlers some were of German
origin, while large numbers were Scotch-Irish
Presbyterians;25 and thus it goes without say
ing that they were a thrifty lot. At the same
time it was remarked that the inhabitants were
somewhat "behind the age in enterprise and
public spirit", the assigned reason being that
they lived so far ' ' distant from any of the public
improvements of the day". But in 1837 it was
predicted that this handicap would soon be
removed by the building of railroads and 19

20 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
canals, several of which were even then pro
jected.26 The character of the soil was indicated by the
name of the county. Its surface was gently
rolling, though in the southern part it might be
called hilly; and throughout its length and
breadth there was scarcely any waste land.
Wheat, at that time the principal agricultural
product, was manufactured into flour within the
county and hauled overland to Lake Erie or to
the Erie and Ohio Canal, whence it was shipped
by boat to eastern markets. During the grain-
hauling season "the highway was often blocked
with long trains of wagons that would not give
way for other vehicles. At night the wagons
would be parked on the roadside near a creek,
and the farmers and their boys would have a
regular joyous picnic on provisions brought
from home." The county was "also famed for
its fine horses and neat cattle."27
It was in the hilly region in the southern part
of the county, sixteen or seventeen miles by
road southeast from Mansfield, the county seat
and principal town, that the Kirkwoods halted.
The father soon afterward filed on eighty acres
of wild government land which was covered
with a dense growth of timber; while John
bought an adjoining quarter section scarcely
less in readiness for cultivation. On John's
land there was a log cabin in the midst of a

IN RICHLAND COUNTY 21
small clearing — the work no doubt of a pioneer
of the type that could not abide close neighbors
and soon pressed on again to the frontier,
selling his claim for what he could get. Into
this cabin were moved the contents of the
wagon, and the Kirkwoods entered upon a life
that was new to them. Not far away was the
great north and south road from Columbus to
Cleveland with its busy traffic. Well-improved
farms were all about them; and it was only
four or five miles to the post village of Newville,
where once each week they received their mail.
In at least two respects, however, they were
confronted with the conditions of pioneer life:
practically every foot of their land must be
subdued and their home was at first as rude and
primitive as that of the first pathfinder.
The first years in Ohio, therefore, were years
of hard toil. To clear heavily-timbered land
was a task for the strong, and to prepare an
area large enough to permit of the raising of
crops worth while meant long and tedious labor.
The undergrowth must be cleared away and
burned, the trees felled and disposed of, and
the stumps blasted and dug out of the ground.
Eventually, however, some sixty acres were
cleared and placed under cultivation. Mean
while the cabin was improved and made more
habitable, and a lean-to addition was built in
the rear to serve as sleeping rooms.2S The hard

22 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
times of 1837, which followed the bursting of
the bubble of land speculation and the partial
subsidence of the public improvement fever,
pressed heavily upon the Kirkwoods ; but they
had gained a foothold which they were able to
maintain through this period of adversity.
During the winters Samuel earned a little
ready money by teaching district schools. In
that part of the country the schoolhouses were
mostly constructed of logs, but glass had
replaced oiled paper in the windows and there
were desks made of rough boards, although the
seats were likely to be of the old split-log type.
The wages received by teachers varied from
eight to ten dollars a month for men, and from
six to eight dollars for women, though there
were comparatively few of the latter in those
days. Of expenses there were almost none, for
the teacher boarded around in the homes of the
patrons of the school, staying about a week
with each family. Nor was he an unwelcome
guest in these homes, for to have the teacher at
the table and in the family circle around the fire
during the long winter evenings was a privilege
much cherished by children and grown-ups
alike. He was often the sole connecting link
between the lonely, monotonous routine of farm
life and the great world of learning. Some
times, of course, the teachers by holding aloof
and "putting on airs" succeeded only in

IN RICHLAND COUNTY 23
antagonizing the sturdy, democratic people
among whom they labored; but Samuel Kirk
wood was not of this type. Instead, he was
able to enter into their lives in such a way as to
learn much from them while giving of his own
knowledge.29 The album of verse, begun in Washington
City and carried to the new home, received
numerous additions during these years. New
found friends inscribed in it sentiments or
words of advice; while Samuel wrote lines to
this or that young lady. But it was not
maidenly charms alone that inspired him; for
when he read the famous "People's Charter"
drawn up in 1838 by the Chartists in England
his democratic spirit was deeply stirred, and he
wrote a poem of which the following are the
first, fourth, and fifth stanzas:
What sound comes over the mighty deep?
Do the fierce, wild winds its bosom sweep?
Is the Demon of death from his whirlwind car
Scattering woe and death afar?
Whence that deep sound ? Does the earthquake shock
Shiver and scatter the mountain and rock,
The castle of noble and cottage of swain,
Alike undistinguished afar on the plain?
It comes from the land whence sprang our sires,
Whose hands first kindled those beacon fires,
Whose broad, bright light by the blessing of Heaven

24 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Now reaches the land from which they were driven,
Has dispelled the deep darkness by tyranny cast
O'er the souls of men in times long past.
God grant that its beamings may brighten and spread
Till no slave stains the earth with his desolate tread.
They will — aye they must — for that fire from above,
While fed with the patriots devotion and love,
Neither princes of earth nor the powers of Hell
Its light or its increase can darken or quell.
It will stream to the sky; 'twill encircle the earth,
'Twill blaze on the altar, 'twill cheer the rude hearth,
God's mockers, Earth's Kings, from their proud seats
be hurl 'd,
And Freedom 's fair sunbeam will gladden the world.30
It was while teaching that Kirkwood met and
became acquainted with Abram Armentrout,
the assessor of Richland County, who appar
ently took a great liking to the young man.
The upshot was that in 1840 Samuel was
appointed as Armentrout 's deputy and assigned
the duty of assessing the property in thirteen
townships of the county. In performing this
task he tramped on foot most of the time, going
from farm to farm, meeting the people and
learning the extent of their worldly possessions.
The compensation was one dollar and a half a
day, a truly munificent sum when compared with
the wages of a country school teacher; and
besides, young Kirkwood thus began an ac-

IN RICHLAND COUNTY 25
quaintance among the inhabitants of the county
which was helpful to him in later years.
The work of assessment was completed in due
time, and then Abram Armentrout had other
employment to offer his deputy. He had pur
chased a store and tavern, evidently at some
small cross-roads village, possibly at the post
town of Newville. Here for about a year
Samuel Kirkwood exchanged merchandise for
the money and farm produce of the settlers and
helped minister to the wants of such travelers
as stopped at the tavern for meals or to pass
the night.31
But this was not the kind of a life for a young
man with ambition and a taste for the society
of keen minds. Neither did school teaching
appeal to him as a life work. Farming, while
reasonably agreeable to him, seemed to lead
nowhere, since during those years of financial
stringency he saw no hope of earning sufficient
money as a farm-hand to buy a farm of his own.
Soon, however, a way was opened to a career
which offered many attractions ; and so, in the
year 1841, Kirkwood left the tavern and the
farm and established himself in the county seat
town which was to be his home for nearly
fifteen years.
Mansfield, the seat of justice of Richland
County, was beautifully located "upon a com
manding elevation, overlooking a country hand-

26 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
somely disposed in hills and valleys ' ', nearly in
the center of the county.32 Commercially it was
also well situated, for it was the axis from
which radiated, like the spokes of a wheel, well
graded pikes and roads running in all directions
to the principal towns and cities of the State.33
Seventy miles to the southwest lay Columbus,
the capital city; while off in the opposite
direction at about an equal distance was the
growing lake port of Cleveland at the north end
of the Erie and Ohio Canal. It only needed a
canal or, better, a railroad, to make Mansfield
a place of considerable importance.
The town, at the time when Kirkwood first
knew it, contained about fourteen hundred
people. The business houses, consisting in 1837
of fifteen stores, five taverns, two apothecary
shops, two printing offices, and a market house,
faced a public square in the center of which was
a two-story brick court house. Six church
denominations, each with its own building,
looked after the spiritual interests of the
people; and four physicians and eight lawyers
found patronage in the town and surrounding
country. While the railroad had not yet
reached its iron arms that far, four different
stage coaches arrived and departed three times
each week, carrying the mail and passengers;
and besides, four mails each week were carried
on horseback.34 The town, therefore, did not

IN RICHLAND COUNTY 27
lack for frequent and regular communications
with the outside world. Altogether, Mansfield
was just the sort of a place for a young man
entering upon a professional career.
Among the lawyers of the town there was
none more prominent and successful than
Thomas W. Bartley, one of the early settlers of
the county and a man of sound common sense
who enjoyed the confidence of all who knew
him. It was the offer of an opportunity to
study law in the office of this medium-sized,
gruff-spoken lawyer that brought Samuel
Kirkwood to Mansfield in 1841. Bartley at that
time had represented the people of Richland
County for one term in the lower house of the
General Assembly, and had given such satis
faction that in 1841 he was elected to a seat in
the State Senate, where he served for two
years.35 A rather uncertain prospect faced Kirkwood
as he settled himself at a desk in Bartley 's
office in a small, one-story building facing the
public square. His small supply of money
would by no means cover his expenses during
the two years which would expire before he
could take the examinations and be admitted to
the bar. But again fortune favored him. He
had in Mansfield a friend, Dr. E. W. Lake,36
who happened at that period to be clerk of the
court of Richland County. Not wishing to

28 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
spend much of his time in the office, Dr. Lake
virtually left Barnabas Burns, his deputy, in
charge ; and oftentimes there was more work of
a clerical nature than one man could well per
form. And so occasional employment for part
time was offered to Kirkwood, such as copying
records and doing a part of the large amount of
writing required in the office- — work which he
was glad to accept. In this way he not only
earned sufficient money to enable him to con
tinue his studies, but was placed in a position
to gain a knowledge of court procedure which
was of great value to a prospective attorney.
Furthermore, during these months of com
panionship there began a close and lasting
friendship between Kirkwood and Barnabas
Burns.37 The two years in the office of Thomas W.
Bartley passed without notable incident.
Kirkwood no doubt found abundant inspiration
to impel him to hard and serious study, for the
Mansfield bar, in addition to Bartley, embraced
some able and eminent lawyers. In the first
place, there was Jacob Brinkerhoff, who shortly
afterwards was sent to Congress where he
attained fame by drafting the Wilmot Proviso,
and who later served with distinction for
fifteen years on the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Another was Thomas H. Ford, a man who
gained sufficient prominence throughout the

IN RICHLAND COUNTY 29
Commonwealth to be elected Lieutenant Gov
ernor. James Stewart and Jacob Parker were
scarcely less well known. And finally, there
was Charles T. Sherman, to whose office there
came as a student about this time his younger
brother John, whose name, along with those of
his illustrious brothers, has a safe place in the
annals of American history. These two Mans
field law students, Samuel J. Kirkwood and
John Sherman, were destined to sit for a time
as colleagues in the Senate of the United States
and to become trusted counsellors of Presidents.
Late in life John Sherman recalled how, in
order to prepare themselves in a practical way
for future contests at the bar, the students in
the various offices at Mansfield ' ' organized a
moot court, presided over by Joseph Newman,
then in active practice as a partner of Mr.
Stewart. We held famous moot courts in which
cases were tried with all the earnestness,
industry and skill that could have been evoked
by real cases. In these trials Mr. Kirkwood
and I were usually pitted against each other.
. . . I have always regarded our contests in
this moot court as the most important part of
my legal training."38
Other friendships made by Kirkwood during
these years were likewise significant. With
Barnabas Burns, the deputy clerk, he later
formed a congenial and lucrative partnership.

30 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Between him and Frank Barker, another young
law student, there sprang up a warm friendship
which was brought to a sudden end by a tragedy
that gave Kirkwood his most important case
before the court. But even more fortunate was
the attachment which he formed for John
Clark, a fellow reader of law in Bartley 's office.
It was through this young man that Kirkwood
came to know the one who was to be his com
panion through life.
Social life among the young people of
Mansfield was notable for its freedom and
democracy. There were "social meetings,
parties, dances, and an occasional ball during
the winter, but in summer, riding in carriages
and on horseback was the recreation of the day.
Fleming's Ravine, about five miles from Mans
field, was the general gathering place for young
and old. A small stream had cut a deep ravine
with rocky banks on either side. An old mill
with its overshot wheel spanned the ravine and
filled it with noisy rattle. The adjacent woods,
where the fire was lit and the coffee made, and
the farm lands stretching beyond, made a
picturesque scene often described and always
admired." Here there were "dances, frolics,
speeches and fun, with healthy exercise in the
open air."39
At length the time came when Kirkwood was
ready to take the examinations for admission

IN RICHLAND COUNTY 31
to the bar. This involved a journey of more
than one hundred and fifty miles across the
State to Cincinnati, where the examinations
were held. Frank Barker also desired to
present himself before the examining board,
and the two men decided to make the trip on
horseback rather than to pay the charges and
suffer the inconveniences of travel by stage.
Doubtless they followed the direct route which
lay first to Columbus and thence by the turn
pike to the "Queen City" and metropolis.40
The applicants were successful in passing the
examinations ; and thus in the year 1843 Samuel
Jordan Kirkwood was admitted to practice in
the Supreme Court of Ohio. Shortly afterward
he returned to Mansfield, secured an office room,
hung out his shingle, and sat down to await the
coming of clients.

IV
Membee of the Mansfield Bak
One day a few months later as Kirkwood was
sitting in his office, reading law cases or per
chance idly watching some farmer as he drove
up to the hitching rail which surrounded the
public square, the door opened and in walked
Thomas W. Bartley. Accepting the proffered
seat, with characteristic directness he soon
made known the object of his visit.
For several years, indeed during the time
when Kirkwood had been a student in his office,
Judge Bartley had been in partnership with
his brother-in-law, a man of apparently minor
consequence in the firm. This arrangement had
been growing more and more unsatisfactory,
and now the lawyer told his former pupil that
the partnership had been dissolved. Following
this announcement he asked Kirkwood if he
had given any thought to the possibility of
entering into a partnership. Kirkwood replied
that he and Frank Barker had discussed the
question in a very indefinite manner, but had
come to no conclusion. Thereupon his visitor
came directly to the point and offered to take
32

MEMBER OP THE BAR 33
him into partnership — an offer which was
both unexpected and flattering to Kirkwood.41
Far different now was the prospect which lay
before the young attorney. Instead of being
obliged to wait patiently for clients and gradu
ally work himself into a practice, he could step
into an assured position where he was to
receive one-half of the proceeds of a well-
established business. Of course he accepted the
offer, pulled down his sign, and moved his
effects to the old familiar office where for two
years he had labored as a student. Moreover,
at this time the new junior member of the firm
had interests in addition to the troubles of
quarrelsome neighbors and other people who
needed legal service.
Among the earliest settlers of Richland
County were two immigrants from Pennsyl
vania, Ichabod Clark and his young wife.
Coming in the year 1811 they settled upon a
half section of land about six miles to the south
and west of the spot where in a few years there
sprang up the town of Mansfield. It was then
a region wild and almost uninhabited. Neigh
bors were few and far between, and to the west
scarcely a tree or an acre of ground had been
touched by the axe or the plow of the white man.
Indians prowled about and oftentimes looked
upon the intruders on their ancient hunting-
grounds with such an unfriendly eye that the

34 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
squatters built for themselves a block-house to
which they and their wives and children might
flee in case of danger. Especially during the
War of 1812 did the red man's tomahawk hang
over the dwellers in the scattered cabin homes.
It was partly for this reason that Ichabod Clark
enlisted in the militia and in a number of the
small engagements on the southern border of
Lake Erie did his part to protect his country
against English aggression and his fireside
against savage foes.42
After the war was over there began in dead
earnest the long, up-hill struggle to make a
farm out of a wilderness of trees and under
brush. Health and contentment, however,
reigned in the Clark household and prosperity
crowned the efforts of the pioneer and his
capable, vigorous companion. Here were born
ten robust children — two boys, Ezekiel and
John, and eight girls, among whom was Jane
born in the year 1821.
Now it was John, the younger of the two
Clark boys, who was a fellow-student with
Kirkwood in Bartley 's office. It happened in
the late fall of 1842 that John Clark was inter
ested in a lawsuit which was scheduled to be
heard before a country justice in the southern
part of the county ; and he persuaded Kirkwood
to accompany him and be present at the hearing
of the case. The road led past the Clark farm

MEMBER OP THE BAR 35
and so the two embryo lawyers stopped over
night at John 's home, both going and returning
from the trial. This was the first meeting of
Samuel Kirkwood and Jane Clark, who was
then in the bloom of young womanhood. The
guest singled her out among her sisters and
fell so completely under the spell of her charms
that he was not able to remove her image from
his mind and heart upon his return to Mansfield.
Then ensued a period of courtship, which was
carried on at first largely by correspondence
because Jane was teaching and was seldom to
be found at home. Later, in order to see the
lady of his choice, Samuel was willing to run
the gauntlet of jibes and jokes sometimes
incurred by calling upon her at the farm home
where for the time she might happen to be
staying. The summer of 1843 witnessed their
betrothal and the wedding was set for an early
day.43 It was at about this time that the firm of
Bartley and Kirkwood was formed, and the
junior member soon found that while he was to
receive his full share of the profits of the office,
he would be obliged to earn this good fortune
by doing more than half of the work. Fully
twenty cases had been placed in Bartley 's hands
to be taken up at the next term of court. Some
of these cases were of a very technical char
acter, since they had to do with riparian rights

36 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
and damages due to the overflowing of lands
caused by the erection of mill dams. Day after
day went by and the senior partner seemingly,
at least, paid no attention to the cases entrusted
to his care. And so Kirkwood, realizing that
the day for filing declarations or petitions was
fast approaching, plunged into the work of
drawing up the necessary papers.
Finally the papers were all drawn up to the
best of Kirkwood 's ability and placed on
Bartley 's desk for examination and criticism.
Evidently, however, the old lawyer had implicit
confidence in his new partner, for when the day
came for the filing of the declarations the
papers still lay undisturbed on his desk. With
many misgivings, Kirkwood was obliged to
gather up the documents, take them to the
court house, and file them without so much as
an opinion from the older and more experienced
lawyer. The days which followed were anxious
ones for Kirkwood, for much depended on his
work. If there were defects in the declarations
there would be demurrers on the part of the
defendants, and the cases might be postponed
to a later session of the court — a result which
would certainly displease the clients of the firm.
Great was his relief when the day came for the
opening of court and no flaws had been found in
his work. At this point, also, his partner took
a hand and argued the cases before the court.44

MEMBER OP THE BAR 37
This experience, while trying, gave Kirkwood a
measure of confidence in his own ability which
enabled him to attack subsequent tasks with
fewer fears of failure.
Amidst such activities the days sped by and
the time set for the wedding was approaching.
Late in December, 1843, the young attorney
repaired to the Clark home, and there on the
twenty-seventh day of the month Samuel J.
Kirkwood and Jane Clark were married. The
Clark family belonged to the Methodist Epis
copal Church, the members of which denomi
nation in that particular locality depended upon
a circuit rider for their preaching. It had been
hoped that he would perform the marriage
ceremony. But for some reason he was unable
to reach that part of his circuit in time to be
present at the wedding. And so from the town
of Lexington not far away a minister was
brought, who, though a stranger to nearly
everyone in attendance, said the necessary
words in an entirely satisfactory manner.43
The young people began housekeeping at
Mansfield on a modest scale, in a four-room,
frame cottage. It did not take long for them to
win a place in the society of a town where
everybody knew everybody else. Social life in
a small Ohio town during the forties was simple
and wholehearted: there was much genuine
neighborliness and very little formality. There

38 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
were no theaters and consequently no theater
parties. Formal dinners were almost unknown,
but there was no lack of that true hospitality
which caused people to delight in having their
friends sit with them at table. The young
people occasionally indulged in dancing parties,
but for Samuel Kirkwood this form of recre
ation had little attraction since he was never
very proficient as a dancer. Indeed, people in
those days did not greatly feel the need of any
particular diversion when they met together
for an evening. The opportunity for conver
sation was generally sufficient to cause the
hours to pass pleasantly in a gathering of
neighbors. The churches were to a considerable extent
the centers of community activity. Mrs. Kirk
wood soon joined the Methodist Church, and
while her husband, whose training naturally
inclined him toward Presbyterianism, did not
ally himself as a member with any church, he
took an interest in church affairs. Sociables,
quilting bees, and the like afforded much real
pleasure to the participants and were events of
considerable social importance. Moreover, his
membership in the Odd Fellows Lodge brought
Kirkwood into intimate fraternal relations
with a number of the leading men of Mansfield.
Thus, the newly married couple soon came to
feel that they had a definite place in the life of
the town.46

MEMBER OP THE BAR 39
Kirkwood, however, had very little oppor
tunity for indulgence in recreation and social
pleasures, for his time was fully occupied at the
office. He soon found that his partner had been
wise in throwing him at once, unaided, into the
midst of a sea of legal problems. During the
year 1844 Thomas W. Bartley was called upon
to act as Governor of the State of Ohio. Wilson
Shannon, who had been elected chief executive
in 1842, resigned the office early in 1844 to
accept the position of Minister to Mexico, and
it fell to Bartley, as Speaker of the Senate at
the preceding session of the General Assembly,
to fill out the unexpired term.47 Consequently,
much of his time during that year was spent at
the seat of government, and Kirkwood was left
almost completely in charge of the affairs of
the firm. Not only was he now obliged to
prepare the declarations and other necessary
papers without advice and assistance from his
partner, but it also devolved upon him to try
the cases before the court. But if the work
thus heaped upon him required diligence and
long hours, it also served to prove his ability to
the people of Mansfield and Richland County
and to bring him more quickly into public notice
than if at first he had been overshadowed by
the presence of his better known and more
experienced partner.
A staunch Democrat in politics, Kirkwood

40 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
had by this time begun to attract the attention
of local members of his party. He was a ready
speaker and he enjoyed the public discussion of
political questions, so that as time went on he
came to be relied upon to make stump speeches
at the small towns within the county. Straight
forward and convincing rather than eloquent,
he spoke after the fashion of the debater
rather than that of the orator. For this trait
he owed much to his early training in McLeod 's
school and in the literary society in Washington,
D. C. Another lesson, by which he ever after
ward endeavored to profit, was firmly impressed
on his mind by an episode which occurred
during the early years of his law practice. One
afternoon the famous Thomas Corwin made a
speech in Mansfield. By means of gestures and
grimaces, stories and wit and humour he fur
nished rich entertainment for his audience,
which he kept almost continuously in roars of
laughter. The speech was pronounced by one
and all, except perhaps by Corwin 's most con
firmed political enemies, to have been a huge
success. In the evening Kirkwood and several
other young men of the place called upon
Corwin at the hotel. What was their surprise
to find him, not elated at what they all looked
upon as a triumph, but very much depressed
and downcast. Conversation lagged, and at
length the distinguished visitor gave his callers

MEMBER OP THE BAR 41
a valuable bit of advice. "Young gentlemen,"
he said, "learn a lesson. I believe there is
enough in me to rank with the statesmen of this
country. Unfortunately, I have successfully
adopted the methods of the humorist and will be
remembered as Tom Corwin the clown, not the
statesman. Always address your audiences
from the highest plane you can reach and fur
nish them argument, not amusement."48
In the year 1845 Samuel J. Kirkwood received
the Democratic nomination for Prosecuting
Attorney of Richland County, and after a brief
campaign was elected to the office. This was a
position much coveted by young lawyers, not
only for the experience which it offered in the
trying of criminal cases, but also for the
prestige which a successful term in that office
added to their names in subsequent years.
Especially was it an honor to one who only two
years before had been admitted to the bar; but
within a year it brought to him a painful duty.
One day in the summer of 1846 a tragedy was
enacted in the streets of Mansfield: Franklin
Barker was mortally stabbed by Robert M.
Bowland. It was a sorry affair growing out of
family troubles. The two men were brothers-
in-law, Barker's wife being Bowland 's sister.
Both were sons of well-to-do and highly
respected parents, the Barker family dwelling
at Plymouth in the northwestern corner of the

42 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
county and the Bowlands living in Mansfield.
Franklin Barker was one of the best liked of
the promising young lawyers in Mansfield.
Robert Bowland, on the other hand, was a
ne'er-do-well, a young man who in all his life
had done scarcely anything to support himself
or reflect credit upon the family name. A few
years earlier he had gone to New York City
where he had taken up with a woman of
dissolute character whom he finally married.
Running short of funds and with characteristic
disinclination to earn a living by his own
efforts, he returned to Mansfield with this
woman with the evident intention of shifting at
least a part of the burden of her support to his
parents. It was shortly before this that Frank Barker
had married Bowland 's sister, Margaretta. He
was highly incensed when his scapegrace
brother-in-law brought his New York wife to
the Bowland home, where, if Mrs. Barker were
to visit her parents, she must associate with the
unwelcome intruder. Not content with the
mere expression of disapproval, Barker pro
tested vigorously, and no doubt with little tact
or discretion. In return he received threats of
violence if he did not desist — threats that
passed unheeded. And then occurred the catas
trophe which horrified all Mansfield and vicinity
and set up such a buzz of excitement as had
seldom before been witnessed in the county.49

MEMBER OP THE BAR 43
As Prosecuting Attorney of Richland County
it was the duty of Samuel J. Kirkwood to bring
the murderer to' justice, a task which would try
his mettle and if carried out successfully would
add much to his reputation. But in this case
Kirkwood had a more vital interest and it was
that fact which necessarily made it painful for
him to bear the responsibility of directing the
prosecution. Frank Barker, the murderer's
victim, was one of the county attorney's most
intimate friends, one of his very first acquaint
ances in Mansfield. With him he had studied
law in Bartley 's office; with him he had made
the long journey on horseback to Cincinnati to
take the examinations for admission to the bar;
the two had tentatively considered entering into
partnership until Judge Bartley 's offer put an
end to any such plans; and between Jane
Kirkwood and Margaretta Barker there was a
warm and loving friendship. Consequently, the
killing of his friend was a severe shock to
Kirkwood and left him with a sense of great
personal loss.
Nevertheless, he shook off his hesitancy to
take up a case in which his feelings were so
strongly concerned, and assumed charge of the
prosecution. The murderer had been promptly
arrested and placed in confinement. He was
next indicted by the grand jury and the case was
set for trial at the November term of court.

44 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Partly at the suggestion of Barker's father and
partly because he was unwilling to rely solely
upon his own knowledge and powers, Kirkwood
secured able assistance. An older and more
experienced prosecuting attorney from an ad
joining county was called in; while from
Sandusky came Ebenezer Lane,50 one of the
ablest lawyers in the State who had for many
years been a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.
Kirkwood himself put in long hours studying
cases, gathering evidence, and securing the
names of all possible witnesses; and he fre
quently corresponded with the Attorney Gen
eral concerning points of law. Nothing was
overlooked in the preparation for the trial
which was sure to be a battle royal, since
Thomas Ewing and Columbus Delano,31 both
lawyers of talent and wide reputation, had been
secured as counsel for the defendant.
The trial was held in a crowded court room
and amid the breathless interest of the people
of the entire county. Witnesses were examined
and cross-examined for nearly a week, and
finally the time came for the pleas of the counsel
for the defense and for the prosecution. In this
matter the young county attorney was inclined
to defer to his older colleague, Judge Lane.
"You are perfectly competent to present this
case as it should be presented in all its aspects
to the jury," replied Lane. "I have no repu-

MEMBER OP THE BAR 45
tation to make in it, I was got here to help you
out on legal questions and I will leave the case
now in your hands." Mr. Kirkwood therefore
made the closing speech to the jury.
The verdict of the twelve men who later filed
back into the court room was murder in the first
degree; and shortly afterward the judge sen
tenced Robert Bowland to receive the extreme
penalty of hanging. Because the murderer's
parents were old and respected citizens of the
community, however, even the members of the
Barker family were satisfied when the Governor
of the State commuted this sentence to life
imprisonment.32 The outcome was a distinct victory for Kirk
wood. "I offer my congratulations, for the
result of the case, as a great act of public
justice", wrote the veteran lawyer, Ebenezer
Lane, who declined to accept any compensation
for his services if it would diminish the sum to
be received by Kirkwood. "What the Execu
tive may do, is of no peculiar moment to us, as
long as the Judicial Department has done its
duty. . . . But I more particularly con
gratulate you, for the success of your Profes
sional Efforts. There is but one opinion as to
that and that most widely spread & its results
cannot but be felt, in the reputation thus hon
estly won, & in the confidence which the Public
will gladly bestow upon a meritorious Public
Officer."33

46 SAMUEL J, KIRKWOOD
Not least among the rewards which came to
Kirkwood was the gratitude of Margaretta
Barker, the young widow whose husband had
been slain by the hand of her own brother.
From the home of her husband's parents at
Plymouth, where she had gone in her sorrow,
she wrote many letters of appreciation for what
the young attorney had done, not only in the
securing Qf justice but also in acting as admin
istrator of her husband's estate. And at one
time she sent him the cane which Franklin
Barker had carried, "not", as she said, "as a
token of remembrance, (that you will not need)
but as a token of my gratitude".54

V
The Ohio Constitutional Convention at
Columbus
The years which followed the Bowland trial
witnessed the fulfillment of Judge Lane's
prophecy. Until the year 1849 Samuel J.
Kirkwood continued to hold the office of Prose
cuting Attorney of Richland County, perform
ing his duties to the best of his ability and
giving general satisfaction. In many of his
cases he was opposed by John Sherman and
others with whom he had contested in the moot
court in former days.55 At the same time he
did his share and more of the work which came
to the firm of Bartley and Kirkwood, and
gained the respect of the older lawyers of the
Mansfield bar. Thus he came to be well known
throughout the county; and the high regard in
which he was held is indicated by the fact that
at a nonpartisan election held on the first
Monday in April, 1850, he was chosen to sit
with a group of men upon whom devolved
the important duty of revising the Constitution
of the Commonwealth.
For nearly half a century the people of Ohio 47

18 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
had been governed under the provisions of the
Constitution drawn up in 1802 — an instrument
which expressed the best political ideas of the
time at which it was made. It was compara
tively brief, and very broad powers were con
ferred upon the legislature.36 But with the
passing of the years new and unforeseen prob
lems arose, and there was nothing to guard the
people from the evil results of unwise yielding
to popular and legislative fancies. There was
no limitation, for instance, on the amount to
which the State might become indebted ; and on
this account the Commonwealth by 1850 was
saddled with a debt of nearly nineteen million
dollars incurred for the purpose of building and
aiding public improvements. The people of
Ohio, like those of the neighboring States, had
gone wild over the building, first of roads,
canals, and harbors, and later of railroads.
When private capital flowed into these enter
prises too slowly to satisfy the demand for
transportation facilities, the citizens were only
too willing that the State should take a hand.
All this was very well for those who were able
to profit by the increased values and the pros
perity attendant upon the rapid extension of
means of transportation. But those who could
see no direct personal benefit and those who
came into the State in later years found the
taxes levied to pay the interest on this enormous

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 49
debt increasingly burdensome. In time there
arose an insistent demand for relief or at least
for some assurance that the State would not be
placed under additional obligations.57
In like manner the Constitution of 1802 was
silent on the subject of corporations — a subject
which at that time was scarcely considered of
any importance. The legislature was left free
to deal with these growing capitalistic organ
izations as it chose. Under a system of special
legislation grave abuses arose. Free franchises
were sometimes granted; corporations were
largely exempted from taxation; and, in the
belief that every encouragement should be given
to these enterprises, powers were conferred
which soon assumed monopolistic proportions,
and became oppressive to the people. The need
of some limit on the power of the legislature in
this respect had therefore become apparent.
Public sentiment had also changed in regard
to banks and banking, taxation, legal procedure,
and the framework of the State government.58
In fact, a Constitution embodying chiefly the
ideas of the Revolutionary period had in the
course of fifty years become inadequate to meet
the needs of a far more highly developed"
community. New evils demanded new safe
guards, while altered conditions required new
grants of power to the government. And so, in
accordance with an act passed by the General

50 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Assembly on February 23, 1850, delegates were
elected on the first Monday of April, and a
constitutional convention convened in Columbus
on Monday, the sixth day of May.59
The old statehouse, which two years later was
consumed by fire, was a two-story brick struc
ture standing at the corner of State and High
streets. The square roof culminated in "a
balcony in the center, whence rose a spire one
hundred and six feet from the ground. Above
the balcony hung a well-toned bell, whose clear
ringing sounds were heard in the winter season,
calling the people's representatives to their
duties in the legislative halls."80 It was in the
hall of the House of Representatives on the
lower floor of this building that the delegates to
the Convention, one hundred and eight in num
ber, gathered to perform the high function of
revising the Constitution.
Many able and prominent men were members
of this Convention. Best known, perhaps, was
the venerable Peter Hitchcock from Geauga
County, who had served in both houses of the
Ohio State legislature and in the lower house of
Congress, and who for more than a quarter of a
century had sat on the supreme bench of the
State. Then there was Joseph Vance of Cham
paign County whose legislative experience in
Ohio and in the Federal House of Representa
tives was even more extensive. He had also

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 51
been Governor of Ohio. Henry Stanberry of
Franklin County had served since 1846 as
Attorney General of the Commonwealth. Alto
gether, about fifty, or nearly half of the mem
bers, had served in one or both of the houses of
the General Assembly; at least eight had
represented the people of their districts as
Congressmen ; while several others had occupied
administrative and judicial positions in the
State government. Furthermore, in subsequent
years still others were destined to serve the
people of the State and the Nation in various
important offices.61
The average age of the members was forty-
five years and the average period of residence
in the State was thirty years. Thus the Con
vention was made up of men of mature minds
who were qualified by long acquaintance with
the needs of the Commonwealth to pass intelli
gent judgments upon the problems of govern
ment. About forty were lawyers and almost an
equal number were farmers, but there were also
a number of physicians, merchants, editors, and
men of other trades and occupations which
made the assemblage fairly representative of
all the interests of society.62 In fact, the people
of Ohio could scarcely have selected a group of
men who were better prepared by ability,
experience, and training to perform the duties
set before them.

52 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
"At 11 o'clock, A. M., [on May 6th] Mr.
Sawyer advanced to the Clerk's desk, and said:
Gentlemen of the Convention, for the purpose
of a temporary organization, I would call Mr.
Larwill to the chair."63 With the adoption of
this suggestion the Ohio Constitutional Con
vention of 1850-1851 began its lengthy deliber
ations. All but four of the members answered
to their names at the roll call and presented
their certificates of election, among them being
Samuel J. Kirkwood representing Crawford
and Richland counties. His two associates
from the same district were Richard W. Cahill
of Liberty Corners in Crawford County and
James P. Henderson of Newville in Richland
County. After electing William Medill as president
and effecting a permanent organization the
Convention spent the greater part of the first
two weeks in discussing questions of procedure
and other matters, such as the publication of the
debates of the Convention. In all this useless
controversy and waste of time Kirkwood took
little part. On May 14th when certain features
of the rules of procedure were under discussion
he made the pertinent suggestion that the Con
vention could not well act in this matter until
the report of the committee on rules, then being
printed, was laid before them. Later he raised
his voice against permitting partisanship to

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 53
further protract the debate concerning the
printing of the proceedings of the Convention.
His remarks were brief, being in sharp contrast
to the long-drawn-out speeches of other mem
bers. He was made chairman of the committee
on privileges and elections and was given a
place on the committee on the judicial depart
ment.64 Even after the Convention settled down to the
real business for which it was called, the mem
ber from Mansfield joined only once or twice in
the discussions until the question of legislative
sessions was being debated on May 28th.
Under the old Constitution the General Assem
bly had held sessions annually and there was
strong support in the Convention for the reten
tion of this requirement. The chief arguments
in favor of the plan were that only by meeting
annually could the legislature successfully and
intelligently adjust taxation to the needs of the
State and guard the public treasury; that laws
were often defective and therefore there should
be frequent opportunities for revision ; and that
public sentiment was wedded to the holding of
annual sessions. In a speech of considerable
length Mr. Kirkwood challenged these argu
ments. In the first place, he showed very clearly that
it would be as easy for the legislature to esti
mate and levy the taxes necessary for a two-

54 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
year as for a one-year period. Moreover, it
was not necessary that the legislature should
act as a guard over the public treasury by
examining the accounts of all the State officers.
"Would not a small board, organized for the
purpose, (and charged with no other duties)
discharge this duty more , satisfactorily and
more fully than a committee appointed by the
Legislature?" he asked. "If this matter of
supervision were an insurmountable difficulty
in the minds of gentlemen here, such a board as
he had referred to would obviate it : it would be
much less expensive and much more competent,
and much more laborious and efficient in the
discharge of its duties than any legislative
committee. ' '
As far as the need for frequent revision of
the statutes was concerned, he felt that "it
would be better to let the people have an oppor
tunity to understand the laws, before they
elected men to revise and amend them. ' ' At the
same time he was of the opinion that with
sessions held only once in two years "the people
would be more careful to select mature minds,
to select careful and prudent men", and thus
better legislation would result. And finally, he
could say that nineteen-twentieths of his con
stituents, without regard to party, were in
favor of biennial legislative sessions.65
A few days later when the same subject was

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 55
being debated, with frequent quotations from
Coke and Macaulay and Jefferson, Mr. Kirk
wood again took the floor. In the course of his
speech he summed up his attitude toward the
whole question in the following words :
The gentleman from Hamilton has argued this
question as if it were a question of government or no
government, of order or anarchy. Now, sir, this is
not the question at issue. It is merely a question as
to how often it is necessary and proper that the people
should gather together by their Representatives to
enact new or amend or repeal old laws — whether it
is better and safer that this should be done annually
or bienially. I apprehend that while our General
Assembly is not in session, we have a government —
the law making power is in the hands of the people,
where it is safe, or rather perhaps is dormant, and
cannot be used to their prejudice; but the Executive
and Judicial departments are in full operation, ex
tending, by means of existing laws, protection to the
rights and interests of the people. It strikes me that
there is a misconception on the part of some gentle
men who have argued this question and who seem to
be impressed with the idea that it is only during the
sessions of our General Assembly that the people
possess any power. I think this is incorrect; the
sovereignty — the law making power is in the people
at all times, except during those sessions; at these
times it is in the hands of agents and returns again
to the people as soon as the agents cease to act. . . .
It is no less true, sir, in popular than in monarchial

56 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
governments, that the Legislature is the channel
through which power is drawn from the sovereign, it
is with us the channel through which power is drawn
from the people, and I wish to make it as narrow, and
open it as seldom as is consistent with safety. We are
here to narrow that channel, and I hope, sir, to pro
vide that it shall not be opened more frequently than
once in two years.66
Nearly two weeks passed before the Richland
County delegate again expressed his views at
any length. That he was keenly interested in
the proceedings from day to day, however, is
shown by the fact that he offered amendments
to committee reports on such subjects as the
terms of State officers, the disqualifications of
electors, the granting of corporate powers, the
taking of private property for public use, and
the qualifications and veto power of the Gov
ernor.67 In each case his aim was either to
avoid ambiguous provisions or to avert the
possibility of abuses such as had arisen under
the old Constitution.
On the twelfth day of June the liability of
individuals in corporations was the topic of
debate, and on this subject Mr. Kirkwood made
one of his longest speeches. Before turning his
attention to the point at issue he announced
that he "would take occasion to travel, contrary
to his usual custom, somewhat out of the record,
and make some remarks on matters and things

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 57
in general", a privilege which other members
claimed almost at will. The particular thing to
which he wished to call attention was the
tendency of some members of the Convention to
apologize for and decry all exhibitions of party
feeling. He failed to see the propriety of such
a course, and ' ' he had but little faith in the no-
party professions of men who, but for their
known party predilections, would not have been
members of this body. ' ' He believed that ' ' the
names made use of to designate parties, were
not mere sounds, meaning nothing", but they
stood for great fundamental principles. Nei
ther of the political parties was merely "a
number of men combined together for the pur
pose of getting office. ' ' Therefore, he would not
refrain from characterizing issues before the
Convention as either Democratic or Whig in
spirit. "It was an opinion which he had a right
to entertain and express, and upon all proper
occasions he would express it — and if his
action should run counter to those principles,
any gentleman on this side, or the other side of
the hall could tell him that he was traveling
from the democratic doctrine." In all this "he
used the term partizanship in the better sense
of the word ; in this sense : that it was an advo
cacy of principle and not of a party organiza
tion for the sake of office. ' '
The speech which followed this digressive

58 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
introduction was an able defense of the neces
sity of holding shareholders of corporations to
a rigid liability for the debts of the corpora
tions. He was in favor, however, of making
some distinction between corporations formed
for religious, charitable, or literary purposes,
or for the purpose of erecting and operating
works of internal improvement, and corpora
tions organized for the sole object of bringing
financial profits to the shareholders.68
During the succeeding week Kirkwood spoke
briefly on a number of subjects. He argued
that persons through whose land a right of way
was sought should have the right to the assess
ment of damages by a jury in the regular
courts. Provision for an efficient militia,
capable of being called into service in case of
emergency, received his approval; and at the
same time he could see no more reason for
excusing persons from military duty because of
conscientious scruples than for granting other
individuals exemption from taxation for the
same cause. In common with a large majority
of the people of the State, he heartily favored a
limitation of the State debt, and he would have
this limitation placed in the Constitution in
such unmistakable terms that there could be no
misunderstanding or evasion.69
In the midst of the discussion of issues of
vital importance a furor was occasionally

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 59
raised over very trivial incidents or remarks.
On Monday morning, June 17th, Mr. Mitchell
"presented the petition of Robert B. Mitchell
and 61 other citizens of Knox county, praying
that the Convention insert a clause in the con
stitution which will forever prevent the issue or
circulation of bills of credit, bank bills, or other
paper as money." This memorial was promptly
referred to the proper committee and would
have attracted no further interest had not Mr.
Manon called attention to the language used in
a portion of the petition. "There are certain
members elected to this body who have proved
recreant to their trust," read the objectionable
clause, "and your petitioners would remind
them of the fate of Judas and the doom of
Arnold." Immediately there was a great
clamor. Members declaimed against the use of
such disrespectful language : they regarded the
petition as an insult to the Convention.
Charges and countercharges were hurled back
and forth, and it was three or four days before
the excitement entirely died away.
Samuel J. Kirkwood was not one who was
overwhelmed with his dignity as a member of
the Convention. "I have, perhaps, peculiar
opinions upon the subject of petitions," he
said, "and wish this matter placed in such a
shape as to test the opinions of others. I would
'suggest' to gentlemen who think this petition

60 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
disrespectful, the propriety of the appoint
ment of a committee to examine all petitions
before presented, and 'purge' them of every
thing that may be deemed derogatory to this
exceedingly grave and dignified body, and who
might perhaps, fix a very respectful form in
which our constituents may be very graciously
permitted to address us." Later, when the
debate had been prolonged to an absurd length
and certain members had descended to petty
personalities, the member from Mansfield re
marked: "I have always thought that the best
mode to protect our own dignity, was to be
dignified ourselves, and to be so upon all
occasions."10 While the question of whether this petition
should be received or rejected was occupying
much time the Convention was also deliberating
upon the problem of providing a sinking fund
for the extinguishment of the enormous State
debt. Although he did not as a rule believe in
embodying legislation in the Constitution, Mr.
Kirkwood argued that in the light of experi
ence this was a matter which could not safely be
entrusted to the General Assembly. "I think
the proposition that we shall pay our debt
within some definite time, and by some well
defined rule, is of sufficient importance to find
admission into our Constitution." He thought
that the people would cheerfully pay "the

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 61
necessary taxes to rid themselves eventually of
the whole burthen", but he believed that unless
some such plan were adopted they would in
desperation repudiate the State debt entirely.71
Being a member of the committee on the
judiciary and a lawyer by profession, Kirk
wood was naturally much interested in all sub
jects having to do with the judicial department
of the government, and especially in the pro
visions relative to district courts. He was in
favor of having these courts held in each county,
instead of merely at two or three points in the
district. At the same time he was willing that
the times and places of holding district courts
should be fixed by the legislature. Throughout
a long and intermittent argument, extending
over several days, it was his contention that the
question should be left open for determination
according to the desires of the people of each
particular district, and that the legislature
should be left to make its decision unhampered
by any constitutional limitation.
The debate at times became somewhat heated,
and on one occasion it was declared that the
opposition to a certain measure came from
' ' half -lawyers and pettifoggers ' ' — the intima
tion being that this characterization applied as
much to those members opposing the measure
in the Convention as to outside opponents.
Mr. Kirkwood, who was in the opposition, did

62 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
not believe such an insinuation had been in
tended. But, said he, "I wish to say, further,
that I do not think these gentlemen have the
power to assign me my place. That has been
done by the people amongst whom I live — in
my own neighborhood; and I am willing any
gentlemen should enquire of them, if he would
know my standing."72
The Convention had now been in session for
nearly two months, meeting twice a day — at
nine o 'clock in the morning and at three in the
afternoon. Progress had been made, but thus
far the end was not in sight. While the debates
as a whole were of a high order, members had
frequently occupied an undue amount of time
with speeches bristling with classical allusions,
poetic quotations, and figures of speech —
speeches which sounded well enough but con
tributed almost nothing to the determination of
the questions under discussion.
Meanwhile, it was not all work and study for
the delegates, for the social side was not neg
lected. The wives of many of the members,
Mrs. Kirkwood among them, availed themselves
of the opportunity to spend at least a portion of
the time with their husbands at Columbus. The
capital city, with its public buildings and its
good shops and hotels, with its musical and
dramatic entertainments and its cultured soci
ety, held out many attractions to those whose

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 63
lives were spent in the smaller, out-of-the-way
places. And so there was a succession of
pleasant evening parties while the Convention
was in session.73
But early in July there came a sudden break
in the deliberations of the assembly. The
Asiatic cholera, which had so terrified the city
by its ravages during the previous year, again
made its appearance and spread with great
rapidity. Residents by the hundreds fled from
the city. It was estimated that of a population
of nearly eighteen thousand about one-fourth
departed in haste at the reappearance of the
dreaded pestilence.74 It was not to be expected
that the members of the Convention would
remain unmoved in the midst of such a panic
when no man could feel sure that he was safe
from the touch of the fatal disease. Gathering
up their baggage they hurriedly departed to
their homes, and soon it was evident that a
quorum would be difficult to obtain.
It was no longer a question of adjournment
or no adjournment, as Mr. Kirkwood pointed
out, for the proceedings of the Convention must
come to an end when there ceased to be a
quorum.75 It merely remained to decide upon
the place and the time for reconvening. And so
after some debate it was decided to meet again
on the first Monday in December in Cincinnati.
To meet at Columbus at the time selected was

64 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
practically out of the question, since the legis
lature would convene at that place on the same
day and there was no other hall in the city
suited to the needs of the Convention. Cincin
nati was chosen because it was the most acces
sible point and offered the best accommodations
for a meeting during the winter season.

VI
Constitution-Making in Cincinnati
Aptee a five-months interval Samuel Kirkwood
set out for Cincinnati late in November.
Traveling in a stagecoach by way of Newark,
he passed through a prosperous settlement of
New Englanders surrounding the , town of
Granville, where for a time Mrs. Kirkwood had
attended a seminary. Later, in the vicinity of
Columbus, the road ran through land which
was "under a very poor state of cultivation",
chiefly, as the traveler thought, because it was
' ' owned in large tracts by rich men who do not
labor and who rent out their land to poor
tenants."76 Considerable time was spent by the Mans
field delegate in sightseeing during the first
few days after his arrival in the Queen City.
The boat landing was to him a place of much
interest. "There are", he wrote to Mrs.
Kirkwood, "usually from 12 to 20 steam boats
lying there some arriving and others departing
and whole acres of flat boats and the landing is
all the time covered with a promiscuous throng
of men women and children black white and
G 65

66 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
mixed, cattle hogs carts, drays wagons dogs and
a little of everything under the sun in the way
of merchandise and there is usually enough of
swearing done in any one hour to satisfy a
moderate man like myself for a week." He
also visited the slaughter houses and "of all the
horrible and disgusting sights" he ever beheld
those there witnessed were pronounced the
worst. On another afternoon, by way of con
trast, he spent several hours at the Art Union,
where he found real pleasure. Especially did
he admire Powers' much discussed statue of
the "Greek Slave" girl, a large painting en
titled "The Last Victim of the Deluge", and
the portrait of a young girl "that looked so
sweet and tempting that had there not been so
many persons present I believe I should have
kissed it. ' '
A lecture by Cassius M. Clay of Kentucky on
the "Theory of Morals", to which Kirkwood
listened one evening, led him to confide to his
wife the statement that "the more I observe of
those who are called great men the more am I
convinced that there is really less difference
among men than is generally supposed. ' ' With
men as with mountains it was often a case of
distance lending enchantment to the view.
Cincinnati on the whole was not a very agree
able city to Kirkwood. Soft coal was burned
almost exclusively, and the smoke and soot

CONSTITUTION-MAKING 67
made everything black and dirty. ' ' I suppose ' ',
he said, "the dirt arising from the coal smoke
is the reason that the ladies here dress so
plainly on the streets. I am disposed to think
from what I have seen that the ladies of Mans
field wear richer street dresses than the ladies
here do." Moreover the city water was of a
very poor quality. "At this time", he wrote,
' ' the river is on the rise and the water we drink
shows it. It has a pretty liberal mixture of mud
in it and I am strongly of the opinion that the
Cincinnatians are compelled to use if they live
long more than the peck of dirt which is said to
be assigned to each of us." Nevertheless, the
wives of several members of the Convention
had accompanied their husbands, and he urged
Mrs. Kirkwood to join him as soon as he could
find suitable quarters — a desire which she
later gratified.77
The Cincinnati session of the Constitutional
Convention was held in "College Hall" in a
building owned by Cincinnati College, located
on the east side of Walnut Street between
Fourth and Fifth Streets. The hall was fitted
up for convention purposes chiefly at State
expense. In the same building were the rooms
of the Young Men's Mercantile Library Associ
ation, the free use of which was extended to the
delegates, who were also invited to attend lec
tures held under the auspices of the asso
ciation.78

68 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
On December 2, 1850, the Convention re
sumed its interrupted deliberations. During
the succeeding weeks and months Mr. Kirk
wood adhered to his custom of speaking seldom,
and only when he had something definite to say.
The first subject to claim his attention was that
of taxation, upon the various aspects of which
his views were expressed in the following
words :
My idea of the true principle of levying taxes is,
that the means of the citizens should all be taken to
form a basis of taxation. I lay it down, in the first
place, as a general principle, that everything should
be taxed, without exception.
I do not understand whether the proviso now pro
posed to be inserted, expressly requires, that any
property shall be exempted. The difficulty heretofore
has been, that the Legislature have been authorized to
make bargains with corporations, and to determine
whether their stock should be taxed or not, or to what
extent it should be taxed. Now, I do not believe that
the Legislature should have the right to tax the
property of corporations in one way, and the property
belonging to the citizens of the State 'generally in
another way.
Heretofore, credits have escaped taxation entirely.
I do not think credits ought to escape taxation. I do
not see, if I hold the notes of individuals to the amount
of $10,000, why I should not be taxed for them. We
have taxes upon property, and upon money at interest,
and why should we not tax credits?

CONSTITUTION-MAKING 69
I desire to see the Constitution provide expressly
what description of property shall be exempted, so
that nothing but what is specified in the Constitution
can be exempted.
I believe that the principle of exempting all the
property of churches is wrong; but I believe that the
Legislature should have power to exempt a specific
amount of church property, as such, and a specific
amount of the property of all literary and scientific
institutions, as such. But I would not be willing that
any literary institution should possess a college en
dowment of half a million, and hold the whole exempt
from taxation. I am willing that school houses and
grave yards should be exempted, but I want all these
to be clearly defined in the Constitution.
Furthermore, he was opposed to the existing
system whereby real estate was often subjected
to double taxation. For instance, he believed
that if a man bought a farm valued at ten
thousand dollars and gave a mortgage for half
that sum, he should not be required to pay taxes
on the total value of the farm, but only in pro
portion to the interest which he held in the
property. The remaining tax would be assessed
against the holder of the mortgage, and thus
the land would not be taxed both upon its total
value and upon the amount of the mortgage.79
A break in the routine of constitution-making
occurred on Friday, December 13th, when the

70 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Convention took time to pay its respects to a
distinguished visitor from the land of Turkey,
Amin Bey, who was traveling in this country
for the purpose of observing the workings of
American political institutions. He was wel
comed in a speech by the president, to which he
responded through an interpreter; whereupon
he and his retinue were invited to take seats on
the floor of the hall.80
On the subject of corporations Mr. Kirkwood
argued on many occasions in favor of a definite
provision in the Constitution giving the Gen
eral Assembly the right to repeal or revoke
charters and franchises under such terms as to
compensation for any resulting loss as would be
equitable.81 He was inclined to be suspicious of the move
ment for law reform embodied in the provision
for a board of commissioners to revise, reform,
and simplify the practice, pleadings, forms, and
procedure of the Ohio courts of record. ' ' That
some of the known forms of action may be sup
pressed, is perhaps true," he said, "but that a
sweeping destruction of them all would be
attended with benefit or even with safety, I do
not believe."82 At the same time, he "objected
to the grand jury system on account of its ex
pense. He would be glad to see all cases of
assault and battery, selling liquor without
license, and all petit larceny, disposed of before

CONSTITUTION-MAKING 71
a justice of the peace". Or, for all minor
offenses "there might be created a court of
three justices of the peace, to say whether the
accused should be bound over, and then let the
prosecuting attorney make out his indictment,
without the intervention of a grand jury."83
As a general principle, Mr. Kirkwood de
clared that he favored the election of all officers
by the people, but he would draw the line at the
proposition to choose the directors of the peni
tentiary in this manner. He "was afraid that
too much might be thrown upon the people by a
multiplicity of elections."84
Finally, the last subject upon which the
Mansfield member made any extended remarks
was the question of banks and banking. In this
respect he was decidedly conservative. For
while he did not oppose the granting of banking
privileges, he favored rigid restrictions; and
especially did he desire that a limit should be
set to the power of the legislature in this
respect. ' ' I say ' ', he declared, ' ' that the people
are interested not in the protection of banks,
but in preventing their plunderings and rob
beries. Our pockets are the crop ; the banks the
breachy cattle, and our present constitution, the
bad fence. I admit, that the best fence could be
constructed, by removing the old one entirely.
But seeing that we cannot now do that, I am in
favor of putting on the additional rail now, and

72 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
making the new fence as soon as I can. . . .
I am willing, and would be glad, to test the
sense of the Convention in any way that a test
can be had upon this subject ; and then, at last,
I shall be willing to take the best thing that can
be obtained. But I shall record my vote and
raise my voice against the adjournment of this
Convention, without some attempt to protect
the people of Ohio from the system of bank
plunder, under which they have suffered so
long and so grievously."
Like the majority of Democrats he was op
posed to paper money and in favor of an
exclusively metallic currency. But it had be
come apparent that a hard money proposition
could not be forced through the Convention.
Members had argued that in a short time the
output of the recently discovered California
gold fields would be sufficient to meet all needs,
and consequently there would be no further
danger in permitting the issuance of paper
money. Kirkwood was not so sure of this
result, but even if it should transpire he thought
that it would be many years before any appre
ciable difference would be felt. In the mean
time the people should be protected, and to this
end he proposed a section forbidding the legis
lature to pass any law "authorizing the emis
sion or circulation of paper credit of any
description whatever, intended, or calculated to

CONSTITUTION-MAKING 73
circulate as money, of a denomination as low as
the highest denomination of coin (the twenty-
dollar gold piece) emitted by the Government
of the United States."85
The Constitutional Convention of Ohio ad
journed on March 10, 1851, after having been in
session one hundred and thirty-five days, cover
ing a total period of more than five months.
The Constitution thus drawn up was very
different from the instrument under which the
State had been admitted into the Union. It
contained definite provisions relative to State
debts, finance and taxation, banks and banking,
corporations, education, county and township
organization, and jurisprudence; and it made
many important changes in the three depart
ments of Commonwealth government. In other
words, the Constitution corresponded very
closely to the needs and the political doctrines
of the time at which it was made.86
It would be an exaggeration to speak of
Samuel J. Kirkwood as a leader in the Con
vention. Nevertheless he was one whose in
fluence was felt. Measured by the time occupied
in debate he was one of the least conspicuous
members of the assembly: in quality his
speeches compared favorably with any that
were made. He was direct, concise, and prac
tical; and his chief efforts were in the interest

74 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
of the elimination of ambiguity from the pro
visions of the Constitution and the protection
of the people against the abuses under which
they had suffered in the past. His opinions
were respected in the Convention even if they
were not always followed.
For Kirkwood himself the experience at
Columbus and Cincinnati was of great value.
It compelled him, as nothing else could have
done, to formulate his own ideas concerning the
functions and problems of government.

VII
Removal to Iowa
A new partnership was formed by Kirkwood
shortly after his return from the Constitutional
Convention at Cincinnati. Thomas W. Bartley
had acquired a taste for politics and the holding
of public office. The election of Judges of the
Supreme Court in the fall of 1851, occasioned
by the provisions of the new Constitution,
offered the opportunity for which he and his
friends had been waiting. Kirkwood and others
actively espoused his cause, with the result that
Bartley received the Democratic nomination for
Judge and was duly elected. Thereupon Kirk
wood took into partnership his good friend,
Barnabas Burns. To tell the truth, this change
was very agreeable to Kirkwood, for it gave
him a congenial associate more nearly of his
own age and one who would assume more of
the hard work of the office than Bartley, with
his established reputation, had seen fit to
perform.87 Clients were not wanting, and the firm of
Kirkwood and Burns carried on a lucrative
practice as the years went by. Kirkwood 's
75

76 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
ability and integrity came to be appreciated,
both by the members of the Mansfield bar and
by the people of the community. It was said
that "his statement of a case was equal to an
ordinary man's argument. With the Jury he
had unbounded influence — they believed in
what he said. In fact he was generally known
throughout the county by the appellation of
'Honest 8am.' "88
In politics he remained "a Jeffersonian
Democrat, and until 1854 acted with the party
bearing the Democratic name. At that time,
when the party gave itself up to the worship of
'strange gods,' Mr. Kirkwood remained true to
his Faith." He had always been opposed to
slavery as an institution and especially to its
further extension. And so when Stephen A.
Douglas, in his Kansas-Nebraska Bill, proposed
to repeal the time-honored compromises and
reopen the whole slavery question, Kirkwood,
like thousands of others, was no longer able to
ally himself with a party which supported such
a measure.89 Here was just the issue to arouse
a mind ordinarily rather indifferent to political
struggles in which no fundamental principles
were involved.
With a revival of all his youthful liking for
debate and public discussion he took every occa
sion to declare his opposition to Douglas's
proposal. While the bill was pending in Con-

REMOVAL TO IOWA 77
gress he wrote and published in a local news
paper a series of articles, over the signature
"0. K. ", in which he scathingly attacked the
provisions of the bill.90 And on February 17,
1854, as chairman of the committee on resolu
tions of an "anti-Nebraska meeting" held in
Mansfield, he introduced a strong resolution
denouncing the repeal of the Missouri Compro
mise and the renewed agitation of the slavery
question.91 No doubt such outspoken opposi
tion on the part of one who had long been
known as a staunch Democrat carried much
weight in the community.92
What the result of this activity on Kirk-
wood's part might have had on his political
career if he had remained in Ohio must be left
to conjecture. For several years the Kirk
woods had been receiving letters postmarked
"Iowa City, Iowa". These messages from
what was then considered the far West came
from Ezekiel Clark, Mrs. Kirkwood 's oldest
brother, who had gone West in 1848 and en
gaged in the milling business near Iowa City.
Thus it happened that in 1853 Mrs. Kirkwood
and her other brother, John Clark, set out for a
visit in the new Commonwealth across the
Mississippi; and Mr. Kirkwood followed a few
weeks later. The journey was made by rail to
Chicago, with a number of changes of cars on
the way, and from Chicago a railroad conveyed

78 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
the travelers to a point not far from Rock
Island. Crossing the river, they stopped over
night at Davenport and thence proceeded by
boat to Muscatine, from which place a regular
stage line was operated to Iowa City. But it
was in a prosaic, open hack, drawn by two
horses, rather than in a picturesque vehicle
with a four-horse team such as was used in the
old coaching days, that they traveled over the
last miles of their journey.93
A few weeks later the Kirkwoods returned to
Mansfield. But within a little more than a year
they were preparing to leave Ohio and make a
new home in the State of Iowa to which many
inducements attracted them. Ezekiel Clark was
eager that his brother-in-law should come and
join him in his business enterprises which had
proved very profitable. Besides, Mrs. Kirk-
wood's mother, her brother John, and one
sister now lived in Iowa City, and another sister
resided in Des Moines. Family ties therefore
drew Mrs. Kirkwood to the West; while busi
ness prospects and the many opportunities
offered by a new and growing community ap
pealed strongly to her husband.
Some time was consumed in closing up affairs
in the firm of Kirkwood and Burns, and in
selling the house in which the Kirkwoods had
lived since their marriage.94 It was in the
spring of the year 1855 that they started on the

REMOVAL TO IOWA 79
journey to their new home. Transportation
was difficult and charges high in those days, and
consequently they sold most of their household
furniture, shipping only such things as could
well be packed into boxes and crates. Just
before their departure the members of the
Mansfield bar tendered to Mr. Kirkwood a
banquet which, ' ' in addition to the feast spread
upon the table", it is said, "was a 'feast of
reason and a flow of soul' where Mirth and
Good Cheer reigned supreme, and at the close
of which many a farewell hand shake was
given, and a 'God speed you on your way' was
pronounced by all."95
There was no lack of company on the journey
westward, for this was the period of the great
tide of emigration to Iowa from the States
north of the Ohio River and the Common
wealths further east. Kansas and Missouri
were also calling thousands of emigrants. In
May, 1855, a Chicago newspaper could not see
"the least symptom of subsidence in the im
mense tide of travel setting westward. The
trains grow longer and fuller and more of them,
and the hotels are constantly swarming."96 At
times the hotels of the growing metropolis on
the lake were unable to care for the throngs
that desired accommodation. The railroads
leading from Chicago to the Mississippi car
ried thousands of settlers seeking homes in

80 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Iowa, and from early spring to late fall the
ferries across the river were kept busy trans
porting the wagons, flocks, and herds of the emi
grants who had come thither over the principal
wagon roads. It was an emigration which was
destined to change the political complexion of
the State; and curiously enough it brought in
those very elements which within five years
were to elevate Samuel J. Kirkwood to the
highest office in the Commonwealth.97
The journey from Mansfield to Iowa City
was made without mishap or notable incident,
except for the annoyances due to crowded and
delayed trains. It was fortunate, however, for
a young Mansfield couple, likewise bound for
Iowa, that they had a friend on board the train.
For by the time they reached Chicago their
slender store of money had been consumed, and
it was only through Mr. Kirkwood 's generosity
that they were furnished with funds with which
to complete their journey to southern Iowa —
a generosity which was never repaid.
In due time the stage-coach once more
brought Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood to Iowa City,
where they were welcomed to the home of John
Clark, which stood at the corner of College and
Johnson streets. Shortly afterward a wagon
was sent to Davenport to fetch the boxes and
crates of household belongings.98

VIII
MlLLEE AND FaEMEE
Iowa City in the spring of 1855 was a place of
about four thousand inhabitants, spread out
over a square mile of rolling land clothed with
a native growth of oaks, elms, and hard maples.
In the Old Stone Capitol, overlooking the Iowa
River, the General Assembly of Iowa still con
vened in biennial sessions, and here were held
most of the State conventions of the two polit
ical parties. Iowa City was also the seat of the
State University, which in March of that year
opened for its first session. Business was good
and there was some prospect that the place
would become a manufacturing center. The
citizens were awaiting impatiently the coming
of the railroad, which even then was being
built westward from Davenport.99 Moreover,
it is said that when the Kirkwoods arrived the
town was "red-hot and sizzing with political
excitement over the first consequences of the
adoption by congress of Douglas's 'squatter
sovereignty' theory".100
It was not within the corporate limits of Iowa
City, however, that Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood
7 81

82 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
took up their abode, but at a point on the Iowa
River about two miles and a half northwest of
town, where stood the mill owned by Ezekiel
Clark. To this establishment there belonged an
interesting history. In 1843 an association
known as the Iowa City Manufacturing Com
pany was formed, and a sufficient amount of
stock was subscribed to make possible the pur
chase of land and the erection of a dam. Early
in the following year the mill was put into
operation, much to the joy of the people of
Iowa City and the surrounding country, for
hitherto it had often been difficult to secure
flour and ground meal. But for various reasons
the company failed to make the expected profits
and became insolvent, whereupon the property
was sold at sheriff's sale and after passing
through several hands came into the possession
of Ezekiel Clark.101
Samuel J. Kirkwood purchased a part inter
est in this flour and grist mill, as well as in a
saw-mill just across the river and in a farm of
about twelve hundred acres adjoining the mill
site. Thus was formed the firm of Clark and
Kirkwood, which later added to its already
extensive business enterprises a general mer
chandise store in Iowa City.102 Mr. Kirkwood
and his wife moved into the Clark home at
Clarksville, or Coralville as the suburb came
later to be called, and Mrs. Kirkwood assumed

MILLER AND FARMER 83
the functions of a mother toward her brother's
three children — two boys and a girl.103
The erstwhile Mansfield attorney now "be
came a full fledged Iowa miller and farmer,
wearing the dusty coat of one and the soil-
stained boots of the other". He kept aloof
from public affairs, and most of his neighbors
saw in him only a "careless, burly-looking, but
good-natured, miller", whom they liked and
trusted and soon came to address familiarly as
"Sam".104 Prosperity continued to reward the labors of
the millers,105 for they depended not merely on
the trade of nearby farmers who came thither
with their grists to be ground. Settlers from
all northwestern Iowa — from the vicinity of
Marshalltown, Fort Dodge, and even from far
away Woodbury County, it is said — could for
a time find no nearer point at which they might
purchase flour. "It was no unusual sight to see
fifty or sixty wagons arranged at this mill at
one time ' '. During such periods the machinery
was operated day and night, and "the vicinity
of the mill often looked like a camping ground,
so thronged was it" with the teams of settlers
awaiting their turns to have their grists
ground.106 The twelve hundred acre farm was
likewise a source of profit to its owners. Corn
was the principal crop; while the raising of
cattle and hogs proved especially successful,

84 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
since the waste products from the mill could be
utilized to good advantage in feeding.107
The management of all these enterprises
meant hard work for Kirkwood.108 Nor were
the duties which fell to Mrs. Kirkwood any
lighter. With three growing children to look
after there were ordinary household cares suf
ficient to keep her busy. But much of the time
it was necessary that several farm and mill
hands should be lodged and boarded in the home
of their employers. The quiet home-life to
which they had been accustomed in their Ohio
home was impossible under such conditions;
and this Jane Kirkwood missed more than any
thing else during the first years in Iowa.109
That Kirkwood had become a good judge of
men is illustrated by an incident which occurred
in 1856. One day there came to the mill a
young man by the name of John F. Duncombe.
He had driven all the way from Fort Dodge,
for the purpose of making a shipment on the
railroad which had recently been opened to
Iowa City. Rather than return with an empty
wagon, and as a speculation, he decided to buy
some flour, and reap the benefit of the high
prices which that commodity would bring in his
home town. When he was about to leave the
mill Mr. Kirkwood called his attention to the
fact that he could easily haul much more flour
than he had purchased. Mr. Duncombe replied

MILLER AND FARMER 85
that he had taken all he could pay for. There
upon the miller studied his customer's appear
ance for a moment, and then told him to load
up his wagon and send back the money when he
had sold the flour. The confidence thus ex
pressed was not betrayed, and at the same time
Kirkwood thereby gained a good friend.110
In their new home the Kirkwoods were not
entirely among strangers. Mrs. Kirkwood 's
mother, two brothers, and a sister (Mrs.
Edward Lucas), as has been seen, were here;
and within a short time Mr. Kirkwood 's brother
John came and took up a farm in Johnson
County. Moreover, in Iowa City and the sur
rounding country were a number of former
Mansfield and Richland County people, among
whom was Dr. E. W. Lake who had befriended
Kirkwood when he appeared in Mansfield to
study law in the office of Thomas W. Bartley.
Among their neighbors they were received with
western hospitality; and strong friendships
soon sprang up with the Crum, Folsom, Dennis,
and other families in Coralville and Iowa
City.111 While Kirkwood gave little outward indica
tion of his interest in politics during the months
when his new work was engrossing his atten
tion, it is evident that time had not softened the
resentment aroused within him by the passage
of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. "I was really

86 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
glad to learn that you and the other persons
you have named have determined to support
the Republican ticket this fall", he wrote in
September, 1855, to a friend in Ohio. "If I
were in Ohio, I would not only vote for that
ticket, but I would stump it whenever I could
find a stump to stand on, and a dozen voters to
listen to me. In my opinion the only way to
save Kansas from the evils of slavery, and save
our country from the crime and disgrace of con
verting free soil into slave soil, is for the men
of the North without distinction of party — all
men who are Democrats in fact, and not in name
merely ... to unite and say by their
votes, this foul deed shall not be done."112
A man with such strong convictions and with
Kirkwood 's ability as a speaker could not ex
pect long to "hide his light under a bushel".
In fact the time soon came when he was un
expectedly and against his will thrust promi
nently into public notice.
This was a period of political readjustment
precipitated by Douglas 's measure and fostered
by subsequent events in unhappy Kansas. In
Iowa, as elsewhere throughout the country, old
party alignments were entirely broken down;
and the indefinite body of voters which in the
summer of 1854 had elected James W. Grimes
as Governor, had by January, 1856, become
welded into a definite, homogeneous party

MILLER AND FARMER 87
which only lacked formal organization. Thus
it was that, in the belief that a majority of the
people of Iowa were opposed to the extension
of slavery into free territory, a call was issued,
bidding "all such free citizens to meet in Con
vention, at Iowa City on the 22d day of Febru
ary, for the purpose of organizing a Republican
party, to make common cause with a similar
party already formed in several of the other
States of the Union."113
The convention which met at Iowa City on
February 22, 1856, in response to this call was
said to have been the largest political gathering
ever held in Iowa up to that time. The hall of
the House of Representatives in the Old Stone
Capitol was filled to overflowing with delegates
many of whom had traveled by wagon or stage
or on horseback as far as one hundred and fifty
miles in the midst of winter to be present.114
Kirkwood 's name appeared in the list of
the fully accredited delegates from Johnson
County, but it is apparent that he had not
planned to attend the convention. In fact, he
was not present at the morning session. Being
a comparative stranger in Iowa he felt that he
would know scarcely anyone in the convention;
and besides, there was much work to do at the
mill. In the afternoon, however, his partner
urged him to go in to the meeting, saying that
there were some of Kirkwood 's old Ohio friends

88 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
in attendance who would be glad to see him.
Thus appealed to, and without much prepara
tion in the way of toilet, Kirkwood laid aside
the work at hand and betook himself to Iowa
City. In the convention hall he found a seat
where he hoped to remain an inconspicuous
observer of the proceedings.113
In many respects this was a remarkable con
vention, for the delegates felt that "they had
indeed assembled for a great and noble pur
pose". The afternoon and evening sessions
were characterized by earnest speeches, when
"one man after another took the floor in favor
of the limitation of slave territory, sundered
the ties that bound him" to his old party, "and
gave in his allegiance to the Republican party.
It was an experience meeting, and men in the
candor of their hearts briefly, tersely told of
their bitter experience" in the old parties.116
In the midst of this series of speeches, in
accordance with a preconcerted plan on the
part of his friends, there came calls for
' ' Kirkwood ' '. Surprised at the calls, the miller
at first paid no attention to them. But his
admirers were not to be thwarted and they con
tinued to call his name. Whereupon, because
he was a stranger except to the Johnson County
delegates, loud whispers of "Who is Kirk
wood" were heard in the hall; while one dele
gate, in a louder voice than the others, called
out "Who in h— 1 is Kirkwood?"117

MILLER AND FARMER 89
At length when he could no longer refuse to
accede to the calls, Kirkwood stepped forward
and stood before the convention. "He was
dressed in his working clothes, and was be-
powdered from head to foot with flour", says
one who witnessed the scene. "He was a
stranger to all except the Iowa Cityans present,
and as I was fresh from the east with some
memories of 'dude' orators, I wondered with
lots of others who that uncouth laborer was. A
'change came over the spirit of our dreams'
pretty soon, let me tell you. He hadn't spoken
many minutes before the sound sense, con
vincing logic, and forceful oratory, not spread
eagle eloquence, captivated every auditor and
held our fixed attention until his great speech
closed."118 No chronicler has preserved in detail the
speech made by Kirkwood that day, when he
received his introduction to political life in
Iowa. In substance he recounted how after
many years of loyalty he had left the Demo
cratic party because that party had deserted its
former principles. Without definitely com
mitting himself to work with the new party, he
showed himself to be so thoroughly "in har
mony with the leading thought that inspired the
convention", that he was placed on a committee,
composed of some of the leading members of
the party, to draw up an address to the people
of Iowa.119

IX
The Sixth Genebal Assembly
Having thus made his appearance upon the
stage of Iowa politics Samuel J. Kirkwood was
not again allowed to remain in quiet obscurity
at his mill beside the Iowa River. The new
Republican party was in need of speakers and
of men capable of leadership ; and so Kirkwood
soon found himself pressed into a service which
he could not escape even had he so desired.
His name appears in the list of delegates from
Iowa City Township to the Johnson County
Republican Convention on June 28, 1856 ; while
he was scheduled as one of the principal
speakers at a mass meeting held on the evening
of the same day for the purpose of ratifying
the nominations made by the National Repub
lican Convention. But of greater importance
was his nomination for State Senator by the
Republican convention of the district composed
of Johnson and Iowa counties which likewise
convened at Iowa City on June 28th.120
Of the campaign which ensued between
Kirkwood and his Democratic opponent, J. D.
Templin, there is little record. It has been
90

MEMBER OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY 91
said, however, that it "was a 'lost hope' he led
in that election. No other republican dared to
be a candidate", for the district had long been
a Democratic stronghold. It is related, also,
that his opponent endeavored to stir up senti
ment against Kirkwood by calling attention to
the fact that the mill dam at Coralville pre
vented large fish from ascending the river, to
the detriment of settlers living above the dam.
But in spite of all handicaps and opposition the
citizens of the district rallied to the support of
' ' Sam ' ' Kirkwood in such numbers that he was
elected State Senator.121
The Sixth General Assembly of Iowa which
convened on the first day of December, 1856,
was the last session of the legislature to be held
in the Old Stone Capitol at Iowa City. While
this Assembly was not particularly notable be
cause of the prominence or ability of its
members, it included, especially in the Senate,
a number of men well known in Iowa history.
Kirkwood here found himself associated with
such men as Alvin Saunders, William F. Cool-
baugh, William Loughridge, J. E. Neal, Nich
olas J. Rusch, J. W. Cattell, Josiah B. Grinnell,
W. W. Hamilton, H. H. Trimble, and M. L.
McPherson. But what this body of men may
have lacked in experience and renown they
made up in earnestness and industry. Not only
was this the period of the transfer of power

92 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
from one political party to another, but within
a few months there was to be a total revision of
the fundamental law of the Commonwealth.
During the two months of the legislative
session Senator Kirkwood took comparatively
little part in the public deliberations.122 It was
later said of him, by one who knew him inti
mately, that he "was inclined to be indolent,
and it required something more than ordinary
routine legislation to bring out his great intel
lectual powers."123 He was chairman of the
Committee on Federal Relations and a member
of the regular committees on public buildings
and railroads, besides being appointed from
time to time as a member of special committees
to consider particular subjects.124 Most of the
time he was content to perform his duties on
committees, offering only an occasional motion
or amendment on the floor of the Senate.
But there were a few occasions on which he
was thoroughly aroused. On the afternoon of
December 17th there came up for discussion
House File No. 2, which was a joint resolution
instructing and requesting the Iowa Senators
and Representatives in Congress "to exert
their influence and vote for the admission of
Kansas into the Union as a Free State, and to
oppose its admission with a constitution estab
lishing or tolerating Slavery." In the pre
amble it was asserted that "Freedom is

MEMBER OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY 93
National, and Slavery, Sectional", and that
"the peace, welfare and honor of the country
imperatively require that our National domain
shall be preserved Free, for Free Homes, for
Free Men".
This was too strong a doctrine for the Demo
cratic members of the Senate, and one of their
number, Mr. David T. Brigham of Van Buren
County, was ready with a substitute series of
resolutions which he immediately introduced.
It was here declared to be the "imperative duty
of the General Government to protect all actual
residents in the respective territories of the
United States, and all persons seeking homes
there, in the free and full enjoyment of all legal
and constitutional rights of person and prop
erty"; and the members of the Iowa delegation
in Congress were called upon to act and vote in
accordance with this attitude. In conclusion, it
was asserted that "while we entertain and ex
press the confident hope that the people of
Kansas will at a proper time organize, and
adopt for her government a constitution pro
hibiting the institution of domestic slavery, we
still recognize their right to determine and
manage their own domestic institutions in their
own way, and be admitted as one of the States
of this Union. ' '
Quick to seize the opportunity offered by the
last clause in this substitute resolution the

94 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Johnson County Senator proposed the follow
ing pointed amendment to Mr. Brigham 's
resolutions :
To insert after the words, their own way, and before
the words, and be admitted, in the latter part of the
substitute, the following:
Provided, That the power of the people who may
settle in our territories to establish therein the systems
of human slavery or polygamy is not essential to the
free enjoyment by them of all the rights of self
government.125 "Never have we seen more consternation in a
friendly circle than this created among the
dozen Democrats in the Senate", wrote a cor
respondent for a Chicago newspaper who was
sitting in the Senate when this episode occurred.
"Had a bomb shell burst among them, they
could not have been more disconcerted. Here
was a dilemma, they must either vote for
polygamy and slavery, or vote against them,
they could not ride the non-intervention hobby
and say to slavery, 'we neither love nor hate
you, go where you please, and to polygamy you
may do the same. ' ' '
"In introducing his amendment", continued
this same correspondent, "Mr. Kirkwood made
decidedly the best speech that has been deliv
ered this session. He is the Ajax of the Senate,
at least a head and shoulders above all his com
peers. . . . He was in favor of the prin-

MEMBER OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY 95
ciple of self-government, but the right of
self-government does not imply the right,
authority or power to take away any of the
natural rights of others. If the Democratic
doctrines of to-day are right, we present to the
countries of Europe the sad spectacle that our
General Government looks with equal approba
tion on freedom and slavery, and has not the
power, or at best the independence to choose
between the two. If our country has the power
and right to acquire free territory, it has the
power and right to keep it free. We got Utah
and New Mexico free ; not a slave breathed on
the soil of either, and yet we are told by the
Democratic party, that we have no power to
keep them free. I have been a long time a Dem
ocrat, I voted for Franklin Pierce, but I do not
now believe this to be sound Democratic doc
trine and never did while acting with that
party."126 A desperate effort was made to strike out the
word "polygamy" in Kirkwood 's amendment
or at least to secure a division in the vote upon
the two questions, but all to no avail. In dis
gust Senator H. H. Trimble proposed to amend
the Kirkwood amendment by adding ' ' after the
word 'Polygamy,' the words 'Land Piracy,
Murder, Arson, Counterfeiting, Horse Stealing,
Whiskey Drinking, and Ignorance.' "127 The
Democratic substitute was finally laid on the

96 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
table and the original joint resolution was
adopted by a large majority.
Senator Kirkwood was likewise wide awake
when any measure relating to public education
or school lands was under deliberation. Early
in the session he introduced a resolution to the
effect that ' ' the committee on the Judiciary be
instructed to report to this body whether, in
their opinion, the State of Iowa is entitled,
under the act of Congress of March 3d, 1845, to
five per cent of the government price of all
lands sold in the State by the United States for
military land warrants ' ', and he was thereupon
made a temporary member of the committee for
the special consideration of the resolution.
Later, because criticism had arisen concerning
the action of the Superintendent of Public
Instruction and certain members of the Board
of Trustees of the State University in pur
chasing University lands, he introduced resolu
tions calling for information relative to the
alleged frauds. The defalcation of Superin
tendent James D. Eads also induced him to
present a resolution which was adopted calling
upon the Committee on Schools "to inquire and
report, by bill or otherwise, whether any, and if
any, what further legislation is required for the
security of school funds in the hands of the
county school fund commissioners of the State."
Again, when Senator Neal proposed that

MEMBER OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY 97
"the committee on Schools be instructed to
enquire into the expediency of locating the state
university upon the five sections of land in
Jasper county," Kirkwood was on his feet with
amendments which may be viewed either as a
disinterested suggestion in favor of central
ization or as a shrewd method of blocking the
move proposed by Senator Neal. Instead of
opposing the resolution he not only seemed to
give it his approval but he also moved that the
State capital, the asylum for the blind, and the
asylum for the deaf and dumb should be in
cluded in the same plan. It is needless to say
that there could be no hope of securing the
adoption of such a scheme when politics and
sectional jealousies were such decisive factors
in the location of State institutions.128
The consumption of valuable time by the use
less injection of partisanship into the discussion
of legislative matters was not to the liking of
the Senator from Johnson County. On Decem
ber 15th a "bill for an act relating to evidence"
was read a third time and adopted. This bill,
which removed the restrictions formerly placed
upon the right of negroes and Indians to give
testimony in cases involving a white person,
was distasteful to the pro-slavery Democrats.
Consequently, when it was voted to reconsider
the title of the bill, Senator J. E. Neal proposed
to amend the title to read "A bill for an act to
8

98 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
equalize the white, the black, and the mongrel
races." Senator M. L. McPherson, from the
Republican side, thereupon offered the follow
ing substitute for this amendment: "An act to
repeal a tyrannical prohibition of the Code,
placed there by the Democratic Party of this
State." Not content to let the farce end here
Senator James D. Test, a Democrat, presented
another substitute entitling the bill "An act
carrying out the policy of the Black Repub
licans." At this point Kirkwood hastened to
call for the "yeas and nays" on Senator Neal's
amendment, and this closed the discussion.129
Finally, much credit should be given to
Samuel J. Kirkwood for shaping and securing
the adoption of the bill establishing The State
Historical Society of Iowa — a bill which car
ried with it a modest appropriation of two
hundred and fifty dollars. In reporting for the
Committee on Federal Relations, to which the
bill had been referred, he secured the adoption
of an amendment which located the Society in
"connection with, and under the auspices of
the state university", rather than "at the
capital".130 The Sixth General Assembly adjourned early
on the morning of January 29, 1857, after an all
night session, leaving the Old Stone Capitol to
the State officers and the Constitutional Con
vention which, for more than a week, had been

MEMBER OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY 99
meeting daily in the Supreme Court room.
One of the last statutes enacted in the historic
building which soon was to be given over to the
State University of Iowa was a joint resolution
by which Samuel J. Kirkwood was made a
member of the Board of Trustees of that
institution.131

X
In the Senate at the New Seat of
Government
If Kirkwood had planned to give his entire
attention once more to mill and farm and store
upon the adjournment of the legislature, he was
doomed to disappointment. On January 22nd,
a week before the close of the legislative ses
sion, a Republican State Convention was held
at Iowa City and Kirkwood was chosen as
chairman of the State Central Committee, the
other members of which were William Penn
Clarke, George D. Woodin, Hiram Price, and
Henry O'Connor.132 Upon him, therefore, fell
the principal burden of planning and directing
the campaigns of the buoyant young party
during that year.133 This was a task which
involved not only many personal conferences
with party leaders, but also a great deal of
correspondence and much public speaking. In
this way he began the wide acquaintance with
people in all parts of the State which in part
explains his popularity in Iowa during the next
quarter of a century.
Especially did this new position bring Kirk-
100

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES 101
wood into intimate relations with Governor
James W. Grimes, the "Father of Republican
ism in Iowa". Early in March Senator Kirk
wood received a long letter from the Governor,
the first part of which dealt with matters of
concern to the former as a Trustee of the State
University. Turning to the political situation,
Grimes warned the chairman of the State Cen
tral Committee that ' ' Our main efforts must be
directed to carrying the legislature in October.
. . . . As far as it regards any aspirations
that I may have, I wish my friends to entirely
disregard them and labor alone for the advance
ment of our party and its principles. I desire
to prevent our party from being dissevered.
. . . . It will be very important to us that
we secure the right kind of a man for Governor
in October. If we get a weak man, either intel
lectually or politically, we shall be swamped."
And then he expressed his high estimation of
Kirkwood 's abilities by adding: "I would sug
gest your name if I did not think it better for
you to be a candidate for Congress next year,
with a prospect for a senatorship two years
hence. If, however, you prefer to be a candi
date for governor in October, or if you prefer
to be a candidate for the Senate in place of
Jones you may rely upon my co-operation and
aid. I am disposed to assist in selecting those
men who can do us the most good. I want

102 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
somebody in Congress from this State who has
some common sense."134 The desire that Kirk
wood should be a candidate for Congress was
reiterated in other letters during the same
month.135 The friendship between the two men was
strengthened by personal association during
the summer when they stumped a portion of
the State together in the interests of Ralph P.
Lowe, the Republican candidate for Governor
who had a hard struggle against his able Demo
cratic opponent, Ben M. Samuels. Kirkwood
had hoped to avoid journeying away from home
during the season when the work of the farm
most needed his attention. But Governor
Grimes came to Iowa City about the middle of
August and insisted that Kirkwood accompany
him on a speech-making tour in northeastern
Iowa, in place of John W. Rankin of Keokuk
who had been forced to abandon the trip in
order to attend to his own interests in a cam
paign for the State Senate. Yielding to the
urgency of the situation as presented by the
Governor, the busy miller-farmer consented to
go. The two men traveled, as was necessary in
ante-railroad times, in a two-horse buggy.
During the succeeding three weeks Grimes
and Kirkwood traveled through sixteen coun
ties, fording swollen streams, picking their way
around swamps, and often riding for hours in a

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES 103
heavy rain — for this was an unusually wet
season in Iowa. For instance, it is related that
they arrived at West Union after an all day's
ride through "a good orthodox downpour, in
which water was at a big discount", and there
found it necessary to borrow dry clothes in
which to appear before the audience gathered to
hear them. But in spite of the difficulties of
travel all the appointments were met, and the
people of northeastern Iowa were preached
sound Republican doctrine.136
After his return from this wearisome trip
Kirkwood made several other speeches at points
nearer home during the three weeks immedi
ately preceding the election. On most of these
occasions he participated in joint debates with
Ben M. Samuels, the Democratic candidate for
Governor.137 Finally, however, the campaign
came to a close, and the workers in the Repub-
ican cause were rewarded for their labors by
the victory of their candidates. Ralph P. Lowe
was elected Governor by a majority of slightly
more than two thousand votes, while the legis
lature was kept from the control of the Demo
crats, thus insuring the election of a Republican
United States Senator to succeed George W.
Jones. By this time it had become generally known
that James W. Grimes would be a candidate for
the senatorship when the legislature should

104 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
convene in January, 1858 ; but he was not a man
who put his own personal aspirations above the
interests of his friends or his party. It seems
that while the two men were canvassing north
eastern Iowa together Kirkwood had urged
Grimes to announce himself for the senatorship
and had promised his support in the legis
lature. But when the former returned to Iowa
City he found that William Penn Clarke, his
neighbor and colleague on the State Central
Committee, was a candidate for the same
position. Here was an embarrassing situation.
Like a ray of light amid the gloom of political
striving and intrigue was Grimes 's letter to his
friend. He had no kindly feeling toward
Clarke, against whom he warned Kirkwood to
be on his guard. But, he said, "if voting for
me will injure you, you must not do it at all.
If I go down, I do not intend to take any of my
friends with me if I can help it. ' ' 138
At about this same time Grimes gave further
proof of his regard for Kirkwood by informing
him of the rumor that James Harlan would not
be a candidate for reelection to the Senate in
1860. "You must strike for his place", urged
Grimes. "You know you can rely upon my
help & you can get it just as well as not."139
What ambitions these repeated suggestions may
have aroused in Kirkwood 's breast can never be
known. Events were shaping themselves along

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES 105
other lines : a place of greater service awaited
him. Grimes and Harlan were to be the spokes
men for Iowa in the United States Senate
during the period of storm and stress.
The campaign was followed by three months
during which Samuel J. Kirkwood was free to
devote himself to his private business enter
prises. Then public affairs again claimed his
attention, for the time had come for the con
vening of the Seventh General Assembly of
Iowa. Instead of being able to remain in com
fort at his Coralville home, as had been his good
fortune during the preceding legislative session,
the Johnson County Senator must now prepare
for a two months sojourn at the new seat of
government one hundred and twenty miles to
the westward. No railroad then carried pas
sengers over the distance in less than four
hours. Members of the legislature, State offi
cers, and all other citizens of southeastern Iowa
who had business at the capital must needs
patronize the Western Stage Company, and
make the journey in "the old Concord stage"
that "day and night wallowed through the great
snow drifts that filled the sloughs and ravines
of the bleak unsettled prairies, from Iowa
City." Travelers sometimes complained that
at the eating-houses along the way stage-coach
passengers were charged fifty cents for poor
meals which were given to local patrons for
twenty-five cents.140

106 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Des Moines, but recently emerged from the
conditions of a frontier military and trading
post, was, like its Federal prototype, a city of
"magnificent distances", and that was the most
that could be said for it in 1858. It was "a
little shabby frontier town of less than 3,000
inhabitants. . . . The new state house had
been located on the east side of the river a mile
or more from the hotels, and the streets leading
to it were, for a long distance, simply wagon
tracks made through a long stretch of low,
swampy river bottom," where vehicles fre
quently became fast in the mud. "One long
straggling walk of native lumber boards,
warped and slippery, could be seen strung out
lonesome and wabbling in the direction of the
new brick capitol. The speculators in real
estate, who had built the state house on the then
desolate hill in the distance, far from every
accommodation a rude frontier town possessed,
had hastened to plat into lots, streets and alleys,
a vast region of swamp, woodland, and culti
vated farms. Prospectively they were gazing
anxiously for a mighty 'boom' which should lift
them from poverty into millionaires. But the
crash of 1857 was lowering over the entire
country, and the practical problem of bread and
butter was, for the time, absorbing their chief
attention and entire available resources."
"All was rude, with stumps of trees, perilous

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES 107
ravines and walks made of coal slack", wrote
one who was a colleague of Kirkwood in the
Senate. "There were boarding-houses on
streets indicated by a surveyor's stake, or by a
path through mud of various consistency,
according to the weather, in which were planted
and lost sundry odd overshoes without a sug
gestion of a search therefor. It is no legend
that by lanterns and blazed trees we made our
way at night near Capitol Square".
The redeeming feature of the whole situation
was to be found in the friendliness of the citi
zens of the town who were "liberal, broad-
gauged, hospitable and hopeful people." None
of the houses were large "but the doors were
wide, the hinges swung towards the interior,
and the Legislators who had time, and were
given to the social amenities, were everywhere
generously entertained. ' ' Parlors and sleeping-
rooms in many homes were surrendered to im
portunate legislators who found lodgings at the
distant hotels too inconvenient or too expensive.
In a word, because this was the first General
Assembly to meet at the new capital, the mem
bers received a welcome which for genuine
warmth was not exceeded in subsequent
years.141 Such was the town which Kirkwood, together
with a majority of the legislators, saw for the
first time early in January, 1858. The Seventh

108 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
General Assembly convened on the eleventh day
of the month in the "Old Brick Capitol" — a
building, erected by private enterprise, which
stood on the site now occupied by the Soldiers '
Monument. A large number of the names which appear
most frequently in the political annals of Iowa
are to be found in the list of the members of
that Assembly. In the Senate, in addition to
many able, hold-over members from the pre
ceding session, there were John W. Rankin,
Gideon S. Bailey, W. H. M. Pusey, David S.
Wilson, and others of scarcely less prominence.
The House of Representatives likewise con
tained a whole galaxy of men who for many
years were to hold places of leadership in the
Commonwealth — such men as R. A. Richard
son, Lincoln Clark, D. A. Mahoney, Thomas
Drummond, Cyrus C. Carpenter, Stephen B.
Shelledy, William H. Seevers, Edward N.
Bates, P. B. Bradley, B. F. Gue, James F.
Wilson, Laurin Dewey, W. W. Belknap, and
George W. McCrary. William P. Hepburn was
chief clerk. It was an able body of men and it
had important work to do, for many readjust
ments in the statute laws were made necessary
by the provisions of the new Constitution.
Senator Kirkwood was in his seat when the
roll was called on January 11th, and during the
succeeding ten weeks he took an active part in

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES 109
the shaping of new legislation. As in the
previous session, he was chairman of the Com
mittee on Federal Relations ; and he was also a
member of the standing committees on Schools
and State University, Public Buildings, and
Banks, besides being appointed from time to
time to serve on special committees to which
were assigned important measures for careful
consideration.142 Of the ten bills introduced by Kirkwood three
found their way into the statute books. One,
relating to the salaries of certain State officers,
fixed the salary of the Governor at two thou
sand dollars. Another made an improvement
in the law concerning mechanics' lien. The
third was a bill making an appropriation for
the State University. During the process of
the enactment of the last bill the sum of money
involved was cut down from twenty-seven thou
sand to thirteen thousand dollars; and unsuc
cessful attempts were made, first to establish an
"Agricultural Professorship" at the Univer
sity, and later to stipulate that none of the
money appropriated for building purposes
should be paid out of the Treasury until an
equal sum had been raised from private
sources.143 Among the seven bills introduced by Kirk
wood which fell by the wayside was one pro
viding a salary of one thousand dollars for the

110 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
corresponding secretary of The State Historical
Society. The sum was reduced to three hundred
dollars and in this crippled condition the bill
for a time gave signs of vitality, but its life was
snuffed out in the rush of matters at the close
of the session.144
In the amendment of bills introduced by
others Kirkwood was somewhat more success
ful than in securing the enactment of his own
measures.143 Especially in the law establishing
a State Bank with five or more branches are to
be found several sections or important clauses
which stand word for word as he presented
them in the Senate as amendments to the orig
inal bill.146 The epoch-making law of 1858
relative to public education also bears the
impress of his ideas in the portions dealing with
high schools and school funds.147
Kirkwood 's reports and his actions on the
Committee on Federal Relations apparently
attracted the greatest public attention at the
time, for the relations between the Republican
Iowa legislature and the Democratic Federal
authorities were anything but friendly at this
period. On March 12th, in behalf of the com
mittee, he reported a memorial and joint reso
lution which was adopted without amendment,
declaring that "should the Congress of the
United States at its present session neglect or
refuse to comply with the prayer of a certain

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES HI
memorial passed during the present session of
the General Assembly, in regard to the five per
cent fund, claimed to be due the State, the Gov
ernor is hereby authorized and required to
institute a suit in the Court of Claims in the
name and for the benefit of the State against
the United States, for the recovery of any
amount that may be found due the State".148
A note even more defiant was sounded in
another joint resolution which Kirkwood intro
duced as chairman of the committee and which,
it is safe to say, he had a large share- in writing.
It was a joint resolution "touching the opinions
of some of the Judges of the Supreme Court of
the United States, on political questions incor
porated in the opinion of that Court in the case
of Scott vs. Sanford." The decision was
branded as entirely "extra-judicial" and as one
which was "conclusive proof of the settled
determination of the slavery propagandists to
subvert all those high and holy principles of
freedom upon which the American Union was
formed, and to degrade it from its intended
lofty position of the examplar and bulwark of
freedom, into a mere engine for the extension
and perpetuation of the barbarous and detest
able system of chattel slavery."
Therefore it was resolved "as the sense of
the people of Iowa" that the "opinion of the
Supreme Court in the case of Dred Scott is not

112 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
binding in law or conscience upon the govern
ment or people of the United States ' ', and that
"we should be ungrateful to those whose care
and foresight provided for us free homes, and
derelict in our duty to those who will come after
us, did we not promptly and sternly denounce
this new doctrine, which if established, de
grades the Free States, and either confines free
labor within its present limits or sends it into
our new Territories in degrading competition
with slave labor." While it was admitted that
"any person held to service or labor in one
State, under the laws thereof, escaping into
another State may be reclaimed, not as prop
erty but as a person, who by the laws of the
State whence he escaped, owes, and by the Con
stitution of the United States, is capable of
owing, a debt of service or labor which he must
discharge", it was emphatically declared that
' ' the State of Iowa will not allow slavery within
her borders, in any form or under any pretext,
for any time, however short, be the conse
quences what they may. "
The resolution, without a change, was
adopted by a strict party vote in both houses of
the legislature, and stood on the statute books
as the official expression of the attitude of a
majority of the people of Iowa on slavery
extension in general and the Dred Scott decision
in particular.149

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES 113
During the winter the citizens of Des Moines,
in order to express their welcome in a collective
manner, tendered a reception to the members of
the General Assembly and the State officers.
' ' The festivities occurred in the Sherman Hall.
. . . It was a whole-souled western 'blow
out'. The lamps (literally) shone over fair
women and entranced Legislators until after
the midnight hour, and the dance and prom
enade still went on."150
Not wishing to appear unappreciative of the
generous hospitality extended to them, the legis
lature early in March considered a concurrent
resolution granting the use of the hall of the
House of Representatives, the Senate chamber,
the Supreme Court room, and the Library to a
committee on arrangements, of which Kirkwood
was a member and subsequently chairman, "for
the purpose of giving a festival to the citizens
of Des Moines." "A little discussion sprang
up upon the passage of this resolution. One
moved to strike out 'Library,' and another
'Supreme Court Room,' expressing a doubt as
to the constitutionality of using rooms which
had been set apart for these purposes for such
an affair as a festival. But the imagination of
the entire Assembly snuffed the aroma of the
forthcoming spread, and before their eyes
flitted the beauty and intelligence of the city, so
all constitutional scruples were silenced and the
resolution passed unanimously."

114 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Senator Kirkwood, as chairman of the com
mittee, circulated a subscription paper and
each member contributed ten dollars to the
festival fund. And so, on the evening of March
18th a gay crowd thronged the Old Brick Cap
itol. The desks and carpet had been removed
from the hall of the house and here until early
morning were heard the strains of lively music
and the sound of dancing feet. The Senate
chamber was given over to the promenaders,
while "an elaborate feast" was spread in the
Supreme Court room.151
Five days later the Seventh General Assem
bly adjourned sine die, after having enacted
many laws of fundamental importance in the
history of the State.
By the close of the session Samuel J. Kirk
wood came to be recognized as one of the most
influential members of the Senate. "He was
not a frequent speaker, but when he had occa
sion to express his views, it was always in a
familiar, conversational manner that won the
confidence of his hearers. . . . He made no
pretense to oratory, and delivered no long,
carefully prepared speeches; but his common
sense and judgment led him to correct conclu
sions. He was never brilliant, but always solid
and reliable."152
That he was respected by Democrats as well
as by his co-partisans is illustrated by an inci-

IN THE SENATE AT DES MOINES 115
dent described many years later by H. H.
Trimble. Early in the session, it appears,
Senator Kirkwood introduced a series of reso
lutions relative to banking. "Mr. Pusey 's seat
was right opposite mine," says Mr. Trimble,
"and he was a new man in this State; very
young in age and politics, too. Kirkwood got
up, kind of got his hands under his clothing,
looked around in a queer, careless sort of man
ner ; a man with a big head ; long hair hanging
down like an Indian's, and of swarthy com
plexion; very slowly and deliberately read his
resolutions and after he got through made a
few desultory remarks. Mr. Pusey leaned over
and in a whisper asked me who that was. I
told him, 'Some old farmer from up in the
country here. Get up and go for him. ' He got
up and went for him, and he found out who
Kirkwood was. ' ' 153

XI
Director of the State Bank of Iowa
For the first time since December, 1856, Mr.
Kirkwood was now free to give his thoughts
and energies, without much serious interrup
tion, to his private business affairs. It is true
that he was still chairman of the Republican
State Central Committee, and that he made at
least one political speech — at Cedar Rapids on
August 6th.154 But the rivalry was not so
intense in the campaign of this year, when there
was no Governor to be chosen, and thus par
tisan needs made fewer demands upon his time.
The prosperity which had attended the enter
prises of Clark and Kirkwood during the three
years since the arrival of the junior partner
enabled both men to take advantage of a new
opportunity which was offered to persons of
means during the summer of 1858. One of the
most important acts of the Seventh General
Assembly was the law establishing the State
Bank of Iowa — a law which contained many
provisions introduced by Senator Kirkwood for
the purpose of placing the institution upon a
firm basis.
116

DIRECTOR OF STATE BANK 117
This new measure was hailed with great satis
faction, especially by the business men of the
State, for the financial situation in Iowa was
desperate. During the years of the Territorial
period the people had passed through a bitter
experience with the numerous "wild-cat"
banks which flooded the West with worthless
notes. As a result, the Constitution of 1846,
under which Iowa was admitted into the Union,
contained a provision absolutely prohibiting
banks of issue ; and the legislature hastened to
impose penalties for violations. But as the
years went by sentiment gradually changed.
Thousands of people came into the State from
Ohio, Indiana, and other Commonwealths where
wisely guarded banking institutions enjoyed a
deserved public confidence. Besides, it was not
long until many of those who had been most
emphatically opposed to banks of issue came to
realize that the constitutional prohibition was
working hardship to the business interests of
the State. Circulating medium became very
scarce, and much of it, consisting of notes of
local banks in other States, was almost "on a
par with the forest leaves of autumn" during
the panic of 1857. "In those days in Iowa the
two most important books that every business
man needed were a Bible and a counterfeit
detector. And of these two, the detector
seemed to be the most important for at least
six days out of the seven".155

118 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Thus it was that, "acting on the belief enter
tained by business men generally, that one effect
of the creation of banks of issue in our own
State, would be to drive out of its borders all
this miscellaneous hodge-podge called money",
the restriction upon banking institutions was
removed when the new Constitution of 1857 was
drafted and adopted. The legislature was
given power to pass a general banking law and
also to create a State Bank, but such laws were
not to go into effect until ratified by a vote of
the people.156
Popular approval was readily accorded the
law of the Seventh General Assembly creating
the State Bank of Iowa, which was to consist of
as many branches, not exceeding thirty, as were
organized and qualified in compliance with the
requirements of the law. The State Bank itself
was merely the central governing body, with an
office at Iowa City, which passed regulations
for the conduct of the branches and supplied the
branches with the circulating medium in the
form of bank notes which the institution was
authorized to issue. Commissioners were ap
pointed for the purpose of inaugurating the
plan, after which full authority was vested in a
Board of Directors consisting of one repre
sentative from each branch bank and three
persons elected by the General Assembly.157
At Iowa City, as in the other principal towns

DIRECTOR OF STATE BANK H9
of the State, persons with money to invest only
awaited the adoption of the law by the people
to launch out on the new enterprise. On August
11th there appeared in a newspaper a public
notice, signed by Samuel J. Kirkwood and ten
other men, announcing that they had associated
together for the purpose of establishing in Iowa
City a branch of the State Bank, and that the
book for subscriptions to the capital stock
would be opened on September first at the law
office of Edmonds and Ransom.158 Subscribers
needed no urging and in a short time a sufficient
amount of stock was taken. Kirkwood was the
largest stockholder, having seventy-six shares,
purchased at one hundred dollars a share. On
September 16th the stockholders met and
selected Samuel J. Kirkwood, John Powell,
Edward Connelly, E. Shepherd, C. T. Ransom,
Kimball Porter, and Theodore Sanxay as
Directors of the Iowa City Branch of the State
Bank of Iowa.159
Soon afterward Kirkwood was chosen to rep
resent the Iowa City branch as a member of the
general Board of Directors of the State Bank.
At the first meeting of the board, on October 27,
1858, he was made president pro tempore and
served in that capacity until Mr. Chester Weed
was elected permanent president. Subsequently
he became a member of the executive committee,
as well as of various special committees of the

120 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
board. The records indicate that he performed
his full share of the duties of a director until
his resignation in the summer of 1859.160 To
him, therefore, is due some credit for helping to
establish an institution which for about seven
years "served its day to good purpose and per
formed in good faith all its promises."161
In the meantime Clark and Kirkwood sold
their store in Iowa City to Thomas J. Cox who,
it was announced, would "continue doing busi
ness at the old stand but in his own name and
on his own account. "162 By this time, however,
Kirkwood had become thoroughly identified
with the business interests of the town. Late
in October his name appeared at the head of a
list of the members of a "general committee"
of citizens whose function was the promotion of
manufacturing in Iowa City.163
He was also a delegate to a State Railroad
Convention held at Iowa City on December
first. As a member of a committee of this con
vention he signed a minority report which
declared that the credit of the State could not
be loaned to railroad companies without a
change in the Constitution. Failing in this
manner to impress the delegates with the
desirability of caution, he later proposed an
amendment to the majority report to the effect
that if the policy of State aid to railroads
should be adopted then the State should assume

DIRECTOR OF STATE BANK 121
the debts already contracted by cities and
counties. But the convention, almost wild in its
enthusiasm to secure railroads at any cost, paid
little heed to the advice of one who had seen the
after effects of just such a public improvement
fever in Ohio.164
At the same time Kirkwood was fully aware
of the great development of the State which
would follow the extension of railroads over the
prairies. In June, 1859, he journeyed to Cedar
Rapids to attend the celebration of the com
pletion of the "Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska
Railroad" to that point — a celebration which
was participated in not only by the people of
Cedar Rapids and vicinity but by delegations
from Chicago and the towns along the Missis
sippi.165 Amid all these business activities Kirkwood
still found some time for the social amenities
and for participation in the organized life of
the community. He was a member of the Iowa
City Lecture Association formed during the
winter of 1858-1859 ; and in March, 1859, he was
elected as a rural school director for Iowa City
Township.166 Most of all he enjoyed the quiet,
informal visits with neighbors and friends and
the pleasures of his own home ; for throughout
his life he was a great home-lover. He was
always glad of the rare opportunities for read
ing, and although the political news of the day

122 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
was the all-absorbing topic, his tastes ranged
far and wide in the field of literature.167
It was well that Samuel J. Kirkwood thus
found a year of comparative peace ; for he was
soon to pass through the fire of one of the bit
terest political campaigns in the history of
Iowa, after which his common sense and good
judgment were to be subjected to the severest
tests ever required of a Governor of the Com
monwealth.

XII
Kirkwood Against Dodge
The time for another State election was now
approaching; and the two leading political
parties were so evenly matched in Iowa and the
feeling of partisanship so strong that the con
test was bound to be sharp and exciting. When
or by whom Samuel J. Kirkwood was persuaded
to enter the race for the governorship are mat
ters upon which there is no record. It may
safely be assumed that James W. Grimes used
his influence to that end, though not for the
selfish reason later attributed to him.168
At any rate it is evident that the nomination
of Kirkwood by the Republican party in June,
1859, was not unsought, in spite of his reluc
tance at first to become a candidate. Early in
the year he began to receive letters which indi
cate that he had made the decision and had
embarked on the campaign in no half-hearted
manner. On March 10th W. W. Hamilton
wrote saying that as far as he could learn the
choice of the Republicans of northern Iowa was
first for Kirkwood, second for George G.
Wright, and third for Ralph P. Lowe.169 ' ' The
123

124 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
idea of your nomination for Governor takes
well with every Republican to whom I have
mentioned it, and I have talked with a good
many from different parts of the State", wrote
James F. Wilson from Fairfield a few weeks
later.170 Nicholas J. Rusch of Davenport, who was to
be Kirkwood 's running-mate, wrote on April
20th expressing his gratification because Kirk
wood was willing to be a candidate. He urged
the choice of W. W. Hamilton for Lieutenant
Governor, since he was an "adopted citizen"
and would satisfy the Germans. As for him
self, he felt that his "broken English and little
experience are not proper qualifications for an
office of that nature."171 "By the mail that
takes you this," wrote Thomas Drummond,
editor of the Vinton Eagle, "I send a copy of
my paper in which I have hoisted your name as
a Candidate for Governor. ... I have as
yet no knowledge whether you will be a candi
date of your own motion, but trust that you
will". The following day the same writer
urged Kirkwood to make the acquaintance of
"Charley Aldrich" of Webster City, editor of
the Hamilton Freeman, who wielded great in
fluence in his portion of the State.172 By May
25th a number of Iowa newspapers had come
out in favor of Kirkwood as the Republican
candidate for Governor.173

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 125
Thus when the Republican State Convention
met at Des Moines on June 22, 1859, the only
restraint upon the enthusiastic sentiment in
favor of Samuel J. Kirkwood was the knowl
edge that Ralph P. Lowe was still desirous of a
renomination. Governor Lowe had given satis
faction to the members of the party during his
administration, and he was a man held in high
esteem throughout the State. But he lacked the
qualities required of a great leader of the
people. The lowering clouds in the political
sky made the Republicans feel that they must
have at the helm a man who would represent
their principles on the slavery question more
vigorously — a man more capable of inspiring
the loyalty and devotion of all classes of
citizens. At the same time the managers hesitated to
offer a direct rebuff to a faithful leader of the
party, whose wish to be retained in the Gov
ernor's chair for another term was not only
natural but fully justified by his record. In the
effort to relieve the embarrassing situation
Lowe was urged to accept a nomination as
Justice of the Supreme Court.174 But no
decision had been reached when the convention
met. A permanent organization was effected after
the usual preliminaries and Timothy Davis of
Dubuque County was chosen president. Finally

126 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
a motion was made to proceed to an informal
ballot for Governor, but before this ballot could
be taken the presiding officer announced that he
had a communication which he would read to
the " convention. "Understanding that great
diversity of sentiment exists in your body, as it
relates to the subject of your next candidate for
the office of Governor," was the message which
came from Ralph P. Lowe, "and believing my
self that there is danger of compromising the
harmony of the party .... I beg to with
draw my name as a candidate for renomination
for the Chief Executive of the State. ' '
A deep sigh of relief must have been uttered
by many delegates as they listened to this mes
sage of withdrawal. Immediately, on motion of
Lewis Todhunter of Warren County, Kirkwood
"was nominated for Governor, by acclamation,
amid the prolonged cheers of the delegates."
Nicholas J. Rusch was nominated for Lieuten
ant Governor; and candidates for positions on
the Supreme Court, including Ralph P. Lowe,
were chosen. Kirkwood addressed the conven
tion "amid great applause". A platform was
adopted in which opposition to the further
encroachments of the slave power, support of a
liberal naturalization law, and the demand for
homestead legislation were the cardinal prin
ciples. Thereupon the convention adjourned
and resolved itself into a monster ratification

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 127
mass meeting at which the enthusiasm of the
large crowd was aroused by speeches by James
Harlan, Samuel R. Curtis, C. C. Nourse, and
other orators of the party.175
"I hope it is not necessary for me to say to
you how much I am gratified at your nomina
tion",176 wrote James W. Grimes on the day
after the holding of the convention. Kirkwood
was the recipient of scores of other letters of
congratulation. "He has few superiors as a
political canvasser ; uniformly impressing those
who hear him with a conviction of his sincerity
and his devotion to right", was Editor John
Teesdale's comment on the nomination.177
The die had been cast and the battle must be
fought. Having once taken into his hands the
banner of his party, Samuel J. Kirkwood was
not the man to allow it to go down in defeat.
Consequently he laid aside all private affairs
and prepared for an endurance-testing cam
paign which was not to end until the day of the
election. Nor was there wanting a host of loyal
supporters ready to labor early and late in his
behalf — among them being a young man named
William B. Allison who performed his first
political service in Iowa during this cam
paign.178 Never before and seldom since was
the Republican party so thoroughly organized
or so intensely in earnest.
There was good cause for all this activity,

128 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
for on June 23rd the Democrats met in State
convention and by acclamation nominated
Augustus Caesar Dodge as their candidate for
Governor. Here was an opponent not easily to
be defeated. Wise in the experience of long
years in the public service, honest and upright
in his private life, Dodge was assuredly the
favorite and most able son of the Democracy of
Iowa. As Register of the Land Office at
Burlington, as Delegate to Congress, and as
United States Senator he had been zealous in
his devotion to the interests of his constituents ;
and at the time of his nomination he had not yet
returned to Iowa from Spain, where for four
years he had represented the United States as
Minister at the court of Queen Isabella.179
Republican editors were quick to see political
capital in the differences in the character and
records of the two candidates. "One is fresh
from the ranks of the people, is in sympathy
with them, understanding and appreciating
their wants and feelings", asserted an Oska-
loosa editor. "The other, after a long absence
from home, basking in the sunshine of royal
favor, and mingling with the lords and ladies
who cluster around and constitute the aristo
cratic Court of Spain comes back to the plain
people of Iowa, wearing with him tender tokens
of the Queen's sympathetic regard; his man
ners, his ideas of government, all differing from

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 129
those of the people whom he proposes to
govern. ' ' 180
The Republican candidate also received early
hints of the abuse and misrepresentation to
which both candidates were to be subjected as
the campaign progressed. On June 26th Grimes
sounded a note of warning to the effect that
Fitz Henry Warren, supposedly a supporter of
Kirkwood, was spreading the report that while
Grimes and Kirkwood were canvassing north
eastern Iowa together two years before a bar
gain had been made whereby the former was to
be elected to the United States Senate in 1858,
while the latter was to secure the nomination
for Governor, canvass the State, and then come
out for Harlan's place in the Senate in 1860.
This story was concocted in the effort to preju
dice the friends of James Harlan and of other
aspirants for the senatorship against Kirk
wood.181 Happily Senator Harlan was appar
ently not alarmed by this rumor which soon
reached his ears. "Let us pull together —
elect the State ticket and the Legislature," he
wrote Kirkwood, "and consequences will take
care of themselves."182
Opposing newspapers soon took a hand in the
opening skirmishes. From Davenport came the
accusation that Kirkwood was a banker who
loaned money at three per cent a month. The
reply from Iowa City was that he owned some
10

130 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
stock in the branch bank and was a director of
the State Bank. Otherwise he was "a farmer,
and a practical farmer."183 Charges and coun
tercharges were hurled back and forth regard
ing the efforts to arrange for a series of joint
debates, for with the Lincoln-Douglas debates
of the previous year still fresh in the minds of
everyone this method of campaigning was still
the most popular and effective. Each side
taunted the opposing candidate with being
afraid to enter a personal contest. In this the
Republicans had the advantage of appearances.
Augustus C. Dodge did not reach Iowa until
July 9th and so the managers of his campaign
were forced to delay their plans, giving their
opponents the advantage of issuing the chal
lenge. "It is time the appointments were arranged
and announced; and it is time that Mr. Dodge
found a response to a call so promptly given",
declared Editor Teesdale of Des Moines on
July 13th. "Our veteran candidate desires to
commence his labors as soon as he gets through
with his wheat harvest. When he has threshed
out his grain he would like to do the same ser
vice for the distinguished gentleman from the
Court of Spain". A week later he notified his
readers that Dodge had not yet accepted the
invitation to meet Kirkwood in debate.184
Meanwhile Kirkwood was not idle. On July

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 131
8th he made his appearance at Davenport. A
mass meeting was hurriedly arranged for the
evening; and there, in the courthouse yard,
"under the mellow light of the moon", he spoke
to "an immense gathering" for over an hour
' ' in his own peculiarly felicitous and unanswer
able manner. ... A fine band added to the
interest of the meeting" and "the utmost en
thusiasm prevailed. ' ' 185
Far different in tone was the comment on
this meeting made by a Davenport editor of the
Democratic persuasion. With a scurrility all
too common in newspaperdom at that day he
observed that "We don't care a copper whether
Sam Kirkwood smells rank and strong of sweat
and dirt, so long as he remains at home among
his hogs — or in Iowa City among his associ
ates, money shavers ; but in the name of all that
is decent we protest against electing a man
Governor of the great State of Iowa, who don 't
know enough to keep himself clean"; and there
was more of the same character.188
Indignant at this unwarranted attack upon
their candidate, Republican editors over the
State could scarcely find words in which to
express their resentment. "Savages in their
rude wigwam villages would not so treat a guest
of theirs", wrote Editor Jerome of Iowa
City.187 "Mr. K. is at all times, and in all
places, plain in his garb, and careless in his

132 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
toilet", was the statement of John Teesdale.
"But we never met with him anywhere, when
he could be charged with a want of cleanliness
in person or garb."188 And this, it is believed,
may be accepted as the verdict of all those, both
friends and foes, who knew Kirkwood in his
daily life.
On the day following his speech at Daven
port Mr. Kirkwood journeyed by boat down the
Mississippi River to Burlington and was in that
city on the day Augustus C. Dodge arrived at
home after his long absence. "Both were un
heralded", was the report in a Republican
newspaper. "This was a matter of course,
with the plain Republican, who had sent no
notice of his coming; but after the protracted
absence of the last and least of the Caesars, an
entree thus unmarked must have been rather
mortifying". Kirkwood remained over Sunday
in the river city, and on Monday met Dodge for
the first time. A few days later at Muscatine
he spoke "in complimentary terms of his com
petitor's appearance and manners."189
While waiting for the reply of the Dodge
forces in regard to the holding of joint debates
a long list of speaking appointments in the
southern portion of the State was arranged for
Kirkwood, beginning on July 25th at Muscatine,
where it was "regretted that prudential reasons
relating to the health of Mr. K. must for the

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 133
present prevent him from speaking in the most
popular way — that is, in the open air."190
Having been instrumental in planning Kirk-
wood's campaign in certain counties in the
southern tier, John A. Kasson informed him by
letter that the people in those counties came
chiefly from southern Ohio, Indiana, and Illi
nois, and were ' ' scared at the idea of abolition
ism". "It will be well for you to run your
Maryland birth a little down there", was his
advice, "and to pitch into Democracy, the real
agitators of the slavery question".191
About this time the Bloomfield Clarion, a
Democratic sheet, unwittingly furnished the
opposition with ammunition by referring to the
Republican ticket as the "Plough-handle
Ticket". This term, used in opprobrium, was
eagerly seized upon by Republican editors,
many of whom placed it at the head of their
editorial columns, sometimes accompanied by a
cut of a plow.192 Although the Democrats real
ized the mistake, and one editor sought to
counteract its effect by charging that Kirkwood
and Rusch "made their farms by land sharking
and loaning money at 3 per cent per month",193
they were unable to wage successful combat
against an idea which was no doubt worked for
all it was worth by the Republicans. There is
no evidence, however, that Kirkwood himself
made any insincere efforts, as regards dress or

134 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
manners, to appeal to the supposed prejudices
of farmers and laboring men.
Late in July the challenge to joint debate
was accepted by Dodge and the first public con
test between the two men occurred at Oskaloosa
on the twenty-ninth day of the month. The
speeches furnished sufficient excitement, with a
liberal amount of amusement, to hold the large
crowd all through the afternoon and to bring
them back in the evening to listen for two or
three additional hours.
"Did you not sustain the Compromise Meas
ures of 1850?" asked Dodge in the course of
the debate. "I did sustain those measures,"
replied Kirkwood, "in the spirit in which their
adoption was urged; not because I liked them
all, but as a Compromise, in which both parties
were expected to surrender something for the
sake of peace, and a final settlement of the
vexed question."
' ' Mr. Kirkwood, would you obey the Fugitive
Slave Law?" was the Democratic candidate's
next question. To this Kirkwood replied: "I
would not resist the enforcement of that Law,
but before I would aid in capturing a fugitive
slave I would suffer the penalty of the law, but
I would not aid into carrying it into execution. ' '
Kirkwood now "returned the compliment" and
asked his opponent if he would assist in cap
turing a runaway slave. "I would", said

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 135
Dodge. "I would do whatever the law requires
me to do."194
The newspaper reports of this debate, as of
those which followed, varied greatly according
to the party affiliations of the writers. "As he
[Kirkwood] warmed up with his subject,"
wrote a not over-scrupulous correspondent to
the Democratic organ at Des Moines, "he
descended to the lowest depths of vulgarity and
blackguardism. ... No species of low circus-
acting clownishness that he would not use for
effect. Even his political friends admit that he
is a blackguard, and yet some of them honor
him for it."193 On the other hand, Republicans
in describing the event, declared that "Dodge
became furious threatened violence, pistols,
blunderbusses &c. "; that as "a specimen of
pomposity, self-importance, and self-lauda
tion, ' ' his speech ' ' was hard to beat ' '. Toward
the close of the debate Dodge was described as
springing to his feet and declaring "that if
Mr. K. said that he (Gen. D.) was in favor of
the slave trade he was a liar, and that, if he
repeated it, he would 'cram the lie down his
throat.' Mr. K. without any excitement what
ever, remarked that, if the Gen. was speaking
figuratively, it was all right, but if he attempted
the matter practically he would find it a very
difficult matter."196
Two days later, in the evening, the candidates

136 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
clashed again at Bloomfield and in the audience
there was a young man twenty-six years of age
by the name of James Baird Weaver. "Kirk
wood drew a picture of a slave mother with a
babe in her arms fleeing from bondage with her
eye on the North Star. In close pursuit was
her cruel master with his bloodhounds hard
after her, just as she crossed the Iowa line from
Missouri. Clenching his fists and advancing
toward Dodge he demanded to know if he under
such circumstances would turn that fleeing
mother and her infant back to her pursuing
master. Before the breathless multitude Kirk
wood shouted at the top of his voice 'Answer
my question!' Dodge replied, 'I would obey
the law.' Kirkwood retorted, 'So help me,
God, I would suffer my right arm to be torn
from its socket before I would do such a mon
strous thing'. The crowd broke into a frenzy
that resembled the sweep of a cyclone through
a forest. Men grew pale and clenched each
other in frenzy. The whole audience ....
were carried irresistibly off their feet. The
moral sense of the multitude had been reached
and it was vain to attempt to reverse the deep
impression which had been made."197
Albia was the scene of conflict on August 3rd
and Chariton on the following day. Again
Democratic journals charged Kirkwood with
vulgarity and with misrepresenting the facts

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 137
concerning the expenses of State government
under Republican administration. About this
time he was also assailed in the press with the
assertion that the land and mills at Coralville
had been secured by dishonest means, and that
he had brought about the unauthorized pur
chase of the Park House in Iowa City to be
used as the Deaf and Dumb Asylum — charges
which were easily refuted because entirely
false.198 At Chariton the speakers stood on a platform
which was very unsteady, consisting as it did
simply of planks elevated by means of wooden
blocks. When Dodge ceased speaking he re
quested someone in the audience to hold the
platform and keep it from falling as he stepped
down. "I have been trying to convince the
General", observed Kirkwood, "that his plat
form is rather shaky, — that he cannot stand on
it very well." The effect was described as
"irresistibly ludicrous", since Dodge gave evi
dence of not appreciating the joke of his
opponent.199 Thus the candidates proceeded westward
through the southern part of the State,200 trav
eling part of the time, no doubt, over the road
marked across the prairies more than a decade
before by the Mormons in their great hegira.
The debate at Glenwood was characterized as
"the most exciting discussion of the campaign"

138 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
thus far. A Republican editor was informed
that Dodge "allowed his temper to get complete
control of him. He doffed his coat, offered to
fight with his fists, pistol, knives or in any other
way. — While he was making these demonstra
tions a large number of men arose in the crowd
and called for the city marshall."201
Joint debates were not held at every point
along the way, but each candidate apparently
had his own appointments which he met without
his opponent. At various places in western
Iowa the Republican candidate was accom
panied by Grenville M. Dodge, a young civil
engineer whose advice even at that time was
sought by everyone interested in the proposed
trans-continental railroad. In this region
Kirkwood and Abraham Lincoln crossed paths,
although the two men did not meet. In August
Mr. Lincoln spoke at Council Bluffs and "he
took occasion to commend the advanced stand
taken by Kirkwood in his campaign for gov
ernor" — an approval which no doubt benefited
the latter who "was regarded by many as pretty
strong on the slavery question."202
Sioux City was the extreme northwestern
point reached in the itinerary. "Abe" White
and John H. Charles "went down below Ser
geant's Bluff and met Kirkwood, who drove in,
and brought him back to Sioux City. Dodge
came in a little later on the stage from Council

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 139
Bluffs." "Kirkwood was a farmer, and looked
it ' ', wrote one of the men who thus escorted the
candidate to the frontier town on the Missouri.
"He wore coarse shoes .... and flannel
shirt. But though he was simple and plain he
was also honest and straightforward, and so
impressed people. He took well here."203
The campaign now shifted once more to east
ern Iowa; and thus it happened that a joint
debate was scheduled to occur at the little city
of Washington on September 2nd. The two
candidates were expected to arrive in separate
conveyances over the road from Sigourney,
where they had spoken on the previous evening.
Now among the leading Democrats in that
vicinity was one John H. Bacon, a breeder of
fine horses, who, with his friends conceived the
idea of meeting their hero in a manner befitting
his importance. Four of Mr. Bacon's white
horses were selected, "scoured" clean, and
hitched to the finest carriage the town afforded.
The Republicans were at first somewhat dis
concerted when the news of these elegant prep
arations reached their ears. But a farmer by
the name of Jonathan Wilson was equal to the
occasion. He owned a yoke of oxen, well
trained and trustworthy, which he now hitched
to a lumber wagon bearing a hayrack. The
Democratic equipage had already been driven
out some distance on the Sigourney road and

140 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
stationed by the wayside to await its distin
guished occupant. Wilson, with two or three
other men, soon set out in the same direction,
pretending to be going for a load of hay.
Kirkwood was the first to approach and as
the carriage was spied, one of his companions
remarked, "Well, I guess they have come out to
meet you in fine style. ' ' But the attendants of
the four-horse team gave no sign and so the
Kirkwood party drove on down the road. Soon
they were hailed by an occupant of the hay
rack which was likewise drawn up by the road
side. "Be you Sam Kirkwood?" inquired the
spokesman. Upon giving an affirmative answer
Kirkwood was asked to take a seat in the hay
rack. Thereupon the driver put "the butt
without mercy to the oxen, and at a break-neck
speed up hill and down they rode into town."
The result was all that could be desired. A
band met the party on the outskirts of the town,
and boys and men of all political parties joined
in the procession as it proceeded through the
streets, while cheer after cheer went up for the
farmer candidate who looked and felt perfectly
in place on his rustic vehicle. Shortly after
ward Dodge, in the shining carriage drawn by
the dashing white horses, came riding into town
and made a turn or two about the public square.
The effect was indeed striking, but the crowd
had yelled itself hoarse on Kirkwood 's arrival

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 141
and had little breath left with which to cheer
his opponent.
Before the speaking began two men in the
crowd engaged in "the interesting occupation
of bruising each other's faces"; and later dur
ing the discussion one of the participants, in his
drunkenness "propounded sundry oblivious
questions ' ' to Kirkwood. Tiring of these inter
ruptions the speaker finally cut him short by
remarking that "he was moved by the spirit of
democracy."204 The editor of a local paper, in describing the
debate at Washington, had sufficient independ
ence to state that "both men bore themselves
with gentlemanly courtesy" and to designate as
"mere fulminations of party editors, and the
buncomb of political wire pullers" all the
stories about "immense swaggering, towering
passions and grandiloquent bombast on the one
hand, and dirty blackguardism, stupendous
lying and consummate demagoguism on the
other".205 For at least two weeks the contest was con
tinued, during which time the people of Iowa
City, Newton, Tipton, Anamosa, Maquoketa,
Dubuque, Davenport, Muscatine, Wapello, Fair
field, and other towns heard Kirkwood and
Dodge debate the political issues of the day.206
At every opportunity Kirkwood was glad to
converse with the citizens of the communities

142 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
which he visited. It is said that he "would sit
about in his shirt-sleeves, smoking a cob-pipe
and discussing the raising of steers with the
grangers, which is possible, and perhaps true;
but at the same time it is stated by those who
listened to the debates that he proved himself
superior in logic, force, and effectiveness to his
courtly opponent."207
During the last three weeks before the elec
tion Kirkwood made a final, flying trip on his
own account. Beginning at Fort Madison on
September 20th, he proceeded by boat up the
river. He was scheduled to speak at Burling
ton, McGregor, and other points in eastern
Iowa until he reached Lansing. From thence he
was to turn west and swing around .the circle,
visiting Waukon, Decorah, Independence, Wa
terloo, Vinton, Cedar Rapids, Marengo, Toledo,
Marshalltown, and intermediate towns, closing
his campaign at Eldora on October 8th. When
ever possible he spoke twice a day, at different
places — first at one o 'clock and again at seven
- — and the political speeches of that day seldom,
if ever, occupied less than two hours. A vigor
ous constitution was a prime requisite in a
campaign such as this, especially when most of
the traveling must be done in a stage-coach or
open buggy in all sorts of weather.208
There was one interruption in this strenuous
program. Mrs. Kirkwood, who was always

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR 143
keenly interested in whatever her husband was
doing and whose company he greatly desired at
all possible times, started out with him on this
tour. But before going far she was taken ill
and they both returned to Iowa City, where
after a few days Mr. Kirkwood was forced to
leave her, convalescent, and return to his
appointments.209 The long campaign at last came to a close,
and on October 11, 1859, the people of Iowa
were called upon to choose the man who should
be their next Governor. No voting-machines
automatically counted the votes in those days,
and no telegraph flashed the election returns
from every little hamlet and voting precinct;
and so it was many days and even weeks before
the exact result was known. Then it was found
that Samuel J. Kirkwood was elected Governor
of Iowa by a majority of 3170 votes over
Augustus Caesar Dodge.210

XIII
First Inaugural
"You have got a difficult task before you for
two years to navigate the ship of State without
a cent of money ' ', were the discouraging words
written to Kirkwood by James W. Grimes
shortly after the election results became known.
"There is now due to the State from the sev
eral Counties between three and four hundred
thousand dollars, and no taxes will be paid this
year, for there is no money in the country to
pay with. The government has got to be car
ried on principally upon credit. You must put
on your thinking cap and begin to devise the
ways and means of doing it. We must abolish
our present County system & give the people a
chance to govern themselves a little more than
they do under the county judge system. . . .
Send the county judges to purgatory."211
No doubt Samuel J. Kirkwood followed the
advice of his friend and wore his "thinking
cap ' ' much of the time between his election and
his inauguration as Governor of Iowa, for he
regarded public office as a trust to be taken
seriously. There is also evidence that during
144

FIRST INAUGURAL 145
these months his thoughts turned frequently
from the tasks set before him as Chief Execu
tive to the great national problem of slavery.
He was among those who believed in the plan of
colonizing the free negroes in some part of
South or Central America; and he wrote to
Frank P. Blair expressing his views on that
subject. Blair was enthusiastic in his response.
"If Iowa shall take the first step in this great
scheme," he said, "she will be justly entitled to
[the] title of the leader of the hosts of freedom
— and of carrying into practice the long cher
ished plans of Mr. Jefferson. "212 A week later
James R. Doolittle wrote from Racine, Wis
consin, urging Kirkwood to take a decisive
stand in favor of the "great Jeffersonian plan"
in his inaugural address to the legislature.213
Less patriotic and unselfish, but typical of the
political spoilsman, was a letter received by
Kirkwood late in November from William H.
Bigelow who wanted assistance to launch a
Republican newspaper at Sioux City. "Please
allow us to draw on you for $25 & give you no
further trouble", was his modest request.214
The first week in January, 1860, found Kirk
wood in Des Moines, ready to perform the
duties incumbent upon him during the session
of the Eighth General Assembly which con
vened on the ninth day of the month. Two days
later the two houses of the legislature met in
11

146 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
joint convention and, after canvassing the votes
for Governor and Lieutenant Governor and dis
posing of the necessary preliminaries, declared
themselves in readiness for the inauguration.
Thereupon "Senator Anderson was called to
the Chair, after which His Excellency the Gov
ernor and Lieut. Governor, together with the
Governor and Lieut. Governor elect, accom
panied by the Chief and Associate Judges of
the Supreme Court and their successors in
office, and the other officers of State, entered the
Hall and were seated. ' ' The oath of office was
then administered by Chief Justice George G.
Wright and Governor Kirkwood delivered his
inaugural address.215
Without wasting time either in paying com
pliments or making promises, he first suggested
that the General Assembly, under the Consti
tution of the State, should interfere as little as
possible with the State Board of Education in
its administration of the public school system.
Turning to the subject of elections, he declared
that "in a government like ours, without privi
leged classes, and where the laws affect all
alike, we need not fear that a majority of our
people will deliberately pursue a policy in
tended to operate injuriously upon the public
welfare, because by so doing they would be act
ing contrary to their own best interests. . . .
But if through fraud or violence, the ballot box

FIRST INAUGURAL 147
shall cease to report to us correctly and hon
estly the will of the majority; if corrupt and
interested men are enabled to substitute their
will for that of the people, then the assurance
of safety derived to us from the honesty, the
intelligence, and the interest of the people, no
longer exists. . . . We can not, therefore,
guard with too much care, the sanctity and
purity of the ballot box. In my opinion, there
is no measure so well calculated to effect this
object, as a carefully prepared and well guarded
registry law; and I respectfully recommend
that measure to your consideration."
The institutions for the care of the insane
and the mute and the blind, the penitentiary, the
State University, and the newly created Agri
cultural College were all commended to the
favorable consideration of the legislature. The
Governor advised changes in the method of
managing the permanent school fund of the
State, and suggested a revision of the revenue
laws. At the same time he warned the legis
lators to practice "as close and rigid an econ
omy in the matter of appropriations as- is
consistent with a proper administration of the
affairs of the State. The scarcity of money,
consequent upon the financial revulsion of 1857,
and the failure of our crops, to a great extent
since that time, has caused the payment of the
taxes necessary to the support of our govern-

148 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
ment, to be felt as a sensible burden by our
people". Having briefly summarized the most pressing
demands for action on the part of the General
Assembly, the new Governor of Iowa could not
refrain from discussing the event which had
stirred the Nation to its depths — ' ' the late un
lawful invasion" of Virginia by John Brown
and his associates. He found in "that mad
attempt" the logical fruitage of the policy pur
sued by the pro-slavery propagandists. In 1820
and again in 1850 a settlement had been made,
and "our people fondly hoped that for a long
period of time, this vexed and irritating ques
tion would be kept out of our national councils,
and that the angry and embittered feelings
always arising from its discussion, would then
die out for want of food." But this hope had
been rudely dashed to the ground by the pas
sage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. There had
ensued a reign of bloodshed in Kansas, accom
panied by filibustering expeditions in Cuba and
Nicaragua — the latter with the consent and
even the encouragement of a large number of
our people.
"Is it strange", asked Governor Kirkwood,
' ' that the bare promulgation of these doctrines,
acting upon the minds of men maddened by the
recollection of wrongs inflicted upon them in
Kansas because of their love of freedom, should

FIRST INAUGURAL 149
lead them to the conclusion that they should do
and dare as much at home for liberty, as those
who have oppressed them are doing abroad for
slavery? It seems to me most natural, and
while I deeply deplore and most unqualifiedly
condemn, I cannot wonder at the recent unfor
tunate and bloody occurrence at Harper's
Ferry. But while we may not wonder at, we
must condemn it. It was an act of war — of
war against brethren, and in that a greater
crime than the invaders of Cuba and Nicaragua
were guilty of; relieved' to some extent of its
guilt, in the minds of many, by the fact that the
blow was struck for freedom, and not for
slavery. ' '
At the same time the people of the South
made a great mistake when they asserted that
the people of the North approved the assault on
Harper's Ferry. "While the great mass of our
northern people utterly condemn the act of
John Brown, they feel and they express admi
ration and sympathy for the disinterestedness
of purpose by which they believe he was gov
erned, and for the unflinching courage and calm
cheerfulness with which he met the conse
quences of his failure. Many, very many, of
our northern people, felt deep sympathy for the
gallant Crittenden, who died so bravely in Cuba,
for an act they strongly condemned; and the
tears of many of the best and bravest of our

150 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
revolutionary sires bedewed the grave of
Andre, who, by their own judgment, died the
death of a spy, his sentence approved by Wash
ington. ' '
Then, as if to justify his wandering beyond
the field of State policies, Governor Kirkwood
remarked : " I cannot concur in the opinion ex
pressed by some persons, that the constituted
authorities of the States of this Union have dis
charged their entire duty, when they have
looked to and cared for their own internal
affairs, and that they travel out of their legiti
mate sphere when they in any manner concern
themselves with the affairs of our General
Government. The several States, as such, are
the constituents of one branch of the National
Congress, and if it be true that the constituent
may and should concern himself with what is
done by his representative, it must be true that
each State may and should concern herself with
the actions of that General Government of
which her representatives are a part". In line
with this view the Governor proceeded to rec
ommend that the legislature memorialize Con
gress in favor of the Homestead Bill, the
Pacific Railroad Bill, and the plan for col
onizing the free negroes in South or Central
America. In spite of all the dangers which threatened
the Nation, however, Governor Kirkwood still

FIRST INAUGURAL 151
retained his optimism and his hope for a peace
ful settlement. "In conclusion," he declared,
"permit me to say that, although our political
horizon is not unclouded, although anger and
jealousy have to some extent taken the place of
brotherly kindness and good will among our
people, . . . still, in my opinion, those who
love our Constitution and our Union, have not
very great cause for alarm. Passion will sub
side, reason will resume its sway, and then our
southern brethren will discover that they have
been deceived and misled, as to our feelings and
purposes ; . . . and that the good old ways
wherein we walked, when to talk of disunion
openly, or to approve it silently, was to incur
the scorn due a traitor, are ways of pleasant
ness, and that the good old paths our fathers
taught us to tread, are paths of peace. And
they .... will again pledge themselves
as we to-day pledge ourselves in the full depth
and force of its meaning to the sentiment of the
true and stern old patriot of the Hermitage —
'The Union — it must and shall be pre
served.' "216
Governor Kirkwood 's inaugural address was
received with approval, though without great
enthusiasm, by the Republicans of the State.
The editor of The Iowa Citizen considered it
"a fair exposition of the sentiments he has pro
claimed in every portion of the State, and a

152 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
truthful exhibit of the views of the party to
which he belongs ; so far as it has a party char
acter. " " His remarks on the John Brown mat
ter are satisfactory", wrote a correspondent to
the New York Tribune, "and are all that could
be expected from a Marylander by birth; a
Democrat by association up to 1854, and a suc
cessful canvasser before the people. . . .
His sentiments, I think, are reflective of the
tone of feeling in the northwest in the Repub
lican party."217
The Democrats were not so calm in express
ing their disapproval of the address. It was de
nounced in long editorials in the newspapers;
vigorous speeches were made in the General
Assembly against the resolution to print the
address; and twenty Senators and thirty-four
Representatives signed their names to solemn
protests which were spread upon the journals
of the two houses of the legislature. These
protests, which were identical in content, op
posed the printing of the Governor's address
on six grounds — the central theme of which
was that the chief executive had gone out of his
way to discuss partisan doctrines which had no
relation to the duties of the legislature. Be
sides, it was the belief of those who signed the
remonstrances that "the dissemination of the
sentiments contained in said message, tends to
kindle anew that blind fanaticism, North and

FIRST INAUGURAL 153
South, which has already shaken the founda
tions of the Union, and threatens to blast the
brightest hopes of every true friend of Amer
ican Liberty."218
It was characteristic of Kirkwood that in the
midst of official duties and partisan contro
versies he did not lose his keen interest in the
welfare of his friends and the members of his
own family. On January 29th he took the time
to write a long, fatherly letter to his nephew,
Samuel Kirkwood Clark, who had lived with
Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood most of the time since
his infancy and was regarded by them with all
the affection they would have bestowed upon a
son. ' ' When your father was here ' ', wrote the
Governor, "he related to me a conversation he
had had with your teacher which gave me great
pleasure." The teacher had praised young
Clark for his gentlemanly deportment and his
diligence as a student, and had described him
as being a leader among his fellows. After
expressing his gratification at such a good
report, Governor Kirkwood sounded a note of
warning. "You must not allow yourself to
become proud and overbearing. You must not
use your position to put down any one who is
weaker than yourself, either mentally or physi
cally, but rather to support and defend such —
in short, you must use your influence to see that
'the right' is done at all times and under all

154 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
circumstances, and you must not allow any
thing to make you flinch from seeing it done.
You must not be quarrelsome. Avoid all per
sonal difficulties, if possible, but if compelled to
engage in such, then so bear yourself that your
adversary will not wish to come in contact with
you again."
On the subject of smoking he was not dis
posed to scold his nephew, but he advised him
to make a thorough investigation of the effects
of the habit and then determine his course
accordingly. "I send you a copy of my in
augural address", he said in conclusion. "It is
praised by some of my party friends and
denounced by some of my party enemies. You
are neither one or the other. Write me just
what you think about it. Write me what you
think about all these things. Take your time to
do so, half a dozen evenings if necessary, and a
half a dozen sheets of paper, if necessary. I
will read it all. You are at entire liberty to
show this to your father, if you want to talk
about it with him, and I think it would be well
for you to do so. He may help you to read it;
perhaps his help may be necessary."219

XIV
Governor During a Year of Peace
The inaugural address and the sentiments
therein set forth were soon forgotten,220 for
within two weeks there was furnished a more
tangible' opportunity for partisan controversy.
On the morning of January 23rd there appeared
at the Governor's office in Des Moines a man by
the name of C. Camp, "bearing requisition
papers directed to the Governor of Iowa for
one Barclay Coppoc, reputed to be a fugitive
from the justice of Virginia."221
The events which led up to this request make
a long story. When on his journeys to and
from Kansas, John Brown had several times
passed through Iowa and had made many
friends and acquaintances, especially in the
quiet Quaker village of Springdale in Cedar
County. In this peaceful community the little
band of oddly assorted characters who made up
Brown's band spent the winter of 1857-1858,
and here their leader matured his plans for a
last attack upon the hated institution of slavery.
To none of the inhabitants of the village did the
warlike demeanor and aims of the men appeal 155

156 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
more strongly than to two boys by the names of
Edwin and Barclay Coppoc. They apparently
offered their services to Brown, for when the
summons came in July, 1859, they were quick to
respond, in spite of the protests of their mother
and their friends. Edwin Coppoc was captured
in the ill-fated raid on Harper's Ferry and was
later hung by Virginia authorities. His
brother, Barclay, who had remained across the
river in Maryland to help guard the base of
supplies, escaped and, after a desperate flight
through the mountains of Pennsylvania and
across the Mississippi Valley, came at last to
his home in Springdale. It was the demand of
the Governor of Virginia for the return of
Barclay Coppoc that now confronted Governor
Kirkwood. He received the Virginia emissary courte
ously, but requested that the papers be left with
him until after dinner in order that he might
have time to examine them carefully and make
an intelligent reply. When Mr. Camp returned
at the appointed time in the afternoon he "was
met with a refusal to honor the requisition. . .
. . The agent, considerably surprised and no
doubt much nettled, undertook by dint of argu
ment to convince the Governor that he was
wrong, unjust, and incidentally guilty of per
verting the letter of the Federal Constitution
and the statutes of Congress." So excited and

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 157
indiscreet did the Virginian become that certain
members of the legislature, who chanced to
enter the Governor's office during the course of
the discussion, readily discovered his mission.
Within two hours a man on horseback was
making all speed eastward toward Springdale,
one hundred and thirty-five miles away, to warn
Barclay Coppoc of his danger.
The reasons for Governor Kirkwood 's re
fusal to honor the requisition were no doubt
fully explained to Mr. Camp, as they were also
set forth in two letters written immediately to
Governor Letcher of Virginia. A few days
later these reasons were summarized as follows
in a communication to the House of Repre
sentatives of Iowa :
1st — The affidavit presented, was not made before
' ' a magistrate, ' ' but before a Notary Public.
2d — Even had the law recognized an affidavit made
before a Notary Public, the affidavit in this case was
not authenticated by the Notary's seal.
3d — The affidavit does not show, unless it be
inferentially, that Coppoc was in the State of Vir
ginia at the time he "aided and abetted John Brown
and others," as stated therein.
4th — It did not legally "charge him" with com
mission of "treason, felony or other crime."
A careful review of the constitutional and
legal aspects of the case, in the light of numer
ous court decisions, reveals the fact that

158 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Samuel J. Kirkwood was justified in his refusal
to honor the demand for the return of Barclay
Coppoc for all the reasons which he cited, ex
cept the first. "With only one ground for
refusal ill-founded — while the remaining three
are sustained as points well taken — we may
note a clarity of legal perception united with a
strength of conviction which did not permit the
inflamed sectionalism of the South nor the rabid
partisanship of the North to dictate his course
of action. ' '
It could not be expected, however, that the
people of Iowa or of Virginia in 1860 would be
able to pass a calm, impartial judgment upon
an action which touched so closely the great
issue of partisan and sectional strife. Iowa
newspapers found in the incident the materials
necessary for a first-rate editorial controversy.
The Virginia point of view was fully enunciated
by Governor John Letcher in a communication
to the Senate and House of Delegates of that
Commonwealth. He characterized the reasons
assigned by Governor Kirkwood for his refusal
to honor the requisition as "exceedingly frivol
ous ". " The course of the governor in this mat
ter," he said, "considered in connection with
the views presented in his inaugural message in
relation to the occurrences and actors in the
Harpers Ferry outrage, force upon my mind
the conclusion that his action was taken, if not

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 159
with the intention of permitting Coppoc to
escape, and thus shield [ing] him from just
punishment, for crimes of the most serious and
aggravated character, . . . yet with a cer
tainty that it must have that effect." He also
took occasion to declare that the ' ' denial of this
requisition, and numerous other evidences of
unfriendly feeling which are being exhibited
daily by a large portion of the northern people,
and their representative men, towards the south
and the institution of domestic slavery, ought
to impress upon us the necessity of adopting
prompt, energetic and decided measures to pro
tect our rights, secure direct trade, establish
manufactures, and thus achieve southern inde
pendence." Nevertheless, corrected requisition papers
were in due time forwarded to Governor Kirk
wood. But again the ' ' justice of Virginia ' ' was
cheated of its victim, this time by the flight of
Barclay Coppoc from his home at Springdale.
Ordinarily this would have closed the affair
as far as the Governor of Iowa was concerned,
but the members of the opposition party had
not exhausted the opportunities for the manu
facture of political capital which the episode
seemed to present. And so the controversy was
transferred from the press to the General As
sembly. On February 27, 1860, Senator James
F. Wilson introduced a resolution, altogether

160 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
friendly in purpose, calling upon Governor
Kirkwood for information relative to the
Coppoc case. Little interest was manifested in
this resolution until it was discovered that sev
eral Republican members of the Senate were
absent from their seats. Senator Neal then
suddenly introduced an amendment which spe
cifically requested the Governor "to inform the
Senate by what means Coppoc obtained the
information that there was a requisition from
the Governor of Virginia upon the Governor of
Iowa, for his surrender; and if the fact of said
requisition being made, was communicated to
any person, or made public, before the answer
was given by the Governor of Iowa, to the Gov
ernor of Virginia." The Democrats had con
trol of the Senate for the time being and they
were able to rush this accusatory amendment to
its final passage in spite of the angry protests
of the Republican Senators.
Governor Kirkwood was equal to the occa
sion. On the following day he sent a carefully
worded reply to the Senate. "I readily admit
the propriety of giving to the public full infor
mation on this subject," he said, "and shall
promptly communicate all facts within my
knowledge, in any way connected therewith,,
whenever I can do so consistently with my self-
respect, and with the respect and consideration
which, in my judgment, are due to the depart-

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 161
ment of our government which, for the time
being, I have the honor to represent. I cannot,
however, do so in response to a resolution which
assumes that, in this matter, I have done acts
which the common judgment of your body
would pronounce to be improper in any person
holding my official position."
Such an assumption the Governor declared to
be ' ' utterly unfounded ' ' and one which he could
neither "respond to or deny, without admitting,
by implication, that the suggestion thereof was
authorized by the facts of the case." There
fore, since he was convinced that the resolution
of inquiry "took its present objectionable form
through oversight and inadvertence", he re
turned "said resolution" to the Senate in order
that that body might "have the opportunity of
giving it further consideration."
This communication threw the burden of
proof back upon the Democratic members of
the Senate, who were not slow to realize their
mistake. They would have been glad to pass a
resolution of apology, but their Republican col
leagues took delight in thwarting their efforts
along this line. While all this was going on in
the Senate, the members of the House of Repre
sentatives likewise became interested, and after
some debate a very respectful resolution was
adopted asking the Governor to submit full
information relative to the Coppoc case. To
12

162 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
this request the Governor responded with a
lengthy communication giving a detailed ac
count of the whole transaction, accompanied by
copies of all the correspondence bearing on the
case. Discussion now ceased and the episode
was soon forgotten.
Meanwhile, Governor Kirkwood did not neg
lect the social duties of his position;222 nor did
he lose interest in the affairs of the mill and
farm near Iowa City. Mrs. Kirkwood and two
of her nieces were with him in Des Moines. "I
see that you atine [attend] many party s, one
most every night", wrote Valentine Miller, the
faithful manager of the Coralville mill. "Mr.
Kirkwood you Mrs. Kirkwood and the girls
must try to learne to dance, so that we can have
a good one when you come home. I will see for
to have a good musiche." He then proceeded
to give the Governor an account of conditions
at the mill and to advise that the wall along the
flume be rebuilt.223
A few weeks later Ezekiel Clark wrote to his
brother-in-law saying that the mill was running
and "earning some money", and declaring his
"dislike to arange to have any person come on
the farm for fear they will not be just such as
you would approve." "I start tomorrow to
Chicago with Cattle", he continued, "and am
fearful we will meet a hard market but I am
satisfied we will make money on our Cattle we
are feeding."224

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 163
During March and April, 1860, Samuel J.
Kirkwood transmitted to the proper branches
of the legislature four out of the six veto mes
sages of his career as Governor of Iowa. In
each instance he stated the reasons for his dis
approval clearly and at length, with the result
that none of the bills were passed over his
veto.225 Among the special messages of this
period were three relating to Indian depreda
tions in Woodbury and Cherokee Counties, in
consequence of which a law was passed author
izing the Governor to organize a company of
"minute men" for the protection of the north
western frontier of the State.226
The Eighth General Assembly of Iowa ad
journed sine die on the third day of April.
Soon afterward Governor Kirkwood and the
members of his household returned to Iowa
City. "A call from his Excellency ....
on Monday last," commented the editor of the
Iowa Weekly Republican, "did not so forcibly
remind us that a Governor was again in our
midst, as it reminded us that a plain, every day
citizen, beloved by his neighbors and respected
by every body, was again returned to his home,
mingling as of yore, among all classes of his
fellow-citizens, extending to each a friendly
grasp, and exchanging congratulations of
friendship and good cheer ... he evinces
none of the 'wear and tear' incident to political

164 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
station. He informed us that he was weighing
a few more avoirdupois pounds than at any
other period of his life."227
By this time the thoughts of the people of
Iowa, as of the Nation at large, were turning
more and more to the forthcoming National Re
publican Convention which was to convene at
Chicago on May 16th. All thinking persons
realized that weighty issues hung upon the
choice of a candidate for the Presidency made
by that convention, and they were deeply inter
ested in the outcome.
Samuel J. Kirkwood did not follow the advice
offered by Senator Grimes in a letter written
late in December, 1859. "You ought to be one
of the delegates & I hope you will see to it that
you are appointed", urged the Senator.228
Neither did the Governor take seriously the
suggestion made through the press by Josiah
B. Grinnell that Kirkwood 's name should be
brought forward by the Iowa delegation as a
candidate for Vice President.229 Nevertheless,
he did take a keen interest in the convention;
and while he was not one of the delegates from
Iowa, he was among the large number of "vol
unteers" who journeyed to Chicago to attend
the convention and use their influence in sup
port of the candidate of their choice.230
"I take it for granted you will be in Chicago
during the session of the Republican Conven-

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 165
tion next month, and I write to say that Mrs.
Farnam & myself will be most happy to see
yourself & Mrs. Kirkwood at our house during
that time." This was the invitation received
by Governor Kirkwood late in April from
Henry Farnam, president of the Chicago and
Rock Island Railroad Company. "Enclosed is
a Pass for yourself & Lady which please use at
your pleasure — my House is 163 Michigan
Av.", was the information contained in a post
script.231 From a personal standpoint Kirkwood found
himself somewhat divided in his sympathies for
several candidates for the nomination. He had
warm recollections of the old days in Ohio
when he and Salmon P. Chase had both been
members of the Democratic party. William H.
Seward, he felt, had a strong claim to the nomi
nation, for the reason that he had long been the
"best abused man" in the Republican party.
But especially was he attracted by the person
ality and doctrines of Abraham Lincoln, whom
he regarded as the most logical and promising
candidate, and to whom in the end he gave his
whole-hearted support.232
Optimism was at a low ebb at the Lincoln
headquarters in Chicago as the large New York
and other eastern delegations poured into the
city and the great strength of Seward, backed
by the confident expectations of a majority of

166 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
the Republicans throughout the country, be
came more and more apparent. "Anxiety and
depression" among the followers of the Lincoln
banner were "general and obvious. They slept
scarcely at all, they were so fearful and active. ' '
The gloom which hung over the camp is well
illustrated by the words of one of the Iowa
delegates to the convention. "Early in the
evening of the night before the nomination was
to be made," said he, "I had gone up to my
room to get some rest. I was fagged by the
long strain of the day. The outlook for Lincoln
was gloomy, indeed. I recall [Alvin] Saunders
coming in. He was depressed and dubious
about our chances of overcoming the New
Yorkers. Kirkwood came in later. He was
nervous and very uneasy and glum."233
Great was the joy of these men on the mor
row when all opposition was overcome and
their candidate was finally nominated. Samuel
J. Kirkwood was only one of many Iowans who,
in and out of the convention, labored in behalf
of the "rail-splitter"; and it has been said that
his influence was not without weight in winning
members of the Ohio delegation over to
Lincoln.234 Hopes of victory, because of the division in
the ranks of the Democratic party, now inspired
Republican leaders to an enthusiastic campaign.
Throughout the months from May to November

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 167
Governor Kirkwood gave as generously of his
time as official duties would permit, speaking
many times in Iowa City and vicinity and fre
quently at more distant points.235 Especially
was he urged to be at the great rally in Des
Moines on August 4th. "I hope you may be
able to go ' ', wrote Senator Harlan. ' ' I can not
on account of a previous engagement — Grimes
can not on account of bad health. Unless you
go there is danger of failure."236 At the little
town of Williamsburg on August 11th over
three thousand people marched in a parade
headed by the "Wide Awakes" from Iowa City,
while the Marengo delegation was led by a
"Sax horn band". "A bountiful dinner was
spread for the whole crowd [of five thousand
people], by the munificence of the farmers.
. . . Governor Kirkwood spoke two hours,
making, as he always does, a masterly argu
ment."237 Late in August Mr. Le Grand Byington, a
prominent Democratic citizen of Iowa City,
through the press challenged Governor Kirk
wood to a series of joint debates in the counties
lying south of the present Rock Island Railroad.
It seems that Mr. Byington had some business
to transact in this particular region, and so he
suggested that there should be an interval of
forty-eight hours between each of the meetings
outside of Keokuk. At the same time he took

168 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
occasion to outline his views in regard to the
policies of the Whig, Republican, and Demo
cratic parties.
On September 3rd Governor Kirkwood wrote
a reply which he made public through the press.
"Of the Whig party I have only this to say",
he declared. "It is not a living organization.
The time has not come to write its history, nor
is either of us its proper historian. Its name
and the names of the statesmen and soldiers it
has given our country will be cherished in our
State, when your name and mine will be for
gotten. The Republican party is a living
organization. You either misunderstand or
misrepresent its purposes and history."
"I may not properly understand what you
mean by the assertion that Mr. Lincoln 'ac
knowledges his obligation' to the higher law,"
continued the Governor, ' ' but if you mean that
if he shall find himself commanded by the law
of man to do or not to do an act under penalty,
the doing or not doing of which is expressly
prohibited to or enjoined upon him by the law
of God, he will, in such case, 'obey God rather
than man,' and suffer patiently what penalty
man's law may inflict, I hope you define his
position truly." He told Mr. Byington he was
somewhat in error in declaring himself a Demo
crat. "You are a Douglasite and not a Demo
crat", he said. Then stating his own position,

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 169
he declared that he could not ' ' accept the teach
ings of the new men of the Democratic party
who deny to Congress" the power to prohibit
slavery in the Territories. On the other hand,
he said, "I can and do cordially sympathize and
act with the Republican party; which while
earnestly deprecating and opposing the exten
sion of Slavery into free territory, seeks to
use no means to that end, not sanctioned by the
fathers of the Constitution and the Union."
Finally, referring to the challenge to debate,
Governor Kirkwood said: "I very much regret
that I cannot accept it. My entire time for the
next two weeks is already engaged." He also
had many appointments after that time in
widely scattered portions of the State. Besides
he did not wish to confine himself to the region
indicated in the challenge, nor was he willing
"to waste so much time" as the proposed inter
vals between meetings would involve.238
Nevertheless, Governor Kirkwood and Le
Grand Byington did meet in joint debate in the
courthouse in Iowa City on October 26th. Mr.
Byington opened the discussion with a speech
one hour in length, after which the Governor
was allowed one hour and a half in which to
reply ; and then Mr. Byington closed the debate
in a short speech. "The large Court Room was
crowded to its utmost capacity", commented a
Republican editor. ' ' Good order was preserved

170 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
and the Republican cause suffered not the loss
of a single drop of blood by the spear of the
tilted knight of the Democracy, Ye valient Le
Grand — Byington. "239
At the end of the long campaign Mr. Kirk
wood had the satisfaction of knowing that his
labors had not been in vain. His party was
victorious — Abraham Lincoln would be the
next President of the United States. "Permit
me to congratulate you," he hastened to write
to the man whose hands he was to uphold so
faithfully through three years of trial, "and I
most heartily do, upon the result of the recent
Presidential election, and to express the earnest
hope, that your administration may prove as
useful to our country and as honorable to your
self, as you yourself can desire."240
Meanwhile the Governor of Iowa had many
official functions to perform, though he was not
as yet required by law to keep his office at the
capital of the State during the time when the
legislature was not in session. In May he vis
ited Mt. Pleasant and Fort Madison for the
purpose of conferring with the authorities and
investigating the condition of the Insane
Asylum and the Penitentiary.241 A month later
he appointed George G. Wright to fill the
vacancy in the Supreme Court occasioned by
the death of Justice L. D. Stockton.242 His
continued interest in agriculture and in the wel-

FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR 171
fare of the farmers was evidenced when, in
July, he "issued a circular to County Judges
and others, advising them to see that foreign
cattle are not introduced into the County Fairs ;
and to take such steps as they may deem ad
visable to prevent the introduction of eastern
cattle into this State until the disease that has
proved so fatal in Massachusetts disappears."
Especially did he advise the careful watching of
all the ferries and railroads by which cattle
might be transported into Iowa.243 Late in
August he saw fit to pardon one William Latta,
who was imprisoned in the penitentiary for
counterfeiting, and thereby he called forth a
vituperative newspaper attack from the pen of
the eccentric Henry Clay Dean.244
On October 17th Governor Kirkwood issued
his first Thanksgiving Day proclamation, urg
ing the people of Iowa on that day to "abstain
from all secular business, and devote the day to
the service of Him, whose favor is the only
support and bulwark of States and Nations."245
Five days later he wrote a long letter to the
Secretary of the Interior, which he hoped was
not intrusive, interceding in behalf of the set
tlers on the "Des Moines River Lands".246 A
few weeks later he received notice from William
Duane Wilson that the regular annual meeting
of the Board of Trustees of the Agricultural
College would be held on January 5, 1861.

172 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
"Those of the members who come by this city
[Des Moines]," wrote Mr. Wilson, "who desire,
will be taken by Mr. Bolton's Nevada Stage on
Friday to the College Farm direct, and he will
reconvey them from there to this city on the
following Tuesday. Fare for round trip $3. ' '247
Along with the requirements of politics and
the duties of office, the distinction attached to
his position brought to Governor Kirkwood
many other demands upon his time and atten
tion. "I am a young man just trying to decide
on an occupation for life and I would like your
edict on choices of occupation", wrote an
earnest youth from Denmark in Lee County.
Some time later Mr. Kirkwood was notified of
his election as a member of the Visiting Com
mittee of Cornell College at Mt. Vernon.
Throughout the summer he received invitations
to attend county fairs, agricultural exhibits,
and horse shows ; while on September 4th there
came a letter calling his attention "as the en
lightened friend of mechanical agricultural
progress, to a new patent plow". In his cor
respondence for this year there is a certificate
of honorary membership in the "Cosmopolitan
Art Association of New York", as well as a
receipt for the sum of three dollars in payment
for an engraving of "Falstaff Mustering his
Recruits ' '. In December he was reelected presi
dent of the State Historical Society of Iowa.248

XV
The Crisis
There was little tranquillity in the minds of
thoughtful men at the opening of the year 1861.
Events were tending rapidly in the direction of
civil conflict. The prospect was dark and
gloomy. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina
seceded from the Union, thus setting an ex
ample which was soon followed by six other
southern States.
The year which had elapsed since Samuel J.
Kirkwood delivered his inaugural address to
the Iowa legislature had witnessed a gradual
undermining of his confidence in a peaceful
settlement between North and South. "It
really appears to me", he wrote to Grimes on
January 12, 1861, "as if our Southern friends
are determined on the destruction of our Gov
ernment unless they can change its whole basis,
and make it a government for the growth and
spread of slavery. The real point of contro
versy is in regard to slavery in the Territories.
On that point I would be willing to go thus far :
Restore the question of slavery in our present
territories to the position to which it was placed 173

174 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
by the compromise measures of 1850. . . .
The whole country agreed to do this once, and
therefore could do so again." He then pro
posed a plan which would not require any
abandonment of principle on either side.
"But", he continued, "at all hazards the
Union must be honored — the laws must be
enforced. What can I do in the premises?
Shall I tender the aid of the State to Mr.
Buchanan? Some of our people desire an extra
session. I do not. My present intention is not
to call an extra session until after the 4th of
March. If after that time an extra session be
necessary to support the Government I will so
far as in me lies see to it that the last fighting
man in the State and the last dollar in the treas
ury are devoted to that object, and our people
will sustain me." In a postscript he urged that
an arsenal be established in some northwestern
State.249 Two weeks later he expressed similar views
in a letter to the members of the Iowa delega
tion in Congress, asking them to represent the
State at the peace conference called by the
legislature of Virginia to meet in Washington,
D. C, on February 4th. He had too great a dis
trust of the motives back of the call by Virginia
to hope for any good results from the conven
tion. But in case the commissioners attending
the meeting should show themselves "disposed

THE CRISIS 175
to act in earnest for the preservation of the
union", then he had some suggestions concern
ing the course to be followed by the Iowa
delegates. "The true policy for every good citizen to
pursue", said the Governor, "is to set his face
like flint against secession, to call it by its true
name, treason. . . . But if 'compromise'
must be the order of the day, then that compro
mise should not be a concession by one side of
all the other side demands, and of all for which
the conceding side has been contending. In
other words, the north must not be expected to
yield all the south asks, all the north has con
tended for and won, and then call that compro
mise. That is not compromise, and would not
bring peace. ' ' Again he urged the restoration
of the slavery question to the status in which it
was placed by the compromise measures of 1850
as the only solution of the situation which the
North could honorably accept.250
These declarations by Governor Kirkwood
may be taken as a fair reflection of the spirit of
the people of Iowa. About the middle of Jan
uary he was urged by J. C. Bennett of Polk City
to organize the militia and secure necessary
arms and supplies. In selecting officers, wrote
Mr. Bennett, "let me entreat of you to appoint
prompt and able men who, tho' they fear God,
have no fear of the devil, and wo fear of

176 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
traitors, and who dare to be men, despite of
party."251 Although the militia of the State was un
organized and without arms, a number of
independent military companies tendered their
services to the Governor during these days of
anxious foreboding. The Governor's Greys at
Dubuque, the Washington Light Guards, the
Burlington Rifles, and the Mount Pleasant
Guards, were among the companies which by
their attitude at this time forecast the readiness
of the people of Iowa to make any sacrifice to
preserve the Union. To each offer the Gov
ernor responded with a note of no uncertain
tone.252 "In these days," he wrote to one of
the captains, "when cabinet officers abet treason
and use their official position to bankrupt and
disarm the government they were sworn to sup
port . . . when, in one portion of our coun
try, many men, delirious with passion, regard
the firing upon our national flag, the forcible
seizure of our national forts, and the plunder of
our national arsenals and treasuries, as manly,
honorable and patriotic service .... when
in short, men are found in high places, so lost
to patriotism as to emulate the treason of
Benedict Arnold, and so lost to shame as to
glory in their infamy, and can find followers
and apologists — it is gratifying to know that
the gallant yeomanry of Iowa are still deter-

THE CRISIS 177
mined ' to march under the flag and keep step to
the music of the union.' "253
To Joseph Holt, Secretary of War, he wrote
on January 24th, enclosing "a letter tendering
to the President the services of the Governor's
Greys" of Dubuque. "Whilst I deeply regret
that the perils to which the Union of the States
is exposed arise from domestic and not from
foreign foes," he continued, "I feel a great and
I think an honest pride in the knowledge that
the people of Iowa are possessed of an unyield
ing devotion to the Union and of a fixed deter
mination that so far as depends on them it shall
be preserved."254
Thus far Governor Kirkwood had never met
Abraham Lincoln, and it was natural that he
should wish a personal acquaintance with the
man who had been chosen to guide the nation
through the perils of the next four years. Early
in January, 1861, therefore, he journeyed to
Springfield, Illinois, to call upon the President
elect before his departure for Washington,
D. C. At the hotel in Springfield the plainly
dressed, unobtrusive man from across the Mis
sissippi at first attracted little attention from
the politicians who thronged the lobby. But he
was not without friends. He was introduced to
Governor Yates and shortly afterwards, for the
first time, shook hands with Abraham Lincoln.
An interview was arranged and the future
13

178 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
President came to Kirkwood 's room in the
hotel, because there they would be free from
disturbance. The actual words of that interview are no
where on record, but they established the basis
of the understanding between the two execu
tives which lasted through the dark years of the
war. Mr. Lincoln ' ' spoke calmly, earnestly and
with great feeling", while Mr. 'Kirkwood
"listened with anxious interest and heard with
profound satisfaction"; and in the end each
man fully understood the position of the other
with respect to the great issues of the day.
"When he left", wrote Kirkwood later in life,
"I went with him to the door of the hotel, and
when I returned to the office I found myself an
object of considerable attention. It was known
that Mr. Lincoln was up stairs with somebody,
and when it appeared that I was that body, a
good many people about the hotel seemed
anxious to learn who I was, and where I had
come from."255
The prospect of another political campaign
within a few months seems at this time to have
given Governor Kirkwood little anxiety. "I
have a letter from Senator Harlan inclosing
one from you to him, written on the subject of
the next canvass for the post you now fill",
wrote Alvin Saunders from Mt. Pleasant on
January 15th. ' ' I feel greatly obliged ....

THE CRISIS 179
particularly to you, my dear Sir, who so kindly
offer me the field in case I & my friends might
desire a chance — Allow me, however, after re
turning my thanks, to say to you that I do not
expect to be, under any circumstances, a candi
date. So you may consider the field as widely
opened as you have been pleased to make it for
me."256 In spite of the Governor's lack of concern
over the approaching campaign, he received
many assurances from such men as William B.
Allison, Charles Aldrich, and others that the
Republican sentiment of the State was in favor
of his renomination.257 That he was not to be
free from opposition, however, was indicated by
a letter from A. T. Shaw of Fort Madison, who
declared that "Dan Miller is turning Heaven
and Earth but principally the other place to
create disaffection in the Republican ranks & to
organize a 'Union7 party. His prime object is
to secure the nomination for Governor."258
The early months of the year 1861 passed in
the routine of executive duties, broken only by
a trip to the national capital to witness the
inauguration of President Lincoln.259 Then
came the fatal twelfth of April, when the whole
country was electrified by the news that Fort
Sumter had been fired upon. Three days later
there went out the President's first call for
troops : seventy-five thousand men were called
to the colors.

180 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
The requisition for one regiment, which was
Iowa's quota in this first call, was flashed over
the wires to Davenport, then the only point in
Iowa reached by the telegraph.260 Although the
message stated that a letter would follow, citi
zens of Davenport felt that no time should be
lost in getting word to Governor Kirkwood.
Accordingly William Vandever, then member
of Congress from the second district of Iowa,
took the first train to Iowa City. Upon his
arrival he found the Governor in boots and
overalls caring for his stock on the Coralville
farm.261 Just as the Nation was now forced to meet
the great test of its strength, so Samuel J.
Kirkwood was face to face with the crisis of
his life. Had the succeeding three years been
years of peace his name would have gone down,
probably, with honorable mention in the list of
the Governors of Iowa. The war with its many
demands upon his good judgment and resource
fulness, as well as upon his time and strength,
afforded just the stimulus required to bring
forth the qualities which enshrined him in the
hearts of the people.

XVI
Men and Arms
Momentarily overcome by the significance of
the message in his hands, Kirkwood is said to
have exclaimed: "Why the President wants a
whole regiment of men! Do you suppose, Mr.
Vandever, I can raise that many?"262 If the
Governor really had any serious doubts on that
score his mind was soon set at rest. Besides he
was not a man who would shrink from meeting
an emergency or spend much time in fearful
inactivity. But he was keenly aware of his own
lack of knowledge of military affairs, and he
knew that not only were the people of Iowa
devoid of military training but also that the
State was without arms and the other necessary
equipment for troops.
Realizing the necessity of being in direct
telegraphic communication with Washington,
the Governor immediately betook himself to
Davenport, where he spent much of the time
for several weeks. He arrived in that city just
in time to participate in a great mass meeting
at which party lines were ignored and the spirit
of loyalty to the Union blazed forth in no un-
181

182 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
certain manner. Perhaps underestimating the
difficulties to be met, Governor Kirkwood in his
address indicated that he would not call an
extra session of the General Assembly because
of the cost. "The expense of enlistment and
starting away of the regiment would cost about
$10,000; and this matter could be attended to
without the present intervention of the Legis
lature. The Governor said that he would see
that these expenses were paid until the regi
ment was handed over to the Government. He
said that $10,000 would be raised for this pur
pose, if he had to pledge every dollar of his own
property. He made an eloquent appeal to the
patriotism of his listeners ; and though sick, he
gave one of the most stirring addresses of the
evening."263 Perhaps it was the patriotic fervor reflected
in this enthusiastic mass meeting which in
spired a letter written by Governor Kirkwood
a few days later to Simon Cameron, then Secre
tary of War. "Ten days ago", he said, "we
had two parties in this State; to-day we have
but one, and that one is for the Constitution
and Union unconditionally."264
The Governor's proclamation was issued on
April 17th, officially informing the people of
Iowa that they had been asked to raise one
regiment of men, to be in rendezvous at Keokuk
by May 20th. "The Nation is in peril", he

MEN AND ARMS 183
warned the people. "A fearful attempt is
being made to overthrow the Constitution and
dissever the Union. The aid of every loyal
citizen is invoked to sustain the General Gov
ernment. For the honor of our State let the
requirement of the President be cheerfully and
promptly met."265 On the same day he wrote
to individuals in the various counties of the
State, urging them to put forth efforts to raise
at least one company of men in each county.266
Even before these appeals had been sent
forth the Governor's temporary misgiving con
cerning his ability to raise a regiment had been
dispelled. Within less than twenty-four hours
after the news of the President's call reached
Iowa the services of fifteen or twenty com
panies had been offered to Kirkwood.267 He
very soon found that his embarrassments arose
not from a dearth of men ready and anxious to
serve their country, but from his inability to
secure arms, accoutrements, and clothing for
the soldiers.
So eager were men to enlist that the number
who offered themselves soon exceeded the
power of the Governor to accept. "I am very
sorry I have not received your personal offer of
your company", he wrote to the captain of a
company at Columbus City on April 24th. "I
have now offers of companies for two regiments
and can't get your company in either unless I

184 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
can get leave to put more than ten companies in
a regiment. Men are here with offers of their
companies & almost quarrel with me because I
can't receive them."268
The last sentence was in reality a mild state
ment of a situation which in some instances
gave Samuel J. Kirkwood no end of unpleasant
ness. "It is entirely out of my power to accept
the Keokuk Company for the first regiment
without turning out of the regiment a company
organized & reed before the Keokuk Company
was organized", he wrote on April 25th, in
reply to the complaint of an old friend. "I do
not think I ought to be asked to do this and
certainly cannot do it. I am sorry the people
of Keokuk show 'the greatest feeling and the
most intense disappointment,' and I hope you
will endeavor to give their feelings some other
direction than that of complaint against what
is unavoidable."269
Again, on the following day, he wrote that
' ' I am very sorry to find that instead of aiding
me in my present difficult & embarrassing
position you are disposed not only to take a
contrary course yourself but to induce your
people by misrepresentation or misunderstand
ing to do the same. I cannot imagine why this
is so but must accept the existing fact and try
and get along as best I may."270 Still later, in
writing to another citizen of Keokuk concern-

MEN AND ARMS 185
ing the same matter, Kirkwood declared : "It is
somewhat humiliating to me to be under the
necessity of thus explaining the reasons of my
'outgoings and incomings' and I would not
recognize a necessity for so doing but for some
recollections of a pleasant nature connected
with my visit to your home in the fall of 1859.
My personal regard induces me to do what
otherwise I would not do."271
The worries of the Iowa executive, then, did
not arise from the reluctance of the citizens to
enlist: his anxiety was rather to appease the
resentment of many who could not at that time
be accepted. Nor was he long at a loss for
funds with which to equip the Iowa troops. To
be sure there was no money in the State treas
ury, and, besides, not a cent of public funds
could be used without authorization by the
General Assembly. But the patriotism which
on the one hand exhibited itself in the eagerness
of men to place their lives at the service of
their country also found expression in the
prompt offer of banking institutions and men of
wealth to stand back of the State in this
emergency. The expenses of raising, drilling,
and maintaining the troops must be borne by
the State until the men were mustered into the
service of the United States government. The
names of Hiram Price of Davenport, Ezekiel
Clark of Iowa City, J. K. and R. E. Graves of

186 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Dubuque, W. T. Smith of Oskaloosa, Governor
Kirkwood himself, and many other citizens of
Iowa, without regard to political affiliations,
must always be held in grateful remembrance.
Unhesitatingly they pledged all of their per
sonal property in order that Iowa might be
able to do its full duty in this hour of National
peril.272 Men were to be had in abundance. Money
sufficient for immediate needs was cheerfully
offered. But men without arms and equipment
were of little use in warfare; and when guns
could not be secured at any price money was of
no avail. The Federal authorities were at their
wits ends amid all the clamors which arose,
while manufacturers of arms and munitions
could not at once supply a Nation unprepared
for war. Governor Kirkwood, therefore, soon
became very impatient because of his inability
to procure the necessary equipment for the men
who early in May gathered at the appointed
rendezvous at Keokuk. Cloth for uniforms was
purchased, to be sure, and the women of Iowa
needed no urging to employ willing fingers in
the making of clothing for the soldier boys.
The Governor expressed his appreciation of
this service in a letter to Mrs. A. Gillespie of
Dubuque thanking the ladies of that city for
fitting out two companies of volunteers. "You
have set a noble example", he wrote, "in thus

MEN AND ARMS 187
coming forward in the time of our need, and
have shown us by this patriotic offering to the
welfare of our gallant soldiers that it needs but
the occasion to reproduce the heroines of
>7g "273
But guns and ammunition could not be made
in Iowa, even by the most willing. And so
Governor Kirkwood sought in every possible
manner to secure these most essential supplies.
On April 29th he wrote to the Secretary of War,
saying that one regiment was ready to be mus
tered in, and another had been raised; while a
third regiment was anxiously waiting to be
received. He could raise ten thousand men in
twenty days, but the State had no arms except
a few old-fashioned muskets. "If no arrange
ment has been made for arms for this State,"
he implored, "do, for God's sake, send us
some."274 Two days later he enumerated his
attempts to secure guns in the following letter
to Senator James Harlan:
Friend Harlan: My efforts to get arms thus far
have been:
1. A pressing letter to the Secretary of War, April
18, on the subject — yet unanswered.
2. Sending Senator Grimes, April 23d, especially
on that errand to Washington — not yet heard from.
3. Writing to Governor of Connecticut if arms
can be bought of private manufacturers in that State
— not yet answered — letter April 24.

188 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
4. An arrangement with military committee of
Chicago for a loan of 1,000 guns. — This, I think, is
perfected, and the guns will be shipped tomorrow to
Burlington. 5. I have sent a special messenger to Springfield,
Illinois, to procure if possible, part of the arms
recently brought there from St. Louis. If he fails
there, to go to St. Louis and try the officer there —
not yet heard from.
6. Have called an extra session.
Can you suggest anything more — if so, I will
follow it.275
Rifles of an inferior grade were eventually
secured for the first Iowa regiments, but for a
year or more Governor Kirkwood was embar
rassed by the delay in providing equipment for
his soldiers. His many difficulties, however,
had only served to fix his determination that the
war must be fought tb a definite conclusion.
He had hoped against hope that an effective
compromise might be made, but now that hope
was gone and he had no more faith in pacific
measures. "I want this thing settled", he
wrote to Enoch W. Eastman of Eldora. "It
will be cheaply done at a cost of men & treasure
greater than our revolution cost."276
The gravity of the situation soon convinced
the Governor, contrary to his earlier attitude,
that immediate legislative action was neces
sary. On April 25th, therefore, he issued a

MEN AND ARMS 189
proclamation calling the General Assembly to
convene in special session on Wednesday, May
15th.277 Two o'clock on the afternoon of the ap
pointed day found the legislators at Des Moines
in readiness to pass the laws necessary to put
the State on a war basis. Their number was
not complete, for several members had enlisted
in the Iowa regiments and were then in camp.
But as the extra session opened loyalty to the
Union was on every member's lips if not in all
their hearts. In the House of Representatives
"honest" John Edwards as Speaker displayed
a fine spirit when in a brief address he declared
that at such a time "the partizan should be
come merged in the patriot." And "having
been elected to the position I now hold as your
presiding officer by the dominant party on this
floor, ' ' he said, ' ' in justice to the minority, I
am now willing to resign my position into the
hands of any other member of this body ' '. But
his offer was unanimously declined, and imme
diately afterward when a resolution was offered
calling for the appointment of a committee of
three Democrats and three Republicans it was
voted to strike out the words "Republicans"
and "Democrats".278
On the morning of May 16th each branch of
the legislature listened to a message from Gov
ernor Kirkwood, in which he stated his reasons

190 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
for calling the special session and outlined the
measures which he believed should be enacted
into law. The opening words briefly emphasized
the seriousness of the situation which had
placed the maintenance of the Union in jeop
ardy. "In this contingency," said the Gov
ernor, "Iowa must not and does not occupy a
doubtful position." To support the govern
ment "the people of Iowa are ready to pledge
every fighting man in the State, and every
dollar of her money and credit; and I have
called you together in Extraordinary Session
for the purpose of enabling them to make that
pledge formal and effective." The South had
struck a blow at the life of a government that
had long shown unexampled patience, and the
reply was "such as to show the world the
strength of a Government founded on the love
of a free people."
The first concern of the legislature, suggested
the Governor, should be to legalize the actions
taken by the chief executive and others without
authority of law to meet immediate exigencies.
He had borrowed money on the credit of the
State. Two regiments of troops had been
raised, furnished with uniforms, transported to
the rendezvous at Keokuk nearly two weeks
before the day set by the Secretary of War, and
there drilled and maintained in camp. Prompt
provision should be made for the payment of

MEN AND ARMS 191
the expenses thus incurred; while at the same
time funds should be made available to meet
future needs along the same line. He also
referred to the legislators the question of
whether or not the State should compensate the
volunteers for their time until they were mus
tered into Federal service.
Two great objects to be kept always in view
were ' ' the protection of our State against inva
sion and the prompt supply to the General
Government of any further aid it may re
quire." While Governor Kirkwood did not
anticipate an invasion by regular troops from
Missouri he did fear that guerrilla bands would
take advantage of the unsettled conditions to
institute plunder and border warfare. More
over, the northwestern border of Iowa was
exposed to Indian attack, and the memory of
the unpunished Spirit Lake massacre was too
fresh to allow any assurance of safety for the
settlements in that section without adequate
military protection. He submitted two plans
by which the duty of the State might be per
formed. "One is mustering into the service of the
State, arming, equipping and placing in camp
to acquire discipline and drill a number of
regiments of Volunteers." This method had
the advantage of providing a disciplined force
ready for any emergency of the State or nation,

192 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
but it would be expensive and would not ade
quately protect the borders of Iowa. "The
other plan ' ', said the Governor, "is to organize
along the Southern and Western frontier, arm
and equip but not muster into active service a
sufficient force of minute men, who may be
called upon at any moment to meet any emer
gency that may arise at any point. This will be
the more effective plan for home protection,
but will not place the State in position to render
such effective aid to the General Government."
The enactment of a militia law, providing
among other things for a military staff for the
Governor, was another necessity. While pri
vate citizens or boards of supervisors in most
of the counties from which companies had been
accepted had raised funds for the support of
the needy families of volunteers, he believed
that this expense should be borne by the State
in order that the burden might be more equally
distributed. The securing of an adequate sup
ply of arms for the defense of the State was
still another matter demanding attention.
"The last few weeks", said the Governor out
of the fullness of his recent experience, "have
taught us a lesson which I trust we may never
forget, that peace is the proper time in which to
prepare for war." He also suggested a re
vision and strengthening of the revenue laws of
the State.

MEN AND ARMS 193
"Permit me in conclusion to express the hope
that what you may do may be done promptly,
calmly and thoroughly", was Kirkwood 's clos
ing admonition in this historic message. "Let
us take no counsel from passion, give no way to
excitement. Let us look our situation boldly
and squarely in the face, and address ourselves
to, and do our duty like men who believe that
while we hold to our Fathers' faith and tread in
our Fathers ' steps, the God of our Fathers will
stand by us in the time of our trial, as He stood
by them in the time of theirs."279
The words of the Governor did not pass un
heeded. Both branches of the General Assem
bly soon adopted a concurrent resolution
declaring that "the faith, credit and resources
of the State of Iowa, both in men and money
are hereby irrevocably pledged to any amount
and to every extent which the Federal Govern
ment may demand, to suppress treason, subdue
rebellion, enforce the laws, protect the lives and
property of all loyal citizens and maintain in
violate the Constitution and sovereignty of the
Nation. ' '280 And while it must not be imagined
that the spirit of harmony and good-will so
much in evidence on the opening days prevailed
throughout the two-week session, the legislators
did not rest content with the expression of
fine-sounding sentiments of loyalty.
With commendable zeal the General Assem-
14

194 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
bly addressed itself to the business in hand.
Practically all of Governor Kirkwood 's recom
mendations were followed and enacted into
law. A "War and Defense Fund" was created
and provision was made for the sale of State
bonds to the amount of eight hundred thousand
dollars. The militia law was revised, a military
staff of four special aids with the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel of cavalry was provided for
the Governor, and he was authorized to raise
regiments and battalions of infantry, cavalry,
and artillery for the defense of the borders of
the State. Soldiers were to receive pay for
their services until the time when they were
mustered into the United States army, and
county officials were authorized to use public
funds in caring for the families of volunteers.
A contingent fund of ten thousand dollars for
the remainder of the year 1861 was placed at
the Governor's disposal and he was empowered
to employ a private secretary.281 In fact, with
frequent reference to Governor Kirkwood for
advice and information,282 the General Assem
bly of Iowa promptly did all in its power to
facilitate the activities of the chief executive
and enable the State to perform its full duty
in the Nation's crisis.

XVII
A War-Time Political Campaign-
Partisanship, although partially consumed by
the flame of patriotism which blazed up in every
town and hamlet of Iowa at the firing on Fort
Sumter, was not totally destroyed. All too
soon it revived under the favorable conditions
produced by the war and its many problems.
Thenceforth the already overburdened author
ities, both in State and Nation, were harassed
by attacks from the rear which were more
difficult to combat than the hostility of open
enemies. Samuel J. Kirkwood, as Governor of
Iowa, received his full share of bitter, partisan
abuse. The first shock occasioned by the definite
rupture between North and South had scarcely
lost its effect before political party machinery
in Iowa was put into full operation in prepara
tion for the coming State election. From the
beginning there could have been little doubt of
the outcome, but it soon appeared that it was
not to be a colorless campaign. "Your enemies
think the present a glorious opportunity to get
sweet revenge & destroy your influence ' ', wrote 195

196 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Ezekiel Clark late in May, "but you will prob
ably be saved from annihilation by an arm
stronger & a power higher than your puny ad
versaries. . . . You will probably find ad
versaries & false friends where you will not
expect them."283 From a friend at Council
Bluffs a week later came the warning that "a
strong effort will be made to defeat you in the
next convention and the disappointment of
rejected military Companies will be turned to
account against you. This is unfair and un
manly, but the aspirants for your place are not
going to be over scrupulous about that."284
The prediction in this letter was not un
founded. So persistent and widespread did the
charge of favoritism in the acceptance of vol
unteer companies become that the leading
Republican newspaper of the State came to the
Governor's defense. "When the requisition
was made by the General Government for one
regiment from this State, ' ' declared the editor,
"Gov. Kirkwood could not know- — no man
could have foretold — that ten companies would
eagerly press forward for every one that could
be accepted. His anxiety was to have the men
in camp at the time designated by the War
Department, and companies were then accepted
who were able to be first upon the ground."285
Several weeks later another correspondent
informed Kirkwood of another basis upon which

WAR-TIME CAMPAIGN 197
opposition to him was being manufactured,
namely, his refusal to allow men to squander
the State 's money under the excitement of war.
For, said the writer, ' ' a man just now can urge
economy but at the risk of being a secessionist
& a rebel & this the scamps know and will take
advantage of it to open the doors of the treasury
to their own craving stomachs."286
All this time the Governor was too busy with
public duties to devote much thought to his own
political prospects. Thus the Republican State
Convention was held at Des Moines on July
31st, without any apparent previous activity on
his part to make sure of a renomination.
Although there was not absolute unity among
the delegates who composed this convention,
the platform adopted was such as to satisfy the
most loyal patriot. Ignoring all minor issues,
each of its eight planks expressed an unalter
able determination that the Union must be pre
served, no matter what the cost.287
The informal ballot for the party's nominee
showed Samuel J. Kirkwood far in the lead, his
competitors being Samuel F. Miller, Elijah
Sells, Fitz Henry Warren, and S. A. Rice. On
the first formal ballot Kirkwood 's support was
even larger and thereupon his nomination was
made unanimous.288
There is good reason to believe, however, that
the whole story of the nomination is not re-

198 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
vealed in the record of votes. "You have
doubtless heard that the rubicon is passed, the
Batteries taken, & you the victor in our state
Convention", wrote William B. Allison. "It is
useless to disguise or deny the fact [that] there
was a most bitter and determined opposition in
the Convention to your re-nomination. They
were unable to concentrate their forces on any
one man so that they really made but little
headway when the hour for balloting arrived.
The principal opposition seemed to be from the
southern portion of the state, & Linn County in
the North." Many of Kirkwood 's friends, said
Allison, had nearly become convinced that some
other man would be better able to harmonize
the factions in the party. He also urged the
Governor to send men (including H. M. Hoxie)
to the southern counties of Iowa to investigate
the measures necessary to defend that region
against possible attack from Missouri. Such
action, he said, would tend to allay the dissatis
faction in that section.289
The northern part of the State also showed
some signs of discontent. Eliphalet Priee
wrote from Guttenberg on August 8th, con
gratulating Kirkwood on his renomination.
"We are putting on and adjusting our Lincoln
harness for the stump this fall", he said. "It
will be a warm contest and a bitter one."290
The following week he informed the Governor

WAR-TIME CAMPAIGN 199
of the efforts which were being made by Reuben
Noble and others in Clayton County to organize
a "Union Party", and alluded to the charges of
favoritism in the acceptance of companies. "I
think that they will be glad to drop this when
they are informed that all will be received who
come", he added. "The Enlisting feeling has
very much subsided [in the] north, now when it
is known that they are wanted."201 Many let
ters received by Kirkwood during the fall,
however, indicate that the dissatisfaction in the
northern counties was not so much personal
opposition to him, as the feeling that the Re
publican leaders, especially Grimes and Harlan,
had neglected that portion of the State in the
matter of appointments.
The allusion to the proposed "Union Party"
was not without foundation, and as a matter of
fact this movement was one which gave the
Republicans considerable anxiety. At a con
vention held in Des Moines on August 28th, this
party nominated Nathaniel B. Baker for Gov
ernor, Laurin Dewey for Lieutenant Governor,
and Reuben Noble for Supreme Court Judge.
Both Baker and Noble, however, declined to
accept the nomination. Mr. Baker, as will be
seen, soon became Adjutant General and served
with great distinction in that important posi
tion throughout the war; while Reuben Noble
and Laurin Dewey continued to be among

200 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Governor Kirkwood 's most loyal supporters.292
So that in reality the Union party movement
had little effect on the campaign.
The Democrats particularly were in a quan
dary during this period, for the party was split
into two factions — the ' ' War Democrats ' ' and
the "Peace Democrats". Two State conven
tions were held, one on July 24th, at which time
Charles Mason was nominated for Governor,
and Maturin L. Fisher for Lieutenant Gov
ernor. At another convention held on August
29th William H. Merritt was chosen in the place
of Mr. Fisher, who had declined the nomination.
Still later Judge Mason, apparently under
pressure, withdrew from the head of the ticket,
and an effort was made to unify the factions of
the party under the leadership of Col. Merritt,
whose loyalty was unquestioned ; while Maturin
L. Fisher was restored to his former position as
the candidate for Lieutenant Governor.293
It does not appear that the campaign of 1861
was in any sense spectacular. There was very
little speech-making and an equal dearth of
newspaper controversy. The war overshad
owed all else. To be sure, Governor Kirkwood
was frequently urged to visit certain localities
and present his views on the issues of the day,
but on only two occasions did he take time from
his executive duties to accede to these demands.
On September 4th in Sherman Hall in Des

WAR-TIME CAMPAIGN 201
Moines he made an address which deserves to
be called an Iowa classic. In tone and content
it was far removed from the plea of a mere
seeker after office. The second speech was
delivered at Davenport about one month later,
and while perhaps less notable it was similar to
the Des Moines address in character.
The Sherman Hall address was made with
less than six hours preparation, and therefore
it came unmodified by considerations of ex
pediency directly from the heart of the Gov
ernor.294 After a brief introduction he said:
I again find myself what I once thought I never
again would be, a candidate for the office of Governor ;
and I confess I find myself in peculiar and unpleasant
circumstances. . . . First, the country is in a
condition such as it was never in before. — We have
had war before, but never a civil war. We have had
strife before, but never internecine strife. And many
of the good people who are in favor of pressing this
war thoroughly, vigorously, and triumphantly to an
end, believe that an error was committed in making a
party nomination at this time. — They think that the
gentlemen who have placed me in nomination have
erred. That is one thing. Another is, and I am very
sorry to say it, that some of my own political house
hold think that I am not the man, that we should have
had some other person.
Logically and clearly he showed how impos
sible it would have been to make a thoroughly

202 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
non-partisan nomination. There was no way by
which such an action could have been accom
plished. Besides in this crisis the Republicans
were willing to ignore all issues save that of
preserving the Union and on that ground they
were glad to welcome to their ranks all citizens
whatever their beliefs on other questions.
"Now, my friends," continued the Governor,
"a few words on a subject to me more delicate.
As the Chief Executive of the State since the
war commenced, much fault has been found
with me. I am a plain man; arid although it
may not be prudent in me as a candidate to
speak in regard to these matters, yet I propose
to say some things to you in a very plain way.
A great many gentlemen think I have not been
energetic enough; that I have not been efficient
enough; that I have not pushed forward the
work as vigorously as I should have done. That
may be true. That I may have committed errors
I think is not only very possible, but very prob
able." Vividly he outlined the difficulties con
fronting the administration at Washington as
well as that of Iowa. "And I do insist upon
it", he said, "that instead of hunting some
thing to find fault with, you should strengthen
and uphold your public agents."
"It has been said that the Iowa volunteers
have not been clothed as well and as rapidly as
they should have been clothed", the speaker

WAR-TIME CAMPAIGN 203
next declared. "That is your fault, not mine.
I had not the money to do it. You have it, and
I have not been furnished with it. The clothes
worn by your First, Second and Third Regi
ments to-day have not been paid for ! . . . .
Much fault was found with me because your
soldiers at Keokuk did not receive their poor
pittance of pay, which they were to receive
from the State. . . . You know as well as I
that the Executive of this State had not a dollar
to advance to the soldiers. After they were
mustered in at Keokuk, Ezekiel Clark, Hiram
Price, of Davenport, and your Speaker, bor
rowed on their private credit the money, some
$30,000, which was required to pay them, and
paid it, and the debt is unsatisfied to-day. . . .
The bank of this city holds my protested notes
for $6,000. ... I was absent from home
last week, and found upon my return notices of
protested paper of mine to the amount of $6,000
more; and not less than seven of those little
tickets which bankers send out to give notice of
notes falling due. Now it is not agreeable to a
man who has hitherto kept his commercial
credit unimpaired thus to find it dishonored;
and it is still more displeasing when he is cursed
all over the State for not doing what he was
powerless to accomplish, and it is right you
should know it."295
In language equally plain he then proceeded

204 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
to place the responsibility for lack of funds
where it belonged. "I grew pathetic in a news
paper appeal a few days since," he said, "ask
ing you to subscribe for State Bonds. Now
there is scarcely a man of you, who if life, limb
or property were at stake, could not take $100 at
least of Iowa State Bonds, and thus furnish the
means to carry on this work, and have it done
right.298 And let me say plainly — though as a
candidate I ought not to talk so to you — that,
in so doing, you would be performing your duty,
as well as in carping and fault-finding. . . .
I ought perhaps to make handsome vows, speak
soft and honied words, things I cannot do ; but
I will tell you the truth as I understand and
believe it, and if you don 't like it, you have the
remedy in your own hands, you know. ' '
Turning from personal matters to the con
duct of the war, Governor Kirkwood eulogized
the Republican party, and appealed to the patri
otism of his hearers by referring to the exploits
of Iowa men on the field of battle. Especially
did he elicit rounds of applause at every men
tion of the First Iowa Regiment, which had
won glory in the battle of Wilson's Creek. He
had been in Washington when the news of that
battle was received. Before that time he had
been shown but little respect at the War De
partment. But when the news came, he said,
"every man who saw me had to shake hands

WAR-TIME CAMPAIGN 205
with me, and placing my hat at an angle of 45
degrees, I stalked through the building as
though I owned it — and they let me. ' '
This memorable speech came to a close with
an admonition to the audience that above all
the welfare of the Nation should be their first
consideration. With characteristic directness
Samuel J. Kirkwood delivered his message, and
then with good-natured humor and simple elo
quence partly removed the sting of his blunt
remarks and stirred the hearts of his listeners.
The election was held on the second Tuesday
in October. When the votes were counted it
was found that Mr. Kirkwood had been re
elected to the office of Governor of Iowa by a
majority of about seventeen thousand.297

XVIII
The First Year op the War
While the political campaign of 1861 was
being fought out with but little attention from
Governor Kirkwood he was coping with diffi
culties such as have never confronted another
executive of Iowa. The inability of the Federal
government to provide arms and equipment for
the troops as rapidly as needed continued to be
a cause of vexation, and the Governor was
forced to endure much unjust criticism because
of the delay.
Even when guns were received they proved in
some instances to be of a very inferior quality
and almost useless in actual warfare. As late
as January 12, 1862, Governor Kirkwood re
ceived a letter from his nephew, W. W. Kirk-
Wood, who was then in Benton Barracks at St.
Louis, complaining of the character of the arms
furnished to the Iowa troops. To show the
worthless nature of these guns he said "there
was one to my certain knowledge Broken by
striking it lightly across a pine Box the barrel
broke entirely off in two places." Other guns
burst at the first discharge, and in fact these
206

FIRST YEAR OP WAR 207
old-fashioned muskets were more dangerous to
the men who carried them than to the enemy.298
Similar reports came from other camps, and
it added much to Kirkwood 's worries to think
of Iowa men going into battle with such in
effective weapons. He wrote letter after letter
to government officials and did not rest content
until he was assured that better equipment had
been provided.
Lack of money was, likewise, a serious prob
lem. While the State banks throughout Iowa
and men of wealth in this State and else
where299 generously offered to advance large
sums, the Governor knew that he had no author
ity to accept these offers and pledge the credit
of the State for their later repayment. The
General Assembly, at the extra session in May,
1861, as has been noticed, made provision for
the sale of $800,000 worth of State bonds for
the purpose of creating a "War and Defense
Fund". But unfortunately no appropriation
was made out of the ordinary revenue of the
State to meet immediate needs. Thus the
financial situation remained desperate. Con
trary to all expectations and to the great
chagrin of Governor Kirkwood who considered
it a reflection on the State, the bonds did not
find a ready market. Consequently, relief from
this source came very slowly.
"I very much regret my inability to furnish

208 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
you at this time with funds to pay the note
given by yourself & others for the powder pur
chased by you & them some time since and
taken off your hands by the State", wrote
Kirkwood to Samuel F. Miller on June 26th.
"The present condition of our finances is so
painfully familiar to me that it seems almost
strange that it should not be familiar to every
one. . . . The proper Board has authorized
the sale of Bonds to the amount of $400,000
which will be for sale in this State until July 13
at private sale at par and the unsold portion
will on the 15th July be awarded to the highest
& best bidders at the Metropolitan Bank, New
York. I am wholly unable to say what portion
will sell in this State at par or how readily and
at what rate the bonds will sell in New York,
but until sold there or here I must remain as I
have been heretofore without money except as
I can borrow it."300
Thus it was that appeals to the Governor's
office for money with which to buy arms and
other necessities for several weeks met with the
same reluctant reply. "You ask for arms",
wrote Kirkwood 's military secretary on Sep
tember 3, 1861. "The State has none and can
get none for want of means. Our bonds do not
sell at home or abroad & until they do no arms
can be purchased."301 A few days later in
reply to a letter of Samuel Merrill, who appar-

FIRST YEAR OF WAR 209
ently was hoping for the reimbursement of
money which he had advanced to clothe Iowa
troops, the military secretary told of the per
sonal sacrifices which the Governor had made.
"He has no money at command", he wrote,
"and is himself under protest for a large amt.
Relying on the proceeds of sale of Bonds he
became personally responsible for more than he
is worth and as his reliance failed him his notes
have gone to protest. He has been to Wash
ington to get some of the State expenses re
funded and expects a partial paymt within 30
days & will try to secure you a share of it."302
The first money to be paid into the State
treasury from the sale of bonds was received on
July 31st and then the amount was only sixteen
thousand five hundred dollars. On August 2nd
about twenty thousand dollars came in, and
practically the same amount three weeks later.
Thereafter the sums received at irregular inter
vals were smaller, and by the first of November
scarcely more than eighty thousand dollars had
been received.303 This was the best that could
be done in spite of the Governor's stirring
appeals to the people of Iowa,304 and in spite of
the fact that the bonds bore seven percent
interest, were backed by the resources of a
wealthy State, and were widely advertised by
the Governor in such newspapers as the New
York Tribune, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston
15

210 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Post, and the Journal of Commerce.305 It is
little wonder that Kirkwood felt constrained to
tell his audience some very plain facts in his
Sherman Hall speech in September and to place
before his hearers their duty in the matter of
buying State bonds.306
It has been said that the hesitancy of indi
viduals and banking institutions to take these
bonds was not due wholly to the unsettled con
dition of the times. Enemies of the govern
ment, both in Iowa and in the East, according
to assertions frequently made, circulated insin
uations against the security of the bonds and
caused them to be regarded with suspicion in
many quarters.307 But whatever the cause, the
slowness in securing funds from this source
seriously handicapped the Governor of Iowa
and those in authority with him. The situation
was somewhat relieved about the middle of
October when the United States government
paid eighty thousand dollars into the State
treasury.808 Fortunately, in the midst of new and untried
duties Samuel J. Kirkwood was not without the
advice and assistance of capable and loyal men.
As military secretary he chose Nathan Hoit
Brainerd of Iowa City, a man possessing the
qualities of common sense, calm judgment, and
the ability to express his strong convictions in
clear and vigorous language. Although he

FIRST YEAR OF WAR 211
never received a large compensation he un
falteringly bore his full share of the burden of
correspondence and the responsibilities which
the war entailed upon the executive office. His
ability and faithfulness made it possible for the
Governor to make frequent and necessary jour
neys away from home with the full knowledge
that the affairs of his office were in capable
hands.309 Equal reliance could be placed by Governor
Kirkwood upon his private secretary, although
it so happened that several men occupied this
position during the years of the war and the
duties of the private secretary were not of such
importance during this period when military
affairs were the first consideration. During the
summer of 1861 the private secretary was John
Pattee, who later became Lieutenant-Colonel of
the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and Brevet Briga
dier General.
Acting upon the authority granted to him by
the legislature, late in June the Governor
appointed as his four regular aids John Ed
wards, Cyrus Bussey, Rush Clark, and Addison
H. Saunders. Three of these men later received
high recognition for their bravery on the field
of battle. At the same time Kirkwood chose
three special aids to assist him in enlisting and
equipping troops. One of these special aids
was William B. Allison, who then as always

212 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
was one of Kirkwood 's staunchest friends.
Another was W. H. Thompson of Linn County ;
while the third was Nathaniel B. Baker, who
was soon to be placed in a position of much
greater authority and responsibility.310
In July Adjutant General Jesse Bowen re
signed, "with the thanks of the Executive for
his patriotism, zeal and ability",311 and on the
twenty-fifth his place was given by Governor
Kirkwood to Nathaniel B. Baker. It is doubt
ful if any better choice could possibly have been
made. Mr. Baker had been a life-long Demo
crat. He had been a member of the New
Hampshire legislature and Governor of that
State from 1854 to 1856. In the General As
sembly of Iowa during the special session he
was a leader in securing the enactment of laws
putting the State on a war footing. To the
office of Adjutant General he brought un
bounded energy, fine executive ability, and a
sensitiveness to suffering which made him
always zealous in his efforts to guard the wel
fare of the Iowa troops.312
Governor Kirkwood was, indeed, very for
tunate in his choice of men to render him
personal assistance. But it was also his duty
to make many appointments to positions in the
army; and while the men he selected, with few
exceptions, proved worthy of the trust, this
duty led to much unpleasantness. Ungratified

FIRST YEAR OF WAR 213
ambition, jealousy, and personal animosity
gave rise to complaints and bitter criticism.
The extent of the Governor's power to make
military appointments was clearly stated by
N. H. Brainerd in a letter written early in
September. "The only officers appointed by
the Gov. are the field & medical officers", he
said. "All Company officers are elected by the
Company and the regimental Staff are ap
pointed by the regimental officers."313 On the
same day he answered a letter urging the ap
pointment of a certain man by the brief but
pertinent statement that the Governor "would
be glad to appoint any worthy applicant but is
limited to the number of places to be filled."314
"I have not said or done any thing to injure
you", said Kirkwood himself in a four-page
letter to one who was disappointed at not re
ceiving a field office. ' ' I have only decided that
in my judgment I found better men for the
positions I had to fill. I must be permitted
however to say that the already onerous duties
of my position will be largely increased if I am
compelled to make explanations as lengthy as
this to all whom I cannot gratify with posi
tions."315 The mere question of selecting the
best men among the large number of applicants
was illustrated in the reply of the Governor in
April, 1862, to a physician of Keokuk County
who desired an appointment as surgeon.

214 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
"There are at this time five places to fill", he
said, "four of which are under a law just passed
by the general assembly. For these places I
have just fifty-four applications by persons
who have passed the Medical Board besides
numerous applications from others who are
willing to go and be examined if they can have
a promise before they go that I will appoint
them in case the report shall be favorable. Now
dont you 'consider' that under such circum
stances it requires a good deal of 'considera
tion' on my part to know what to do?"316
Even strong personal friendships were not
always proof against severe strain when expec
tations of appointment or promotion were not
fulfilled. Such was the case of John Edwards
of Chariton, who, as has been seen, was one of
Kirkwood 's regular aids. It seems that the
Governor had promised Edwards the colonelcy
of a regiment, but through some misunder
standing with the War Department the com
mission was issued to Alexander Chambers, a
regular army officer. Keenly disappointed at
this unexpected turn in affairs, the Governor
was only too happy shortly afterwards to offer
Edwards the position of Lieutenant Colonel in
the Seventeenth Infantry Regiment, of which
John W. Rankin was Colonel. "Now Colonel",
he wrote, "for God's sake and my sake accept.
I feel more mortified and embarrassed about

FIRST YEAR OF WAR 215
your position than I have ever done about any
thing in my life. You had been so considerate,
so modest, so little disposed to be urgent that it
was a pleasure to be to be able to give you a
commission and my mortification at the result
so mortifying to you is great. Do accept."317
In spite of many long letters from the Gov
ernor, Edwards refused to accept the position.
Later, however, he was appointed Colonel of
the Eighteenth Infantry Regiment, and gave
such evidence of his valor and ability that he
was promoted to the rank and position of
Brigadier General.
The raising and equipping of troops was the
duty which throughout the summer and autumn
of 1861 claimed the Governor's closest atten
tion. On June 11th he issued a proclamation
informing the people of what had been done,
and appealing to them especially to be prompt
in the payment of taxes in order that the State
might not be embarrassed by a lack of ordinary
revenue. "I have been induced to make the
foregoing suggestions in this manner ' ', he said,
"because of my belief that the People of the
State would cordially co-operate with me in any
honest, prudent endeavor to advance the public
interest. While only a few may be permitted
to endure the hardships and face the hazards of
the camp, and to meet the foe in the shock of
battle, each citizen, in this hour of our National

216 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
necessities has a public obligation to discharge,
and it may be as effectively canceled while in
the prosecution of the peaceful pursuits of
industry, as at the most hazardous posts of
duty."318 Another proclamation on July 30th an
nounced that the Secretary of War had accepted
four additional regiments of infantry and one
of cavalry from Iowa. Some of the companies
were not yet filled to the strength required for
United States service; and besides the term of
enlistment of the three-months men in the First
Iowa Infantry had expired and a new regiment
must be raised to take its place. "The recent
misfortune at Manassas", he warned the peo
ple, "demonstrates that the contest in which we
are engaged is one requiring neither passion,
excitement, nor unreasoning and blind haste,
but rather patience, calmness, organization,
deliberation and fixed determination."319
The case of the First Iowa received char
acteristic treatment at the hands of the Gov
ernor. This regiment had made a proud name
for itself at the battle of Wilson's Creek, and
although the term of enlistment of its members
had expired he refused to allow the regiment to
be reorganized. "My reasons were", he wrote,
"that the good name & fame of that regiment
was the property of its members & had become
a part of the history & property of this State —

FIRST YEAR OF WAR 217
that a new regiment under the same name might
tarnish that good name & that I had not morally
the right to commit its keeping to new
hands."320 The method adopted by the War Department
at first in calling for troops was not to the
liking of Governor Kirkwood, and he frankly
stated his attitude to Secretary Cameron. "I
would much prefer", he said, "that in the
future all troops needed from this State for
the service of the United States be called for by
regular requisition upon the Executive of the
State, unless such troops shall be uniformed
and equipped by the United States or by them
selves. I will endeavor to furnish promptly all
troops that may be regularly required from this
State, and I am satisfied it will save much com
plication and unpleasant feeling here to have all
further troops furnished upon formal requisi
tion. ' ' Not long afterward he received a reply
assuring him that in the future his wishes
would be observed.321
Again on September 10th by proclamation
Kirkwood made an appeal for additional vol
unteers. "More soldiers are required for the
War", was his challenge to the patriotism of
his people. "Six regiments of infantry and
two of cavalry, composed of your friends and
your neighbors, are now in the field. Three
more regiments of infantry, and one of cav-

218 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
airy, composed of the same precious materials,
are now in camp, nearly organized, and eager
to join their brothers in arms, who have pre
ceded them, and still four more regiments are
required. . . . Remember they will not
fight for themselves alone. It is your cause, as
well as theirs, in which they are engaged. It is
the cause of government, of home, of country,
of freedom, of humanity, of God himself. It is
in this righteous cause that I now call upon the
manhood and patriotism of the State for a
cordial and hearty response. The gallant
achievements of our noble Iowa first, have be
stowed upon our State an unperishable renown.
Wherever fortitude is appreciated, and valor
recognized, as the attributes of a brave and
great hearted people, the Iowa volunteer is now
greeted with pride and applause."322
The writing of appeals for volunteers, how
ever, was the smallest item in Kirkwood 's
activities in connection with the raising of
troops. He made trips to various parts of
Iowa and to eastern cities, held numerous con
ferences, and conducted a very heavy cor
respondence. Burdens of a similar nature
rested upon the Governors of all the northern
States. It was in December, 1861, that an inter
esting proposal was made by Governor Alex
ander W. Randall of Wisconsin. "It seems to
me ' ', he wrote, ' ' that the large amount of labor

FIRST YEAR OF WAR 219
and responsibility thrown upon the Executives
of the several states during the past season,
entitles them to some consideration at the
hands of Congress. In all cases where forces
enough have been sent from any State to entitle
the State to an appointment of Major General,
the Governor ought to be paid the compensa
tion of a Major General. In all other cases to
be paid the compensation of a Brigadier Gen
eral. ... I propose that we make common
cause with our members of Congress to favor
such an act."323
Whatever may have been Governor Kirk-
wood's reply to the* author of this proposal, his
attitude was expressed in a letter to Senator
Grimes on December 29th. He admitted that
the loyal Governors might with propriety hope
for more adequate recognition of their arduous
services in behalf of the General Government.
"But the Govt needs all its money & more," he
said, "and there are other better uses to which
to put the money. I am painfully impressed
with the conviction that our regiments have not
enough medical aid, and I would much rather
Congress would give an additional assistant
surgeon to each regiment from Iowa than any
pay to its Governor. ' '324

XIX
Message and Inaugural of 1862
The Ninth General Assembly of Iowa convened
in regular session at Des Moines on Monday,
January 13, 1862; and once more it was neces
sary for Governor Kirkwood to spend most of
his days in the executive office in the capitol at
Des Moines. Again it was his duty to com
municate to the legislature his views concerning
needed legislation and to deliver another in
augural address, for this was the beginning of
his second term as Governor.
On the second day of the session the biennial
message was read in both houses of the legis
lature. Attention was first called to the vital
subject of revenue and taxation. The expend
itures for all State purposes during the pre
ceding two years, he said, amounted to about
$300,000 annually. But in spite of the fact that
the government had been economically admin
istered, the finances of the State were not in "a
healthy condition". The Auditor's report re
vealed the startling fact that taxes for 1860 and
the years immediately preceding, to the amount
of $400,000, still remained delinquent and un-
220

MESSAGE AND INAUGURAL 221
paid; while warrants to the extent of over
$100,000 were outstanding. "From these
facts ' ', he continued, ' ' the following conclusions
are inevitable: 1st, That during the last four
years there has been levied a State tax larger
by about $300,000 than the necessities of the
State required. 2d, That this was rendered
necessary by the fact that only a portion of our
people paid the tax due the State. 3d, That the
State has been compelled yearly to pay large
sums by way of interest on warrants, which
need not have been paid had the taxes been col
lected promptly, and the Treasury kept sup
plied with funds to meet all demands upon it.
4th, That the State being compelled to purchase
its supplies with warrants has had to pay
higher prices than if it had had the cash to pay.
5th, That the tax-paying portion of our people
have thus been compelled to pay not only their
proper share of the public burthens, but also
the share of those who did not pay their taxes,
increased by interest and high prices."
A revision of the revenue laws was therefore
recommended. Two features were especially
suggested, namely, the "imposition of such
penalty for the non-payment of taxes when due,
as will make it unmistakably the interest of
every tax-payer to pay promptly"; and the
"assurance to the purchaser of property at a
tax sale, of a valid title at the expiration of a
fixed time."

222 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
The problem of revenue and taxation, more
over, was complicated by the probability that
the State would be asked that year to contribute
a tax of between $600,000 and $700,000 to aid
the Federal government in paying the interest
on its enormous and rapidly-growing debt. It
would be necessary for the legislature to pro
vide some plan to meet this situation. County
officials should also be given additional duties
and responsibilities in the matter of taxation,
since out of every $5.66 of taxes paid by the
people only one dollar reached the State treas
ury, while the remainder was used for local
purposes. Economy and accountability in local
expenditures were urgently required. The pay
ment of taxes, the Governor believed, would be
facilitated if United States treasury notes and
notes of the State banks of Iowa were to be
made receivable at par, instead of confining
payment entirely to specie.325
Military affairs were next discussed. Sixteen
regiments of infantry, four of cavalry, three
batteries of artillery, and one independent
company of cavalry for frontier service had
already been raised in Iowa, and two more regi
ments of infantry were at that time being re
cruited. After recounting the difficulties met
in the sale of State bonds, Kirkwood recom
mended that the legislature give careful con
sideration to some plan for providing more

MESSAGE AND INAUGURAL 223
adequate funds for the equipment of Iowa
troops. Additional medical attendants were
badly needed, and he urged that provision be
made for nurses and assistant surgeons. Some
changes were also needed in the militia law.320
Turning to the subject of school and univer
sity funds, the Governor urged that these funds
be adequately protected from future loss and
mismanagement. ' ' I am decidedly of opinion ' ',
was his interesting suggestion with regard to
the State University, "that not only the interest
of the institution, but also the interest of the
State requires that you should provide a Mili
tary Department of the University, and should
establish a Military Professorship therein.
The sad experience of the last few months, has
shown us the necessity of military knowledge
among our people."327
The needs of the penitentiary and the char
itable institutions, measures for the promotion
of agriculture, and the situation with regard to
the Federal land grants in Iowa all received
due consideration. "The year which has just
closed," said the Governor in conclusion, "has
brought to our people a new experience, new
trials, new responsibilities, and new duties.
Let us continue to meet them as we have thus
far met them, with neither an overweening con
fidence in, and reliance upon, our own strength,
nor an unmanly and craven fear for ourselves,

224 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
or of the hardships we may endure before we
win by deserving success, but with patience,
calmness, unflinching courage, and an abiding
faith in God."328
Shortly after noon on the following day a
joint committee of the legislature waited upon
Mr. Kirkwood and informed him that the votes
had been canvassed, that he had been declared
elected Governor of Iowa, and that the joint
convention was in readiness for the inaugura
tion. Thereupon, accompanied by the Lieuten
ant Governor, the Justices of the Supreme
Court, and the other State officers, he made his
way to the hall of the House of Representatives.
The oath of office was administered by Chief
Justice Caleb Baldwin, and "His Excellency
addressed the Joint Convention".329
Eloquently Kirkwood portrayed the events
leading up to the war, the causes of the great
struggle, and the situation in which the govern
ment then found itself. Especially did he
lament the apparent tendency in the North to
feel that in some way the South must still be
assured the continuance of the institution of
slavery. There was a lack of unity of purpose
and action. "It may be said that if we pro
claim freedom to slaves of rebel masters,
Slavery must suffer and may be extinguished",
he declared, "I reply: So be it. The friends of
Slavery have in its supposed interest thrust

MESSAGE AND INAUGURAL 225
this war with all its evils upon the country, and
upon them and upon it be the consequences. It
may be said the slaves of loyal masters will
escape, and thus loyal men will suffer loss."
While the latter result would be regretted it
should not be a deterrent influence, since the
interest of many individuals must necessarily
suffer in the midst of such a conflict.
"I will not be misunderstood", the speaker
continued. ' ' This war is waged by our Govern
ment for the preservation of the Union, and not
for the extinction of Slavery, unless the pres
ervation of the one shall require the extinction
of the other. If the war were so prosecuted
that on to-morrow the preservation of the
Union were effected and secured, I would not
now wage the war another day. I would not
now spend further treasure or further life to
effect the extinction of Slavery, although I
might regret that the war of its own producing
had left in it enough of life to leave it to be our
bane and pest in the future as it has been in the
past. But while this is true, it is also true that
if I had the power on to-morrow to end this
terrible strife and preserve our Union by the
extinction of Slavery, while to preserve both
would require a month's, or a week's, or a
day's, or an hour's further war; the spending
of a single additional dollar or the loss of a
single additional life; so surely as the Lord
lives, this War would close to-morrow."
16

226 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
There was every indication now, he said, that
the war would be a long, hard struggle. This
would mean that the people of Iowa must bear
many burdens. "Life is valuable, but it is
intended to be useful; and how can any one
make his life more useful than by giving it for
his country?" There would also be heavy
taxes to pay. "We must give up the idea of
money making to a great extent until this war
is over. We must be content to devote to the
preservation of the country a portion of all the
surplus we have been accustomed to lay up in
years gone by. We may be required to return
to customs and expedients for many years
abandoned." All these facts must be squarely
faced with the firm determination that at any
cost the Union must be preserved. Although
all its policies might not meet with approval
the administration at Washington must be
loyally supported.330
This address, so outspoken and uncompro
mising, did not fail to attract attention. From
Washington, D. C, came a letter of enthusi
astic thanks. "It has received the most flat
tering commendation from prominent men
here", said the writer . "Would to God the
administration was thoroughly imbued with
your views, and would act on them."331 A few
weeks later there was received from far-away
Denmark a twelve-page communication from

MESSAGE AND INAUGURAL 227
one who was apparently a rabid socialist, dis
approving of the address at every point.332
These were days of gloom and foreboding
throughout the North. Only a few compara
tively unimportant victories had thus far
favored the Union arms. Indecision, ineffi
ciency, and delay seemed everywhere to prevail,
and the prospect was very dark. Even Gov
ernor Kirkwood, with all his optimism, was at
times very downhearted, although he never con
fided his fears except to his most intimate
friends.333 Such was the situation on the morning of
February 17, 1862. In the House of Repre
sentatives at Des Moines a filibuster was in
progress over some very inconsequential mat
ter. The chief clerk, Charles Aldrich, had
called the roll until his head ached, and was
just in the midst of the last roll call when Frank
W. Palmer, the State Printer, entered the hall
"in a manner betokening intense excitement."
He made his way quickly around the side of the
room and up to the Speaker's desk. "In an
instant, the Speaker, Hon. Rush Clark, of
Johnson County, sprang to his feet, in the very
midst of the roll-call, shouting at the top of his
voice, 'Gen. Grant has captured Fort Donel-
son!' " A rousing scene ensued. "The mem
bers sprang to their feet with the wildest cheers
and hurrahs that ever woke the echoes of the

228 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Old Capitol building. The contemptible little
political squabble was as completely forgotten
as though it had happened in some ante-diluvian
time, and the members went fairly wild, hug
ging each other, shaking hands, cheering, and
in every possible manner giving way to expres
sions of extravagant delight. ' '
Leaving the capitol building, by common con
sent the legislators gathered around the board
at the old Des Moines House, where the hilarity
continued unabated, aided it must be confessed
in many cases by the drinking of much liquor.
Among the speakers was Governor Kirkwood,
whose joy over the victory was as great as that
of anyone, and he made a speech which was
long remembered — a speech in which he gave
free vent to his feeling of resentment against
England because of the Trent affair.334
The elation over the victory was tempered on
the morrow, however, when it was learned at
what fearful cost in men the fort had been won.
There was mourning in many Iowa homes when
the death-list came in. To Governor Kirkwood
it was a source of solemn pride that the Second
Iowa Regiment had played so conspicuous a
part in the assault. Shortly before in St. Louis
that regiment had been publicly disgraced.
Because of alleged acts of vandalism on the
part of a few of its members, the whole regi
ment had been ordered, by General Schuyler

MESSAGE AND INAUGURAL 229
Hamilton, to march through the streets of St.
Louis with flags furled and without music when
it was embarking to take its place in the lines
around Fort Donelson. Governor Kirkwood
had indignantly returned the copy of the order
which had been sent to him by General Hamil
ton, and had vigorously protested against the
injustice of the order to General Halleck and
others.335 But now the stigma on the good name of the
Second Iowa was forever removed. "The flag
that our 2d Regt could not carry open through
the streets of St. Louis", he wrote to General
Hamilton on March 20th, "they did carry
proudly through the storm of battle at Fort
Donelson and planted first of all others on the
entrenchments of that stronghold of treason.
It now hangs over the chair of the Speaker of
the House of Representatives and will soon be
deposited among the most sacred treasures of
our State in our State Historical Society. I am
content that what I have done in connection
with it, shall be so written, that all who see it
may read the record. The 'miscreants' of
whom your order speaks either died in uphold
ing it on that bloody day or helped carry it
over the entrenchments."336

XX
The Governor and His Soldiers
The adjournment of the General Assembly
again left Governor Kirkwood free to devote
his time and energies almost exclusively to
military affairs. His signal success in this con
nection during the succeeding two years gave
him a prominent place among the loyal execu
tives of the northern Commonwealths, and
made him one of the best loved men in Iowa.
The first concern of the Governor and his
military staff was to see that Iowa furnished
its full quota of men, and to see that they were
properly trained, equipped and cared for, and
dispatched in due time to the scene of con
flict.337 On July 2, 1862, there went out from
Washington the call for three hundred thou
sand more troops to be enlisted for a period of
three years, Iowa's quota being over ten thou
sand.338 "The Eighteenth Iowa Infantry is
rapidly organizing", was Kirkwood 's message
to President Lincoln three days later. "Shall
have it ready in about thirty days. Our har
vesting prevents rapid recruiting just now.
Iowa will do her duty. She has furnished
230

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 231
already seventeen regiments of infantry, five
regiments of cavalry, and three batteries of
artillery."339 Shortly afterward he wrote that
"we have scarcely men enough to save our
crops, but if need be our women can help."340
Another call for three hundred thousand men
was issued on August 4th, but in this case the
enlistment was to be for a period of only nine
months. Governor Kirkwood refused to enlist
men for so short a service. He believed that
it would be a shortsighted policy to permit
terms of enlistment to expire just at the time
when the men so enlisted had gained the train
ing and experience required to make them effec
tive as soldiers. Happily, the people of Iowa
were of the same mind with the Governor. In
fact the response to the previous call was so
enthusiastic that there was no need to ask for
enlistments under the call of August 4th;
although men were still needed to fill the many
vacancies in the old regiments.
"So many troops have offered that we have
not blankets to enable us to put them in quar
ters", was the message sent by Governor Kirk
wood to the War Department on August 16th.
"Tell me what I shall do with over 100 com
panies of volunteers above the 50 under the
300,000 call for volunteers", demanded Ad
jutant General Baker four days later.341 On
the same day the Governor made the following
appeal to Secretary Stanton :

232 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
First. There are companies now full and that will
be filled by the 23d to fill eighteen to twenty regi
ments. Our whole State appears to be volunteering.
Second. The companies are now coming into rendez
vous as rapidly as I can furnish blankets for them.
Could have them all in next week if I had blankets
and could build quarters fast enough. Have blankets
for only five regiments. Third. I don't want any
further time than the 23d. All I want is to put into
regiments all the companies full on that day. If I
don't get this permission I will have to volunteer
myself and leave the State.342
Thus the quotas assigned to Iowa under the
two calls of the summer of 1862 were filled by
volunteers within a surprisingly short time.
But the raising of men to fill the gaps in the
ranks of the old regiments was a more difficult
matter. About eight thousand men were needed
for this purpose. In July the Governor wrote
to General Halleck, suggesting that recruiting
officers should be sent to the localities where the
companies of the old regiments were originally
raised, since men would enlist more readily if
assured that they would be among friends and
acquaintances.343 "I am satisfied the old regi
ments cannot be filled by voluntary enlistments
either in this State or in the North West", he
wrote to Secretary Stanton a month later.
"The stimulus of nearly forty commissions in
each regiment is wanting. In my judgment a

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 233
draft to fill the old regiments will be necessary.
Had it not better be ordered by you at once and
thus save much valuable time — Such is my de
cided opinion." In case a draft should be
ordered he asked permission to discriminate
between counties, in order that no additional
burden might fall on those counties which had
already furnished more than their share of
men.344 An appeal to the people of Iowa for troops
to fill up the old regiments was issued by Kirk
wood on August 20th. He explained that while
Iowa had furnished more volunteers than had
been requested by the Federal government, the
War Department declined to credit the State
with this excess until the old regiments were
filled. "I appeal then to every man for aid",
he said. "Let everything else be laid aside,
until this needed work is done. Let the young
men whose brothers and friends are in our old
regiments take their places by their sides."
If the deficiency were not soon supplied by vol
unteering, it would be necessary to resort to a
draft.345 In fact drafting commissioners were
appointed and all the machinery was provided
for putting conscription into operation.
About the middle of September the Governor
issued a circular to these commissioners, in
forming them that there were enough volun
teers to fill Iowa's quotas for new regiments.

234 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Thus, to avoid a draft it was only necessary to
fill the old regiments. "Still the danger of a
draft is imminent. The order may reach me on
any day to commence the draft to fill the regi
ments. You will therefore perfect all your
arrangements for the draft. Have everything
done that is required of you by the instructions
heretofore sent you, so that you will be able to
commence the draft in one day's notice, and
await such further instructions as may be sent
you."346 The possibility of a draft hung over the
people of Iowa through the remaining months
of the year 1862 and throughout the succeeding
year. Firm in his determination that compul
sory measures should be adopted whenever
volunteering should fail to produce the required
men, Samuel J. Kirkwood was made the target
for much bitter criticism. But it so happened
that the resort to conscription was not neces
sary in Iowa until after he had ceased to be
Governor of the Commonwealth.347 His own
outspoken loyalty and untiring activity was a
potent influence in accomplishing this result.
Kirkwood did not rest content, however,
when the men had been enlisted and mustered
into service. No parent or relative could have
been more solicitous for the welfare of the Iowa
soldiers, individually or collectively. "Say to
the boys one and all I am delighted with them",

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 235
he wrote to an Iowa officer in May, 1862, "and
expect to hear further from them in the next
battle. I am fearful in regard to their health.
I hope you will insist upon the line officers giv
ing personal attention to every thing that may
prevent sickness."348
Late in August he sent out an appeal through
the press for supplies for the Iowa troops.
"Your relatives, your friends," he said, "those
who by blood and home associations are dear to
many of you, those whose generous sacrifices
for the good of our common country should
endear them to all, are suffering in camp on a
distant soil, from the want of some of the neces
saries of healthy life. . . . The season is at
hand when vegetable matter is indispensable
for health. Scurvy, the dread of the soldier;
and the diseases incident to approaching
autumn, demand that a full supply should be
soon on hand ready for distribution." Pota
toes, onions, tomatoes, beets, poultry, butter,
eggs, and fruit were especially desired, as well
as articles of clothing.349
Believing that the needs of the soldiers de
manded immediate and more adequate atten
tion, the Governor called the General Assembly
to meet in special session on September 3, 1862.
On the opening day his message was read before
both houses. He urged legislation for the bet
ter care of sick and wounded soldiers and for

236 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
their return to their homes on furlough. More
help was greatly needed in the Adjutant Gen
eral's office and the compensation of that busy
officer should be increased. In order that
vacancies in the old regiments should be filled
as they occurred he urged, first, that a camp of
instruction should be established within the
State, and second, that provision should be
made for the payment of bounties to persons
enlisting in these regiments.
Especially did Governor Kirkwood recom
mend the passage of a law enabling the soldiers
to vote. "The very life of the Nation is at
stake," he declared, "and may be as fatally
lost at the ballot box as on the battle field.
Under such circumstances it is not only the
right but the duty of all good citizens to exer
cise the right of suffrage, and to see to it that
the principles for the preservation of which our
people are so freely offering treasure and life,
are not jeopardized or lost in the Halls of Leg
islation, State or National. A very large
number of the electors of the State are in the
army. . . . Under existing laws these citi
zens can not vote, and unless these laws can be
changed it may be that the cause they are peril
ing life in the field to maintain, may be lost at
home through supineness or treachery. I there
fore recommend that the laws be so modified
that all members of Iowa regiments who would

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 237
be entitled to vote if at home on the day of
election, be allowed to vote wherever they may
be stationed in the United States, and that pro
vision be made for receiving and canvassing
their votes."330
Practically all of these recommendations
were followed by the legislature. Laws were
enacted which strengthened the hands of the
Governor and made it possible for Iowa to meet
the needs of the great conflict more efficiently.
During the months which followed Governor
Kirkwood wrote hundreds of letters in the in
terests of the Iowa troops. Sometimes it was
an appeal on behalf of some individual soldier.
"Nicholas Russell a private in Capt. Robin
son's Co in your regiment is said by his father
to be unfit for service", he wrote to an Iowa
officer early in December. "He is at Rolla.
His mother is much distressed about him —
says he can do nothing there but die — she
wants him home. . . . Please give this mat
ter special attention and by so doing much
oblige me."331
His great solicitude was to be sure that
everything possible was done to prevent sick
ness among the troops and to provide adequate
care for the sick and wounded. "I at times
feel almost disheartened in regard to sanitary
affairs", he confessed in November. "There
seems to be so much jealousy and ill will among

238 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
those engaged in the matter that it discourages
me and will I fear discourage those who have
been contributing so liberally for this pur
pose."332 To the surgeon of the First Iowa
Cavalry he wrote: "I need not impress on you
the necessity of doing all that can be done for
our brave boys. Let me say one thing — Don't
let them lack for any thing. Red tape or no red
tape see they have all they need."353
In March, 1863, Kirkwood wrote to General
Halleck urging that provision be made for the
discharge of permanently disabled soldiers,
and for the return to Iowa of many others who
needed rest and medical treatment. It was his
belief that many men died in hospitals in the
South who could be saved at home.354 "Please
send me by express fifteen hundred dollars of
extra contingent fund ' ', he wrote to the Auditor
of State at about this time. "The sickness of
our soldiers is making heavy drafts on me. If I
have got down to the appropriation at the extra
session get this approved by the Census Board
— I want it immediately. ' '353 In June he wrote
a long letter to Secretary Stanton relative to
the care of sick and wounded soldiers. He
insisted that the Iowa men should be brought to
Keokuk, where there were between 1000 and
1500 vacant beds. Later he made an urgent
appeal to General Grant.356
Kirkwood 's activities in behalf of the welfare

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 239
of the troops did not stop with the writing of
letters, nor did he base his knowledge solely on
the evidence of others. He made many personal
visits to the camps and hospitals where Iowa
men were to be found, in order to judge for
himself concerning their treatment and needs.
Cairo, St. Louis, Helena, the battle lines around
Fort Donelson and Vicksburg, and many other
distant places, to say nothing of the various
points of rendezvous in Iowa, were visited by
the Governor and members of his staff. Every
where his coming was hailed with delight and
he came into personal and friendly contact with
soldiers of all ranks from private to general.
The feeling of the Iowa troops was reflected in
the correspondence from a soldier in a regiment
stationed in the rear of Vicksburg. "Gov.
Kirkwood and Adj. Gen. Baker were here on the
10th", he wrote. "The Governor is the same in
' Dixie 7 that he is in Iowa. ' ' It was doubtless on
this occasion that the Confederates, attracted by
the cheering when the Governor was addressing
the troops, proceeded to shell the locality where
he was speaking.357
The exchange of prisoners was another mat
ter which required of Governor Kirkwood no
small amount of correspondence and caused
him no little vexation. Especially was this true
in the case of the Iowa men captured by the
Confederates at the battle of Shiloh. After

240 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
being held for a time they were released on
parole. Being quartered at Benton Barracks,
they were ordered to relieve a Missouri regi
ment in the performance of guard duty. This
order they considered a violation of their parole
oaths and they refused to obey. Thereupon,
some of the officers were placed in the guard
house and the men were made to feel the dis
pleasure of the authorities in charge at St.
Louis. Kirkwood considered this treatment to be
very unjust. As early as June, 1862, he began
his efforts for the relief of these men. ' ' I object
to Iowa soldiers who are on parole doing any
thing which by implication or indirection may
make them violate that parole", declared Ad
jutant General Baker to the Secretary of War
on July 21st. "Most of these men are at
Benton Barracks and should be furloughed to
their homes until exchanged. They are as
brave and willing men as ever lived. . . .
Do not allow punishment to brave and gallant
men who have done their duty."358 On the
following day the Governor wrote a letter, less
peremptory in tone, to Secretary Stanton; and
soon he received assurance that an exchange
would be made and that the men would be
released from any necessity of violating their
parole.359 But as late as the middle of October the men

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 241
were still at Benton Barracks. "Governor
Kirkwood directs me again to call your atten
tion to the Iowa soldiers taken prisoners by the
rebels at the battle of Shiloh," was the message
of N. H. Brainerd to Stanton. "All the rebel
prisoners taken at Donelson, Shiloh and Island
No. 10, in large part by Iowa troops, have been
returned to the rebels, but no Iowa man received
in exchange. Our people know this and are
greatly dissatisfied and feel that the Govern
ment is not treating our troops fairly. . . .
Will you inform me why it is that no Iowa man
is exchanged?"360 It was not until November
17th that the Governor received word that all
the Iowa troops captured at Shiloh had been
exchanged.361 Again, the securing of recognition for the ser
vices of Iowa men through promotions was an
object close to the Governor's heart. He was
always quick to resent any slights to Iowa men,
and was constantly alert to obtain all possible
appointments for them. In a letter to Lincoln,
for instance, early in December, 1861, he called
attention to the fact that Iowa had not received
its due proportion of Brigadier Generals. Such
appointments, he said, would foster State pride
and improve the service; and he proposed the
names of Nicholas Perczel, Marcellus M.
Crocker, M. L. Elliott, and Grenville M.
Dodge.362 Later he urged Senator Grimes to
17

242 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
use his influence to secure the promotion of
Iowa men. Grenville M. Dodge he considered
to be one of the best military men in the State.
"Tattle's charge at Donelson", he added, "is
one of the most brilliant things of this or any
other war. I have been over the ground he
charged over & I believe that none but Iowa
troops could have done it."363
But the wheels of the government at Wash
ington turned slowly. "I am perfectly dis
gusted with the action of the authorities in
regard to Brigadierships from Iowa", Kirk
wood wrote to Crocker on February 28, 1863.
"There were six recommendations. . . . That
slate was broken and a new one made up. How
it was made I don't know except that your name
was on it & I hope will be kept on. I am told
that Halleck makes these slates. I have argued,
remonstrated & sworn about this matter."364
To be sure there were many men who were
sorely disappointed when expected promotions
did not come to them, and too frequently they
placed the blame on the Governor. In most
cases he replied with patience and absence of
resentment. When one officer complained that
"while you repeatedly acknowledged my just
claims to promotion, you gave preference to
such as can command political influence, which
I do not",303 the Governor calmly denied the
charge and explained the course he had fob

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 243
lowed. ' ' Write me often & frankly, ' ' he added.
"If you think you have cause for complaint,
complain boldly. I can bear criticism, blame,
even reproach from one whom I esteem as sin
cere & honest as I do you."366
' ' There are thousands of men Captain in the
ranks as good as either of us", he admonished a
captain laboring under a feeling of unjust treat
ment, "and when I am disposed to complain of
the extent of my labors and the injustice I at
times receive I think of those poor fellows & try
to bear all cheerfully." In conclusion he
wished the captain "a speedy restoration to
health and a future as useful & honorable as
your past has been".367
Only occasionally did he permit anger to show
itself in his letters to soldiers, no matter what
the provocation. But he stated exactly what
was in his mind to a certain colonel who refused
to deliver a commission which had been awarded
to a member of his regiment. "In regard to the
matter of Lieut. Peacock", Governor Kirkwood
wrote, "I have only this to say. I have already
forwarded to him a duplicate commission.
Should this not have reached him I direct you
to deliver the commission sent you by me for
him. Should you continue to refuse to deliver
it . . . or should you for the future refuse
to deliver any other commission sent you for an
officer of your regiment I will report you to the

244 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Secretary of War as guilty of conduct unbecom
ing an officer and ask that you be punished.
. . . Your letter, although perhaps such as
is worthy you is not worthy your place. Until
you withdraw it and apologize for it I cannot
recognize any further recommendations from
you for promotions in your regiment."368
In the midst of the multifarious details which
required attention it is truly remarkable that
the Governor found time to write by his own
hand literally hundreds of friendly letters to
soldiers. Letters of praise and encouragement,
words of fatherly advice, and messages of
gentle reproof were dispatched at every pos
sible opportunity. "I congratulate you very
sincerely on your promotion. I wish all similar
ones were as well earned and would be as
worthily worn", he wrote to Grenville M.
Dodge, when he had been promoted to the posi
tion of Brigadier General.369 "The State of
Iowa will cherish in unwavering memory and in
the hearts of her people the glorious career of
her Sons in the field who thus in the fray of
deadly battle attest the devotion of the State to
the Union, liberty and the law."370 This was a
portion of a letter to Col. D. B. Hillis in praise
of the valiant conduct of his regiment in the
battle of Corinth. "Hoping you may soon get
your pay and leave to return home a short time
and that you will be a good soldier while in ser-

GOVERNOR AND SOLDIERS 245
vice and a good man after your return", were
his closing words to a private who was sick in a
hospital at Keokuk.371
"If there be no truth in the reports no harm
is done to any one", wrote Kirkwood to a
colonel who had been accused of drunkenness,
"and if unfortunately you have perhaps uncon
sciously fallen into this error may I not hope
the fact that it is known & is a source of deep
regret to your best friends will induce you to
retrieve yourself? The good name & fame of
your regiment is dear to every citizen of Iowa,
and may I not confidently hope that you will
not do any thing that will tend to the injury of
either? Believe me this letter is written in all
kindness & if you will allow me to say so with
the most friendly spirit."372 When another
Iowa colonel was in trouble because of his
refusal to obey an order which he believed un
justified, the Governor wrote a letter of sym
pathy and friendly counsel. "It looks to me as
it does to you as if it were an intentional
slight", he wrote. "But Colonel I regret you
did not obey the order even if it was an im
proper one technically. My experience in life
shows me it is better to treat these small annoy
ances with the contempt they deserve and not
magnify them into matters of importance by
opposition to them. Your regiment is suffering
and must continue to suffer by reason of your
arrest."373

246 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
These are only illustrations of the many let
ters which strengthened the affection which the
Iowa soldiers felt for the Governor who took
such a friendly, personal interest in their wel
fare. In return a great many of them wrote
letters to him, telling of army life, of their
needs, their hopes and ambitions, and often
times sending relics for the collections of the
State Historical Society.

XXI
The Altoona Meeting of Loyal Governors
The many duties of his office did not drive from
Governor Kirkwood 's mind a feeling of dis
satisfaction with the manner in which the war
was being prosecuted — a feeling which grew
apace during the summer of 1862. The western
armies, to be sure, had given good accounts of
themselves ; but in the East there was delay and
inaction. General McClellan, with a magnificent
army which idolized him and with the best
equipment that could be afforded, still displayed
his characteristic reluctance to engage the
enemy. Then early in September the Confed
erate army under Robert E. Lee swept into
Maryland, thus threatening Baltimore and
Washington. To many people in the North the
Union seemed to be tottering to its fall.
It was during this disheartening period that
Kirkwood received a telegram from Governor
Andrew G. Curtin of Pennsylvania, and later a
circular letter signed by two or three additional
State executives, urging him to attend a meet
ing of loyal Governors to be held at the little
mountain town of Altoona, Pennsylvania, on
247

248 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
September 24th. The critical situation of the
country, it was felt, demanded united action.
It was furthermore believed that a loyal address
on the part of the State executives would infuse
new hope into the North and give the President
the support he needed. At the same time, it
was evidently the plan that the conference
should result in the giving of some very plain
advice to the administration concerning the
conduct of military affairs and the desirability
of emancipation. As it turned out a portion of
this contemplated advice was rendered unneces
sary. On September 17th the Confederate
advance was halted and rolled back at the
bloody battle of Antietam; and while on the
train traveling to the conference Samuel J.
Kirkwood read in a newspaper President
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of Sep
tember 22nd.
Nevertheless, there were still many matters
which the conference could profitably discuss.
At least twelve Governors were present, and
others were represented by proxies.374 "The
Proclamation was freely discussed by us ' ', said
Governor Kirkwood many years later. "Its
issuance by the President was heartily approved
by most if not all present, and it was resolved
that an address to the President should be pre
pared for presentation to him expressing that
approval. Governor Andrew was appointed to

ALTOONA MEETING 249
prepare the address and he did so. We then
discussed the condition of military affairs and
especially the fitness of Gen. McClellan for mili
tary command. On this point there was some
difference of opinion, but my recollection is that
a decided majority were of opinion that the
public welfare would be promoted by his retire
ment from the command of the Army of the
Potomac." A New York newspaper declared it had
Kirkwood 's permission to state that his was
the strongest statement in the conference
against McClellan. He was quoted as saying
that McClellan "had done wrong in allowing
bad men and bad newspapers who were doing
all in their power to help the rebellion to suc
cess, to be his peculiar champions, although he
knew that ten words from his lips would send
them to hell, where they belonged."373
It was decided, however, that the address to
the President should not contain a reference to
General McClellan, but that the Governors
would go to Washington and have a personal
interview with Lincoln. The plan was carried
out, and a private interview was arranged at
the request of the Governors, since they be
lieved it best that such differences of opinion
as they might have should not be made public.
The address which had been prepared was read
by Governor John A. Andrew of Massachusetts.

250 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
In it the executives expressed their "heartfelt
gratitude" for the proclamation, and their
unalterable determination to stand by the Pres
ident in all his efforts to push the war to a
speedy and decisive conclusion.
After the reply of the President, some of the
Governors expressed their opinions concerning
General McClellan. Among those whose opinion
was unfavorable none was more outspoken than
Governor Kirkwood. This was perhaps nat
ural. As the executive of a western State, he
keenly felt that although most of the victories
of the war had been won by western armies due
attention had not been given to the armies of
the west.
' ' What had the army of the Potomac done ? ' ',
he asked later in life when explaining his atti
tude toward McClellan. "It had done as much
and as hard fighting as the western armies but
with what result? If the results were not
glorious and profitable the fault was not with
the soldiers; where was it? I then thought and
still think it was with the commander. He was
often in a quarrel with the President, the Cab
inet and the Radicals, as he called a large
portion of the republican members of congress.
He seemed to think the salvation of the country
depended on him alone and was continually
complaining. . . . The army of the Poto
mac had the first and best of every thing and

ALTOONA MEETING 251
our western armies had what was left. The
army of the Potomac was better and sooner
armed, better clothed, better equipped in every
way than our western armies. The public posi
tion I then held compelled me to know it, and I
was sometimes angry, and I fear at times a
little profane about it, and yet our western
troops were always doing something and
McClellan was only getting ready."
Thus it was that in speaking for himself and
the people of Iowa, Governor Kirkwood told the
President that he believed that General McClel
lan was unfit to command an army. Although
his men were well equipped, well disciplined,
and fought as bravely as men ever fought, they
were constantly being defeated.
"You Iowa people then judge generals as
you do lawyers," said Lincoln, with one of his
genial smiles, "by their success in trying
cases." "Yes," replied Kirkwood, "something like
that ; the lawyer who is always losing his cases,
especially when he was right and had justice on
his side don 't get much practice in Iowa. ' '
After the talk continued thus good-naturedly
for some time, Kirkwood spoke even more
directly what was on his mind. "Mr. Presi
dent," he said, "our Iowa people fear and I
fear that the Administration is afraid to re
move Gen. McClellan."

252 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
The color mounted to Lincoln's cheek and the
Iowa executive saw that he had been too abrupt.
"Understand me," he hastened to explain, "we
fear that the strong efforts made by Gen.
McClellan and his toadies in the army to attach
his soldiers to him personally and their efforts
and the efforts of a certain class of politicians
outside the army to cause his soldiers to believe
that the severe criticisms to which the General
has been subjected are intended to apply to
them (the soldiers) as well as to him (their
commander) have so prejudiced his soldiers'
minds as to make it unsafe to remove him for
fear his removal might cause insubordination,
perhaps mutiny; that is what I meant when I
spoke of your being afraid to remove him. ' '
"Gov. Kirkwood," replied Lincoln slowly
and with emphasis, after a brief silence, "if I
believed our cause would be benefited by remov
ing Gen. McClellan to-morrow, I would remove
him to-morrow. I do not so believe to-day, but
if the time shall come when I shall so believe I
will remove him promptly, and not till then."
In spite of the frankness of this reply, or
perhaps because of it, Samuel J. Kirkwood went
away well satisfied. He realized that the prob
lem was one for the proper solution of which
the President must take the responsibility, and
he knew that Lincoln meant and would do just
what he said.

XXII
Border Defense
Although far removed from the scenes of
decisive combat between North and South, the
soil of Iowa was not wholly without danger of
invasion. Governor Kirkwood 's chief and most
arduous task was to make sure that this State
did its full share in the struggle to preserve the
Union. But almost equally pressing was the
necessity of protecting the people of Iowa
against threatened inroads by border ruffians
from Missouri and redskins from the north and
west. Scarcely had the war begun when there came
disquieting reports from the Missouri border.
There was great uncertainty concerning the
course which Missouri might pursue. "I have
strong hope Missouri will have too much sense
to attack us", Kirkwood wrote on April 30th.
"Exposed as she is on three sides, to Illinois,
Iowa & Kansas a border war on her part will be
madness but it is well to be prepared. Impress
on your people the necessity of good order on
their part towards Missourians unless attacked.
Act only on the defensive until an attack is
253

254 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
made. Should any outbreak occur notify me at
once. ' ' At the same time he urged that ' ' minute
men" should be organized in all the southern
counties, with such arms as were to be found,
and that these companies should hold them
selves in readiness to respond to a call on short
notice. ' ' This is not what I would like to do ' ',
he said, "or what perhaps is the best thing
could be done if we had arms but is the best
thing can be done now."376
In a letter to a citizen of Missouri a few days
later the Governor declared that if there were
hostilities between the people of Missouri and
the people of Iowa they must be begun by the
former. But, he added, " if we are attacked we
will take what we deem the best means of de
fense even if that should be to carry the war
across our border into Missouri."377
About the middle of May, 1861, he appointed
John Edwards of Chariton and Cyrus Bussey
of Bloomfield as special aids, with large dis
cretionary powers, to organize means of pre
serving tranquillity in the border counties. "I
was well satisfied the peace of our State would
be more easily preserved by preventing inva
sion than by repelling it," said the Governor
later in describing his activities to the legis
lature, "and therefore while I could not order
our State troops beyond our State line, I in
structed Colonels Edwards and Bussey, and

BORDER DEFENSE 255
through them the troops under their command,
that if at any time the loyal men of Northern
Missouri were in peril and called upon them for
assistance, they had as full authority as I could
give them to lead their men into Missouri to the
aid of the loyal men there, and my promise upon
their return that my power should be used to
the utmost extent to protect them, if called in
question for so doing."378
As a matter of fact Iowa men did cross over
into Missouri on several occasions during the
summer of 1861. Late in July, for instance,
John Edwards reported that "at least 1,500
citizens of Iowa left their harvest fields and
families and rushed into Missouri to the relief
of the Union men. These citizens were armed
in every conceivable manner, without officers,
system, or drill."379 Nevertheless, the assist
ance thus rendered was effective and the Gov
ernor received assurances of appreciation from
loyal officers and citizens of Missouri.
All through the summer and fall of 1861 there
was uneasiness in southern Iowa. Inspired by
Confederate successes, strong bands of rebels
continued to harass northern Missouri, and to
threaten vengeance against the people of Iowa
Avho on several occasions had helped to thwart
their designs. "A battle lost at this time by
General Fremont", wrote Kirkwood to Lincoln
early in October, "would lay all our southern

256 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
border open to devastation and plunder by the
victors, and while we have strong trust that
success and not defeat awaits us, the probability
of a different result naturally excites alarm."380
In order to be ready for any emergency Gov
ernor Kirkwood appointed men in all the
counties along the southern border to organize
all the able-bodied men into companies and
regiments for home protection. "As you are
aware," he wrote in a circular letter to the
officers thus appointed, "the State is not prop
erly armed, nor can arms be had at present by
the State. Under these circumstances you will
require every man in your county having pri
vate arms to report the number and kind of
arms he has. Double-barreled shotguns and
hunting rifles, although not the best, are good
arms in the hands of brave men."381
Thus with characteristic vigor and common
sense did Governor Kirkwood direct measures
for home defense. Fortunately, the time soon
came when all danger from invasion by organ
ized Confederate forces from Missouri was
removed. But bands of guerrillas infested the
region throughout the war,382 and no section of
the border was safe from the raids of these out
laws bent on horse-stealing, plunder, and de
struction. "I wrote you over a year ago in
regard to bushwhackers from your State who
were doing much mischief among us", wrote

BORDER DEFENSE 257
Kirkwood to the Governor of Missouri in
March, 1863. "This thing has now reached a
point when self protection requires the author
ities of this State to take some steps for the
removal of these men." He insisted that co
operation on the part of the Missouri executive
was demanded, if for no other reason, on the
ground of " a proper comity to this State, which
is not willing to have its peace endangered by
vagabonds, robbers and murderers from Mis
souri."383 Until the very end of his adminis
tration no small part of Governor Kirkwood 's
correspondence had to do with troubles on the
Missouri border.
Meanwhile the situation on the western and
northern borders of the State was equally
alarming. All northwestern Iowa, from Coun
cil Bluffs to Kossuth County, was still an Indian
frontier, and the memory of the Spirit Lake
massacre of 1857 was fresh in the minds of the
settlers. When the garrisons at the military
posts on the upper Missouri and in the north
west were weakened or wholly withdrawn at the
outbreak of the war, the redskins soon showed
signs of increasing restlessness. Apprehension
grew apace in the small villages and scattered
settlements in northwestern Iowa, and the
problem of defense was one of the many sub
jects claiming the Governor's attention.
Even before Fort Sumter had been fired upon
18

258 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Kirkwood wrote to the Secretary of War asking
for arms for the protection of the frontier.
This plea was reiterated immediately after the
beginning of hostilities, when he requested that
five hundred long-range rifles be sent to Council
Bluffs and an equal number to Sioux City.384
In reply to these and other urgent appeals, the
War Department informed the Governor that
the troops called into service by the government
would not be taken out of the State immedi
ately and that they would be furnished with
arms which would be sent to Keokuk. The
Secretary of War felt that these troops could be
used in case of emergency and until other
arrangements could be made.385
"In regard to furnishing arms for the
militia," was Kirkwood 's somewhat impatient
answer to this suggestion, "you propose to
place 1,000 stand of arms 'at Keokuk, in charge
of Colonel Curtis, or some other responsible
person, to be used in case of emergency.' In
reply I can only say that if by this it is intended
that the arms shall remain in Keokuk until an
attack is actually made by Indians, and then be
used to repel such attack, such arrangement will
not be of practical benefit. Keokuk is at least
300 miles from Council Bluffs, and nearly or
quite 400 miles from Sioux City, in which region
the Indians will be troublesome, if at all.
Between Keokuk and either of these points

BORDER DEFENSE 259
there are only about 80 miles of railroad, and
the balance of the way arms, &c, must be car
ried by wagon. The Indians might invade our
State, do incalculable injury, and be gone be
yond our reach long before an express could
reach Keokuk and the arms taken to the point
of attack."386
Caleb Baldwin of Council Bluffs and A. W.
Hubbard of Sioux City were appointed as aids,
to act for the Governor and keep him informed.
Companies of mounted men were organized and
called into service for short periods at different
times. Up to January, 1862, Kirkwood was
able to report, no Indian raids had occurred.387
But during the summer of 1862 feverish
excitement prevailed in northern Iowa. The
Sioux Indians went on the war-path in southern
Minnesota. Plundering and burning dwellings
as they went, the savages massacred hundreds
of settlers, especially in the vicinity of New Ulm
just north of the Iowa line. The news of this
uprising spread terror among the scattered
settlements in north-central Iowa, and many
squatters deserted their homes and fled for
safety to the more thickly settled portion of the
State.388 It was a situation which demanded
prompt action.
"I am informed there is probable danger of
an attack by hostile Indians, on the inhabitants
of the Northwestern portion of our State",

260 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
wrote Governor Kirkwood to S. R. Ingham on
August 29th. "You will please proceed at once
to Fort Dodge and to such other points there as
you may deem proper. Use the arms, ammu
nition and money placed at your disposal in
such manner as your judgment may dictate as
best to promote the object in view, to-wit: the
protection of the inhabitants of the frontier.
. . . Use your discretion in all things, and
exercise any power I could exercise if I were
present, according to your best discretion."389
Two weeks later the Governor issued general
orders for the organization of five companies of
State troops to defend the frontier, which had
been authorized by the General Assembly at the
special session of 1862. Realizing that it would
be impossible to maintain troops on the border
permanently, he suggested that block-houses,
surrounded by stockades, should be erected at
frequent intervals in the threatened area.
"These houses and grounds", he said, "are
intended as rallying points in the future for the
settlers in cases like the present, at which they
can maintain themselves until help can reach
them. This, in my judgment, is the only way in
which security can ever be given to the bor
der."390 About the same time he sent an
urgent telegram to the War Department asking
for arms and ammunition.891
The Governor's orders were faithfully car-

BORDER DEFENSE 261
ried out. Five companies were raised and
organized into what was known as the Northern
Iowa Border Brigade. "About two hundred
and fifty men, rank and file, were distributed
among several towns situated between Chain
Lakes in Emmet County and Sioux City, and
soon block-houses and stockades were erected,
chiefly at local expense, at Correctionville,
Cherokee, Peterson, Estherville, and on the
Minnesota border at Iowa Lake in the north
eastern corner of Emmet County."392 The
State troops were later disbanded and their
places taken by United States troops. But the
prompt organization of a military force and the
erection of forts and places of refuge for the
settlers restored a feeling of security in north
western Iowa, and prevented the Indians from
invading this State. After the summer of 1862
there ceased to be any serious danger in that
quarter, although as late as January, 1864,
Governor Kirkwood urged that means of pro
tection on the frontier be maintained.393

XXIII
Fire in the Rear
A brave enemy in the open field may be met
with a full knowledge of the conditions and
magnitude of the struggle. Thus, it soon be
came clear to Governor Kirkwood and those in
authority with him that Iowa 's duty in the great
war was to devote all its resources of men and
money to the one common object of bringing
defeat to the armies of the South. The problem
of border protection was also plain: it was
largely a matter of securing the means of
defense. But there were dangers more insidi
ous than those arising from bushwhackers from
Missouri or red men on the northwestern
frontier. There were enemies at home —
enemies whose activities were carried on in
secret and oftentimes under the cover of
darkness. During the early days of the war personal
protests and factional strife were swallowed up
in the enthusiasm of patriotism which revealed
the true feelings of the vast majority of the
people of Iowa. If there were those who har
bored ill-will toward the North they were care-
262

FIRE IN THE REAR 263
ful at first not to betray their feelings. But as
the difficulties of the government, both in State
and Nation, increased and as Confederate suc
cesses gave encouragement to southern sympa
thizers it became apparent that in almost every
community in Iowa and especially in certain
sections there were men whose loyalty could not
be trusted. The term "Copperhead" came to
be applied to these men, whose courage or
sympathy for the South was not strong enough
to induce them to cast their lot with the Con
federate army, but who sought secretly to sow
the seeds of discord and hamper the govern
ment in every possible manner.
It was during the summer of 1862, when it
seemed likely that a draft would be put into
effect, that Governor Kirkwood first received
warnings of the real seriousness of the anti-
Union agitation in Iowa. A letter from Fair
field in August threw light on the character of
an applicant for a position in the medical corps.
"Only last Friday," declared the writer, this
person "said speaking of the draft, 'What if a
draft is made? It will be resisted. I know of
six rifles laid away ready for use to fight against
it whenever the thing is attempted ' — and he
said it in a bullying way ¦ — as if he would him
self resist."394
By the latter part of November the Governor
was in possession of enough information to

264 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
convince him that disloyal sentiment in Iowa
could not be ignored. He wrote to Senator
Grimes that troops must be stationed in Iowa
to quell resistance in case the draft should be
ordered. "I wish the authorities would pursue
a different course ' ', he continued, ' ' in regard to
persons arrested for disloyalty — either not
make any arrests or else provide military com
missions for the trial of those arrested.
Mahoney's arrest was a good thing — his dis
charge without trial in my judgment a bad
thing. There are still in confinement in this
State several persons arrested in Madison
County, members of Lodges of Knights of the
Golden Circle. They ought to be tried and
disposed of."395
It was openly charged in an Iowa City news
paper that Kirkwood favored the draft, because
it would necessitate the making of many ap
pointments, which in turn would further his
aspirations for the senatorship. Even a strong
Republican newspaper at Keokuk voiced its
opposition to the draft.396 It is no wonder,
therefore, that as the months went by the situ
ation in some localities became more and more
alarming. "I am, very reluctantly, compelled
to believe there is danger of an outbreak in our
own State in favor of the rebellion, unless
measures be taken to prevent it", wrote the
Governor in February, 1863. "I am now taking

FIRE IN THE REAR 265
the necessary steps to have a volunteer Com
pany of undoubtedly loyal men organized and
armed in each one of the second tier of counties
from our south line."397
"By all means keep the State arms & ammu
nition in your hands and don 't give them up to
any one without a written order from Adjt. Gen.
Baker, Mr. Barner one of my aids in Fremont
Co. or myself", he wrote to a captain in
Decatur County two weeks later. "If any
attempt is made to get these arms from you,
resist by force."398 "Things look badly in
places in our State ' ', he warned Caleb Baldwin.
"Are the arms safe?"399 In an urgent letter to
Secretary Stanton on March 10th Kirkwood
requested that the State be furnished with arms.
"It is a fact that unscrupulous men are organ
izing and arming for the purpose of resisting a
draft under the conscription law", he said,
"and those under their control will be pushed
into acts of hostility to the Government unless
there is such a state of preparation as to make
it hopeless."400 "I am quietly taking steps to
counteract the efforts of the ' Copperheads ' and
to be prepared for them", he informed a citizen
of northern Iowa on the following day. "It
would be a terrible thing to have civil war with
all its horrors in our State, and if it comes I
intend it shall be terribly atoned for by those
who bring it upon us."401

266 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
There was evidence that disaffection in Iowa
was being fomented by influences and agents
from outside the State. On March 13, 1863,
Governor Kirkwood expressed to Secretary
Stanton his belief that "paid agents of the
rebels" were operating in Iowa.402 Ten days
later he issued a proclamation to the people of
Iowa, declaring that refugees from Missouri,
many of whom had been Confederate soldiers
or guerrillas, had fled to Iowa to escape punish
ment for their crimes. "These men," he said,
"by bold and fierce denunciations of certain
acts of the President and the Congress of the
United States as unconstitutional, and by indus
triously teaching that the citizen may lawfully
resist with force what he deems an unconstitu
tional act or law, and in other ways, are seeking
to array such as may be duped and deceived by
their artful and wicked machinations into
armed resistance to the General Government,
and to inaugurate civil war within our limits,
thus exposing their dupes to the punishment
due to traitors, and our State to the storm of
war which has swept as with fire the State of
Missouri. These men are endeavoring to in
duce our soldiers in the field to desert their
colors, thus exposing them to the penalty of
desertion, which is death ; and are endeavoring
to induce our citizens to violate the law by
resisting the arrest of deserters, and a conscrip-

FIRE IN THE REAR 267
tion in this State if ordered, thereby exposing
themselves to the punishment due such criminal
acts. ' '
The Governor, therefore, warned these un
welcome intruders that a continuation of their
activities would surely lead to their punishment
and that he had requested the proper officials to
keep a close watch on their conduct. "I also
warn all the good people of the State," he con
tinued, "as they value peace and good order,
and would avoid the horrors of civil war, not to
be misled by these wicked and designing men,
who have nothing to lose, hope for plunder and
profit in the license of civil war. The laws of
the General Government will be enforced among
us at any cost and at all hazards, and the men
who array themselves in armed resistance to
the laws will certainly be overpowered and
punished."403 The most impressive and conspicuous mani
festation of disloyalty in Iowa was presented by
the organization known as the Knights of the
Golden Circle. This was a secret society or
lodge, which in February, 1863, was said to be
organized in every township in the State and to
have as many as forty-two thousand members.
It was reported that each member took an oath
to support the Constitution of the United States
as it then stood, to resist the draft and all orders
issued by the existing administration, and to do

268 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
all in their power "to unite the States of the
Northwest with the Southern Confederacy".
They held secret meetings, frequently com
mencing at midnight; and it was asserted that
they were collecting and storing arms and
ammunition.404 "If you fight the Devil you must use fire.
.Deception is permissible in detecting traitors
who are trying to betray the country", Kirk
wood wrote to a citizen of southern Iowa who
had secured some first-hand information con
cerning the Knights of the Golden Circle. "I
wish your friend would go on with these
scoundrels and learn all their secrets & plans
and then we will be ready to meet them."405
' ' General statements that men are disloyal will
do no good", he told another friend. "Specific
acts and sayings must be given in the form of
affidavits in all cases. Cannot you ascertain
what is said and done at some of these secret
meetings — what resolutions are passed and
what course of action resolved on?"406 "There
are secret societies all through the southern &
central portions of the State", he informed
Nathan Udell, "and even in the north part, in
which treason is openly taught and prepara
tions made for an outbreak. ... I assure
you doctor this is not ' a scare ' on my part. We
have been in great danger and are yet in some
danger of having rebellion with all its accom-

FIRE IN THE REAR 269
paniments in Iowa. I have been preparing for
it and the men who find their plans thwarted by
my preparations are 'howling' against me. Let
them howl. I will not have rebellion and civil
war here if I can help it and if they come I will
try to be prepared to crush them."407
Agents whose loyalty was beyond suspicion
were appointed in every doubtful county.
Companies of home guards were raised and
held in readiness to act in case of disturbance.
Arms and ammunition were distributed so far
as possible, and the Governor made appeals to
Secretary Stanton for more adequate means of
defense. ' ' There is undoubtedly a feverish and
excited state of the public mind," he wrote on
March 13, 1863, ' ' and matters must be managed
here prudently and firmly, or a collision may
ensue. ... I scarcely know what to advise
in regard to these men who are talking treason,
huzzaing for Jeff. Davis, organizing the Knights
of the Golden Circle, &c. It would be worse
than useless to arrest them unless they can be
tried, and if found guilty, punished. If arrests
could be made, trials and convictions had, and
punishment sharply administered, the effect
would be excellent."408
Fortunately it was not necessary to enforce
the draft in Iowa during Governor Kirkwood 's
administration, and hence the threat of resist
ance was not put to a test. But there were

270 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
many cases of violence in communities where
southern sympathizers were numerous.409 Feel
ing ran high in such communities and it required
only a small incident to arouse the mob spirit
and produce serious disorder. It was just such
circumstances which gave rise to the dramatic
episode known as "The Tally War" in Keokuk
County.410 The quiet little town of South English was
the, scene of a tragedy on Saturday, August 1,
1863, which threatened to precipitate a ven
detta, if not a miniature civil war, in south
eastern Iowa. Keokuk County was one of the
centers of disloyal sentiment, and the "Copper
heads", under the leadership of a young min
ister by the name of George C. Tally, had been
very outspoken in their criticism of the govern
ment. They had even declared their intention,
it is claimed, of "cleaning out" South English,
where their conduct had become particularly
distasteful. On the first day of August a Republican meet
ing was held in South English and, because of
the threats which had been made, many of the
citizens of the town and surrounding country
attended the meeting armed with such weapons
as they possessed. In the afternoon Tally and
a number of his followers were seen approach
ing the town in wagons. Great excitement
immediately prevailed. He was warned not to

FIRE IN THE REAR 271
enter the village, but he insisted that he only
wished to pass through the town and that no
harm was intended. As the wagons reached the
center of the town there were cries of ' ' coward ' '
and "copperhead" and then accidentally a gun
was discharged. Weapons were immediately
brought from their hiding-places under straw
in the bottom of the wagons and a general
fusillade of shots was discharged on both sides.
Standing erect in his conveyance, with a pistol
in one hand and a long bowie-knife in the other,
Tally was' among the first to fire ; and he was
likewise the principal target for his opponents.
Twice he fired and then fell dead with a bullet
through his brain and two through his body.
Two or three other men were wounded, and the
only wonder was that the list of casualties was
not much larger.
The followers of Tally withdrew from the
town, swearing vengeance for the death of their
leader. The news spread rapidly. Soon south
ern sympathizers from Keokuk, Wapello,
Mahaska, and Poweshiek counties began to
gather at a rendezvous near the western border
of the county. The whole countryside was
filled with apprehension, and feverish prepara
tions were made for defense. Three citizens of
South English wrote urgent letters to Governor
Kirkwood begging for aid in protecting their
town, and disclaiming any aggression on the
part of the loyal people of the place.411

272 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD

i <¦

'I, of course, cannot determine where the
fault is or who are the parties responsible, but
it is very clear this is a matter to be determined
by the court, and not by a mob", wrote Kirk
wood in response to these appeals. He informed
them that he had sent the sheriff of Washington
County forty stands of arms and ammunition
to be used in quelling the disturbance. "They
must not be used for any other purpose, or in
any other manner ' ', he continued, well knowing
the consequences which might follow rash
action. "You must keep your people strictly
on the defensive, and clearly within the law.
You must not resist the execution of legal
process, but must aid in enforcing and executing
it. If you are attacked by a mob of riotous and
lawless men, you will of course defend your
selves."412 But the seriousness of the situation became
more and more apparent as additional informa
tion was received. "A large body of men,
armed with rifles and shot-guns," wrote J. H.
Sanders, "have formed, and are camped in the
western part of the county, threatening to take
the law into their own hands, and murder,
plunder, burn and destroy, unless their un
reasonable demands are complied with. Ac
cording to their own statements, this force, thus
assembled in violation of law, amounts to over
three thousand men, and from my own knowl-

FIRE IN THE REAR 273
edge of the matter I think there must be at
least one thousand men in the county unlawfully
under arms. Our citizens are in very great
fear for the safety of person and property, and
the county funds, valuable public records, and
the greater portion of the funds of private indi
viduals, have been removed from the county for
safe keeping."413
On Tuesday two citizens of Sigourney made
a hurried trip to Iowa City to consult with the
Governor and impress upon him the necessity
of furnishing aid. By this time, however,
Kirkwood had become fully convinced of the
need for prompt and vigorous action. With
characteristic directness he proceeded to adopt
measures to crush the incipient rebellion and
restore order. He went immediately to Daven
port to confer with Adjutant-General Baker
and other authorities. From there he issued
orders to eleven home guard companies to pro
ceed to the scene of disturbance. At the same
time he telegraphed to Secretary Stanton for
permission to detain six companies of the
Seventh Cavalry in southeastern Iowa until the
danger was past, declaring that the prompt
suppression of this uprising would discourage
future outbreaks of the same kind.
Governor Kirkwood then went in person to
Sigourney and shortly after his arrival made a
speech from the court house steps. No detailed
19

274 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
report of that speech has been preserved, but it
is safe to assume that it was marked by force-
fulness and strong expressions of determina
tion, rather than by elegance of form or
soothing words. "I will make an example of
those engaged in these disturbances, which will
forever deter others from engaging in like
proceedings", he said in closing. "I say what
I mean and I mean what I say."41i During the
night the home guard companies from Musca
tine, Fairfield, Washington, Mt. Pleasant, and
other towns began to pour into the troubled
region, and by morning the "Copperhead"
camp was almost deserted. Thus ended "The
Skunk River War", and the Governor returned
to Iowa City.
"I have often thought of the speck of rebel
lion on ' the Skunk ' and the part we all took in
it", was the letter Kirkwood received nearly
two years later from N. P. Chipman, who at the
time of the disturbance was a member of the
staff of General Curtis. "There are many
incidents & events in the history of Iowa to be
told hereafter by the Biographer & historian of
less importance than that little campaign. For
your promptness & vigor in quenching that
spark the people of Iowa should be thankful.
There was a good deal more danger in that
rebel camp of a thousand men than was gener
ally thought."415

FIRE IN THE REAR 275
Not only did disloyalty express itself in vio
lence and threatened resistance to the draft, but
it also took the form of abuse of the Governor.
This was not mere partisan criticism or honest
disagreement on questions of policy. It was a
deliberate attempt to discredit and weaken the
influence of the executive, such as harassed
Lincoln throughout the war.
"Sam. Kirkwood is perambulating the State
denouncing Democrats as being disloyal and
non-law-abiding", wrote one of the most rabid
anti-administration editors. "And this same
corrupt, political mountebank, in a public
speech made by him in Iowa City in 1860, called
his God to witness that, 'sooner than have the
Fugitive Slave Law enforced in Iowa, he would
suffer his right arm to fall from its socket. ' . .
. . Great God, to what lengths can brazen
faced impertinence and impudence go! Sam.
Kirkwood with this utterance vivid in his mem
ory, charging Democrats with being disloyal!
Satan rebuking sin ! — There is no spot in the
lowest hell deep enough and hot enough to fur
nish just retribution to just such men as Sam.
Kirkwood and his coadjutors North and South
in the devilish work of disrupting the
Union."416 On the same day the same editor charged
Kirkwood with selling hay to the quartermaster
of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry at twelve dollars a

276 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
ton, when a person whose name was Hot
divulged had offered to furnish it at five dollars
a ton. "At the time this characteristic speci
men of thimble-rigging took place," declared
the editor, "the market value of hay in Iowa
City was $6.00 per ton. Of course, Kirkwood
didn't know the price of hay. No, no ! He sup
posed it was worth $12.00 a ton • — of course he
did. Nobody who knows Kirkwood would sup
pose for a moment that he intended to swindle
the government. Like Caesar's wife should
have been, he is above suspicion — especially
where he is not known. Honest Samivel!"417
But hatred of the man who was so firm in his
determination to hold Iowa true to the Union
found expression in plans for measures of a
more desperate nature than mere criticism and
abuse. "I am in possession of a fact that you
should know", wrote J. M. Hiatt to the Gov
ernor early in April, 1863. "In the Secret
dens of Treason in this State your assassina
tion is canvassed as something to be approved.
Although it is talked of cautiously and ambigu
ously, there is an evident desire to stimulate
some reckless desperado to the attempt."418
"I trust your information on this point is
either erroneous or exaggerated", was Kirk-
wood's reply to this warning, which he had also
received from other sources. "At any rate I
must take my chances and certainly shall not

FIRE IN THE REAR 277
neglect any of my duties for fear of any
danger."419 Three months later Kirkwood received an
other warning that a plan to take his life within
six weeks had been perfected.420 That he was
in serious danger in August at the time of the
disturbances in Keokuk County can scarcely be
doubted. As he was speaking to the crowd at
Sigourney a gray-haired man was heard to
mutter in a cool, deliberate manner, " I '11 shoot
the d  d old scoundrel." After the speech
Kirkwood went to the hotel and as was his
wont, seemed to have cast aside the worries and
responsibilities of his official position, and
engaged in a lively conversation about farm
life and problems with the men who gathered
about him. During the course of this conversa
tion a friend, from his seat just outside the
door, saw the gray-haired man approach the
hotel, carefully examine the situation, and then
go away. Later he returned, accompanied by
four other men. They marched directly to the
door of the hotel, where they halted and gazed
intently into the room without speaking a
word. But as soon as they approached, Kirk-
wood's friend sprang from his seat and stood
in the door-way with his body between the sus
picious looking squad and the Governor. After
standing motionless for a few moments, the
men turned and passed down the street.

278 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
"There was no explanation given by the
party at the time, and no especial comment
made by anyone", said the man who thus
shielded Kirkwood from possible danger. "The
circumstances had nearly passed from my
mind, when, several months afterwards, I was
informed that those men had come prepared,
and it was their intention to have shot the Gov
ernor, and if it had not been for my interference
they would have carried their intentions into
effect."421

XXIV
Politics and Prospects
The spring of 1863 brought State politics again
to the fore in Iowa. At the general election of
that year it would be necessary to choose a suc
cessor to Samuel J. Kirkwood as Governor, and
it was a matter of great importance that a
strong and loyal man should be selected. For
Kirkwood it was a time when important deci
sions affecting his own future were forced upon
him. During the second week in March the news
papers contained news of the appointment and
confirmation of Governor Kirkwood as Minister
to Denmark. "It takes me by surprise", wrote
the Governor to a friend. "Our delegation in
Congress wrote me in December they thought
they could secure the appointment for Iowa and
asked me if I would accept it. After consider
ing the question I declined on the ground I did
not think it right for me to leave Iowa at
present. I heard nothing more of it until on
yesterday the news of nomination & confirma
tion came in the papers. It may not be correct.
If it be correct what should I do?"422 279

280 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
"The President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, having appointed you to
be Minister Resident of the United States to
Denmark," was the letter Kirkwood received
more than a week later from Secretary Seward,
"I have the honor to announce the same to you
and to request that you will inform this Depart
ment how soon, in the event of your accepting
the appointment, you will be prepared to pro
ceed to Copenhagen."423
Thus was Governor Kirkwood compelled to
consider a question which he had supposed was
settled. Letters began to come in from all sides.
"I congratulate you upon your Confirmation as
resident minister to Denmark", wrote William
B. Allison, then serving his first term in the
lower house of Congress. "I regret very much
that you are called to leave the State at so
critical period in its history. Your State Ad
ministration has been successful, and impartial.
You have won the esteem & affection of the
people. I fear very much that we shall find
difficulty in choosing a successor."424
"I don't quite understand it, this certainly
would be a bad time for you to give over the
affairs of the State to any successor", wrote
Marcellus M. Crocker from camp in the far
South. "All there is of the military you have
made and understand better than anybody else.
And I know I speak the sentiment of almost all

POLITICS AND PROSPECTS 281
Iowa soldiers when I say that they would
regard your acceptance of any position that
would take you away from the state as a great
misfortune. ... I have heard it said by
officers here that it was a scheme of Iowa poli
ticians to get you out of the way. I do not
believe that. If it is you of course know it, and
are rather too old to be disposed of in any
manner not agreeable to yourself."425
"You can scarcely imagine how much grati
fied I am at your statement that you & many of
our soldiers would prefer my remaining at
home", was Kirkwood 's reply to Crocker. "If
I supposed that feeling to be general it would
decide the matter with me." At the same time
he said "I am well satisfied my appointment
was not made to get me 'out of the way'."426
The offer was one which had many attrac
tions for Kirkwood, as is revealed by his cor
respondence with the Secretary of State.427
But the letters which he received from friends
only tended to strengthen his sense of duty to
the people of Iowa. And so about the middle of
April he finally wrote to Secretary Seward that
he would accept if he could first serve out his
term as Governor. Otherwise he must decline,
and he gave his reasons.428 "You intimate,
however, that it is possible these reasons may
have less weight with you some few months
hence," was Seward's reply, "and that you

282 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
may then perhaps feel at liberty to accept the
appointment and proceed to Copenhagen before
the close of your gubernatorial term. Under
the circumstances, I see no objection to your
holding the appointment under consideration
for a few months at least."429 Thus the ques
tion remained open until January, 1864, when
Kirkwood definitely declined the appoint
ment.430 The suspicion, suggested in Crocker's letter,
that the appointment to the Denmark mission
was a scheme to eliminate Kirkwood from the
political arena in Iowa, was without foundation.
Nevertheless, it soon made it necessary for the
Governor to decide another question concern
ing his own activities after laying down the
duties of chief executive. The General Assem
bly which would meet in January, 1864, would
be called upon to choose a successor to James
W. Grimes as United States Senator, and it
was necessary that the candidates for that
position should be known before members of
the legislature were elected in the fall of 1863.
"We are told that His Excellency has finally
determined not to go to Denmark", satirized a
radical Democratic editor at Iowa City in April,
1863. "We doubt not his Royal Highness of
Denmark will feel relieved when the tidings
reach him. Once upon the time rottenness in
Denmark bred trouble. For fear it would do so

POLITICS AND PROSPECTS 283
again, Samuel, you do well in staying at home. ' '
In the same paper it was asserted that the
"fight between Kirkwood and Grimes, for the
Senatorship, waxes hot and hotter. Grimes
tried to shelve the Governor, by shipping him
to Denmark. But it won 't work — Samuel
smells a mice and declines the proffered honor.
Cruel Samuel — cunning Grimes."431
There is ample evidence in the correspond
ence between Kirkwood and Grimes that this
insinuation was absolutely false.432 Under the
circumstances the Governor made no move that
could in any way be interpreted as seeking the
position in opposition to Grimes. "As to the
Senatorship I am not taking a great amount of
trouble", he wrote to a friend in April. "My
own candid judgment is that if the Gen. Assem
bly will look only to the public interest they will
reelect Grimes. His experience, and the posi
tion & influence he has in the Senate are worth
a great deal to the country & our state & it
would be some time before either Mr. Kasson or
myself could fill his place. These considera
tions ought to control but whether they will or
not is by no means certain."433
At the same time the holding of a seat in the
Senate was in itself a prospect by no means
distasteful to Samuel J. Kirkwood. "I would
like a seat in the U. S. Senate and under ordi
nary circumstances would use all honorable

284 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
means to secure it ' ', he wrote to William Duane
Wilson in July. He believed the reelection of
Grimes, however, to be the best thing for the
State and Nation, and therefore asked that no
efforts be made in his behalf. "I am also frank
to say", he continued, "that it has cost me
some regrets to reach this conclusion, for I am
pretty sure my own strength for the position
will never again be as great as it now is."434
In the same tone he wrote to William G.
Thompson a month later. "I certainly would
like a seat in the U. S. Senate but not well
enough to thrust myself in at a time like this
before one who I think can do better service
than I can. I expect Warren will fight Grimes
to the bitter end, but for God's sake don't let
your former hostility to Grimes lead you now
to support Warren."435
The sincerity of these statements is attested
by the unbroken friendship between the Senator
and the Governor. "I accept your kind con
gratulations at my re-election", wrote Grimes
in January, 1864. "For your aid, so efficient &
so disinterested in my behalf, receive my
thanks."436 As far as the governorship was concerned
there was never any serious thought that Kirk
wood would again be a candidate. The anti-
third-term bogey stood in the way, even if he
had desired a renomination. "I cannot agree

POLITICS AND PROSPECTS 285
to run again for Governor", he wrote to
Crocker early in April. "My running might
jeopardize the loyal ticket and really the labor
of the office is too onerous."437
Soldiers were the most popular men for party
candidates at this time and for several years
afterward. Thus the Republicans in State con
vention at Des Moines on June 17th chose
William M. Stone as their candidate for Gov
ernor. At the same time they tendered "to
Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood the cordial thanks of
the loyal people of Iowa for the able, fearless
and patriotic discharge of his duties, during the
two terms he has held the office of Governor of
the State."438 The Democrats selected as their
standard bearer James M. Tuttle, also a soldier
who had made a splendid record for himself.
Because he was not a candidate for any office
and because of his peculiar ability as a speaker
Governor Kirkwood was in a position to render
very effective service in the campaign during
the summer and early fall of 1863. The de
mands were many and he responded as often as
he could spare time from his official duties. "I
propose to spend some two weeks at one trip in
the campaign this fall, besides some flying visits
to particular points", he wrote to Thomas F.
Withrow in July. "It would suit me very well
to put in my two weeks in the North Eastern
part of the State. I was never there but once

286 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
as a kind of tender to Grimes in 1857 when
Lowe was running. In 1859 my wife's sickness
prevented me from filling my appointments in
that region".439 The desire expressed in this
letter was gratified. Late in August he set out
for northeastern Iowa and he did not return to
Iowa City until September 21st. At Dubuque,
where disloyal sentiments had been many times
expressed, he had an opportunity to make an
unmistakable statement of his intentions in case
any resistance or violence should appear in that
region. "You remember", he is reported to
have said, "that the draft commenced in New
York the other day and a mob was raised to
stop it, and threats have been made that the
same thing would be done here in Iowa — would
be done here in Dubuque. And I wanted to talk
here in Dubuque just long enough to tell you
that it will be a very bad thing to start a mob
here in opposition to the draft. It is for your
own interest that no mob is started here. I tell
you I will see to it that any mob that is started
shall be put down for you ! You see that I am
not only a plain-looking man, but a plain-
speaking man; and I intend to speak plainly."
"What did the soldiers from Keokuk County
think", he asked after speaking of the proud
name the Iowa troops had given to the State,
"when they learned that their homes had been
in jeopardy, and that their mothers, and wives,

POLITICS AND PROSPECTS 287
and daughters, and sisters were made to tremble
for their lives, unprotected because they had
given up those who once cared for them to the
service of their country? Such a burning shame
shall not disgrace our State and grieve the
hearts of our noble soldiers again without pun
ishment, dire, swift and sure, reaching the
traitor that engages in it. The homes and fami
lies and property of those who have gone to
fight their country's battles must be protected;
and may my God forget me in my hour of
sorest need if I do not see to it that they are
protected." In conclusion he told them how the
uprising in Keokuk County had been quelled.
"It commenced on Saturday. I received word
of the position of affairs on Tuesday, and by
Wednesday night I had five companies and one
piece of artillery on the ground, and by Thurs
day night five more companies and another
piece of artillery; and there was not a blank
cartridge there. And I tell you if it becomes
necessary for me to come here to Dubuque on
the same errand, I shall not bring a blank
cartridge here."
"I cannot permit a day to elapse", wrote
William Duane Wilson, "without telling you
the intense satisfaction I had in reading your
100 pounder speech at Dubuque. Its telling
effect upon the Copperheads in the State will be
equal to a standing army of 5000 men, well
armed."440

288 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
At other places where disloyal sentiment was
not so pronounced, the Governor spoke in the
manner which had made him so popular in
previous campaigns. Driving home his points
by the use of homely illustrations from the
daily life of the people, with an occasional
humorous anecdote, he stirred the patriotism of
his hearers and appealed to them to forget all
differences in the one common object of putting
down the Confederacy.441 The response in most
cases was warm and whole-hearted, and Kirk
wood returned to Iowa City well satisfied with
the progress of the campaign.442 "Tuttle will
I think be badly beaten", he wrote to a friend.
"I am very sorry he has taken the course he
has. He is too good a man to be sacrificed by
such a damned hard lot of scurvy poli
ticians ' '.443
The Governor's prediction was amply ful
filled. At the election in October the Demo
cratic candidate was defeated by about thirty
thousand votes and William M. Stone was
elected Governor of Iowa. "Please accept my
thanks for your able and efficient efforts in
behalf of our ticket during the recent canvass ' ',
the successful candidate wrote to Kirkwood a
few days later. "I am convinced that your
presence in the field, and your labors contrib
uted very much toward our splendid success in
the State, and I trust I shall not prove insen-

POLITICS AND PROSPECTS 289
sible to the obligations of gratitude under which
your uniform kindness has placed me."444
Early in December the Governor went to Des
Moines in order to show his successor "the
hang of the house"445 and to prepare his last
biennial message to the legislature. During the
preceding two years he had of necessity left the
administration of civil affairs largely to sub
ordinates and other State officers. But he had
kept in touch with the work, and on January 12,
1864, he was able to present to the General
Assembly an excellent survey of the conditions
and needs of the State. In a lengthy message
he detailed the situation in the various State
departments and institutions, recommended
measures to make their work more effective,
discussed military affairs during the preceding
two years, and presented his views on national
policy. In closing he gave high praise to the
Iowa troops for their loyalty and bravery on the
field of battle. "It may perhaps be permitted
me to say", were his last words, "that I trust
that when the history of the gallantry and devo
tion of these men shall be written, the position
I have held will of necessity connect my name
humbly, and not discreditably, with theirs, and
that this trust affords compensation for some
what of toil and care which have attended that
position, and should be sufficient to satisfy an
ambition greater than mine."446
20

290 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
On January 14th William M. Stone was
inaugurated as Governor of Iowa, and not long
afterward Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood returned to
Iowa City. "No former Governor of Iowa has
had a tithe of the labor and responsibility of
office of Gov. Kirkwood, ' ' was the comment of a
friendly editor, "and no one has left the office
so much entitled to the plaudit of 'well done
good and faithful servant.' .... He now
rests from his labors, and will enjoy the sweets
of home for a season. It is not to be supposed,
the State will consent to let him remain perma
nently in private life. We notice some papers
speak of him as a candidate for the U. S. Senate,
before the present Legislature. We feel author
ized to say, such is not the fact. He will claim
the quiet of private life for a longer term, but,
when sufficiently recovered from the toils of his
long and arduous labors, we doubt not the State
will call, in a voice he will not feel at liberty to
disregard. Until then, may be enjoy that rest
he so richly earned. ' ' 447
Even more prophetic was a letter written by
Eliphalet Price. "No Governor of Iowa," he
wrote, ' ' while acting as such, extended the area
of his personal acquaintance so widely over the
State as yourself. Men and women everywhere,
will, as time rolls on, enlarge the story of their
acquaintance with you, with many manifesta
tions of pride, and the child of to-day will be

POLITICS AND PROSPECTS 291
pointed out by the next generation, as the Gray-
haired man who in childhood had talked with
Gov. Kirkwood. The History of the Rebellion
cannot pass you by, upon its pages you will live
through those future centuries that shall pre
serve the existence of man."448

XXV
The Life of a War Governor
When Samuel J. Kirkwood was inaugurated
as Governor of Iowa in January, 1860, he did
not assume a position of aloofness from his
fellow-beings. To be sure, his activities during
the succeeding four years were largely pre
scribed by law and by the extraordinary de
mands made by the war. But the elevation to
the office of chief executive did not place him in
a charmed circle where he was free from the
hopes and disappointments, the pleasures and
sorrows, and the physical weariness to which
other men were subject. One of the secrets of
his success was his gladness on every possible
occasion to cast aside the worries and responsi
bilities of his official station, and talk on familiar
terms with soldiers, farmers, or business men
about the common affairs of every day life
which concerned them most. He was keenly
interested in people.
Between 1861 and 1864 his thoughts and
duties centered about the war, and his loyalty to
the Union cause and the administration never
wavered. At the same time he was not immune
292

LIFE OF WAR GOVERNOR 293
to discouragement and despair when his posi
tion gave him exceptional opportunities to
observe the blunders and inefficiency in the con
duct of the war. "I feel like you 'invigorated'
& like 'thanking God with all my heart,' but I
have felt at times a little like 'swearing' too
while absent", he wrote to a friend after
returning from Fort Donelson in March, 1862.
"In God's name what infernal fascination is
there about this demon of slavery that causes
men high in authority to sacrifice the lives of
our noble & brave boys for its preservation?
That is just what they are doing."449
His feeling toward General McClellan and his
resentment because of the lack of credit and
attention given to the western armies were
unhesitatingly expressed to President Lincoln
at the time of the Altoona Conference in Sep
tember, 1862. A few weeks later, to Kirkwood 's
delight, McClellan was removed and his position
given to General Burnside. "After the elec
tions in the northern states I felt discouraged",
Kirkwood wrote to a friend on November 14th,
"but since the President has put a man in Gen.
McClellan 's place who will seek to fight I am
again encouraged. All we need is to have fight
ing Generals — men who will allow our people
to strike and we are safe." "Things did look
gloomy, but all things work for the best", he
wrote to William B. Allison. "If the elections

294 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
had gone differently McClellan would still com
mand — all would be quiet on the Potomac
until another year & then our doom as a nation
was sealed."450
The use of negro troops was another subject
on which Kirkwood felt deeply. The govern
ment was very reluctant to adopt such a policy,
partly for fear of its effect in the border States.
But Governor Kirkwood took a different view.
"I have but one remark to add", he said in
closing a letter to General Halleck in August,
1862, "and that in regard to negroes fighting —
it is this — When this war is over & we have
summed up the entire loss of life it has imposed
on the country I shall not have any regrets if it
is found that a part of the dead are niggers and
that all are not white men."451 Later he de
clared that if the negroes were "willing to pay
for their freedom by fighting for those who
make them free I am entirely willing they
should do so. ... I really cannot under
stand or appreciate the policy that insists that
all the lives lost and all the constitutions broken
down to preserve the country shall be those of
white men when black men are to be found will
ing to do the work and take the risks."452
Difference of opinion with regard to policies,
however, did not weaken Kirkwood 's firm sup
port of Lincoln and his administration. Nor
was his view of the main issue of the war

LIFE OF WAR GOVERNOR 295
obscured by the assertions often made, espe
cially after the issuance of the emancipation
proclamations, that the war was a struggle to
free the slaves. "I supported the administra
tion in conducting the war, before it struck at
slavery," he wrote in March, 1863, "I support
it now when it strikes at slavery and I shall
continue to support it if it ceases to strike at
slavery."433 Kirkwood 's views were nowhere more clearly
expressed than in a long letter to a brother,
whose attitude toward the war was, to say the
least, one of discouragement. "It might just as
truly be said", he wrote, "that this war is
waged by our Government to capture Richmond,
or Charleston, or Savannah or Mobile or Vicks
burg, or to open the Mississippi river or to
enforce the blockade of the rebel coast as to say
it is waged to free the negroes. The govern
ment is trying to do all these things and yet it
is not true that either of them is the object of
the war. They are each and all of them used as
means to the great end, the suppression of the
rebellion and the restoration of the Union. . .
. . You say we have fought two years and
have not yet succeeded — true but our fathers
fought seven years to give us what we are seek
ing to preserve, and although there were faint
hearts in those days who when the clouds looked
dark & gloomy cried out as faint hearts do now

296 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
'no use' 'no use', they persevered and tri
umphed. Are we their legitimate sons or are we
bastards ? ' '
"You say Gen. McClellan was removed", he
continued. ' ' True and he should have been
removed before he was. With hi& mode of war
fare even seven years would not bring us to the
end of the war. The rebellion is not stronger
today than it was twelve months ago . . .
and if our people will be true to themselves, and
their posterity, to their Government and their
God we will finally put down this accursed
rebellion and restore peace and prosperity to
our land. If this is not done, then ruin awaits
us — a large standing army to guard our fron
tier south, continued wars, and a further break
ing up among the States, until we reach the
condition of Mexico."454
While Governor and Mrs. Kirkwood had no
children of their own, they did not escape the
personal sorrow and bereavement which the
war brought to thousands of homes in Iowa and
throughout the land. Two nephews were in the
army, and between the Governor and these two
boys there passed many letters. In the spring
of 1862 one of these nephews, William W.
Kirkwood, was taken sick in camp at Fort
Donelson, and was given a furlough. Upon
reaching his uncle's home in Iowa City he be
came worse and for weeks hovered between life

LIFE OF WAR GOVERNOR 297
and death. "Four days ago I did not expect
him to live twenty-four hours", wrote Kirk
wood to Grimes in May. "But he still lives &
is slightly better. He may possibly recover. I
can't leave him at present or I would go to
Washington. "455 The young man finally recov
ered and returned to his regiment.
The other nephew, Samuel Kirkwood Clark,
was the adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood.
He was taken by them at the death of his mother
when he was five years old, and he grew up in
their home beloved by them as though he had
been their own child. Though only a lad of
eighteen years he enlisted in the cavalry early
in the war. On the following New Year's Day
his uncle sent him a commission as second
lieutenant. "Be a 'good boy' and do your duty
manfully," he wrote, "and you will always be
sure of the affection of your uncle". Later
young Clark was promoted to the position of
adjutant in the Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry,
under Colonel George A. Stone. In the battle of
Arkansas Post in January, 1863, he was
severely wounded and about a month later he
died in a hospital at St. Louis, where his uncle
and aunt spent much time at his bedside during
his illness.456
The grief of the Governor was not unmingled
with a solemn pride in the record made by his
nephew. "You speak of the many brave men

298 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
who have lost their lives in this war", he wrote
to his brother who was inclined to question the
justification of the sacrifice. "No man regrets
this loss more than I do. I have myself lost my
adopted son who died of a wound received at
Arkansas Post. He was as noble, as true
hearted, as brave a boy as has lost his life in
this struggle. I loved him dearly and his loss
has been a sore trial to me for it leaves me in
my old age without any one to lean upon, but
while I mourn his loss as one that cannot be
repaired, if I had another or a dozen such I
would not withhold one of them from the strug
gle. Men's lives are given them to be useful to
their fellow men and in my judgment in no way
can lives be more profitably used than in pre
serving what cost our fathers so dearly to
transmit to us."437
Very little time for the quiet enjoyment of
homelife was given to Kirkwood during the
years of the war. Long hours were spent in the
office when he was in Iowa City, and much of the
time he was away from home. Long trips to
Washington and the East, visits to the soldiers
in the field, and journeys to various points in
the State consumed much time and were a
severe tax on his strength. Several months
each year were spent in Des Moines while the
legislature was in session ; and on most of these
occasions Mrs. Kirkwood accompanied the Gov-

LIFE OF WAR GOVERNOR 299
ernor.438 Des Moines by this time was a much
better town than when Kirkwood first saw it;
but the journey thence from Iowa City was still
not only long and tiresome but beset with
dangers. By January, 1863, travelers might go
by rail as far as Grinnell, but for the remainder
of the trip they were at the mercies of the stage
coach. On his way to the capital that winter
the Governor was twice thrown out on the
ground when the stage upset. Fortunately he
escaped with no more serious injury than some
flesh bruises.459
The mere clerical work which Governor Kirk
wood was obliged to perform was by no means
light. He had a military secretary and a private
secretary to whom he dictated letters, with
instructions "to make sense where there was
none", and who attended to a large mass of
correspondence without his personal direction.
Nevertheless, he wrote thousands of letters with
his own hand, many of them letters of four, six,
or even eight large and closely written pages.460
"You think you have cause to complain that
your former letters were answered by my secre
tary & not by me", he told a friend. "Let me
explain. All letters marked 'private' or 'confi
dential' are opened only by me but it is not in
my power to answer all of them in person. I
could not do half the writing necessary if I took
all my time to it. I endorse on the backs of the

300 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
letters a short memorandum of what the answer
is to be & have one of my clerks write it out."461
The severe strain was too much for even his
sturdy constitution, and in the summer of 1863,
after returning from the camps around Vicks
burg he was taken sick and confined to his bed
for two weeks.462 Worry, lack of sleep, the
exacting and wearying nature of his duties, and
exposure while on many hard journeys — all
had their effect. And so when his successor
had been chosen he wrote to his good friend,
Jed Lake: "I will soon be out of office thank
God. I am the tiredst man in Iowa. "463

XXVI
A Short Term as Senator
Early in February, 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk
wood returned to Iowa City to resume once
more the less strenuous ways of private citizens.
Before many months had passed they moved
from Coralville to a new and comfortable home,,
built on a small tract of land adjoining Iowa
City on the southeast. It was a home much
more to their liking than was the house in
Coralville, and here for the first time since
moving to Iowa they were able to enjoy the
quiet home life which they had known in Ohio.464
The building of the house and attention to
long-neglected business affairs occupied most of
Kirkwood 's time during the year 1864. The
active direction of the mill or farm no longer
appealed to him, and so after an interruption of
about ten years he returned to the practice of
law. Early in 1865, he entered into partnership
with his brother-in-law, J. E. Jewett. The new
firm announced its readiness to practice in the
courts of the State or of the United States;
while special attention would be given to col
lections.485 301

302 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Meanwhile, freedom from the burdens of
office did not mean entire withdrawal from
public service. Mrs. Kirkwood was chosen a
member of the executive committee of the
Freedmen 's Aid Society formed in Iowa City in
March, 1863; and later she was appointed to
solicit contributions for the purpose of carry
ing on the work of the organization.466 It was
also natural that the ex-Governor should be
much in demand as a speaker. In February, as
president of the State Historical Society, he
made a speech in acceptance of the flag of the
Twenty-second Iowa Infantry. On May 18th an
Iowa City newspaper announced that "Govs.
Stone and Kirkwood will address the people of
Johnson County, from the steps of the Univer
sity, this evening at the tap of the Drum, with
reference to the hundred days call. ' ' On a Sun
day early in September he was scheduled to
speak at the Bethel church in North Bend in
behalf of the Soldiers ' Orphans ' Home.467
During the political campaign of 1864 Kirk
wood also responded to many calls for help on
the stump. The most urgent of these calls came
from William B. Allison, who was a candidate
for reelection to Congress. On the back of
Allison's letter asking for assistance Kirkwood
wrote a brief note and sent it on to Hiram Price
of Davenport. "I must go up & help Allison so
you must get on without me ' ', he said.468 Later

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 303
he made several campaign speeches in and
around Iowa City. On April 19, 1865, at Iowa
City he delivered an eloquent "funeral oration"
in memory of Abraham Lincoln.469 During this
time there was some quiet talk about the sena
torial contest which would occur when the
legislature convened in January, 1866, and
Kirkwood received assurance of support if he
should decide to be a candidate.470 But the
election was a long way off, and so during the
fall and winter he apparently gave little thought
to the question.
There was, however, a sudden awakening of
interest in the senatorship, early in the spring
of 1865. On March 9th James Harlan was
appointed Secretary of the Interior by Presi
dent Lincoln. Thus a successor to Harlan must
be chosen, not only for the full term beginning
in March, 1867, but also for the unexpired
portion of the term ending at that time.471
Hardly had the news of Harlan's appointment
reached Iowa when Jacob Rich wrote to Kirk
wood telling of the efforts he had been making
to create sentiment in favor of his appointment
by Governor Stone to fill the vacancy.472
The prospect of the senatorship was just as
attractive to Samuel J. Kirkwood at this time
as it had been in 1863, when he had refused to
be a candidate against Grimes. Now there was
no reason why he should not seek the position.

304 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
"My name is being used by some of my friends
in connection with the vacant U. S. Senatorship,
with my consent," he wrote to Azro B. F.
Hildreth on March 27th, "and I am naturally
anxious that their efforts should be successful.
. . . My object in writing you is to learn
the position you will occupy, if you have as yet
determined what it shall be. You know me
pretty thoroughly; you know my past political
action ; and it would be, I think, useless even if
it were proper for me to enter upon an argu
ment upon the subject. . . . It is but frank
and fair to say that I should feel deeply grati
fied to receive your support, because I know
your influence is powerful, but more because of
the gratification I should feel at knowing you
thought me worthy of the high position named.
But I say with equal frankness that if your
sense of public duty compels you, or induces
you, to prefer another to myself, that fact shall
make no change in my regard for you."473
Interest now centered in the question of
whether or not Governor Stone would make an
appointment. "I will say here to you", he
wrote to Kirkwood late in March, ' ' what I have
not said to any one else, & which you will con
sider as strictly confidential, and that is, should
the vacancy occur and I should conclude to fill
it in advance of the Legislature, I have never
doubted in my own mind that you would be the

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 305
man. . . . There is no necessity for your
friends stirring up a fight with me, and if they
are satisfied to leave 'well enough alone', there
will be no trouble."474
As the weeks went by it became evident that
Governor Stone did not intend to make an
appointment until after the Republican State
Convention, at which time he would be a candi
date for renomination. He admitted as much
in a letter to Kirkwood early in June. He had
decided to make an appointment, but not until
he was "out of the woods" himself. "I do not
think it advisable for you to be at the State
convention," he wrote, "as it would help to
give color to the assumption that there is a
bargain and sale between us, and sway the
friends of other gentlemen against me. Yet
this matter may be quietly and well understood
by your friends without your presence. . . .
There will be no necessity for your friends to
say anything about the appointment at the con
vention, and their reticence on the subject will
tend to keep others quiet and avoid undue
agitation of the question." "You will be Sen
ator and I Governor again", he added, "if our
friends understand each other, and are prudent
and discreet in their management. There must
be no conflict between them, and there is no
occasion for any. . . . Mark all your let
ters to me 'private'."475
21

306 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
About this same time Governor Stone gave
Marcellus M. Crocker to understand that he
would appoint Kirkwood after the State con
vention was over. But within two weeks
Crocker became doubtful, for Stone had later
intimated to him that he might not make the
appointment until after the election. "I do not
know but that if he waits until after the elec
tion", he wrote, "he may conclude to be a
candidate himself and go back to his old policy
of not appointing at all."476 This prediction
proved true, at least so far as the failure to
make any appointment was concerned. What
ever Stone's attitude toward Kirkwood may
have been during the summer of 1865, it was
anything but friendly when the legislature met
in the following January. "Knowing that you
feel some interest in the coming contest for
U. S. S. before the Legislature", he wrote to
William Penn Clarke of Iowa City, "I can but
ask if you will be at Fort Des Moines during
the early part of the Session. There will be
several outside numbers from this place; all
interested to defeat S. J. and I would be glad to
know that you would heartily cooperate."477
Meanwhile Kirkwood and his friends were
not basing all their hopes on securing an
appointment by the Governor. The contest
before the legislature would, after all, be the
main problem. Mr. Kirkwood received many

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 307
promises of hearty support from old friends.
There was a movement in the northern part of
the State in favor of William B. Allison, on the
ground that that portion of the State had been
neglected, but Allison refused to be consid
ered.47'8 Kirkwood had proposed that the short
term be conceded to Allison. "We did not urge
your claims because you were a cleverer, more
social, more companionable fellow than Allison,
for we don't think you are", wrote Jacob Rich
in reply to this proposition. "Nor because we
liked you personally any better than the Col
onel, for we don't. . . . But the ground we
took, the only ground that we could take, the
ground that it was our pride and our strength
to take, was that your selection was best for the
public interests, for the State and the
Nation."479 ' ' You need not write to me on the Senatorship
unless you want to," wrote Adjutant General
Baker, "for I am for you 'to the death'. I
should go for you at any rate against any man. ' '
From Washington, D. C, came a letter from
L. D. Ingersoll saying that "I suspect I shall
have to go to work to help send you here. But
you must promise not to wear that old gray
wammus." Another admirer, who was a mem
ber of the legislature, wrote that "I have been
so much in the habit of voting for you that I
don't see how I could break the habit so early
as the year of grace 1866. "4S0

308 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Many were the letters of advice and warning
which Kirkwood received from Senator Grimes.
"Do not fail to have a large outside delegation
of your friends at Des Moines at the commence
ment of the session to remain until the elec
tion," he wrote early in October, "and let as
many of them be military men as possible.
Don't fail in this."481 Later, when it became
evident that James Harlan, finding the Cabinet
position unpleasant, was anxious to be returned
to the position from which he had so lately
resigned, Grimes was among the most out
spoken in his disapproval. ' ' I have no hostility
to Harlan — I advised him not to leave the
Senate," he told Kirkwood, "but when he did
leave it & voluntarily pledged himself to you &
thus induced you to become a candidate for his
succession I think fair play entitles you to the
place."482 As the time for the convening of the General
Assembly approached the optimism of Kirk-
wood's friends gradually turned to uncertainty.
Besides Kirkwood and Harlan, there were many
other aspirants for the position: John A.
Kasson, S. R. Curtis, William M. Stone, Fitz
Henry Warren, Asahel W. Hubbard, and others
each had a small group of earnest, active sup
porters. C. C. Nourse wrote late in October
that Mrs. Kirkwood "must come over [to Des
Moines] next winter & bring all the 'Parisian

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 309
style' she can put on for it isn't fair to have
you fight crinoline."**3 This was a reference to
the activities of Mrs. Kasson in support of her
husband's candidacy.
But anxiety in the Kirkwood camp was occa
sioned chiefly by the efforts which were being
made to secure the reelection of James Harlan.
"About one half of Mount Pleasant is in the
Interior Department & all at work rallying the
methodists to the support of Harlan", wrote
Grimes early in December. "You can't labor
too hard between this & the election. ' ' A week
later Jacob Rich wrote from Washington. "I
cannot be so cheerful and confident of your suc
cess as I was when I came here", he said, "I
have heard so much about what Harlan is doing,
the ropes he is pulling, the patronage he is
wielding, and the power he is using, to accom
plish his election, that I feel a good deal down
in the mouth." "You must 'get up and dust',
or you will be laid out ' ', was the warning which
came from J. N. Dewey about the same time.
"Harlan is certainly playing a very strong
hand."484 This was the situation when the legislature
met in January, 1866. The lobby of the Savery
Hotel was crowded, not only with legislators,
but also with numerous outsiders "forming
that indispensable part of any well regulated
legislative body, 'The Third House'."485 The

310 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
senatorial contest was the chief topic of interest
during the opening days of the session. The
contest had narrowed down until it was recog
nized that no one but Kirkwood and Harlan had
any chance of winning. Charges were flung
back and forth, secret conferences were held,
and each side anxiously awaited the outcome.
The Republican caucus was held some time
during the first week of the session. On the first
ballot for a nominee for the long term James
Harlan received fifty votes, Samuel J. Kirk
wood forty-four, and several other candidates
received small votes. The contest was close
and the result was still uncertain. The second
ballot gave Harlan fifty-seven and Kirkwood
forty-six, but even then no candidate had a
majority of the votes in the caucus. On the
third ballot, however, Harlan received sixty-
three votes and became the party nominee.
Next came the choice of a candidate for the
short term. On the first ballot Kirkwood
received eighty votes, while the highest number
received by any of his competitors was
sixteen.486 The Republicans were overwhelmingly in
control of the General Assembly, and conse
quently the caucus nomination meant certain
election. On January 13th the two houses met
in joint convention and by large majorities
elected Samuel J. Kirkwood and James Harlan

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 311
to represent the State in the United States
Senate, the former until March 4, 1867, and the
latter for six years after that date.487
Senator Kirkwood very soon set out for
Washington, and upon his arrival there took
lodgings at the Kirkwood House which stood at
the corner of Twelfth Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue.488 On January 20th his credentials
were received and filed in the Senate. Four
days later he was presented by his colleague,
James W. Grimes, administered the oath of
office, and assigned a seat. Later he was given
a place on the committees on pensions and
public lands.489
Coming into the Senate as a new man when
the session was well under way, it was natural
that the junior Senator from Iowa should take
a relatively small part in the proceedings.
While he was by no means a silent member, he
seldom participated in debate, and when he did
speak it was usually very briefly. On one
occasion he objected to counting negroes in
determining the basis of representation in Con
gress unless they were allowed to vote. A
Maryland Senator called attention to the fact
that women were included in the enumeration
and yet they were not allowed to vote. "We
should feel some objection," was Kirkwood 's
reply, "if we felt in regard to negroes as the
Senator does, to having our women balanced off

312 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
all the time by negroes in Maryland."490 He
also opposed a bill to restrict homesteads on
the public lands in the South to eighty acres, on
the ground that it would discourage immigra
tion and would retard development in that
section. "Although I may not agree with some
Senators in regard to some matters concerning
these seceded States," he said, "I certainly do
not desire to do them any injustice; I do not
desire to take any action that will injure their
material interests ' \491
A bill amending the Pacific Railroad law and
a proposal to subsidize the building of a
Niagara ship canal were other matters which
received considerable attention from Senator
Kirkwood.492 Especially was he opposed to
placing an internal revenue tax on reapers,
mowers, threshing-machines, and other farm
machinery. "The Senator from Maine, I am
satisfied, cannot understand the condition of
our people with regard to these matters", he
declared. "It is substantially the same as tax
ing men in our State. There is not one acre out
of a hundred of our wheat that is cut in any
other way than with a reaper. There is not one
acre out of a hundred [of our hay] that is cut
in any other way than with a mower. We have
not the men in our State to collect our crops
without these machines. If you would give us
your superabundant population to do the work,

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 313
we should be content; but these machines are
used by us instead of men."493
It would not be possible from any of Kirk-
wood's remarks in the Senate during this
session to determine his attitude toward recon
struction. He may not have been sure in his
own mind, and certainly the many letters which
he received from citizens of Iowa did not offer
him any assistance in determining the wishes of
his constituents. On the one hand there were
many letters like that written by Henry Dunlavy
from near Bloomfield. "You know that rad
icalism has failed in every Government on
earth", he wrote. "The south is in the Union
as states, and the party that attempts to make
the southern states dependent Territories will
all go under as certain as the old Federal, Whig,
K. N. and the late Democratic party have. . . .
Prepare yourself and astonish the natives in
favor of the President's restoration policy, lay
aside party for the sake of your country. Walk
right into Sumner & Co. You can beat any of
them in debate. ' ' On the other hand, there were
many who took the opposite view. "I fear that
Mr. Johnson is clearly against us as Repub
licans, and yielding to the old slave power",
wrote an Iowa City minister. "This I deeply
regret. I therefore hope by all fair means the
Senate and House will both stand firm."494
Congress did not adjourn until the last week

314 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
in July. Scarcely had Senator Kirkwood
reached his home in Iowa City when he received
from the chairman of the Republican State
Central Committee a list of speaking appoint
ments, beginning at Newton on September 10th
and ending at Iowa City on October 6th. The
Senator was informed that he could go by rail
to Newton, and from there by stage to Des
Moines, where a team would be waiting to take
him into the southwestern part of the State.
After filling engagements in that region he
would be brought by way of Indianola to Des
Moines on September 26th. From there he
would go by railway to Oskaloosa, where a team
would take him to Sigourney and Washington,
after which he could return to Iowa City by
train.495 This strenuous trip was almost too much for
Mr. Kirkwood, and he had barely recovered his
strength when it was necessary to return to
Washington for the short session of the Thirty-
ninth Congress. Mrs. Kirkwood now accom
panied her husband and they took quarters on
Sixth Street.496
The subjects during this three-month session
of Congress which elicited the greatest amount
of discussion from Senator Kirkwood were the
admission of Nebraska into the Union, the
improvement of the navigation of the Missis
sippi River, and the tariff. While he was sorry

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 315
that the people of Nebraska had drawn up a
Constitution containing the word "white" he
was not willing that their desire for statehood
should be thwarted on that account.497 The
removal of obstructions to the navigation in the
Mississippi, and especially the building of a
canal around the Des Moines rapids, was a
project of great importance to the people of
Iowa, and he labored diligently to secure the
necessary appropriation.498 He favored a low
tariff on such commodities as lumber, the
supply of which in the United States was
rapidly becoming exhausted; and a high tariff
on coal, wheat, and such other commodities as
could be raised or produced for an indefinite
period in this country in sufficient quantities to
meet the needs of home consumption.499
The debate on the admission of Nebraska
brought Kirkwood into conflict with Charles
Sumner, who had referred to the Nebraska
Constitution as being odious because it con
tained the word "white". Now it happened
that the same objectionable word still remained
in the Constitution of Iowa, and Senator Kirk
wood felt that the Massachusetts Senator was
also casting reflections on that instrument.
Therefore he told Sumner that he "should
remember that there are other States in this
Union besides Massachusetts; and when he
speaks of particulars wherein those States do

316 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
not agree with Massachusetts he should be
careful of the terms he applies to them. ' '
"May I ask the Senator if he considers that
provision in the constitution of Iowa right or
wrong?", inquired Sumner.
"I conceive it to be the business of the people
of Iowa and not the business of the Senator
from Massachusetts", was the reply. "The
people of Iowa will deal with it in their own
way when they see fit; and as a loyal people
they have the right to do so ; and so I apprehend
have the people of Nebraska."500
This passage of words created no little stir
in Iowa. "I wrote you substantially that I
thought you would fail in the Senate because I
did not think you could make yourself damned
fool enough to please the long haired fools both
male and female who control the Republican
party", was the comment of Reuben Noble.
"One year has proved the truth of my predic
tions. You ventured to say 'None of your busi
ness' to the Representative man of the long
haired gentry, and the Miss Nancys of the femi
nine gender, and forthwith the pack are let
loose upon you. You are dead politically for
the present."
"I ask the privilege of congratulating you
upon & of thanking you for, your decisive &
successful course on the Nebraska question —
as also for your plucky tilt with His Serene

SHORT TERM AS SENATOR 317
Theorist Sumner", wrote George C. Tichenor.
"Notwithstanding the promptitude, indeed in
decent haste with which certain Journals have
so severely criticised your action in the prem
ises, you will find when the time comes, that the
men of power in the state will be ready in a
practical manner to evince their endorsement of
you."501 The Thirty-ninth Congress adjourned on
March 3, 1867, and soon afterward Samuel J.
Kirkwood returned to Iowa City, where he was
to remain in private life for a period of eight
years.

XXVII
Lawyer and Railroad President
The record of Samuel J. Kirkwood 's activities
during the next three years is very meager.
Apparently he did not return at once to the
practice of the law, nor did he engage in any
enterprise which brought him into public atten
tion. During the political campaigns of 1867
and 1868 he made a number of speeches in and
around Iowa City.502 In March, 1868, he took a
prominent part in the organization of a " Grant
Club" at Iowa City, thereby indicating his
hearty support of the hero of Vicksburg as a
candidate for the presidency.503 About this
same time "the voters of Iowa City township,
'just for the fun of the thing,' or as a sort of
practical joke on the ex-governor, elected him
to the office of road supervisor. But he took it
in good part, went promptly and qualified, and
served his term out faithfully and well."504
Meanwhile the "War Governor" was not for
gotten by his friends. "When are you coming
to Des M.?", wrote Governor Samuel Merrill in
December, 1868. "Our old latch string 'hangs
out' & you & wife are invited — We live in great
318

RAILROAD PRESIDENT 319
style & you will please put on your Sunday
clothes."505 One year later Merrill appointed
Kirkwood as one of the Iowa delegates to a
convention to be held at St. Louis on October
20, 1869, for the purpose of considering the
expediency of removing the national capital to
some point in the Mississippi Valley.506
But there was one painful episode during this
period which threatened to disturb a close and
long-standing friendship. In May, 1868, James
W. Grimes was one of the seven Republicans
who in the United States Senate showed their
statesmanship by voting against the impeach
ment of Andrew Johnson. Immediately there
was an exhibition of the fickleness of public
favor. Senator Grimes was assailed as a
traitor to his party and to the country. Many
of those who had been among his greatest ad
mirers now turned against him and disowned
him in language expressive of the deepest con
tempt. Everywhere among Republicans there
was intense indignation; and the members of
the party in Iowa City were no less outspoken
than those in other sections of the State.
"Mr. Grimes has received the resolutions of
your Grant Club, condemning his course, and
demanding that he should resign his position as
Senator", wrote Jacob Rich to Kirkwood from
Washington on May 24th. ' ' He has also noticed
that you were present and made a speech at that

320 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
meeting, and also the statement that the reso
lutions were unanimously adopted. I don't
think that anything that has been said and done
has hurt him much more than the idea that you,
who ought to know how conscientious and
honest he is in his public duties, should join in
the popular howl which you know it is so easy
to raise, and from which you yourself have
suffered to some extent. I tell him I will not
believe that you have done so. . . . He
never was clearer in his duty in any vote he has
ever given, and reflection has but fortified him
in the belief that the country will yet thank him
for the vote."507
Unfortunately there is no record of the
speech made by Mr. Kirkwood before the Grant
Club in Iowa City, nor is there any way of
determining the exact nature of his persona]
feelings toward Senator Grimes. It is evident,
however, that the report which so wounded
Grimes was greatly exaggerated if not entirely
erroneous. "I was much pleased to hear from
you," wrote Jacob Rich on June 3rd, "and
pleased, also, to find that I was not mistaken as
to the course which I supposed you had taken
in the matter in question. I felt sure that you
would not, for an instant, fortify unreasonable
passion and prejudice, and would be no party to
the aspersions upon the character and integrity
of men whom you know so well as Fessenden,

RAILROAD PRESIDENT 321
Trumbull and Mr. Grimes, however much you
might differ with them in the conclusions to
which they have come."508
As late as May, 1869, according to the mutual
admirer of the two men, the apparent desertion
on the part of Kirkwood remained ' ' one of the
sorest things connected with the matter" to
Senator Grimes. Three months later Mr. Rich
had an opportunity for a personal conversation
with the Senator in Paris, France, where he
was spending some time in the hope of regain
ing his lost health. "I spoke to him of your
feeling of regret that anything should have
come up to estrange you", wrote Rich. "I told
him the circumstances of that meeting as you
told them to me, and I hope they made him
better satisfied than formerly as to your entire
friendliness to him at that time. I am satisfied,
indeed, that the statement had that effect."309
In February, 1872, Senator Grimes died at his
home in Burlington. There is no record of a
definite reconciliation between the two men.
Under these circumstances Mr. Kirkwood
must have found much satisfaction in a letter
which he received several years later from Mrs.
Grimes, in reply to his acknowledgment of a
copy of a memorial volume containing tributes
to Senator Grimes. "I did not know of the loss
of friendship on the part of Mr. Grimes, of
which you speak", she wrote. "I do not re-
22

322 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
member ever to have heard him speak of you
in any way to give me the impression of any
loss of regard for you, while I do remember the
respect and friendship which had made your
name a familiar & honored one to me. It is as
the friend of Mr. Grimes that I would remember
you & that I wished you to accept the book that
I have sent you, — and your letter convinces me
that it was proper."810
In January, 1870, Mr. N. H. Brainerd, now
the editor of an Iowa City newspaper, an
nounced that Samuel J. Kirkwood had opened
a law office on Washington Street in the room
in the rear of the Iowa City National Bank.
"We can heartily recommend him to those who
dare to trust one of his youth and inexperi
ence", was the facetious comment of the erst
while military secretary. ' ' His lack of years is
becoming less every day and, for one of his age,
we consider him very promising. We hope he
will be given business enough to encourage him
in his efforts to gain a position in life."511
At about this same time Mr. Kirkwood em
barked in another enterprise which occupied a
considerable portion of his attention during the
next four or five years. Early in December,
1869, he was appointed as a delegate from
Johnson County to a railroad convention to be
held at Muscatine on the fifteenth day of that
month.512 Three months later, in April, 1870,

RAILROAD PRESIDENT 323
it was announced that a company had been
formed to construct a railroad from some point
in Clinton or Cedar County through Iowa City
and Sigourney to some point on the Missouri
River. At the head of the list of the five direc
tors organizing this company was Samuel J.
Kirkwood. A meeting of all persons interested
in the proposed road was to be held at Iowa
City on May 3rd, at which time additional
directors would be chosen and the plan more
fully explained.513
The meeting was held according to appoint
ment and was attended by enthusiastic delegates
from various communities. Mr. Kirkwood pre
sided and later at a meeting of the directors he
was elected president of the company, which
was known as the Iowa & Southwestern Rail
road Company.614 The summer was spent in
making plans and stimulating public interest.
The project met with great favor. When Kirk
wood went over the route of the proposed road
in December, 1870, he was given a hearty re
ception. "He was passed from place to place,
and feasted on the fat of the land. As he came
to a town horsemen were sent in every direction
to call out the people, and with a few hours
notice a large assembly would listen to his
remarks in the evening, the papers were drawn
up, and they went right to work obtaining
names to their petition for submitting the ques-

324 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
tion of a tax to a vote of the people."515 In
many townships taxes were voted for the pur
pose of aiding a project from which so many
benefits were expected.
Early in 1871 an arrangement was made with
the Iowa Southwestern Construction Company
for the construction of the road. The incorpor
ators of this company were F. E. Hinckley of
Chicago, president, Charles H. Toll, James B.
Edmonds, J. B. Grinnell, and M. T. Close, and
the issuance of $500,000 worth of capital stock
was authorized.516 In May it was announced
that the cars were to be running from Chicago,
through Clinton, to Iowa City at the latest by
July 1, 1872, and possibly by January 1st; while
they would reach Oskaloosa by December 31st.
"We will soon see the dirt flying", was the
confident prediction. In October the statement
was made that work was in progress all along
the line and that ground was being broken in
Scott County. Later Kirkwood received assur
ances that the road would be ready for opera
tion at the time agreed upon.517
But there were many delays. The coming of
winter halted the work. Mr. Hinckley was
interested in other railroad projects which
claimed much of his attention. In fact the his
tory of the project during the next three years
was one of alternating hope and despair. The
name of the road was changed several times,

RAILROAD PRESIDENT 325
and there were periods when the prospects
seemed good for the completion of the road.
Mr. Kirkwood and other men also became inter
ested in a coal mine in Monroe County. Then
new difficulties arose. Funds could not be
easily secured. Other railroads entered a por
tion of the territory through which this line was
projected. Finally the road was leased to the
Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Northern Rail
road Company. Ten years later, after many
vicissitudes, trains were put into operation be
tween Clinton and Elmira, where connection
was made with a short line to Iowa City.518
While this ill-fated venture was engrossing
much of his attention and causing him no end
of worry, Samuel J. Kirkwood did not remain
entirely aloof from political affairs. In the
spring of 1871, laying aside the resentment
which he no doubt still felt toward James
Harlan, he wrote the Senator a letter in praise
of his stand in support of President Grant
against the attacks of Schurz and Sumner.
"Your generous letter of the 5th inst. has been
received, for which allow me to express my
heartfelt thanks", was Senator Harlan's reply.
"The attack on the President was so completely
inexcusable, as to make it difficult to listen to it
with patience. I tried to do what seemed to be
a plain duty in the premises, — and I will not
disguise the fact that your commendation gives
me great personal pleasure."519

326 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
In June. of the same year Kirkwood 's name
was suggested as a possible candidate for the
Republican nomination for Governor; but the
movement apparently did not pass beyond the
stage of suggestion. He was a candidate for
State Senator that fall, however, and was de
feated by his Democratic opponent, Samuel H.
Fairall.520 Then came the bitter Harlan-Allison contest
for the senatorship, beginning in earnest in the
fall of 1871 and culminating in the election of
William B. Allison by the legislature in 1872.
Mr. Kirkwood was strongly urged by such men
as Grenville M. Dodge and Jacob Rich to use
his influence in favor of Allison; while he was
asked by Allison himself to take charge of that
candidate's forces in the contest. On the other
hand, George G. Wright advised Kirkwood to
keep out of the fight entirely, since he was the
only man in the State who could defeat Harlan
in case it appeared that Allison would not be
successful.521 What part Kirkwood played in
this spectacular campaign can not be gauged,
but it is certain that his warm friendship for
William B. Allison enlisted his sympathies, if
not his active labors, in support of the Dubuque
candidate. Three years now passed during which Kirk-
wood's name seldom appeared in connection
with public affairs, except that in 1874 he be-

RAILROAD PRESIDENT 327
came a member and chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the Iowa State Agricultural Col
lege at Ames. But he was not forgotten by
influential friends. About the first of January,
1875, he received several telegrams asking him
if he would accept an appointment as Minister
to Turkey, which position the members of the
Iowa delegation in Congress were confident
they could secure for him. "Salary $7,500",
wrote William B. Allison a few days later.
"The duties must be very light from the fact
that we have very little business with Turkey.
. . . If we should be beaten in 76 the term
would not be long & you would have a most
interesting and delightful voyage. ... I
hope you will see your way clear to accept
it."522 Mr. Kirkwood 's reply to this offer has
not been preserved, but it is very evident that
he declined with less hesitation than when he
rejected the mission to Denmark ten years
before. Other prospects no doubt had much
weight in determining his choice.

XXVIII
Governor Against His Will
The prospects which made Samuel J. Kirkwood
so little inclined to accept the mission to Turkey
in January, 1875, were political in character.
It would be the duty of the General Assembly of
Iowa in 1876 to elect a United States Senator to
take the place then occupied by George G.
Wright, who had let it be known that he would
not be a candidate for a second term. Now if
there was any public office which, during his
entire career, Mr. Kirkwood really desired to
hold it was the senatorship. The brief taste of
service in the Senate in 1866 and 1867 had not
satisfied that desire. In 1870 he was not a
candidate and in 1872 his friendship for Allison
prevented him from entering the race, even had
he wished to do so. But now, after eight years
of private life, there was no reason why his
aspirations should not rest on the senatorship.
During the early months of the year 1875,
however, there came intimations of a movement
which was quite contrary to his wishes. From
various quarters there came suggestions that
the old War Governor should head the Repub-
328

THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR 329
lican. State ticket in the campaign that fall.
"Are you willing to be a candidate for Gov
ernor?", asked A. J. Felt of Waterloo late in
March. ' ' I am confident that more Republicans
in Iowa are for 'old Sam Kirkwood,' than for
any other man. ... I know that your name
for Governor, and your presence on the stump,
would call out all the Old Guard ; it would rally
to the front again every Boy in Blue; would
revive the old spirit of enthusiasm; call home
the wanderers, heal the disaffections and place
the Republican column once more in solid
phalanx and place Iowa where she belongs at
the head of the vanguard of States that march
with the flag and keep step to the music of the
Union. ' '523 Newspapers also began to give sup
port to the movement.
Here was a quandary, but Kirkwood was not
without advisers. Jacob Rich, for instance,
urged him to be a candidate for Governor and
not announce his senatorial aspirations until
later. A strong candidate for Governor was
necessary in order to carry the legislative ticket
for the Republican party. "Even if it means
retirement," asked Rich, "would it not mean
such a going out as would make you the most
honored man in the State ? . . . . The party
needs you for Governor, and I believe your con
sent to take it, must bring you honor and satis
faction. " At the same time he did not believe

330 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
that an election as Governor would mean the
end of Kirkwood 's chance for the senatorship.524
On the other hand, such men as John H. Gear
and J. N. Dewey advised him not to be a guber
natorial candidate if he wished to be Senator.
' ' Select the position you propose to go for and
go for it", said the latter. "Possibly between
two stools you might catch a fall — which we
don't want."525
Whether or not this possibility worried Kirk
wood, he did not wish the nomination for Gov
ernor; and in May he authorized the editor of
the Iowa City Republican to announce that he
would positively refuse to accept it, even if
tendered to him.526 He was a man of sixty-two
years, whose hair was growing gray and whose
physical strength was beyond its zenith. He did
not feel equal to the strain of a vigorous cam
paign such as would be required of a candidate
for the governorship.
As a matter of fact, as the time for the State
convention approached it seemed less and less
likely that Kirkwood would be obliged either to
accept or reject a nomination for Governor. It
had become almost a foregone conclusion that
James B. Weaver of Bloomfield would be the
party nominee. He had a record for distin
guished service during the Civil War, and he
was a man of great and recognized ability. His
nomination was confidently expected on the

THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR 331
basis of the claim that a majority of the dele
gates to the convention were instructed to vote
for him. His extreme views in favor of prohi
bition afforded the chief ground of opposition
to his nomination. Weaver's principal com
petitor was John Russell, formerly State Audi
tor, who received support from those opposed to
making prohibition a party issue. Three other
men, namely, John H. Gear, Robert Smythe,
and W. B. Fairfield, each had a small follow
ing.527 Then came the Republican State convention
at Des Moines on June 30th.528 ' ' The gathering
was pronounced the largest and most enthusi
astic ever assembled in Iowa since the organiza
tion of the Republican party. Every available
seat in Moore's Opera House was filled, and
hundreds were unable to gain admittance."
During the morning a temporary organization
was effected and committees were appointed.
The election of permanent officers and a speech
by the chairman were the first events in the
afternoon. Then nominations for Governor
were declared to be in order. One by one,
James B. Weaver, John Russell, John H. Gear,
Robert Smythe, and W. B. Fairfield were
placed in nomination.
Balloting was about to begin when in the
midst of the Audubon County delegation there
arose Dr. S. M. Ballard, a large man with flow-

332 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
ing white hair. In tones that penetrated to
every corner of the hall he nominated Samuel J.
Kirkwood. Immediately there were enthusi
astic cheers and a great flutter of excitement.
Delegations fell to discussing the unexpected
nomination. "The Dubuque delegation was
seated on the stage, and was plainly the most
excited and apparently the most surprised of
all the delegations. It had a hurried consulta
tion, and then one of its members, General
Trumbull, .... left the delegation and
walked clear down to the front of the stage, and
leaning over the foot-lights and pointing his
hand at the Audubon delegation, which sat in
the parquette not far from the stage," de
manded to know by what authority the name of
Mr. Kirkwood was presented. Again Dr.
Ballard arose and "in a voice of peculiar power
and magnetism" answered back: "By the
authority of the great Republican party of the
State of Iowa." Vociferous applause, lasting
for several minutes, greeted this reply.
When quiet had been partially restored
"Honest John Russell" arose and "with the
Scotch accent peculiar to the man", declared
that he would not be a candidate against the
old War Governor. He was followed by John
H. Gear who, in a speech "delivered with fire
and dash, having an electrifying effect on the
Convention," likewise withdrew his name. "I

THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR 333
would regard now and at all times the interests
of my party first", he said. "I most cordially
second the motion to nominate the old War
Governor, who sent seventy-five thousand of
our Iowa boys in blue cheering to the front to
help so potentially in subduing the rebellion".
This speech was followed by ' ' such tumultuous
cheers as were never heard before in any polit
ical gathering in the State."
After the applause had ceased some delegate
had the temerity to inquire whether it was not
true that Kirkwood 's friends in the convention
had received a telegram from him earlier in the
day positively declining to accept a nomination.
In response there came cries of "Don't care if
they have" and "Don't make any difference".
Dr. Ballard then proposed that Kirkwood be
nominated by acclamation, but there was much
opposition to this suggestion, and so an in
formal ballot was taken. The result was that
Kirkwood received two hundred and sixty-eight
votes, Weaver two hundred, Smythe one hun
dred and eleven, and Fairfield thirty-three.
Three hundred and seven were necessary to a
choice. A formal ballot was therefore taken.
But before it could be counted, various counties
began to change their vote to the support of
Kirkwood, "whereupon Capt. Hull, of Davis —
Gen. Weaver 's county — very gracefully moved
to make the nomination of Gov. Kirkwood

334 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
The motion was enthusiastically adopted;
and Rev. I. P. Teter, a member of the conven
tion, moved that the secretary telegraph to
Kirkwood asking if he would accept. This
motion was met with a storm of protests.
"Hon. John Y. Stone arose amid the tumult to
say, 'Gov. Kirkwood must accept.' This was
the signal for such wild applause that Mr.
Teter withdrew his motion, saying he would
substitute therefor a second to the positive
declaration of Senator Stone."
While the convention was still in an uproar
because of the unexpected "stampede" many
messages were passing over the wires from Des
Moines to Iowa City. "Kirkwood nominated
for governor first ballot amid most tumultuous
applause I ever witnessed", telegraphed James
S. Clarkson to George G. Wright, who was then
living in Iowa City. "Under no circumstances
must he decline." To Kirkwood himself came
a telegram signed by John H. Gear, William
Larrabee, Ed. Wright, R. S. Finkbine, J. G.
Foote, and J. Q. Tufts: "All candidates with
drawn in your favor you are nominated by
acclamation you must accept it will come out all
right." "It could not be helped", was the mes
sage written by Nathaniel B. Baker. "It was
the only road out. And now, I think it does not
hurt you on U. S. Senator." R. S. Finkbine
was even more certain on this point, for he

THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR 335
assured Kirkwood that the election as Governor
would give him "a hold on the party for the
Senatorship, which neither Hell — nor Harlan
could defeat."529
The candidate was slow in replying to the
urgent messages of his friends. "Why in
thunder don't you accept answer?" was the im
patient telegram from Ed. Wright which
reached Iowa City at 4:40 in the afternoon.
Finally, Mr. Kirkwood sent a reluctant reply:
"If I must, say yes for me."530
Thus was Samuel J. Kirkwood forced into a
campaign against his will. It was one of those
instances in which the best laid plans go amiss.
The nomination of James B. Weaver had been
practically certain. But he was opposed by the
friends of other candidates, as well as by the
anti-prohibition forces and the corporations.
When Kirkwood 's name was presented all these
elements found common ground in his support.
Added to this situation were the great popu
larity of the old War Governor and the psycho
logical effect of the dramatic manner in which
his name was placed before the convention.531
Having once accepted the nomination the
Republican candidate for Governor entered
into the race in earnest against his Democratic
competitor, Shepherd LefHer. The campaign on
the part of the Republicans opened formally on
September 1st. But on August 19th Mr. Kirk-

336 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
wood made a speech in the opera house at Des
Moines which sounded the key-note of his cam
paign. After being introduced by Governor
Carpenter, he was ' ' warmly, loudly, and repeat
edly cheered." First he denied the charges
made in the Democratic press that he had spec
ulated in tax titles, that he was a large owner of
railroad stock, that he owned stock in a dis
tillery, that he had spoken in slighting terms of
the German citizens of the State, and that he
had speculated in army clothing during the
Civil War.
Then he took up three inquiries which he had
received, concerning his attitude toward woman
suffrage, secret societies, and the temperance
question. "As to woman suffrage he said he
honestly hoped to see the day when in going to
the polls we shall take our wives, daughters, and
sisters with us, and he believed that many of us
would live to see such a day." In response to
the second inquiry he stated that he was a
Mason and an Odd Fellow. "Many of the mem
bers of each of these Orders will fight me as
bitterly as any others in Iowa," he continued,
' ' and I do not suppose there are many who will
think of making this question an issue in the
canvass or at the polls. I will not argue the
question here. Any man who wishes to vote
against me on that score, or who honestly thinks
he ought to, can do so without any objections on
my part. ' '

THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR 337
The temperance question, then a prominent
issue in Iowa, was discussed more in detail.
The speaker declared that he was as much op
posed to the intemperate use of intoxicating
liquors as anyone could be. But he felt that
there was ground for honest difference of
opinion as to the best method of regulating the
liquor traffic. In part of the counties of the
State the prohibitory law was well enforced,
while in others it was openly violated. ' ' I know
it is much more difficult to do a thing than to
say it can be done," he declared, "but I think
if I had the power to do so I could make a law
that would fully protect the counties where the
present law is enforced and at the same time
better the condition of the counties where the
present law is not enforced." This statement
was not to be taken in any way as a pledge.
"You may say on one side or on the other or on
both sides of this question that you are unwill
ing to trust one without a pledge", he said.
"Very well — that is your privilege, and you,
not I, must be answerable for its exercise. ' '
"Some of my friends who are editing Demo
cratic papers," he continued, "are afraid that
if I get to be Governor I may want to be a Sen
ator. They and some others are very anxious
that we should have a good looking man to send
as our Governor to the Centennial Exposition
at Philadelphia next year. . . . Now I
23

338 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
couldn't go to the Senate or leave the Governor
ship, if I wanted to, before March, of 1877 —
the year after the Centennial, so that the people
of Iowa would still have the benefit of all the
beauty that I have at the Centennial. [Re
peated laughter.] .... But about my want
ing or not wanting to go to the Senate I shall
make no promises. If I did it might be as it was
with the Governorship. I said I did not want
and would not take that; but I am the Repub
lican party's candidate for it — and I do not
intend any more to say what office I will take
and what I will not. ' '
With this lengthy introduction, the candidate
proceeded with the formal part of his speech, in
which he discussed the attitude of the Repub
lican party on the great issues of the day. Just
at the close he returned once more to the tem
perance question, and advised the prohibition
ists to remain in the Republican party. "You
are no doubt as honest as you are earnest, and
I for one believe that you are", he declared.
"It is right, too, to be progressive, radical, and
advanced. But have a care that you do not get
so far ahead of public opinion that you will get
out of sight of the great body of the people alto
gether, and be lost. (Applause.) So far,
indeed, that you cannot even be heard. (Ap
plause.) "532
During the next six weeks Kirkwood toured

THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR 339
the State on a vigorous campaign of speech-
making. To be sure there was lacking much of
the picturesqueness which characterized the
joint debates between Kirkwood and Dodge in
1859. The railroads also made it possible to
get from place to place with greater comfort
and expedition than in the days when candi
dates must depend almost entirely on stage
lines and private conveyances. But the candi
date addressed the people with much of his old
magnetism and earnestness in a great many
towns from one end of the State to the other.
The result was that at the election held on
October 12th he received over thirty-one thou
sand more votes than did his opponent,
Shepherd Leffler.533
The third inauguration of Samuel J. Kirk
wood as Governor of Iowa occurred in the
opera house in Des Moines on January 13, 1876.
After the officers-elect had entered the hall and
taken the seats assigned to them the Capital
City Band played "Hail to the Chief". Rev.
J. W. Murphy then offered prayer and the band
played "The Mocking Bird". Thereupon the
oath of office was administered to the newly
elected officers and Governor Kirkwood deliv
ered his inaugural address.534
Because this was the centennial year, the
Governor dwelt at length on the progress of the
Nation during the preceding century and of

340 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Iowa since the coming of the first settlers. He
had very little advice to offer the General As
sembly in the way of a program for legislation,
except to suggest the need of reform in criminal
procedure and to recommend railroad rate reg
ulation, including the creation of a railroad
commission. The needs of the State and its
various institutions had already been set forth
by his predecessor.535
Governor Kirkwood 's third period of service
as chief executive of Iowa was brief and com
paratively uneventful. Perhaps the mere
routine of the office had increased in volume
during the twelve years since he last sat in the
Governor's chair. But with his memories of
the strenuous days during the war he must have
felt that his duties were very light.536 A year
passed, with almost nothing of importance to
be recorded in the executive journal. Then on
the first day of February, 1877, there was in
scribed this record: "Upon this day, Samuel J.
Kirkwood, having been elected a senator of the
United States for six years from the fourth day
of March, vacated the office of Governor of the
State of Iowa, whereupon, in accordance with
the constitution, Joshua G. Newbold, the
lieutenant governor, assumes the discharge of
the duties of the office of Governor."537

XXIX
Senator in His Own Right
The nomination of Kirkwood for Governor in
June, 1875, did not banish his aspirations for
the senatorship : it merely postponed his active
efforts in that direction. There was newspaper
discussion of the senatorial question through
out the period of the State campaign; but the
candidate centered his energies on the race for
the governorship.
October 12th, the day of the State election,
however, marked the beginning of a new cam
paign. "When the smoke of the contest has
cleared away," wrote Jacob Rich on the fif
teenth, "we must canvass the condition of the
new battle field."338 That the canvass was
thorough is shown by the fact that the candidate
received fully three hundred letters during the
last three months of the year 1875 bearing on
the senatorial contest. Chief among the Gov
ernor's supporters were Jacob Rich, J. N.
Dewey, E. R. Kirk, Caleb Baldwin, and George
G. Wright. These men and others labored
earnestly in Kirkwood 's behalf. Members of
the legislature were interviewed or letters were 341

342 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
written to them in efforts to secure a promise
of their votes. The Governor was kept in
formed of the prospects and supplied with more
advice than he could well use.
Senator Allison's attitude was one subject on
which there was difference of opinion. E. R.
Kirk and George D. Perkins wrote from Sioux
City expressing the belief that Kirkwood had
been nominated for Governor in order to defeat
him for Senator, and that Allison had a part in
the plan. They warned the Governor that
Allison and Harlan were now working hand in
hand to secure the latter 7s return to the Senate.
Caleb Baldwin likewise seems to have been
doubtful of the Dubuque Senator's support.
"I have had a talk with Allison," he wrote
about the middle of December, "he says he is
all right for you, but is tied. I told him you
were not tied when you were asked to aid him.
This he admitted freely." Jacob Rich, how
ever, denied that Allison was opposed to Kirk
wood: he was "simply letting the thing alone
personally."539 Any fears which Kirkwood himself may have
had on this point must have disappeared after
reading a letter from Allison written on De
cember 19th. ' ' I felt quite sure that the appre
hension of some of your friends possibly
somewhat shared in by yourself, that I would or
was forming alliances in another direction

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 343
would be dispelled before the canvass had
progressed very far. None such were ever
thought of by me, for a moment, as our friendly
relations beginning with my boyhood, or youth,
and until now uninterrupted, to say nothing of
my deep obligation to you for various services,
which aided materially in securing what little
of success I have achieved, would all preclude
the idea of any such combination."540
While Kirkwood 's closest friends assured
him that the election as Governor ought not and
would not prove a stumbling-block in his path
way to the Senate, other people were not so
certain. Especially discouraging were the re
plies received from many members of the legis
lature. Typical was the letter from M. C.
Jordan, a Representative-elect from Linn
County. "I voted for you in State Convention
for Governor," he wrote, "and our choice was
backed up by the unanimous vote of the repub
licans of Iowa at the polls. I do not suppose
there was ten men in convention, or one hundred
in the State that would have voted for Mr.
Newbold for Governor, now would it be right
for 150 men to deprive the people of Iowa of
their choice for Gov. and put in a man that they
did not want."541
As the campaign began to "warm up" it
required repeated urgings on the part of his
friends to induce Kirkwood to take aggressive

344 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
action in his own behalf. He always enjoyed a
contest like that for Governor, where the issues
could be squarely met in public speech. But he
had no taste for the wire-pulling and scheming
which an election by the legislature involved.
"I know how natural it is in you", wrote J. N.
Dewey, "to shrink from any such contest —
how loth to say, or to do anything of yourself
/or. yourself .... you must shake off all
that kind of sentiment."342
"You must have a thorough organization of
your friends throughout the State", advised
Jacob Rich. "You must get at the influences
and the men that control each member, and
capture them if you honorably can. . . .
There are many honorable ways to reach men,
and these ways you and the immediate advisers
about you must study. . . . There is honest
expenditure — a legitimate use of means — in
this."543 Apparently the chief purpose for which
money was used during this campaign was to
pay the expenses of people who went to Des
Moines to exert whatever influence they might
have over the members of the legislature. Late
in December Jacob Rich sent a list of the names
of twenty-seven men from northeastern Iowa
whom he had invited to go to Des Moines. Some
of them would pay their own expenses, others
must be guaranteed that their way would be:

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 345
paid, while in a few cases it would be necessary
to furnish railway tickets. Rich promised to be
as "circumspect as possible in the matter of
expense." E. R. Kirk of Sioux City also in
formed the Governor that several influential
men from that section would go to Des Moines.
One man had declared that he would spend one
hundred dollars out of his own pocket rather
than see Kirkwood defeated. "I do not think
it improper ' ', said Kirk, ' ' to pay some of these
poor devils of Country editors their ex
penses."544 By the time the General Assembly convened
in January, 1876, the candidates in the sena
torial contest were definitely known. Chief
among Kirkwood 's competitors for the Repub
lican nomination was his old opponent of the
campaign ten years before — James Harlan.
There were also Hiram Price, William W.
Belknap, and George W. McCrary — all men of
ability who had enough supporters to give them
some hope of success.
On January 11th it was announced, without
much previous discussion, that the Republican
caucus would be held on the following evening.
"The announcement created a decided sensa
tion, and made a stir through the great crowd,
and was followed by a tumult at all of the
different headquarters. It precipitated things
with a rush, and made a busy night of it."

346 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
There was also "much telegraphing to and fro,
and plenty of bracing-up messages from home
ordered up by all sides."
The Republican caucus on the evening of
January 12th was an orderly and good-natured
meeting. Senator Fred A. Teale called atten
tion to the rickety condition of the building in
which the caucus was held, and warned the
members "against indulgence in tumultuous
applause." Then, to the surprise of nearly
everyone, John S. Woolson arose and read a
letter from James Harlan requesting that his
name be withdrawn from the list of candidates.
The chief cause of this withdrawal was learned
on the following day when it became known that
Harlan had been called to the bedside of his
son, who had been seized with a fatal illness
while on his way to California.
The withdrawal of Harlan's name upset all
calculations. No one could predict for which
candidate his friends would now cast their
votes, though it seems to have been expected
that they would favor Hiram Price. Thus the
informal ballot was watched with breathless
interest. The counting of the ballots showed
Kirkwood far in the lead with fifty-three votes,
while his nearest competitor, Hiram Price, had
only twenty-four. But no one had a majority.
The first formal ballot, however, gave Kirk
wood fifty-six votes, which was one more than

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 347
was necessary to a choice, and he was forthwith
declared to be nominated unanimously.545
One week later, in joint convention of the two
houses of the General Assembly, he was de
clared duly elected United States Senator from
Iowa for the full term of six years beginning on
March 4, 1877.546 "I find nothing but grati
fication at your success", wrote Jacob Rich.
"I never felt so good in all my life."547
On the Saturday after his nomination in the
caucus Governor Kirkwood returned for a brief
visit to his home in Iowa City, where he was
given an enthusiastic reception. As the train
neared the station a salute was fired, and
Lyon's Band of twenty pieces played "Hail to
the Chief". Amid the cheers of the crowd the
Governor was conducted to a carriage and
driven to the St. James Hotel; and during his
progress from the station to the hotel a "Sena
torial salute of fifteen guns was fired". After
supper the distinguished citizen was taken to
Ham's Hall, "where an immense crowd awaited
him, hundreds being unable to gain admittance.
His entrance to the hall was the signal for the
wildest demonstration of applause".
Chancellor William G. Hammond of the Law
Department of the State University delivered a
brief address of welcome, expressive of the
affection and admiration which the people of
Iowa City felt toward the man they had assem-

348 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
bled to honor. Governor Kirkwood, much
affected by the demonstration, responded very
briefly. "I guessed by a despatch received
yesterday", he said, "and I learned by a news
paper that I read on the train the fact of my
reception here to-night — I should be dull and
insensate if I did not appreciate the honor done
me by the people of the State of Iowa. . . .
I have lived in Iowa City 21 years and I love, as
you all do, the city in which we live. We all
feel as we ought to the friendship which gives
greeting to one who has drawn a prize in the
Lottery of Life. I will promise, and this is all
I have ever promised, that in the discharge of
my duties I will do the best I can and if what I
shall do will meet your approval, when done, I
shall feel fully rewarded."548
For a year after his election to the senator-
ship Samuel J. Kirkwood remained in the
Governor's chair. On February 1, 1877, he
resigned, and shortly afterward set out for the
national capital to attend a short special session
of the Senate. The greater part of his time
during the next five years was to be spent in the
city where as a youth he had acquired a taste
for politics and public debate. When the work
of the Forty-fifth Congress opened in earnest in
October, 1877, Mrs. Kirkwood accompanied her
husband to Washington, and during the entire

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 349
period of his senatorship they made their home
at No. 1314 Tenth Street, North West.549
Mr. Kirkwood served in the Senate for a
period of four years. During this time there
were six sessions of Congress. Among his
associates, in addition to William B. Allison,
his colleague from Iowa, were James G. Blaine,
Roscoe Conkling, Henry L. Dawes, Wade
Hampton, Hannibal Hamlin, George F. Hoar,
L. Q. C. Lamar, Justin S. Morrill, Oliver P.
Morton, Henry M. Teller, and Allen G. Thur-
man. Throughout the period he was a member
of the committees on foreign relations, pen
sions, and post offices and post roads.
There is nothing spectacular about Kirk-
wood's career in the United States Senate
during these four years. His last legislative
service was very similar in character to his
activity in the Iowa State Senate at the begin
ning of his public career. He was very seldom
absent from his seat; he worked diligently in
committees ; he introduced a considerable num
ber of bills and endeavored to secure their
passage ; and he gave close attention to the dis
cussions on the floor of the Senate. But he did
not often participate at any length in the de
bates, and he never made a long, formal speech.
This does not mean, however, that he failed to
contribute his full share to the deliberations
and to the forming of conclusions on important

350 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
measures. His remarks, though usually very
brief, were clear and to the point. He wasted no
time in quoting poetry or in long-winded argu
ments as did some members of the Senate.
About the longest and certainly the most
notable speech made by Senator Kirkwood
occurred on June 20, 1879, during the debate on
the army appropriation bill. The particular
point at issue was a section of the bill declaring
that no part of the money appropriated should
be so used as to enable any portion of the
United States army to be used to keep the peace
at the polls at any election in any of the States.
Senator Kirkwood readily admitted that the
army could not be used as a police force in
purely local affairs in the States. In all such
cases the army could only be sent into a State
in response to a request from the State author
ities, when they found themselves unable to
cope with the situation, whatever it might be.
But the Iowa Senator was firm in the belief
that it was the right and duty of the President,
without request or even permission, to send the
United States army anywhere within the coun
try when the Federal Constitution or laws were
violated, and there was a failure on the part of
local authorities to bring violators to punish
ment. Representatives in Congress were Fed
eral officers; their offices were established by
the Constitution; and they were in no sense

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 351
State officials. If the bill meant that the army
could not be used to suppress violence at the
polls in the election of Representatives, then he
was unalterably opposed to that particular
section. To hold that Congress had the power
to pass an election law, and yet did not have the
power to enforce it, would be ridiculous. "A
government that cannot do that is incomplete ' ',
he declared. "A government that has to rely
upon something else than itself, upon some
other power than its own to enforce its own
law, is not a government ' '.
"Let me make myself understood now", he
continued. ' ' There is a great deal of talk about
the Government of the United States inter
fering in the States to keep the peace. Nobody
claims that it has the right to do that ordi
narily ; but it is claimed that whenever a consti
tutional law is passed by Congress it goes of its
own power, not by favor, not by permission
from anybody, but of its own constitutional
vigor it goes through the whole length and
breadth of our land and attaches to and becomes
part, so to speak, of every inch of our soil."
This view was elaborated by means of illus
trations and by answers to the questions of
other members. Senator Kirkwood then in
sisted that the Democratic Senators should
state their exact meaning in connection with the
particular section of the bill under dispute.

352 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
"Now I say, in all kindness and all frankness,"
he declared, "it is not for the Senate of the
United States to pass a law the meaning of
which is shown to be doubtful. Am I right?
Is it a becoming thing in this body, said to be
the most dignified deliberative body in the
world — ah, well we will continue to say so —
is it becoming in this body, when the fact is
brought to its attention, that upon the face of a
bill pending before it for action uncertainty,
doubt, dispute exists as to what is the true
meaning of that bill, that it shall not be made
clear?" Although partisanship and sectionalism had
run high in some of the debates, because the
principal instances of violence at elections had
occurred in the South, he assured the Southern
Senators that the Republicans did not wish ill
to the people of their section. "They wish the
prosperity of the people of the South", he said,
"as well as they do of any other section of our
country. They wish that prosperity because
the people of the South are part of our great
family, and if you will not believe that we wish
you prosperity for that reason, then believe it
for a worse, lower, more selfish reason. We
have common sense enough to know that your
prosperity is the prosperity of the country of
which we are a part. Give us credit for selfish
ness at least, if for nothing else but that. We

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 353
do desire your prosperity, and we know, we
think we know, that that is to be obtained on the
sole condition of peace, quiet, and good order
among you. ' '
There was still another reason why he op
posed the section. "The complaint I have to
make," he said, "and the complaint that is
working its way all through the northern coun
try, is that there is a steady and persistent
effort in every direction and in every way to
weaken this Government, to tear off a power
here, a power there, and a power elsewhere, one
by one, session after session, year after year,
until you leave it incapable of its own preserva
tion. . . . The people of our Northern
States are afraid that that process is going on
to-day. . . . And now when our democratic
friends — I hate to use the term in this Cham
ber — when our friends on the other side of the
Chamber shall have explained by their votes, if
they will not explain otherwise, whether this
section 6 that was, and section 5 that is now, is
a mere excrescence, a mere wart, so to speak, on
this bill, a senseless impertinence, meaning no
offense to any one — ¦ when they shall have ex
plained to us by their votes whether that is the
case, or whether it means that much larger and
greater thing, that in no case shall the Govern
ment of the United States have power to enforce
election laws anywhere and everywhere in the
24

354 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
limits of our country, I shall be prepared to
cast my vote."550
This1 speech was received with hearty ap
proval. Especially significant were the re
marks of Senator Benjamin H. Hill of Georgia,
who had been a member of the Confederate
Congress. ' ' First of all, ' ' he declared, ' ' I want
to express to the Senator from Iowa ....
the great gratification I have felt in listening to
his speech. He has made an able, a dignified,
and an excellent speech, worthy of a Senator
anywhere and in any age. If all the speeches
made on this floor were made in the same spirit
and with the same clearness and patriotic
temper which the Senator has exhibited, I think
that what he intimated as doubtful would never
be doubtful again, and that is, whether this is. a
dignified body. ... I want my friend to
know and I want his people to know that the
patriotic, the manly, the catholic, the national,
the unsectional sentiments which fell from his
lips, and which I know animate his bosom, meet
with a warm and hearty response in mine and in
the bosoms of my people. He and such as he,
whether republicans or democrats, we can take
to our arms and hearts and call our fellow-
citizens forever."351
The speech received favorable comment in
newspapers in Iowa and throughout the coun
try. Senator Kirkwood likewise received many

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 355
letters of congratulation. "The Honorable
Senator from N. York (Conkling) spoke bril
liantly to the Senate", wrote J. C. Stone of
Burlington. "The Honorable Senator from
Vermont (Edmunds) made a great law argu
ment for the guidance of the President and the
Cabinet ; you have spoken to the understanding
of the people who will highly appreciate your
effort."552 Because of his membership on the committee
on pensions, Senator Kirkwood spoke fre
quently on that subject, which was then growing
rapidly in importance because each year it
involved a larger and larger sum of money.
His wide acquaintance among the soldiers and
his deep interest in them might easily have
inclined him to great liberality in respect to
pensions. But he was among those who, while
insisting on full justice, warned the Senate
against establishing policies, the end of which
could not be foreseen.553
His views on the currency were expressed in
remarks favoring the resumption of specie pay
ments and opposing the complete remonetiza-
tion of silver.354 When the funding bill was
under discussion he argued in favor of offering
a certain portion of the bonds to popular sub
scription throughout the country.555 His sup
port was given to a bill to establish a tariff
commission.556 Bills relative to the transpor-

356 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
tation of live stock and establishing a bureau of
animal husbandry likewise received much atten
tion from him.557 With regard to Indian affairs
his policy was neither one of mawkish senti
mentality nor one which disregarded the rights
of the Red Men.558
During these four years Senator and Mrs.
Kirkwood lived very simply, deviating but little
from the mode of life to which they were accus
tomed in their Iowa home. There were numer
ous invitations to social functions, but neither
of them cared much for the formalities of
official society. On the other hand, they found
great pleasure in the rich opportunities for
acquaintance and friendship with interesting
men and women from all sections of the country.
The intervals between sessions of Congress
were spent in Iowa City. It was always a relief
to be back in the home of which they had grown
so fond, where there was light and air and
plenty of room.539
Political campaigns, both in Iowa and else
where, claimed some of Senator Kirkwood 's
time during recesses. During the presidential
campaign of 1880 he spent three weeks on the
stump in Indiana, and made two rousing Repub
lican speeches in Indianapolis.
"Of course Republican legislation did not
bring the country bad crops or good crops ' ', he
said on one of these occasions, "but yet it had

SENATOR IN HIS OWN RIGHT 357
much to do with the present prosperity. No
mechanic or farmer can work with bad tools.
So the business of this great country cannot be
done without a sound dollar, and a sound dollar
has come because you have got honest money,
and it is because we have given the people of
this country that kind of money that the work
shops have been re-opened, and the fires have
been re-lighted, and everything has gone on
well. . . . We have done another thing dur
ing the time we have had possession of the
government. . . . We have converted four
millions of chattels into four millions of people,
and that flag that waves so proudly to-day does
not wave over a slave. . . . If we shall have
to hand this government over to-day, we shall
hand it over when liberty-loving people through
out the whole length and breadth of this land,
and all the liberty-loving people of the world
are looking up to it again as a beacon light and
exemplar, when it is teaching every nation of
the world that free governments among men are
a reality, and when all liberty-loving people in
all liberty-loving lands are learning from us the
lesson that government 'of the people, by the
people and for the people ' still exists, and may
exist in all the nations of the earth."560
By this time the question of whether he would
be a candidate to succeed himself as Senator
was being called to Kirkwood 's attention by his

358 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
friends.561 But all plans along that line were
laid aside, temporarily at least, when on March
1, 1881, he resigned from the Senate to accept a
seat in the President's Cabinet.

XXX
Secretary op the Interior
The appointment of Samuel J. Kirkwood as
Secretary of the Interior under President
Garfield was not entirely unexpected, either to
himself or to his friends. As early as February
20, 1881, Jacob Rich mentioned the rumor of
the possibility of a call to the Cabinet. A
Washington newspaper announced on March
2nd that Kirkwood had "been suggested to the
President-elect as a fit person to be made Secre
tary of the Interior." The Senator, it was
stated, denied that he had been consulted, but it
was known that Senator Logan had made appli
cation for his seat in the front row in the
Senate.562 As a matter of fact, however, Garfield had
already made up his mind concerning Cabinet
appointments. Before his departure for Wash
ington he gave Professor B. A. Hinsdale of
Hiram College a list of the men whom he
intended to appoint, and among them was Sen
ator Kirkwood as Secretary of the Interior.563
The appointment was made on March 5th, and
on the same day Kirkwood resigned from the
359

360 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Senate. Congratulations now poured in from
all parts of the country in such numbers that
during the next three weeks his clerk was kept
busy writing notes of acknowledgment. One of
the earliest letters to arrive was one from
Kirkwood 's old friend and law partner,
Barnabas Burns, of Mansfield, Ohio, who had
previously written to Garfield in support of
Kirkwood. "It is a good many years ago,
Sam," wrote I. J. Allen, another old Mansfield
friend, "since you and I used to buck around
over the Richland County hills, try cases before
Dan. Riblet, and John Stewart, and Dave
Miller ; and make stump speeches. . . . and
all such torn nonsense. . . . The scenes in
our old shabby court house, when Parker was
stammering out good law from the Bench, &
Stewart and Newman, and May, and Bartley &
Brinkerhoff, and all the rest of us were grind
ing out logic, such as it was, to convince the
court of its ignorance and blunders, are all be
fore me still."564
Equally warm were the congratulations of
Kirkwood 's good friend, Jacob Rich. But he
was well enough acquainted with administrative
affairs at Washington to know something of the
tasks ahead of the new Secretary. "I have no
doubt of your ability to promptly jabber Choc
taw and Creek, Sioux and Piute, and to be the
'great father' of all the Gros Ventres and Nez

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 361
Perces throughout the realm," he said, "but
won't all the Mephistophelian clans, red, white
and yellow, that make continuous raids upon
the chief of the Interior, in disguises calculated
to deceive the most shrewd and the most watch
ful, worry and harrass you? There are legions
of them, and they are worse than any devils in
monkish legends, for neither holy act or pious
speech can exorcise them. The more you beat
down, the more there spring up. ... I
fancy that the most onerous place under the
government, or in the nation, is the Secretary
ship of the Interior — and the most fatal to
men's reputations — for the more honest the
man the more persistent the assaults upon him
by the scoundrels who cannot use him."565
Secretary Kirkwood did not' take formal pos
session of his office until March 8th, although on
the previous day he was closeted for several
hours with his predecessor, Carl Schurz. The
first formal meeting of the Cabinet under Presi
dent Garfield was also held on March 8th, and
the Secretary of the Interior was in his place.
According to his subordinates "when he sat
down at his desk the first day he came into the
Department as its chief he lighted his cigar,
placed his old-fashioned spectacles on his nose,
and proceeded to dispatch business as quietly,
methodically and industriously as if he had
been there for years. ' ' During the day he had

362 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
many callers, some to offer congratulations and
others seeking office.566
Office-seekers were the bane of Kirkwood 's
life during the first weeks in his new position.
"I am getting along as well as I could expect,
under the circumstances," he wrote to Jacob
Rich on March 14th, "doing very little but
hearing people ask for offices and telling them
that I am not yet ready to make any appoint
ments."567 And not only did position hunters
call upon him in person, but they wrote letters
by the score. Some in their haste even used the
telegraph. "Cant you appoint me Commis
sioner for the indians or Chief Clerk my knowl
edge California titles would be valuable", was
the message received from a citizen of Du
buque.568 The pressure from Iowa was especially
strong. People in this State seemed to feel that
this was their great opportunity to secure
lucrative government positions. In fact, the
number of applications was so large that Kirk
wood declared that if he should fill all the avail
able positions with Iowans there would still be
many worthy applicants to be disappointed,
while the rest of the country would be entirely
ignored. He could not in fairness give Iowa
more than its fair proportion of appoint
ments.569 That he did for his own State all that
could reasonably be expected is evidenced by

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 363
the number of appointments. Besides the
choice of Hiram Price as Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, twenty-six Iowa men and women
were given positions in the various bureaus of
the Department, in addition to those already
there.570 The one year during which Samuel J. Kirk
wood held the portfolio of the Interior was not
marked by any notable constructive activity.
By the time he had become partially acquainted
with the details of the work of the various and
wholly unrelated bureaus of the Department
there occurred the fatal event which robbed the
Nation of its President. Afterwards the tenure
of his position was so uncertain as not to
justify the inauguration of any distinctive pol
icies. And it must be admitted that Secretary
Kirkwood lacked the genius for administration
of the type required in the Department of the
Interior. He was so good-natured that he
could not rid himself of the swarms of office-
seekers and visitors who infested his office. At
the same time he insisted on seeing personally
practically all the correspondence which went
through the office. The result was that the cor
respondence was often neglected. "Letters and
documents are piled up several feet high over
Kirkwood 's desk," it was said at one time, no
doubt with some exaggeration, "while bales of
them are in adjoining rooms awaiting his
attention."571

364 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Indian affairs, however, constituted one
phase of the work of his office with which Secre
tary Kirkwood was particularly familiar be
cause of his experience in the Senate; and on
this subject he had a definite policy. Within
two days after assuming the duties of his new
office he had a two-days "talk" with a dele
gation of Ute Indians. In spite of criticism
emanating from Massachusetts to the effect that
Kirkwood 's motto was that the "only good
Indian is a dead one", a Washington editor
praised the Secretary's attitude. "Mr. Kirk
wood is a man of kindly feelings and of great
practical experience", declared the editor.
"His Indian policy will be as far removed from
the 'brutalities of the frontier' as from the
'sloppy' sentimentality of these perturbed re
formers."572 About the middle of April there came a copy
of one of Joaquin Miller's books on the Indians,
accompanied by a letter. "I trust Sir", said
the author, ' ' the Indian will have rest and peace
under your care. I know the Indian well.
Perhaps better than any man that ever wrote a
book about him. And I affirm he is not a bad
man." He was glad to offer his services, if the
Secretary could find any use for them. "And
then I am not entirely unselfish in this desire to
serve the Indians", he continued, "for I am so
weary of books and want once more to get out
in my roomy West."573

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 365
"I have received your note of the 16th inst.,
as well as the volume to which it refers, and
thank you very much", was Kirkwood 's reply.
"I think the Indian is a man, and that in all
our relations with him strict justice should be
done, with a decided leaning to that mercy
which the strong should always show toward
the weak."574
This desire to deal justly with the Indians is
also expressed in the Secretary's letters to
inspectors of Indian agencies. "You will here
after exercise due caution, and make no prom
ises to the Indians which have not first been
authorized by the Department", he instructed
one inspector.575 "In the performance of your
duties as inspector", he wrote to another, "you
will, on visiting the various agencies, carefully
observe everything connected therewith affect
ing the interest and well-being of the Indians
and the public interest, and forward to this
Office a full and particular report in writing of
your observations with such recommendations
as may seem to you proper; your reports should
give verbal photographic views of each agency.
. . . In short, you are the eyes through
which this Office must see and judge of what is
being done at each agency, and upon your
intelligence, accuracy, and impartiality largely
depends its power to properly direct its oper
ations."576

366 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
The Indian policy of Secretary Kirkwood, as
might be expected, was most clearly set forth in
his report, which was made on November 1,
1881. He urged larger expenditures for the
education of the Indians and especially for the
teaching of agriculture. He believed that the
Indians' title to land should be made as valid
and placed as fully under the protection of the
courts as the titles of the white settlers. "In
the case of the Indian," he said, "he may have
the privilege of keeping his home if he will
sever the ties of kinship and remain behind his
tribe ; but few do this. I wish to emphasize the
point that we are asking too much of the Indian
when we ask him to build up a farm in the
timber or on the prairie, with the belief that at
some future time he will be compelled to choose
between abandoning the fruits of his labor, or
his kindred and tribe. White men would not do
so, and we should not ask Indians to do so."
Along with this recommendation he advocated
the reduction of both the size and number of the
reservations.577 On July 2nd, as President Garfield was about
to take the train to visit his alma mater,
Williams College, he was shot by the assassin,
Charles J. Guiteau. For more than three
months he lingered between life and death ; and
for his official family it was a period of alter
nate hope and despair.

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 367
Mrs. Kirkwood was in Iowa City during the
summer of 1881, but her husband, who spent
much time at the White House, frequently sent
her official bulletins telling of the President's
condition, often writing a brief note on the
back. "The Doctors are quite encouraged", he
wrote as late as August 28th, "and speak so
much more hopefully that even Mac Veagh is
cheerful & hopeful this morning. Of course all
this may be lost and the worst may yet happen,
but the prospect of a favorable result is much
brighter."578 It was during this period when there was
some hope that the President might recover,
that Secretary Kirkwood leased a house, at
seventy-five dollars a month, where he and Mrs.
Kirkwood might live more comfortably and in a
manner more fitting to their station. "I sleep
'on the hill' to-night", he wrote on the last day
of August, "Charley sleeps in the House with
me. I think we will like it there but there will
be some fixing up to do when you get here.
They cleaned up some, but think you will be
inclined to do some more. Mrs. Price says she
thinks she can get us a good girl here that she
knows. The girl tells Mrs. Price she will wait 3
or four weeks if she can be sure of the place.
She is a white girl, some thirty years old —
says she can cook, wash, iron & do any thing.
What shall I do about it? I took dinner at
Prices to-day."579

368 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
The hope inspired by the President's rally
late in August was of short duration. Gradu
ally he grew weaker, and on September 19th he
died, mourned by the entire Nation.
On September 22nd, as a matter of course,
Secretary Kirkwood tendered his resignation to
President Arthur. Although he fully expected
that it would be accepted, there were several
months of uncertainty. He remained in the
Cabinet, looking after the regular work of his
Department. In the midst of the brilliancy of
Washington society during the winter the
Kirkwoods were noted for their simplicity.
"He has a strong, shrewd, kindly face, with
high cheek-bones, deep wrinkles and heavy eye
brows", was a reporter's description of the
Secretary of the Interior. "A remnant of
whisker is allowed to escape the barber high up
on each cheek. The gray does not yet dominate
over the brown in his hair. His clothes look as
if a village tailor had constructed them under
strict orders to pay no attention to fashion-
plates and to make them ample, strong and com
fortable. The big slouch hat which he wears on
the street must be a veteran of many contests
with wind and rain on the Iowa prairies. Its
owner never minds the shape it gets into when
he swings it upon his head, takes his stout stick
and strides out of his office. . . . This
farmer-looking man carries a vigorous, prac-

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 369
tical brain under his felt hat, and a warm heart
under his loose sack coat."
Mrs. Kirkwood likewise received her full
share of notice. "Her face makes one feel
happy and kindly everytime it is looked upon ' ',
declared one writer. "Her sweet, motherly
ways, low-toned pleasant voice, mild, brown-
colored eyes and dark hair, combed smoothly
over her serene brow and countenance is full
of matronly grace and goodness. We are sure
her husband was never crossed in his blessed
life. Even his pet cigar is respected by his
wife. It rests one to meet these women who are
strong in the highest essentials of patience,
prudence, and the rich experience of a happy
and complete home life."580
Finally, in the spring of 1882, President
Arthur appointed Henry M. Teller of Colorado
as Secretary of the Interior. On April 15th,
therefore, Samuel J. Kirkwood bade farewell to
all the employees in the Department, and early
in the following week departed for his home in
Iowa. ' ' The retirement of Mr. Kirkwood from
the Interior Department", was the comment of
a Washington editor, "is in more than one
respect to be regretted. ... he brought to
his new position, a reputation for usefulness
and capacity in public affairs extending over
nearly a quarter of a century, such as any man
might envy. . . . He had also practical
25

370 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
ideas of his own relative to the Civil Service,
which, in the face of considerable opposition
.... he proceeded at once to enforce. . . .
He has proved himself an able, sagacious Secre
tary, above all suspicion of corruption or favor
itism. . . . He goes back to Iowa ....
with the record of a man who served his party
with zeal, but, in the heat of partisanship, kept
steadily in view the obligation which he owed
his country."581

XXXI
Last Participation in Politics
When Kirkwood retired from the Cabinet in
April, 1882, he was nearly seventy years of age,
although remarkably robust in body and alert
in mind. His retirement from office, therefore,
did not mean immediate withdrawal from public
affairs. His appointment as a member of the
Tariff Commission had been practically agreed
upon, but there was some slip and the plan fell
through. "Personally I felt much vexed, for I
had hoped to have the pleasure of seeing you
and Mrs. Kirkwood here very soon", wrote the
new Secretary of the Interior. "Mrs. Teller
was also much disappointed. I do not know
what you want, but I do know that the Presi
dent is disposed to do whatever you ask him to
do. He appeared to be much worried over the
failure to put you on the commission."582
Shortly after his return to his home Mr.
Kirkwood became president of the Iowa City
National Bank. During the latter part of June
he served with Governor Buren R. Sherman
and Augustus C. Dodge on a committee to col
lect funds for the relief of the sufferers from 371

372 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
the disastrous tornado at Grinnell. In the fall
he delivered an address at the Iowa State
Fair.583 The political campaign of 1883 was one of
great interest. It was at this time that the
Republican party definitely espoused the cause
of prohibition. This was an issue on which Mr.
Kirkwood found himself at variance with a
majority of the members of the party. Espe
cially did he object to the action of the State
convention in rejecting James G. Day as its
candidate for Justice of the Supreme Court,
because of his decision against the validity of
the prohibitory constitutional amendment.
Kirkwood considered this action as unjust and
as an attempt to exert undue influence on the
decisions of the Court. He frankly and publicly
declared his intention to vote against Joseph R.
Reed, who received the nomination instead of
Day. For this attitude he received both praise
and censure.584 "I have been inexpressibly
pained by the course of the State press toward
you", wrote a citizen of Waterloo. "Honesty
of purpose and strength of conviction count for
naught with the demagogues who framed a
plank in our platform which is as glaringly
fraudulent and dishonest as their action in the
convention was communistic and damnable."585
Prohibition and all the other issues of the
campaign were soon forgotten, however, in the

LAST POLITICAL CAMPAIGN 373
pleasure of a journey to the Far West. "I tele
graphed you yesterday to know if you would
accept a position as commissioner to examine
the Oregon and California line of road", wrote
Secretary Teller about the middle of June, 1883.
"The President said he would like to give it to
you, and we thought you might not have much
on hand, and would like to take Mrs. Kirkwood
and make a trip to California, and then to Port
land, and by the time you got through the N. P.
R. R. would be completed or nearly so, and you
could come back that way."586
This journey, with the opportunity it offered
to visit the great Northwest, then just at the
beginning of its development, was greatly en
joyed by both Mr. and Mrs. Kirkwood. At
Tacoma they attended a banquet in honor of a
member of the party whose investments of
capital were among the factors in promoting
the growth of the town. In the course of a
brief address on this occasion Mr. Kirkwood
referred to the West as "the grand college, the
university where the great subject taught is
common sense." "You must know", he said,
"that the true Bostonian sun rises behind
Plymouth Rock, stops for a time over Faneuil
Hall in Boston, and sets near the mouth of
Hoosic Tunnel." The Virginian likewise be
lieved that "the sun rises at the head of Chesa
peake Bay, pauses and takes off its hat as it

374 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
passes Mt. Vernon where Washington died, and
sets somewhere on the Kanawha river." But
both Bostonians and Virginians soon laid aside
these inherited ideas when they took up homes
in the West, where the "typical American" was
being reared.587
The next three years passed uneventfully.
Mr. Kirkwood lived quietly in his home on the
outskirts of town, devoting his time chiefly to
the duties of his position as bank president.
Occasionally he made speeches, chiefly on patri
otic occasions or at soldiers' reunions.588
Then in the summer of 1886 Samuel J. Kirk
wood became again and for the last time a
candidate for public office. On August 19th he
was nominated as Representative in Congress
from the Second Congressional District, under
circumstances which made his defeat practically
certain. The district convention of the Repub
lican party, which met at Davenport on that
day, was described as "most disorderly and
inharmonious". Two irreconcilable factions
were present. One, consisting of the delegates
from Clinton, Jackson, and Muscatine counties,
were in favor of fusion with the Knights of
Labor and the nomination of T. J. O'Meara.
The other faction, composed of the delegates
from Scott, Johnson, and Iowa counties, op
posed fusion and insisted on the nomination of
Mr. Kirkwood. Neither side would give way;

LAST POLITICAL CAMPAIGN 375
bitter and denunciatory speeches were made;
and finally each faction nominated its own
candidate.589 Afterward each side claimed to
be the Republican party of the district.
After due deliberation Kirkwood decided to
accept the nomination. Immediately, as might
be expected, he was the recipient of many let
ters of praise and blame. Republican leaders
outside of the district as a rule commended
him; while within the district he had many
warm supporters. ' ' This I want to say, ' ' wrote
Edward Russell of Davenport, "in the language
of Sumner to Grant — ' Stick '. " 590
On the other hand, his acceptance of the nom
ination was greeted with great disfavor by
those who believed that in fusion lay the only
hope of defeating the Democratic candidate,
Walter I. Hayes. "I speak frank to you Gov
ernor," wrote J. C. Root of Lyons, "and I am
honest in my convictions, and would be sorry to
see you, after a life of victories, to now begin to
taste defeat, and snow us under beyond resur
rection. " " Some call it heroic for Kirkwood to
run", was the comment of a Wapello editor.
"So was it heroic for Don Quixote to charge
the wind mill, but it was very absurd, for all
that. . . . It is an ill-advised piece of work
that the old war governor would not have
engaged in, in his palmier days." Another
writer reminded him of the fate of Horace

376 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Greeley, James B. Weaver, and other men who
had bolted from their party.591
Kirkwood 's age was another ground for
objection to him. "Did you know the war was
over"? asked a citizen of Muscatine. "I
thought I'd tell you. You have heard the old
saying 'once a man & twice a child.' It is the
opinion of people generally that you have
entered into the 3rd period contemplated in this
old adage. ' ' Other letters from the same writer
were addressed to "My Dear Grandfather",
and one closed with the expression of "due
sorrow for your condition". He was constantly
sending Kirkwood newspaper clippings adverse
to him. "Do not think me undutifull in failing
to reply to your two late letters", he wrote
shortly before the election, "but you must
remember children & old people have more
time than those in middle life."592
In spite of all discouragements, however,
Kirkwood fought the campaign to the end.
Believing firmly in the preservation of party
integrity, he felt that the action of the fusionist
faction was wholly irregular and dangerous,
because it had chosen a candidate who did not
hold to Republican principles. "I squarely
deny the right and the power of a political dele
gate convention to compel its constituents either
to lose their votes or to cast them for one not of
their political faith", he said in a public letter

LAST POLITICAL CAMPAIGN 377
written the last of August. ' ' I regret only that
the necessity of the situation seemed finally to
require my nomination. But some Republican
was required to take up the burden, and as the
choice fell upon me, I accept it cheerfully with
whatever of responsibility may attach to the
act, and shall do the best I can to justify the
choice. ' ' 593
It was a forlorn hope, and the candidate was
well aware of the fact. Nevertheless, he made a
thorough canvass of the district, beginning with
a vigorous speech at Davenport on September
24th. Senator Allison and Hiram Price were
also scheduled to speak in his support.594 The
latter, however, did not take part in the cam
paign. Early in October he wrote from Wash
ington that he feared, because of his strong
prohibition views, he would do more harm than
good, but he would pay one hundred dollars to
secure another speaker. "If you say send the
check I '11 send it, if you say come I '11 do it if it
kills me." Later a mutual friend in Washing
ton wrote to Kirkwood that Price "reminds me
of an imprisoned hound (no unkind reflections
meant) who hears the blowing of the hunter's
horn and the yelp of the pursuing dogs, but
cannot break away to join in the chase."
The same writer sent Kirkwood a box of
Potomac herring, which he knew the candidate
would enjoy whether he won or lost. "In the

378 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
one event ' ', he said, ' ' they will aid your reflec
tions on the 'journey up Salt River;' in the
other they will give a foretaste of coming pleas
ures beside the quiet Potomac."595
It was not Kirkwood 's destiny, however, to
return to Washington in an official capacity.
Walter I. Hayes was elected Congressman,
although between his two opponents were
divided a sufficient number of votes to have
defeated him if they had all been cast for one
candidate.596 Thus in his last campaign for
office Samuel J. Kirkwood met defeat.

XXXII
The Closing Years
The last eight years of Mr. Kirkwood 's life
were years of peace and quietness. Retro
spection now came largely to take the place of
anticipation. Bodily strength began gradually
to fail, so that the task of a walk to the office,
fully a mile from his home, became too great to
be attempted on stormy days. Occasionally
still he responded to requests to address sol
diers ' reunions, and nearly always he urged his
hearers to commit to paper their recollections
of their every-day life in the army.597 He con
templated the carrying of this preaching into
effect in his own case by the writing of an auto
biography.598 But this plan never came to
fruition, partly no doubt because he was given
the opportunity to assist Mr. Henry W. Lathrop
in the writing of The Life and Times of Samuel
J. Kirkwood, published in 1893.
Year by year Mr. Kirkwood spent more and
more of his time at his home. Always fond of
reading, he now found ample opportunity to
indulge his tastes in this direction. Residents
of Iowa City remember him as he sat on the
379

380 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
veranda of his home on summer evenings,
smoking a cigar, while Mrs. Kirkwood sat
near by with her knitting. Nearly always, as in
all the years of their life in Iowa, there were
children or young people about the home — the
sons and daughters of relatives or friends.
Especially enjoyable during these declining
years were the letters and visits of old friends.
On December 20, 1886, Hiram Price wrote from
Washington congratulating Kirkwood upon
reaching his seventy-fourth birthday. ' ' I wrote
you on your birthday, ' ' ran another letter from
Price in January, 1887, "to which you kindly
and promptly replied, and now I write you on
my birthday. Seventy three eventful years are
behind both of us. . . . There is much food
for thought in a retrospect of 73 years of active,
earnest life. What changes, what surprises,
what disappointments .... what a kaleido
scopic panorama it enrolls before us. . . .
I think I may fairly infer from your letter that
you attribute, (to some extent at least) your
physical, financial and political success to three
things. To wit. First. Mush and milk, Second.
Burns' poems, and third, the shorter cate
chism."599 ' ' I can remember, ' ' wrote Grenville M. Dodge
several years later, ' ' when you were first run
ning for governor, of traveling over West Iowa
with you, when you were stumping that portion

THE CLOSING YEARS 381
of the State, and of our long acquaintance from
that day until you left public life. ... I
shall never forget how loyally and sensibly you
sustained us during the war, so different from
many governors, in promoting the men in our
regiments whom we in the field recommended.
That was one reason of the great efficiency in
line of battle of the Iowa troops."600
Late in September, 1892, Mr. Kirkwood, then
nearly eighty years of age, received an ovation
such as comes to few men during their lifetime.
It was ex-Governor Buren R. Sherman who con
ceived the plan of having a gathering of old
friends at Iowa City in honor of the old war
time executive. The idea met with favor and
fifty or more invitations were sent out.601
The twenty-eighth of September was a beauti
ful autumn day. The Kirkwood home "never
showed to better advantage than on that after
noon ; lawn and tree, flower and vines, forming
an almost pastoral setting to the scene, and
bringing to some who came from busy city life
a scene of peace and rest that told of the days
of quiet enjoyment and care-free repose they
would gladly secure."
By noon there had gathered at the old St.
James Hotel about thirty men who had known
Samuel J. Kirkwood intimately for many years,
and most of whom had been connected with him
in some official capacity. Among those in the

382 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
group, many of whom had journeyed across the
State to pay their respects to their friend,
were Buren R. Sherman, George G. Wright,
W. H. M. Pusey, Charles Aldrich, John Russell,
S. S. Farwell, James H. Rothrock, Gifford S.
Robinson, B. F. Gue, William T. Smith, William
G. Thompson, R. S. Finkbine, James A. Wil
liamson, Peter A. Dey, Samuel H. Fairall,
Charles A. Schaeffer, John Springer, N. H.
Brainerd, and Henry W. Lathrop.
At one-thirty the members of the party were
conducted to the finest carriages which Iowa
City afforded, "and it was a most interesting
ride for the visitors through the city to the
Governor's home." Upon their arrival they
were ushered into the house by Mr. Lathrop,
and there they found the ex-Governor sitting in
his favorite easy chair at one end of the room.
When all had been seated, George G. Wright,
formerly Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court
and United States Senator and one of Kirk-
wood's warmest friends, spoke briefly of the
reason for which they were assembled. "Gov
ernor Kirkwood," he said, "we are here as
your friends, to take you by the hand and tell
you how much we like you. . . . Some of
your friends suggested that we come without
giving you notice and take you by surprise, but
I objected for several reasons. I knew you had
been quite unaccustomed to making public

THE CLOSING YEARS 383
speeches [laughter] and if we should come and
take you by surprise you might not be equal to
the occasion. [Laughter] Then again, we all
know how anxious you are about your attire,
and if we should come without notice you would
not have time to put on your dress suit and
diamond pin, and especially that steel watch
chain which was your inspiration and the ad
miration in days gone by of those large crowds
to whom you spoke."
"We are here as friends," he continued,
"and without regard to political distinction.
We are here Democrats and Republicans . .
. . We come to greet you, to give you proof
of our esteem and kindly feeling, to congratu
late you in your happy home, as also your
devoted, helpful wife; because we know how
much you have done for Iowa, and for the
nation. Amid the din and clangor of arms, and
with this nation hanging, trembling in the bal
ance, you, as the chief executive of the State,
were true to your high principles, and to your
sense of duty, to pure ideas and thoughts and
principles. Because you were faithful, for this
we love you, we come to see you this day. ' '
"And now, Governor Kirkwood," he said in
conclusion, "I take you by the hand, and in
behalf of the people of Iowa, for the friends
here (for I know the kindness that prompts
their coming), and they join with me in saying,

384 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
'May God bless you, and your wife, and your
home. May a kind Providence that has been so
kind to you, still longer bless you, and preserve
you many years to Iowa and the nation. ' ' '
Visibly affected by these expressions of affec
tion, Mr. Kirkwood made a few remarks indica
tive of his appreciation of the honor conferred
upon him by his guests. Afterward he shook
each man's hand. Cigars were passed and a
pleasant half-hour was spent on the lawn in
friendly recollections of days long gone by.
The guests were then asked to gather in a group
and a photograph was taken • — a photograph
which reveals the faces of more than thirty
gray-haired men.
Several other members of the party now
made brief addresses, none of them more elo
quent than that of William G. Thompson of
Marion. "I have known you Governor, for
thirty-six years; in law-making and law-ex
pounding, you were my Mentor. Legislation
under your guidance, was directed to the future,
not less than for the present, and laws were
made that stood the test of time and stand
to-day. . . . Whatever the future may have
in store, your reputation and your fame are
secure to the people and the coming genera
tions. ' '
Letters from friends who could not come
were also read. "It is but just", wrote Samuel

THE CLOSING YEARS 385
Murdock, "and in keeping with the history of
that noble old man, Samuel J. Kirkwood, that
those of his contemporaries who have known
him best and have passed with him through all
of his great and heroic struggles, that have
rendered his name immortal for all coming
time, should in his decline meet once more at
his domestic fireside, and while all still live,
there congratulate him on the achievements of
a long and useful life, crowded full with the
events of his country's history, in which his
name and his fame will be forever mingled."
Jacob Rich wrote of his deep regret that he
could not be present to express in person his
admiration and affection. "I regret that I am
so pressed for time before going to Washing
ton, or I would come to call upon you as a loving
son would visit his Father", was the letter
which came from David B. Henderson. "But I
send you affectionate greetings and trust that
the coming winter will deal kindly with you and
that you may long be spared to us as a tender
warming influence to your devoted people."602
Thus the afternoon passed rapidly in the ex
pression of friendship and admiration, and the
time came when some of the guests must go to
the train which would take them to their homes.
Before they went, however, Mrs. Kirkwood
insisted that they must partake of her hospi
tality, and so coffee and sandwiches "were
26

386 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
served on the lawn under her direction and
with the assistance of Mrs. Rachel Pritchard,
Mrs. L. C. Jewett, Mrs. A. M. Greer, Misses
Etta and Annie Jewett, and Mrs. Pritchard's
pretty little daughter." Then with "hearty
hand clasps, fervent prayers of blessings" yet
to come to the Old War Governor, and "good
byes ' ', the guests departed.
The following summer, on June 20, 1893, in
the Governor's reception room in the State
House at Des Moines, there was another cere
mony, more formal but equally expressive of
the affection which the people of Iowa bore to
Samuel J. Kirkwood, who was at his home in
Iowa City too feeble to attend. At that time
there was unveiled a large oil portrait of the
old Governor, paid for by the people of Iowa
through an appropriation by the legislature,
and painted by a distinguished Iowa artist —
George H. Yewell. Again there were speeches
eulogistic of the man whose days were drawing
so near to a close. And thus there came to him
while he yet lived the praise and evidences of
affection which too often the public bestows on
its servants only after they are gone.603
The sands in Samuel J. Kirkwood 's hour
glass were now running low. After a brief ill
ness he passed away, calmly as one falling to
sleep, on September 1, 1894 — Mrs. Kirkwood 's
birthday. Iowa City and all Iowa mourned
him. Newspapers far and near paid tribute to

THE CLOSING YEARS 387
his memory. And once again many old friends
journeyed to Iowa City to attend the funeral
and pay their last respects to his memory.
With fitting ceremonies he was buried in beauti
ful Oakland Cemetery; and Mrs. Kirkwood
went back to the old home, where she is still
living as these lines are written.
There is no need for an interpretation of
the character and services of Governor Kirk
wood. His words and actions speak so clearly
that he who reads may learn from them what
sort of man he was. The estimate of his con
temporaries leaves no doubt of his place among
the men of his generation. The years as they
passed brought ample fulfillment to the pro
phetic words, already quoted, which were writ
ten by the venerable Eliphalet Price in 1863 :
"No Governor of Iowa, while acting as such,
extended the area of his personal acquaintance
so widely over the State as yourself. Men and
women everywhere, will, as time rolls on, en
large the story of their acquaintance with you,
with many manifestations of pride, and the
child of to-day will be pointed out by the next
generation, as the gray-haired man who in
childhood had talked with Gov. Kirkwood. The
History of the Rebellion cannot pass you by,
upon its pages you will live through those
future centuries that shall preserve the exist
ence of man."604

NOTES AND REFERENCES

389

/jf •! rm

NOTES AND REFERENCES
CHAPTER I
1 ' ' The Kirkwood family in America date back to 1731, when
Robert Kirkwood and his widowed sister-in-law with her two
children, a son named Robert, three years old, and a sister older
emigrated from Londonderry in the north of Ireland". —
Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirlcwood, p. 7.
2 There is to-day a small town in New Castle County, Dela
ware, which bears the name Kirkwood.
3 This was a son of the Robert Kirkwood first mentioned in
Note 1, above.
* Henry Lee 's Memoirs of the War in the Southern Depart
ment of the United States, p. 96, footnote.
5 This was the fatherless, three-year-old boy mentioned in
Note 1, above.
« Though there was a great difference in their ages Samuel
Kirkwood was very fond of his oldest half-brother, Robert,
whom he often called "the best man God ever made".
Concerning Coulson Kirkwood, whose full name was William
Coulson, scarcely any information has been found.
Samuel's mother was born in Scotland, her maiden name
being Mary Alexander.
John Kirkwood was one of those who migrated to Ohio in
1835; and he later followed his younger brother to Iowa. His
home in Iowa City stood at the northeast corner of Summit
Street and Kirkwood Avenue.
Wallace Kirkwood became a druggist in Washington, D. C.
He never came west to live.
These facts concerning the Kirkwood family were secured
from Mrs. Samuel J. Kirkwood. 391

392 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
^ For a description of the house in which Samuel J. Kirk
wood was born the writer is indebted to Mrs. Kirkwood. A cut
is printed in Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirk
wood, opposite p. 10.
s Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirlcwood,
p. 11.
» Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirlcwood,
p. 12.
i« Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirlcwood,
pp. 12, 13; and statements made to the writer by Mrs. Kirk
wood. 11 Data for the above account of Kirkwood 's life in Washing
ton, D. C, was secured in part from Mrs. Kirkwood, and in part
from Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirlcwood,
pp. 13-16.
12 One of Kirkwood 's poetic efforts, dated Washington City,
December 29, 1834, and bearing the heading "Written by
request for the album of a friend", begins with the following
lines : ' ' Lines for an album ? let me see —
What the deuce shall the subject be?
Love? 'tis hackneyed; Friendship too;
Moonlight anything but new;
Pangs that despairing lovers feel
Though they would rend a heart of steel
Are common; common as the darts
With which sly Cupid strikes the hearts
Of blushing maidens; as the strain
In which fond lovers still complain
When they by fate or rival's art
From those they love are forced to part.
Now I hate all things common; so
I'll choose a subject bran span new,
But what shall it be? What will suit?
I'll tell you what, my own old boot."
Thereupon he proceeded to praise the old boot which ' ' sits so

NOTES AND REFERENCES 393
easy, like a good old friend"; and to compare a new boot with
the so-called "friends" who continually are pointing out one's
faults — ' ' Such friends as these if I my mind may tell
I wish were with new boots all safe in  . ' '
At other times he wrote of the beauties and charms of various
real or imaginary damsels; though it would be difficult to deter
mine from the evidence of these glowing lines whether the
young man had become enamoured of any particular young
lady. — Autograph Album of Samuel J. Kirkwood.
CHAPTER II
13 Statement of Mrs. Kirkwood. See also Lathrop 's The Life
and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 16.
i* Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 10.
is Mansfield, Ohio, the county seat of Richland County, where
the Kirkwoods settled, was estimated to be three hundred and
eighty miles from Washington, D. C. — Jenkins's The Ohio
Gazetteer, and Traveler's Guide (Columbus, 1837), p. 505.
is For a description of this type of wagon see Hulbert 's
Historic Highways of America, Vol. X, pp. 129, 130.
17 See map in H. S. Tanner's The American Traveller (Phila
delphia, 1836). Braddock 's Road is described in Hulbert 's
Historic Highways of America, Vol. IV.
is Quoted in Hulbert 's Historic Highways of America, Vol.
X, p. 186.
19 Hulbert 's Historic Highways of America, Vol. X, p. 174.
From this volume the writer secured most of the facts used in
the brief description of the Cumberland Road, and the busy
traffic which it carried.
20 See Hulbert 's Historic Highways of America, Vol. X, pp.
182, 183.
21 See maps in Hulbert 's Historic Highways of America, Vol.

394 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
X, pp. 55, 79; and in Tanner's The American Traveller (Phila
delphia, 1836). A brief account of a journey over the Cumber
land Road from Cumberland to Brownsville may be found in
Peyton's Over the Alleghanies and Across the Prairies (Lon
don, 1869), Ch. II.
•22 The story of this episode was related to the writer by Mrs.
Kirkwood. It is also mentioned in Lathrop 's The Life and
Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 17.
23 See map in Jenkins's The Ohio Gazetteer, and Traveler's
Guide (Columbus, 1837).

CHAPTER III
24 The population of Richland County in 1830 was 24,007,
and in 1840 it was 44,823. — Howe's Historical Collections of
Ohio, Vol. II, p. 474.
25 Howe 's Historical Collections of Ohio, Vol. II, p. 474.
26 Jenkins's The Ohio Gazetteer, and Traveler's Guide (Co
lumbus, 1837), pp. 379, 380.
27 Jenkins's The Ohio Gazetteer, and Traveler's Guide (Co
lumbus, 1837), p. 379; and John Sherman's Recollections of
Forty Years, Vol. I, p. 51.
28 The writer is indebted to Mrs. Kirkwood for a description
of the Kirkwood home in Richland County.
29 Mrs. Kirkwood, who was herself a teacher in Richland
County for several years, gave the writer a very interesting
account of the schools of that day and particularly of Mr.
Kirkwood 's life as a country school teacher.
30 Autograph Album of Samuel J. Kirkwood. The poem on
the Chartist movement, dated Newville, December 25, 1839, may
also be found in the Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VIII, pp.
318, 319.
3i Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
pp. 18, 19.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 395
32 Howe 's Historical Collections of Ohio, Vol. II, p. 477.
John Sherman, however, was not so favorably impressed with
the town on his first visit, for he said that ' ' Mansfield was then
a very unattractive village, badly located on parallel ridges and
valleys". — John Sherman's Recollections of Forty Years, Vol.
I, p. 47.
33 See map in Jenkins's The Ohio Gazetteer, and Traveler's
Guide (Columbus, 1837).
3* Jenkins's The Ohio Gazetteer, and Traveler's Guide (Co
lumbus, 1837), p. 280. For a description of the town about
ten years later and for cuts showing views of the public square,
see Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, Vol. II, pp. 477, 479.
35 Thomas W. Bartley was the son of Mordecai Bartley, one
of the pioneers of Richland County, who was a member of the
lower house of Congress from 1823 to 1830, and who in 1844
was elected Governor of Ohio on the Whig ticket. — See Howe's
Historical Collections of Ohio, Vol. II, p. 489.
Kirkwood 's preceptor, as will be seen (see above pp. 39, 75)
was later Governor of Ohio and Justice of the Supreme Court
of that State. He also served for a time as United States
District Attorney during the administration of President Polk.
His appearance, abilities, and characteristics were described to
the writer by Mrs. Kirkwood.
36 A sketch of the life of Dr. E. W. Lake may be found in
the Portrait and Biographical Album of Linn County, Iowa
(Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), pp. 591, 592.
37 Barnabas Burns was a State Senator in Ohio from 1847 to
1850. As will be seen, it was shortly after his retirement from
this office that he and Kirkwood formed a partnership. The
two men remained firm friends throughout their lives. Accord
ing to Mrs. Kirkwood a daughter of Barnabas Burns was still
living in Mansfield in 1914.
38 John Sherman 's Recollections of Forty Years, Vol. I, p. 53.
3o John Sherman 's Recollections of Forty Years, Vol. I, p. 52.
40 The facts concerning this journey were related to the
writer by Mrs. Kirkwood.

396 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
CHAPTER IV
*i Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 21. Mrs. Kirkwood also gave the writer an account of the
forming of this partnership.
*2 Mrs. Kirkwood furnished data concerning the early life of
her parents in Ohio. A brief article on the Clark family may
be found in the Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VII, pp. 129, 130.
*3 An account of the first meeting, courtship, and marriage of
Samuel J. Kirkwood and Jane Clark was given to the writer by
Mrs. Kirkwood.
a Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
pp. 21, 22.
45 Data furnished by Mrs. Kirkwood.
*6 Mrs. Kirkwood furnished the writer with the above facts
concerning the beginning of housekeeping and the reception of
the newly married couple into the social life of Mansfield.
" The Ohio Constitution of 1802, which was in operation
until 1851, made no provision for a Lieutenant Governor, and
in case of death, impeachment, resignation or other disability,
the duties of the office of Governor were to be performed by the
Speaker of the Senate.
Thomas W. Bartley, who was a Democrat, served as Governor
during the year 1844, and then was succeeded by his father,
Mordecai Bartley, who was elected to the office on the Whig
ticket. *s This episode is described by Peter A. Dey in the Annals of
Iowa (Third Series), Vol. VII, p. 85; and it is corroborated by
a similar account in John Sherman's Recollections of Forty
Years, Vol. I, p. 91.
*9 From Mrs. Kirkwood the writer gained a very clear idea
of this unfortunate episode and of the character of the persons
involved, besides a number of valuable letters, affidavits, and
other papers relating to the case.
bo Ebenezer Lane was a Justice of the Supreme Court of

NOTES AND REFERENCES 397
Ohio from 1830 to 1845. Brief sketches of his life may be
found in Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, Vol. I, p. 577;
and the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly, Vol. I,
pp. 251, 252.
si It is interesting to note that each of the three men —
Thomas Ewing, Columbus Delano, and Samuel J. Kirkwood —
later served as Secretary of the Interior, the first being ap
pointed by President Taylor, the second by Grant, and the third
by Garfield.
52 A brief account of the trial is to be found in Lathrop 's
The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 23. The facts
were also related to the writer by Mrs. Kirkwood.
A number of letters written to Kirkwood after the trial by
Frank Barker's father, as well as by his young wife, furnish
ample evidence of the desire of the Barker family that Bow-
land's sentence might be changed to life imprisonment. Mrs.
Kirkwood stated that Bowland was later pardoned by the
Governor. 53 Letter from Ebenezer Lane to Kirkwood, dated December
7, 1846, in the possession of The State Historical Society of
Iowa. 5* Letter from Margaretta A. Barker to Kirkwood, dated
December 15, 1846, in the possession of The State Historical
Society of Iowa. CHAPTER V
55 ' < My old friend, Mr. Kirkwood, was the prosecuting attor
ney of the county, and I renewed with him my 'moot court'
experience in frequent contests between real parties." — John
Sherman's Recollections of Forty Years, Vol. I, p. 83.
56 The Ohio Constitution of 1802 may be found in Poore's
Charters and Constitutions, Part II, pp. 1455-1464.
57 See Morris 's Internal Improvements in Ohio, 1825-1850, in
the Papers of the American Historical Association, Vol. Ill,
No. 2, pp. 107-136.

398 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
* ss It has not been possible to arrive at a clear idea of all the
reasons which brought about the revision of the Constitution of
Ohio in 1850. Apparently the Convention of that year has not
yet appealed strongly to any historical writer. The reasons
stated by the present writer are clearly reflected in the debates
in the Convention, reported by J. V. Smith and published in
two volumes. See also Lathrop 's The Life and Times of
Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 25.
so The text of this act is to be found in Smith's Debates of
the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 17, 18.
oo For a description of this, building see Studer 's Columbus,
Ohio: Its History, Resources, and Progress (1873), pp. 321-323.
6i The above data relative to the public services of the mem
bers of the Convention was compiled from the "blue book"
known as The Biographical Annals of Ohio, 1906-1908.
62 The data relative to the ages and occupations of the mem
bers of the Convention was compiled from a table in Smith's
Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 3-6.
63 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, p. 18.
6* Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 64,
66, 67, 95, 96, 128.
65 Smith 's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 207-
209. 66 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, p. 254.
Biennial legislative sessions were provided for in the Constitu
tion as finally adopted.
67 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 234,
235, 236, 263, 282, 293, 302, 305, 306, 310. It would be difficult
to determine whether these suggestions and amendments had
any influence in the Convention. None of them were adopted
at the time, but some of the same ideas, expressed perhaps in a
somewhat different form, were embodied in the Constitution.
68 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 399-
404.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 399
69 Smith 's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 444,
445, 447, 461-463, 467-469. Jury trial in a "court of record"
for the assessment of damages in ease of the granting of a
right of way to a corporation was guaranteed in the Constitu
tion as adopted. — ¦ Article XIII, Section 5.
On the question of exemptions from military duty, Mr.
Kirkwood asked "why not make a general provision applicable
to all laws, that they shall be obligatory only on those who
conscientiously believe them to be right, and that those who
conscientiously believe any law to be wrong, may disregard it. ' '
As a matter of fact, no provision for exemptions was embodied
in the article dealing with the militia as finally adopted.
70 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 459,
461, 475, 495.
7i Mr. Kirkwood favored a plan which had been proposed by
which the State debt would be extinguished in forty years.
"The amount to be raised each year", he said, "is one hunderd
thousand dollars, which divided among 400,000 tax-payers,
makes the sum of twenty-five cents to each man — equal per
haps to two sherry cobblers each year for forty years. And
this will release us from the burthen of our State debt. ' '
"I do not want the public debt of the State to remain",
said Mr. Kirkwood a little later, "as a basis for banking oper
ations, of any kind, whether of the State, free, or independent
varieties; nor that it shall furnish the instruments for men to
gamble with, at home or abroad. And I hold the duty of
States as of individuals, to be out of debt, and to remember
and abide by the injunction, 'owe no one any thing.' " —
Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 482, 490,
491. The plan for a sinking fund which Kirkwood favored was
embodied in the Constitution. — Article VIII, Section 7.
72 Smith 's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 592,
593, 598, 602, 615, 622, 624, 629, 649-651, 673, 675.
73 Mrs. Kirkwood told the writer of her visit to Columbus
while her husband was there in attendance at the Convention
and of the social life of the members.

400 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
74 See Studer's Columbus, Ohio: Its History, Resources, and
Progress (1873), pp. 48, 49.
75 Smith 's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. I, pp. 729,
730. Certain members opposed adjournment, some for partisan
reasons, others because they feared it would prejudice the
people against the Convention and the Constitution, and still
others because it had been hoped that the Constitution could be
submitted to the people at the elections in October. Kirkwood
could see no reason for making adjournment a party question.
Furthermore, said he, "I have been told of enough of members
who intend leaving, adjournment or no adjournment, to leave us
without a quorum, and should that be the result, we will then
be left here without the power to do business, and without the
power even of adjourning. Other gentlemen know these things
as well as I do; and although I regret that these things are so,
I cannot help it, and cannot see any use of remaining longer.
We cannot submit the new constitution to a vote of the people
this fall, and that being considered, there is not a necessity, or
any good reason, why gentlemen should remain here, certainly
at the risk of health, perhaps at the risk of life, to finish the
work now, when by adjourning until fall, we can meet again in
a healthy season and lay our work before the people at the
spring elections. ' '

CHAPTER VI
76 Letter from Samuel J. Kirkwood to Mrs. Kirkwood, dated
December 4, 1850, in the possession of The State Historical
Society of Iowa.
By taking a round-about route to Sandusky and thence south
again, Kirkwood could, in 1850, have made the journey to Cin
cinnati entirely by rail. Possibly he did travel in this manner
from Columbus to his destination. — See Paxson 's The Railroads
of the "Old Northwest Before the Civil War," in the Trans
actions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Let
ters, Vol. XVII, Part I, p. 253.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 401
77 Kirkwood 's experiences during the first days in Cincinnati
are described in a lengthy letter written to Mrs. Kirkwood on
December 4, 1850, in the possession of The State Historical
Society of Iowa.
78 See Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, p. 3;
and King's Pocket-book of Cincinnati (1879), p. 23.
79 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, pp. 36,
37, 51, 52, 53, 55, 125.
so Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, pp. 82, 83.
si For Kirkwood 's remarks on the subject of corporations see
Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, pp. 167, 186,
187, 190, 191, 548, 549, 615-617, 624, 627, 630. The Constitu
tion as adopted provided that corporations might be formed
under general laws, but that all such laws might at any time
be altered or repealed. Special acts conferring corporate pow
ers were forbidden. — Article XIII, Sections 1, 2.
82 Smith 's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, pp. 320,
681. Mr. Kirkwood said that the only complaints concerning
the system of legal procedure which he had heard came from
"those men who are constantly prowling about our justices'
courts; fomenting quarrels and disputes amongst their neigh
bors, and encouraging litigation."
The provision for commissioners to which Kirkwood objected
was nevertheless placed in the Constitution. — Article XIV.
83 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, pp. 328,
329. s* Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, p. 341.
85 Smith's Debates of the Ohio Convention, Vol. II, pp. 419-
422. See also pp. 789, 792, 801, 830, 831.
86 The Constitution of 1802 covers ten pages in Poore 's
Charters and Constitutions, while the Constitution of 1851 cov
ers nearly seventeen pages.

27

402 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
CHAPTER VII
87 Mrs. Kirkwood related to the writer the facts concerning
this change of partners, which was not only agreeable to her
husband, but was very much desired by him. In fact, it ap
pears that Kirkwood had a large part in securing Bartley 'a
nomination as Justice. See also Lathrop 's The Life and Times
of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 24.
88 Quotation from the Mansfield Herald in the Iowa Weekly
Republican (Iowa City), August 24, 1859.
89 Quotation from the Mansfield Herald in the Iowa Weekly
Republican (Iowa City), August 24, 1859.
Although Kirkwood had thus far been a staunch Democrat,
like his father he had always been opposed to slavery, and this
opposition was no doubt increased by his residence among the
freedom-loving people of northern Ohio. Hence it was no
sudden conversion which caused him to leave the old party.
90 Quotation from the Mansfield Herald in the Iowa Weekly
Republican (Iowa City), August 24, 1859. The writer has not
been able to find the articles here mentioned, which were
printed in a newspaper known as the Shield and Banner.
9i Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), July 27, 1859.
92 The sentiment in this congressional district was evidently
strongly opposed to Douglas's measure, for William D. Linds-
ley, the Representative from that district, was one of the
Democrats who voted against the bill in the lower house of
Congress. In the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. IX, p. 208, it is
stated that in 1855 Mr. Kirkwood "was a prominent candidate
for Congress". The present writer, however, has not been able
to find anything to support this statement. In fact, there was
apparently no Congressman elected in that district in 1855.
In the preceding autumn John Sherman was successful in his
campaign for the position of Representative against William
D. Lindsley; and in that campaign Kirkwood took the stump
in support of Lindsley because he had voted against the Kansas-

NOTES AND REFERENCES 403
Nebraska bill. — See John Sherman's Recollections, Vol. I, pp.
103-105; and a quotation from the Mansfield Herald in the
Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), August 24, 1859.
93 For an account of this visit to Iowa City the writer is
indebted to Mrs. Kirkwood.
94 Mrs. Kirkwood informed the writer that the house was
exchanged for a stock of merchandise which, she believed, was
later used in the store in Iowa City.
95 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 25.
so Quotation from the Chicago Journal in The Gate City
(Keokuk), May 11, 1855. A glance at any of the newspapers
published in the Iowa towns along the Mississippi will reveal
the unprecedented rush of settlers to this State throughout the
year 1855. See also Parker's Iowa as it is in 1856, pp. 63-65.
97 The great emigration of the years 1854-1856 (during
which time the population was increased nearly 200,000 or
fifty-nine per cent) came almost entirely from the northern
States. A large part of the voters who came in during that
period and the four years that followed became members of the
new Republican party, and thus helped to overthrow the Demo
cratic party which had been in power in Iowa from the begin
ning of Territorial days.
98 For an account of the journey to Iowa the writer is in
debted to Mrs. Kirkwood. CHAPTER VIII
99 The population of Iowa City in 1854 was 2570 ; in 1860 it
was 5214; but it was estimated at about 4000 in 1855. — See
Hull's Historical and Comparative Census of Iowa, p. 515; and
Parker's Iowa as it is in 1855, p. 146.
The first train on the Mississippi and Missouri River Railroad
(now the Rock Island line) arrived at Iowa City on January 3,
1856. — Shambaugh 's Iowa City : A Contribution to the Early
History of Iowa, p. 106.

404 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
100 Annals of Iowa (First Series), Vol. XI, p. 609.
101 For the history of this mill see Aurner 's Leading Events
in Johnson County History (Cedar Rapids, 1912), Vol. I, pp.
412-419; and History of Johnson County, Iowa (Iowa City,
1883), pp. 729, 730.
102 It has not been possible to determine just when this store
was opened, but it is evident that it was being conducted as
early as February, 1856. The store building was on Washing
ton Street near where the Burkley Imperial Hotel now stands.
103 The house in Coralville in which the Kirkwoods took up
their abode and in which they lived for ten years, was later
burned to the ground, presumably through the carelessness of
some tramps.
Ezekiel Clark's first wife, it appears, had embraced the
Mormon faith not long before this time and had departed for
Utah, leaving to Mr. Clark the care of three small children.
i°4 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 39; and the Annals of Iowa (First Series), Vol. XI, p. 609.
105 The statement (no doubt exaggerated) was made in 1855
that the mills cleared their owners "at least $10,000 per
annum." — Parker's Iowa as it is in 1855, p. 145.
loe History of Johnson County, Iowa (Iowa City, 1883), p.
730; and Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirk
wood, pp. 38, 39.
107 This information concerning the farm was furnished to
the writer by Mrs. Kirkwood.
108 For a time at least Mr. Kirkwood took charge of the mill
and farm; while Ezekiel Clark managed the store and ware
house in town.
los Statements by Mrs. Kirkwood to the writer.
no Iowa Historical Record, Vol. XVIII, p. 593 ; and Lath
rop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, pp. 39, 40.
These two versions of the anecdote vary slightly in detail, but
they are essentially the same. John F. Duncombe of Fort
Dodge later became a prominent figure in Iowa history.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 405
in From Mrs. Kirkwood the writer gained the foregoing
information concerning the earliest acquaintances and friends
of the Kirkwoods in Iowa.
ii2 Printed in The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), September 14,
1859, during Kirkwood 's campaign for Governor.
us Quoted in Pelzer 's The Origin and Organization of the
Republican Party in Iowa, in The Iowa Journal of History and
Politics, Vol. IV, p. 500. In this article will be found an
excellent account of the movement leading up to the convention
of February 22, 1856, and of the convention itself.
114 See The Daily Gate City (Keokuk), February 29, 1856.
us Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 46. Mrs. Kirkwood also corroborated the statements made
above concerning Mr. Kirkwood 's part in the convention.
no Unfortunately there are no very satisfactory accounts of
this convention, beyond the mere minutes of the proceedings, to
be found. One of the best contemporary descriptions was one
written by the editor of the Davenport Gazette, who was a
delegate to the convention. The quotation used above is taken
from this description as reprinted in The Daily Gate City
(Keokuk), February 29, 1856.
117 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 46. This story has been told so many times that it might
almost be called an Iowa folk-tale.
us Reminiscence of Mr. A. B. Cree printed in Aurner 's
Leading Events in Johnson County History, Vol. I, pp. 623, 624.
119 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 46.
The address prepared by this committee is a detailed state
ment of the principles of the new party, covering four or five
columns in a newspaper. It is printed in full in The Daily
Gate City (Keokuk), March 24-26, 1856.

406 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
CHAPTER IX
120 Iowa City Republican (Daily), June 25, 26, 28, 30, July 1,
1856. On July 1st the editor commented as follows on Kirkwood 's
nomination :
' ' This is a fortunate nomination. Mr. K 's experience in
public life, his fine business habits and gentlemanly deport
ment, will give him an influence in the Senate enjoyed by few
others in that body. He consents, reluctantly — as we have
good reason to know — to the use of his name as a candidate.
The office is not one of his seeking. He is obliged to make
great sacrifices, by neglecting private business, in order to
comply with the wish so strongly expressed by the Convention. ' '
i2iByers's Iowa in War Times, p. 29; Lathrop 's The Life
and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 47.
Kirkwood 's fame in his new home apparently reached the
ears of his old friends in Ohio, for late in August he received
a letter from M. Day of Mansfield asking him to come and
make a speech at that place on September 2nd, in behalf of the
Republican party. — Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 27, His
torical Department, Des Moines. This is a large collection of
letters written to Kirkwood, covering in general the period
from 1850 to 1890.
122 In fact the Journal of the Senate, 1856-1857, records
only about fifty instances during the entire session in which
Kirkwood took any part in the proceedings, aside from casting
his vote on the various propositions before the Senate. For
instance, he introduced only five bills (pp. 25, 258, 277, 354,
415) and six resolutions (pp. 27, 110, 121, 125, 139, 207) ;
while on only ten occasions (pp. 131, 160, 316, 334, 396, 408,
413, 434, 450, 490) did he offer amendments to bills proposed
by others. It should be borne in mind, however, that neither
the legislative journals nor the newspapers of that day give
any good idea as to tEe debates in the legislature, and hence it
is difficult to obtain a true evaluation of the part taken by any
particular member.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 407
123 Proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers ' Association of
Iowa, 1902, p. 25.
124 Journal of the Senate, 1856-1857, pp. 20, 21, 34, 169, 177,
206, 277, 354.
125 Journal of the Senate, 1856-1857, pp. 127-132.
126 Quoted in Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J.
Kirkwood, pp. 49, 50. Mr. Lathrop was, at the time of this
episode, a correspondent for a Chicago newspaper.
"7 Journal of the Senate, 1856-1857, p. 160. See also Lath
rop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, pp. 50, 51.
128 Journal of the Senate, 1856-1857, pp. 27, 121, 207, 408.
129 Journal of the Senate, 1856-1857, pp. 107, 108.
130 Journal of the Senate, 1856-1857, p. 438. Mr. Lathrop
gives Kirkwood credit for securing the initial appropriation
also. — The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 54.
131 Laws of Iowa, 1856-1857, p. 466.
Mr. Kirkwood served only a little more than a year as a
member of the Board of Trustees, for by the Constitution of
1857 and the legislation of 1858 there was created and organ
ized a State Board of Education which had control of all the
educational interests of the State, and a new Board of Trustees
was created by that authority. See Aurner 's History of Edu
cation in Iowa, Vol. I, Chs. Ill, IV.
CHAPTER X
132 Muscatine Daily Journal, January 27, 1857.
133 At least three elections, in April, August, and October,
were held that year. See The Iowa Weekly Citizen (Des
Moines), August 5, September 2, 16, 1857.
134 This letter is printed in the Annals of Iowa (Third Se
ries), Vol. VIII, pp. 508, 509.
135 Letter from Grimes, March 24, 1857, and another of about
the same time but without date, in Kirkwood Correspondence,
No. 30.

408 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
136 The incidents of this tour are described in Lathrop 's The
Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, pp. 57-61; and the
proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers' Association of Iowa,
1892, p. 42.
137 In the itinerary as announced in the newspapers Kirk
wood, Henry O 'Connor, and ' ' other distinguished Republicans ' '
were scheduled to meet Samuels at Newton, Montezuma, Oska
loosa, Sigourney, Washington, Mt. Pleasant, Wapello, Iowa
City, Marengo, Toledo, Vinton, Marion, Anamosa, Tipton, and
Davenport, between September 17th and October 6th. — Musca
tine Daily Journal, September 11, 1857. It is probable that
Kirkwood filled only his share of these appointments.
138 Letter of James W. Grimes to Kirkwood, December 4,
1857. — Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 38, Historical Depart
ment, Des Moines. A similar statement is to be found in a
letter written a month earlier, on November 5th.
Kirkwood apparently did not oppose the candidacy of his
neighbor, William Penn Clarke, but when it became apparent,
in the Republican legislative caucus in January, 1858, that
Clarke had absolutely no chance, Kirkwood was left free to
throw his whole-hearted support to James W. Grimes. — See
Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 61.
For a discussion of this senatorial campaign see Clark's
History of Senatorial Elections in Iowa, Ch. V.
139 Letter from James W. Grimes to Kirkwood, November 5,
1857. — Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 36.
140 Proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers ' Association of
Iowa, 1898, p. 88; The Iowa Weekly Citizen (Des Moines),
April 7, 1858.
i4i This description of Des Moines at the time of the con
vening of the Seventh General Assembly is taken largely from
the following reminiscences of men who were members of that
Assembly: Gue's The Seventh General Assembly in the pro
ceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers' Association of Iowa, 1898,
pp. 86-98; Carpenter's Reminiscences of the Winter of 1858 in
Des Moines in the proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers'

NOTES AND REFERENCES 409
Association of Iowa, 1892, pp. 53-63"; Grinnell 's Men and
Events of Forty Years, pp. 122, 123.
The isolation of Des Moines at this time is emphasized by
the fact that it was not until late in 1857 that its citizens were
furnished with a daily mail service. — The Iowa Weekly Citizen
(Des Moines), December 30, 1857.
m Journal of the Senate, 1858, pp. 36, 61, 68, 94, 149, 196,
222, 259, 266, 278, 455, 554. Senator Kirkwood took part in
the proceedings of this session much more frequently than
during the preceding session.
143 These bills were Senate Files Nos. 49, 95, and 111. Their
course through the Senate may be traced by consulting the
index to the Journal of the Senate, 1858. See also Laws of
Iowa, 1858, pp. 46, 48, 214.
«4 Journal of the Senate, 1858, pp. Ill, 320, 604, 605.
145 For amendments proposed by Kirkwood, see Journal of
the Senate, 1858, pp. 177, 186, 263, 264, 270, 296, 300, 302, 303,
304, 318, 334, 356, 362, 364-367, 370, 371, 377, 378, 411, 447,
475, 531, 586, 594, 605.
146 Journal of the Senate, 1858, pp. 334, 356, 362, 364-367,
371, 377, 378 ; and Laws of Iowa, 1858, pp. 125-152.
^Journal of the Senate, 1858, pp. 296, 318; and Laws of
Iowa, 1858, pp. 57-88.
148 Journal of the Senate, 1858, p. 454 ; and Laws of Iowa,
1858, p. 431. It does not appear that any other memorial, as
referred to, was passed at that session of the General Assembly,
but a memorial of the previous session may have been the one
in mind.
149 Journal of the Senate, 1858, pp. 308-310 ; and Laws of
Iowa, 1858, pp. 432-434.
iso Proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers ' Association of
Iowa, 1892, pp. 54, 55.
151 Proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers' Association of
Iowa, 1892, p. 55, 1898, p. 96; Journal of the Senate, 1858, pp.

410 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
463, 503, 504; The Tri-weekly Citizen (Des Moines), March 18,
1858; Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirlcwood,
pp. 66, 67.
152 Proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers ' Association of
Iowa, 1898, p. 91.
153 Proceedings of the Pioneer Lawmakers ' Association of
Iowa, 1907, pp. 13, 14. CHAPTER XI
is* Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), April 7, August 11,
1858. 155 Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. I, p. 267; and
Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 62.
156 Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. V, p. 99; and Consti
tution of Iowa, 1857, Article VIII.
157 The lengthy act establishing the State Bank of Iowa,
which embodied many of the features of similar laws in Ohio
and Indiana, may be found in the Laws of Iowa, 1858, pp. 125-
152. The best accounts of the history of the State Bank are
those by Hiram Price and Hoyt Sherman printed, respectively,
in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. I, pp. 266-293, and
in Vol. V, of the same publication, pp. 93-116. Both Mr.
Price and Mr. Sherman were members of the Board of Direc
tors of the State Bank of Iowa, and they were prominently
connected with the branch banks at Davenport and Des Moines,
respectively. In the article by Mr. Sherman are excellent fac
similes of the notes issued by the State Bank.
The Commissioners selected to put the banking plan into
operation were C. H. Booth, E. H. Harrison, Ezekiel Clark,
John W. Dutton, William J. Gatling, Christian W. Slagle,
Elihu Baker, William S. Dart, L. W. Babbitt, and Edward T.
Edginton. At the first meeting, held on July 28, 1858, Ezekiel
Clark was chosen president of the Board of Commissioners.
On October 9th the board held its last meeting and control was
transferred to the Board of Directors. The original record

NOTES AND REFERENCES 411
book containing the minutes of the meetings of the Commis
sioners and of the Directors of the State Bank of Iowa is in
the possession of The State Historical Society of Iowa. The
minutes of the Commissioners cover the first twenty-one pages.
158 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), August 11, 1858.
In the same paper appeared a similar notice signed by a differ
ent group of persons, but apparently their efforts did not meet
with success.
159 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), September 22,
1858. The list of the original stockholders of the Iowa City
Branch is given in this same paper, together with the amount
of stock purchased by each person.
ioo See original record book containing the minutes of the
meetings of the Board of Directors, in the possession of The
State Historical Society of Iowa, pp. 22-85; and Iowa Weekly
Republican (Iowa City), November 3, 1858. Mr. Kirkwood
resigned on August 10, 1859. He again became a member of
the board on August 10, 1864 (minutes, p. 275) , and hence had
a part not only in organizing the State Bank of Iowa, but also
in closing up its affairs.
im Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. I, p. 292. The last
regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held on August
16, 1865, and the State Bank of Iowa gave way to the National
Banks established according to the Federal law of 1863.
162 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), August 18, 1858.
163 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), October 20, 1858.
164 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), December 1, 8,
1858. 165 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), June 15, 22, 1859;
and The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), June 22, 1859.
lee Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), December 15, 1858,
March 16, 1859.
167 From statements made by Mrs. Kirkwood to the writer.

412 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
CHAPTER XII
168 Throughout the campaign, both before and after the nom
ination, Kirkwood received frequent letters from Grimes offer
ing advice and encouragement,
169 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 51.
170 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 53.
171 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 57.
172 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 65, 67.
"3 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), May 25, 1859.
174 Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. IV, pp. 547, 548;
and letter from John A. Kasson to Kirkwood, May 17, 1859, in
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 81.
175 The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), June 29, 1859; and Iowa
Weekly Republican (Iowa City), June 29, 1859.
176 Letter from James W. Grimes, June 23, 1859.— Kirk
wood Correspondence, No. 114.
i'77 The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), June 29, 1859.
"a See the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. IX, p. 208.
179 For the career of Kirkwood 's opponent see Pelzer 's
Augustus Caesar Dodge.
180 Quoted from the Oskaloosa Herald in the Iowa State
Journal (Des Moines), July 9, 1859.
181 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 116.
is2 Letter from James Harlan, July 4, 1859. — Kirkwood Cor
respondence, No. 130.
iss Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), July 6, 1859.
i84 27ie Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), July 13, 20, 1859.
iss The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), July 13, 1859.
186 Quoted from the Davenport Democrat in the Iowa Weekly
Republican (Iowa City), July 20, 1859. The writer continued
by stating that Kirkwood "deceives himself greatly, if he sup-

NOTES AND REFERENCES 413
poses that he will make any votes in the civilized part of Iowa,
by dressing like a scare-crow, or smelling like a cod-fish."
187 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), July 13, 1859.
iss The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), August 10, 1859.
iso The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), July 20, 1859; Muscatine
Daily Journal, July 13, 1859.
iso Muscatine Daily Journal, July 26, 1859. For lists of
Kirkwood 's speaking appointments see The Iowa Citizen (Des
Moines), July 27, August 3, 1859.
in Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. VIII, p. 201.
192 For instance, see the Muscatine Daily Journal, July 26,
1859, and succeeding numbers.
"Wise in council and blest with fine executive capacities, as
well as skill at the plow, the Cincinnatus of Iowa is soon to
leave his farm to preside at the helm of State. ' ' — Quoted from
the Dubuque Times in The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), July 27,
1859. 193 Iowa State Journal (Des Moines), August 20, 1859.
194 The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines) , August 10, 1859 ; Iowa
Weekly Republican (Iowa City), August 10, 1859. A good
account of this debate and of the entire campaign is to be
found in Pelzer's Augustus Caesar Dodge, Ch. XVIII.
195 Iowa State Journal (Des Moines), August 6, 1859.
iso The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), August 3, 10, 1859;
Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), August 10, 1859.
197 Autobiography of James B. Weaver, manuscript copy in
possession of The State Historical Society of Iowa.
198 Iowa State Journal (Des Moines), August 13, 1859; Iowa
Weekly Republican (Iowa City), August 17, 24, 1859.
199 The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), August 10, 1859.
200 Many of the appointments previously made for Kirkwood,
were evidently accepted by Dodge in arranging for the joint

414 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
debates. For these appointments see The Iowa Citizen (Des
Moines), July 27, August 3, 1859.
201 Quoted from the Winterset Madisonian in the Iowa State
Journal (Des Moines), August 27, 1859.
202 Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. IX, p. 225.
203Garver's Reminiscences of John H. Charles in the Annals
of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. VIII, p. 427.
204 The Washington Press, September 7, 1859 ; and clippings
in Kirkwood Scrap-books in the possession of The State His
torical Society of Iowa, large scrap-book, pp. 25, 45; small
scrap-book, p. 21.
205 The Washington Press, September 7, 1859.
206 For a list of the speaking appointments in eastern Iowa
see The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), August 31, 1859. The
newspapers of the period are full of accounts of these debates.
207 Clipping in large Kirkwood Scrap-book, p. 120.
208 For a list of Kirkwood 's final appointments see The Iowa
Citizen (Des Moines), August 31, 1859.
Opposition newspapers continued to assail Kirkwood in the
most scurrilous manner. ' ' Talk of Sam Kirkwood 's ' brilliant
oratory!' " exclaimed the Davenport Democrat. "One might
as well talk of the graceful antics of an overgrown jackass."
"No words are too vulgar and loathsome to glide smoothly and
easily through his dirty lips", declared the Oskaloosa Times.
"Inuendoes and double entendres are too inexpressive to per
form the task allotted them by this prince of dirty black
guards." — Quoted in the Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa
City), September 21, 1859.
209 The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), September 28, October
10, 1859.
210 The Iowa Official Register, 1915-1916, p. 542.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 415
CHAPTER XIII
2n Letter from James W. Grimes to Kirkwood, October 25,
1859.— Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. VIII, p. 514. Some
reasons for Senator Grimes's objection to the county judge
system may be discovered by reading Crawford's The County
Judge System in Iowa with Special Reference to its Workings
in Pottawattamie County in The Iowa Journal of History and
Politics, Vol. VIII, pp. 478-521.
2i2 Letter from Frank P. Blair, November 3, 1859. — Kirk
wood Correspondence, No. 191.
213 Letter from James R. Doolittle, November 9, 1859. —
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 192. As will be seen, Kirkwood
did espouse the cause of colonization in his inaugural address.
214 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 193.
215 Journal of the House of Representatives, 1860, p. 51.
216 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 229-247. It would be difficult to
trace the effects of this address in the legislation of the Eighth
General Assembly of Iowa. At any rate the Governor's sug
gestion relative to the colonization plan was not followed.
^ir The Iowa Citizen (Des Moines), January 25, 1860; An
nals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. VIII, p. 202.
2i8 Daily Iowa State Journal (Des Moines), January 13, 24,
February 16, 20, 21, 1860; Shambaugh's Messages and Procla
mations of the Governors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 247-251.
It is interesting to note that the member of the Senate whose
name headed the protest afterwards characterized the inaugural
address as follows : ' ' Great questions were before the State
and country, and they were all discussed with the skill of a
trained publicist and the intuitions of a far-seeing statesman. ' '
— Proceedings of the Pioneer Law-Makers ' Association of
Iowa, 1886, p. 24.
219 Annals of Iowa (3rd Series), Vol. V, p. 311.
R. E. Graves of Dubuque wrote on January 21, 1860, asking
Kirkwood for a portrait of himself to be used in making a cut

416 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
for printing on the certificates of deposit of the Branch of the
State Bank at Dubuque. — Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 202.
CHAPTER XIV
22o Partisanship was so strong that Governor Kirkwood was
seldom allowed for long at a time to forget that he had political
enemies. For instance in January, 1860, a Des Moines editor
raked up the old campaign attack concerning the appropriations
needed for the Insane Asylum at Mt. Pleasant. — Daily Iowa
State Journal (Des Moines), January 30, 1860.
221 The following account of the Barclay Coppoe case is based
on a scholarly monograph on The Rendition of Barclay Coppoc,
written by Mr. Thomas Teakle, and published in The Iowa
Journal of History and Politics, Vol. X, pp. 503-566, which
presents a thorough and detailed discussion of the whole
affair. The documents in the case may be found in Shambaugh's
Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of Iowa, Vol. II,
pp. 378, 379, 380-402. See also Journal of the Senate, 1860;
Journal of the House of Representatives, 1860; and the Daily
Iowa State Journal (Des Moines), February 29, March 1, 2, 6,
1860. 222 Governor Kirkwood 's name was among those signed to a
request that the Hart family should repeat a concert previously
given in Des Moines. — Daily Iowa State Register (Des Moines),
February 25, 1860.
223 Letter from Valentine Miller, February 5, 1860. — Kirk
wood Correspondence, No. 205.
224 Letter from Ezekiel Clark, March 6, 1860. — Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 211.
225 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 359-366.
226 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 371, 376, 377, 380; Laws of Iowa,
1860, pp. 142, 143.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 417
227 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), April 11, 1860.
228 Letter from James W. Grimes, December 26, 1859. —
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 196.
220 Daily Iowa State Register (Des Moines), March 29, 1860.
230 The relation of Iowa men to the first nomination of
Abraham Lincoln is well set forth by Professor F. I. Herriott
in a series of articles in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series),
Vols. VIII, IX. See also Pelzer's The History of Political
Parties in Iowa from 1857 to 1860 in The Iowa Journal of
History and Politics, Vol. VII, pp. 179-229.
231 Letter from Henry Farnam, April 24, I860.— Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 223.
232 See statement in Herriott 's Iowa and the First Nomina
tion of Abraham Lincoln in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series),
Vol. VIII, p. 114.
233 Quoted in Herriott 's Iowa and the First Nomination of
Abraham Lincoln in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol.
VIII, p. 96.
234 See Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirk
wood, p. 87. Professor Herriott says that "Saunders and
Kirkwood were perhaps Iowa's leaders in promoting Lincoln's
candidacy: One or the other probably taking part in the 'Com
mittee of Twelve' whose decision doubtless exercised a potent
if not decisive influence upon the final result." — Annals of
Iowa (Third Series), Vol. VIII, p. 114.
235 For evidences of Kirkwood 's active participation in this
campaign in Lincoln's behalf see the Iowa Weekly Republican
(Iowa City), May 23, June 27, July 4, August 1, 8, 15, 29,
October 24, 31, 1860. His correspondence for this period re
veals the fact that he received more urgent invitations to speak
in different parts of the State than he could possibly accept.
236 Letter from James Harlan, July 30, 1860. — Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 256.
237 The Iowa State Register (Des Moines), August 22, 1860.
28

418 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
238 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), September 5, 1860.
239 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), October 24, 31,
1860. 240 Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VII, p. 39.
24i The Iowa State Register (Des Moines), May 16, 1860.
A communication from William Penn Clarke of Iowa City,
objecting to Kirkwood 's action in instructing the State Treas
urer not to pay interest on the warrants of the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum, appeared in the Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City),
April 18, 1860.
242 George G. Wright had already served one term on the
Supreme Court of Iowa, but in 1859 Ke declined a renomination.
He was reelected in the fall of 1860 and served until 1870, when
he was chosen United States Senator from Iowa.
243 The Iowa State Register (Des Moines), July 11, 1860.
244 See the Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), August 29,
September 5, 1860.
245 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, p. 467.
246 Iowa Historical Record, Vol. Ill, pp. 429-431.
247 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 311.
248 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 231, 238, 275, 299; Iowa
Weekly Republican (Iowa City), December 19, 1860.

CHAPTER XV
249 Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VII, pp. 39, 40.
230 Ioxoa Historical Record, Vol. II, pp. 375-378.
251 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 329. Much material rela
tive to military affairs in Iowa before the outbreak of the war
may be found in the Archives at Des Moines, especially in the
Executive Journal, 1858-1862, and correspondence in a box
labelled Militia, 18S9-1874.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 419
252 jowa Historical Record, Vol. II, pp. 372-375.
253 Iowa Historical Record, Vol. II, pp. 372, 373.
254 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, p. 55.
255 Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VII, pp. 34-38. This is an
account of his first interview with President Lincoln written by
Kirkwood himself in 1891. "I was not then (nor am I now)
much acquainted with the etiquette of calls upon or by Presi
dents or Presidents-elect, and I have since thought that he did
not know much more on that somewhat intricate subject than I
did or care any more about it."
256 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 330. Alvin Saunders be
came Governor of the Territory of Nebraska later in 1861.
257 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 351.
258 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 354.
259 Iowa Weekly Republican (Iowa City), March 6, 1861.
Early in March the Governor received a letter from the Chi
cago agent of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company,
saying that he was sending Kirkwood a sewing-machine, with
the compliments of the company and himself. A machine, he
said, had also been sent to Abraham Lincoln. — Kirkwood Cor
respondence, No. 345.
260 Byers 's Iowa in War Times, p. 28 ; The War of the Re
bellion: Official Records, Series III, Vol. I, pp. 68, 69.
261 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
pp. 114, 115 ; Byers 's Iowa in War Times, p. 28.
CHAPTER XVI
262 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 115.
263 The Iowa State Register (Des Moines), April 24, 1861.
264 The War of the Rebellion : Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, p. 87. Unfortunately Governor Kirkwood was soon to

420 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
find that, although his statement continued to characterize the
vast majority of the people of Iowa, there was a troublesome
minority which did not propose to live up to his description.
265 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 468, 469.
260 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 469, 470.
267 Letter to Secretary Cameron, April 16, 1861.— The War
of the Rebellion : Official Records, Series III, Vol. I, pp. 74, 75.
The requisition from the Secretary of War stated that the
Iowa regiment should be in rendezvous at Keokuk by May 20th.
A large number of telegrams and letters from the War Depart
ment to Governor Kirkwood, containing instructions concerning
the raising, mobilizing, and mustering of the Iowa troops at the
beginning of the War may be found in The War of the Rebel
lion: Official Records, Series III, Vol. I.
For discussions of Governor Kirkwood 's activities in connec
tion with the raising of the first regiments see Lathrop 's The
Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, pp. 116-120; and
Byers 's Iowa in War Times, Ch. III. Much material may be
found in the Executive Journal, 1858-1862, p. 350 ff, Archives,
Des Moines.
268 Letter to Captain W. S. Robertson of Columbus City,
Iowa, April 24, 1861. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1,
p. 7, in the possession of The State Historical Society of Iowa
at Iowa City.
269 Letter to John W. Rankin of Keokuk, April 25, 1861 —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, pp. 25-27.
270 Letter to J. W. Rankin of Keokuk, April 26, 1861 —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, pp. 33, 34.
27i Letter to James B. Howell of Keokuk, April 30, 1861. —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, pp. 47-55. This long
and earnest letter, like many others of a similar character, in
the Governor's own handwriting, offers proof of his desire to be
just and fair in all his actions.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 421
272 For brief discussions of the services of various men in
offering financial aid to the State at the outbreak of the war
see the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. I, pp. 594, 595;
Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, pp. 118,
119, .127; Byers 's Iowa in War Times, pp. 42, 43. Letters
dealing with the financial problems at the outbreak of the war
may be found in the Executive Journal, 1858-1862, Archives,
Des Moines.
27s Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, p. 194.
274 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, pp. 127, 128.
275 This letter was printed in The Iowa State Register (Des
Moines), May 15, 1861, no doubt for the purpose of answering
the criticisms of Governor Kirkwood because of his failure to
secure arms for the Iowa troops. The Governor's Military
Letter Book for this period contains scores of patient letters
written by him in response both to honest inquiries and ma
licious complaints.
276 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, p. 142.
277 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 470, 471.
27 '8 Journal of the House of Representatives (Extra Session),
1861, pp. 3, 4.
279 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 252-263.
2so Journal of the House of Representatives (Extra Session),
1861, p. 15.
28i For the laws enacted at this session see Laws of Iowa
(Extra Session), 1861.
282 For special messages of the Governor in reply to requests
for information concerning the raising and equipping of troops,
the dangers of the invasion of Iowa, and other subjects see
Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of
Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 404-425.

422 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
CHAPTER XVII
283 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 367, Historical Depart
ment, Des Moines.
284 Letter from W. H. Kinsman, May 29, 1861. — Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 369.
285 The Iowa State Register (Des Moines), June 5, 1861.
286 Letter from Le Roy G. Palmer of Mt. Pleasant, July 15,
1S61. — Kirlcwood Correspondence, No. 377.
287 Fairall 's Manual of Iowa Politics, Vol. I, Part I, pp. 57,
58. For a brief account of this convention see Olynthus B.
Clark's monograph on The Politics of Iowa During the Civil
War and Reconstruction, pp. 116-119.
288 The Iowa State Register (Des Moines), August 7, 1861.
The ballots were as follows:
Informal ballot: Kirkwood, 272%; Elijah Sells, 29; F. H.
Warren, 29; S. A. Rice, 12%; S. F. Miller, 31.
Formal ballot: Kirkwood, 310%; Sells, 12; Warren, 32%;
Miller, 19.
John R. Needham was nominated for Lieutenant Governor.
For a brief discussion of an estrangement which arose be
tween Kirkwood and Elijah Sells, see the Annals of Iowa
(Third Series), Vol. II, pp. 525-527.
289 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 385. H. M. Hoxie offered
his services to the Governor in a letter received about the same
time. 290 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 387.
291 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 392.
292 For an account of the Union party movement in Iowa see
Clark's The Politics of Iowa During the Civil War and Re
construction, pp. 111-114, 119-121, 123-133. Evidence of
Reuben Noble's loyalty to Governor Kirkwood is to be found
in a footnote on p. 129.
293 The activities of the Democrats during this campaign are

NOTES AND REFERENCES 423
well discussed in Clark's The Politics of Iowa During the Civil
War and Reconstruction, Ch. V.
294 The Sherman Hall speech is printed in full in The Iowa
State Register (Des Moines), September 11, 1861.
295 In a long letter to Samuel F. Miller of Keokuk on June
26, 1861, Kirkwood made a very clear statement of his financial
difficulties. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, pp. 271,
272. 296 For a further discussion of the difficulties encountered in
the sale of the State bonds see below, pp. 207-210.
297 The returns of this election have been variously reported.
The Iowa Official Register, 1915-1916, p. 542, gives Kirkwood
60,303, and Merritt 43,245. Fairall 's Manual of Iowa Politics,
Vol. I, Part I, p. 60, gives Kirkwood 59,853, and Merritt
43,245. The official canvass by the legislature as recorded in
the Journal of the House of Representatives, 1862, p. 38, credits
Kirkwood with 60,252, and Merritt with only 40,187. Lathrop
in The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p. 142, places
Kirkwood 's plurality at 16,600. Fairall 's figures, however,
agree with the statistics as found in the archives in Des Moines
by Professor Olynthus B. Clark and recorded in The Politics of
Iowa During the Civil War and Reconstruction, p. 133.

CHAPTER XVIII
298 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 433. See also No. 438,
for a similar complaint.
299 Among the offers of aid from outside the State was that
of Solomon Sturges of Chicago, who expressed his willingness
to advance $100,000. See the Iowa City Republican, November
2, 1864.
Although Kirkwood had no authority to accept the offer
made by Mr. Sturges, he wrote on June 20, 1861, as follows:
' ' Accept my very hearty thanks for your kind offer of aid to
me in preparing the troops of this State for service in antici
pation of the sale of our State Bonds. When wealth & the will

424 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
to use wealth wisely & well unite, the wealthy become as in
your case public benefactors." — Kirkwood Military Letter
Book, No. 1, p. 264.
300 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, pp. 271, 272.
For a public report of the agents appointed to take charge
of the sale of bonds see Shambaugh's Messages and Proclama
tions of the Governors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 474-476.
soi Letter from N. H. Brainerd to Captain M. V. McKinney
of Des Moines, September 3, 1861. — Kirkwood Military Letter
Book, No. 1, p. 299. Later letters (pp. 413-415) indicate that
an attempt had been made to purchase arms by the use of
State bonds.
302 Letter from N. H. Brainerd to Samuel Merrill, September
12, 1861. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, p. 341. The
extent of the Governor's personal debt, amounting to thousands
of dollars, is indicated in another letter on p. 369.
303 Report of the Auditor of State, 1861, p. 14.
304 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 476-482. "There is not a man
or woman in Iowa, ' ' he said at the close of one of these ap
peals, ' ' who would not blush if we had to seek men outside of
our State to fill the ranks of our regiments. Shall it be said
we had to go outside of our State for means to equip and pay
them?" 305. See Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, p. 450.
306 See above pp. 202-204.
307 For instance see Byers 's Iowa in War Times, pp. 52, 53.
3os Report of the Auditor of State, 1861, p. 14.
309 For a biographical sketch of Nathan Hoit Brainerd see
the Iowa Historical Record, Vol. XVIII, pp. 401-406.
3io The list of aids here given is the list published in The
Iowa State Register (Des Moines), July 3, 1861.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 425
311 Byers 's Iowa in War Times, p. 56. In a letter of July
24, 1861, Kirkwood thanked Bowen for his services, and said
he had intended to appoint Thomas McKean of Marion as his
successor. But McKean had become Paymaster in the United
States Army. — Executive Journal, 1858-1862, p. 476, Archives,
Des Moines.
312 A brief biography of Nathaniel B. Baker, written by
B. F. Gue, is to be found in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series),
Vol. I, pp. 81-99.
sis Letter from N. H. Brainerd to John G. Weeks of Des
Moines, September 10, 1861. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book,
No. 1, p. 327.
3i4 Letter from N. H. Brainerd to Levi Fuller of West
Union, September 10, 1861. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book,
No. 1, p. 335.
sis Letter to C. Nash of Mt. Pleasant, December 14, 1861. —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, pp. 20-23.
sie Letter to Dr. James D. Gray of Talleyrand, April 2, 1862.
— Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, pp. 267, 268.
3i7 Letter to John Edwards of Chariton, December 18, 1861.
— Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, p. 25. For later
letters dealing with the same point see pp. 28, 86-90, 143-146.
sis Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 471-473.
319 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 482, 483.
320 Letter to Col. John W. Rankin, December 23, 1861. —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, p. 47.
32i The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, pp. 311, 325.
322 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, p. 485.
On September 16, 1861, James W. Grimes wrote a letter to

426 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
the Secretary of War saying that Iowa then had twelve regi
ments in the field, "a larger number than any other State in
proportion to her population. ' ' Four thousand more men
could be raised at once if provision could be made for their
families. — The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series
III, Vol. I, p. 521.
323 This letter, copies of which were doubtless sent to all the
loyal Governors, is to be found in the Kirkwood Correspondence,
No. 424.
324 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, p. 85.

CHAPTER XIX
325 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 264-295.
It was no doubt the insistence in this message on the prompt
payment of taxes which elicited the following sarcastic letter
from the treasurer of Johnson County, who either did not
realize Kirkwood 's personal financial embarrassment or was
disposed to heckle him:
"Permit me to say a word about your delinquent taxes in
this County. Mr. Sperry sold a portion of it [Kirkwood 's
property] last fall for the Taxes, and now there are plenty of
purchasers for the balance. They consider a good Joke on you
to urge in your inaugural the prompt payment of taxes, and at
the same time leave your own unpaid, no doubt but in the vast
amount of your duties you have forgotten it, or supposed they
were paid." — Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 459.
326 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 275-281.
327 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, p. 282.
328 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 294, 295.
329 Journal of the House of Representatives, 1862, pp. 39, 40.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 427
sso Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 296-310.
33i Letter from George B. Corkhill, January 29, 1862 —
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 447.
332 Letter from Chas. Geo. Allhusen, Kiel, Denmark, March 6,
1862. — Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 469.
333 For a discussion of Kirkwood 's personal attitude toward
the administration and the prosecution of the war, see below,
pp. 292-296.
334 This brief account of the celebration at the news of the
capture of Fort Donelson is taken from an article by Charles
Aldrieh in the Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VIII, pp. 215-221.
335 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, pp. 159, 165, 223,
224. See also the Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VIII, pp. 222-
228. 336 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, pp. 220-222.
Governor Kirkwood 's zeal to protect the good name of the
Iowa troops is further illustrated by a letter written on April 3,
1862, to Governor Washburne of Maine. In this letter he pro
tested against the implied reflection on the valor of the Iowa
soldiers in the assault on Fort Donelson, contained in a reso
lution of the legislature of Maine praising the western troops
for their bravery in that battle. — Pp. 269-271.
CHAPTER XX
337 A monograph on the enlistment of soldiers in Iowa during
the Civil War prepared by Dr. John E. Briggs appears in The
Iowa Journal of History and Politics, Vol. XV, pp. 323-392.
No attempt has been made in this volume to present an ade
quate treatment of the subject.
338 For data relative to the various calls for troops and the
quotas of the different States, see Phisterer's Statistical Record
of the Armies of the United States, pp. 3-11.
339 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. II, p. 206.

428 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
340 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 2, p. 325.
34i The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. II, pp. 399, 416.
342 The War of the Rebellion : Official Records, Series III,
Vol. II, p. 417.
343 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 2, pp. 328, 329.
344 Kirkwood 's Military Letter Book, No. 2, pp. 473, 474.
345 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 499-501.
346 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 504, 505.
As late as November 20, 1862, there was still difficulty in
filling up the old regiments. "Officers here recruiting for the
Regular Army are enlisting men recruited by me for the old
regiments", was Kirkwood 's protest on that day to Secretary
Stanton. "If this is not stopped I will cease all efforts. I
protest, too, most earnestly against enlisting men from our
regiments into the regular service. I will not endeavor to fill
up vacancies thus created." — The War of the Rebellion: Of
ficial Records, Series III, Vol. II, p. 845.
347 For correspondence on the subject of the draft in Iowa
see The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III, Vol.
II, pp. 254, 291, 317, 339, 383, 440, 442, 464, 471, 485, 486, 491,
513, 843, 844, Vol. Ill, pp. 62, 63, 193, 520, 521, 576, 637, 638,
865, 904. See also Brainerd 's Iowa and the Draft in the Iowa
Historical Record, Vol. IV, pp. 65-67.
348 Letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Addison H. Saunders, May
21, 1862. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 2, p. 171.
349 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 502-504.
360 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 311-318.
351 Letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Harvey Graham, December 6,
1862. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 4, p. 340.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 429
362 Letter to Mr. Truesdell, November 13, 1862. — Kirkwood
Military Letter Book, No. 4, p. 175.
35s Letter to M. B. Cochran, January 5, 1863. — Kirkwood
Military Letter Book, No. 4, p. 417.
mi Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 55-57.
355 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 70. See also
pp. 72, 73, 241.
see Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 491-495, No.
7, pp. 134-139.
357 Iowa City Republican, June 24, 1863. See also Byers 's
Iowa in War Times, p. 231.
358 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series II,
Vol. IV, pp. 250, 251.
359 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series II,
Vol. TV, pp. 257, 285.
3oo The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series II,
Vol. IV, p. 631.
36i The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series II,
Vol. IV, p. 718. For further correspondence relative to the
exchange of prisoners see pp. 131-133, 295-299, 474, 598, 638,
639, 649, 650, 672, 689, 713.
362 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, pp. 1-3.
363 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, p. 240.
364 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 37.
365 Letter from Colonel Nicholas Perczel, August 1, 1862. —
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 535.
366 Letter to Colonel Nicholas Perczel, August 11, 1862. —
Kirkivood Military Letter Book, No. 2, p. 527.
307 Letter to Captain S. M. Archer, November 6, 1862. —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 4, pp. 154, 155.
368 Letter to Colonel William Vandever, October 31, 1862. —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 4, pp. 96-98.

430 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
369 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 2, p. 173.
370 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 4, pp. 124, 125.
37i Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 4, p. 212.
372 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 2, pp. 573, 574.
373 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 46.
CHAPTER XXI
374 The account of the Altoona conference of loyal Governors
here presented is based on a narrative by Kirkwood himself,
printed in the Iowa Historical Record, Vol. VIII, pp. 210-214.
The quotations, except where otherwise indicated, are taken
from this source.
For further material on the conference see the New York
Weekly Tribune, September 27, October 4, 11, 1862; Pearson's
The Life of John A. Andrew, Vol. II, pp. 48-53, 56-58 ; Nicolay
and Hay's Abraham Lincoln: A History, Vol. VI, pp. 164-167;
McClure's Abraham Lincoln and Men of War Times, pp. 249-
251. 375 Quoted from the New York Tribune in the Iowa City Re
publican, October 29, 1862. CHAPTER XXII
376 Letter to Jesse Evans of Bedford, April 30, 1861. —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, pp. 44, 45.
The Governor's suggestion at this time and his orders later
were followed, and "home guard" companies were organized
in most of the counties of southern Iowa. For instance see
Bryant 's A War Time Militia Company in The Iowa Journal of
History and Politics, Vol. X, pp. 403-414.
377 Letter to Richard Chamberlain of Clarence, Missouri,
May 10, 1861. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 1, p. 150.
378 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 277, 278.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 431
379 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series I, Vol:
III, p. 413. See also Bussey 's The Battle of Athens, Missouri
in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. V, pp. 81-92;
and Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, p. 278.
380 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, p. 560.
3si The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, pp. 561, 562.
382 For an account of one of these raids see The Iowa Jour
nal of History and Politics, Vol. X, pp. 411-414.
383 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 217, 218.
384 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, pp. 57, 86.
385 The War of the Rebellion : Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, pp. 127, 162.
386 The War of the Rebellion : Official Records, Series III,
Vol. I, pp. 185, 186.
387 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 278, 279.
388 For an account of the situation see Ingham 's The Iowa
Northern Border Brigade of 1862-3 in the Annals of Iowa
(Third Series), Vol. V, pp. 481-523.
380 Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. V, p. 490.
390 Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. V, pp. 494, 495.
301 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series I, Vol.
XIII, p. 620.
302 Van der Zee 's Forts in the Iowa Country in The Iowa
Journal of History and Politics, Vol. XII, pp. 199-202.
393 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 346, 347.

432 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
CHAPTER XXIII
394 Letter from J. M. Shaffer of Fairfield, August 11, 1862 —
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 545.
395 Letter to James W. Grimes, November 25, 1862. — Kirk
wood Military Letter Book, No. 4, pp. 299, 300. For letters
from D. A. Mahoney to Kirkwood concerning the former's ar
rest see Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 547, 548; and the
State Press (Iowa City), December 13, 1862.
A large number of letters relative to disloyalty in Iowa dur
ing the Civil War are to be found in the Archives at Des
Moines, especially in the Correspondence of the Governor and
in the box labeled War Matters, 1858-1888.
396 See charge against Kirkwood and editorial from the Keo
kuk Gate City in the State Press (Iowa City), December 13,
1862. 397 Letter to G. W. Devin of Ottumwa, February 16, 1863 —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 5, p. 110.
398 Letter to Captain J. H. Summers of Decatur City, March
2, 1863. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 38, 39.
399 Kirkwood Military Letter Boole, No. 6, p. 77.
400 Letter to Secretary Stanton, March 10, 1863. — Kirkwood
Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 111.
4oi Letter to R. A. Richardson of Fayette County, March 11,
1863. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 114.
402 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. Ill, pp. 66-68.
403 Shambaugh's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 511-514.
404 The War of the Rebellion : Official Records, Series III,
Vol. Ill, pp. 66-72.
405 Letter to L. B. Fleak of Brighton, March 9, 1863. —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 96.
4oo Letter to Captain J. H. Summers of Decatur City, March
2, 1863. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 38, 39.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 433
407 Letter to Nathan Udell, April 22, 1863. — Kirkwood Mili
tary Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 366, 367.
408 The War of the Rebellion: Official Records, Series III,
Vol. Ill, p. 67.
4oo See The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, Vol. X, pp.
209-216. 4io There are many accounts of "The Tally War", but the
facts here presented, except when otherwise indicated, are
taken chiefly fr,om the Iowa City Republican, August 5 and 12,
1863; and Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirk
wood, pp. 244-252. See also The Annals of Iowa (Third Se
ries), Vol. IX, pp. 142-145.
411 Report of the Adjutant General (Iowa), 1863-1864, p. 687.
412 Report of the Adjutant General (Iowa), 1863-1864, pp.
689, 690.
413 Report of the Adjutant General (Iowa), 1863-1864, p. 688.
4i4 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
p. 250.
415 Letter from N. P. Chipman, May 18, 1865. — Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 975.
a* State Press (Iowa City), April 25, 1863.
4i7 State Press (Iowa City), April 25, 1863. This charge was
indignantly branded as a "hell-born lie" by the editor of the
Iowa City Republican, on May 6th.
4i8 Letter from J. M. Hiatt, April 5, 1863.^- Kirkwood Cor
respondence, No. 702.
4i9 Letter to J. M. Hiatt, April 11, 1863. — Kirkwood Mili
tary Letter Book, No. 6, p. 310.
420 Letter from J. G. Detwiler, July 6, 1863.— Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 766.
421 The facts of this episode and the quotations are taken
from the account written by Charles Negus which is to be found

29

434 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
in Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,'^]).
249-251. CHAPTER XXIV
422 Letter to Eliphalet Price of Guttenberg, March 13, 1863.
— Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 141, 142. For
the correspondence between Kirkwood and the Iowa delegation
at Washington in December, 1862, and January, 1863, see
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 580; and Kirkwood Military
Letter Book, No. 4, p. 437.
423 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 684.
424 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 682.
425 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 686.
426 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 288, 289.
427 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 248, 249 ;
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 701.
428 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 326-328.
429 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 722. Bradford R. Wood,
then Minister to Denmark, wrote that he would be willing to
remain at Copenhagen until March, 1864, if necessary to meet
Kirkwood's wishes. — Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 709, 743.
430 See letter from Grimes, January 30, 1864. — Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 931.
431 State Press (Iowa City), April 18, 1863.
432 For instance see letter to Grimes, April 22, 1863. — Kirk
wood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 373, 374.
433 Letter to S. Guthrie of Washington, D. O, April 11, 1863.
— Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 312. See also No.
7, pp. 26, 27.
434 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 7, pp. 100, 101.
¦ 435 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 7, p. 219.
436 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 931.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 435
437 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 289.
438 Iowa City Republican, July 1, 1863.
439 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 7, p. 65.
440 Quoted in Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J.
Kirkwood, pp. 265, 266; Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 810.
44i See, for instance, a speech made at West Union in Fayette
County, which is quoted in Lathrop 's The Life and Times of
Samuel J. Kirkwood, pp. 252-264.
442 See the Iowa City Republican, September 23, 1863.
443 Letter to Dr. Fred Lloyd, September 22, 1863. — Kirk
wood Military Letter Book, No. 7, p. 262.
44 4 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 830.
445 see letter to William M. Stone, October 20, 1863. — Kirk
wood Military Letter Book, No. 7, p. 348. See also the Iowa
City Republican, December 30, 1863.
446 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. II, pp. 319-358.
447 Iowa City Republican, January 20, 1864.
448 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 839.
CHAPTER XXV
449 Letter to Dr. C. S. Clarke of Fairfield, March 9, 1862 —
Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 3, p. 179.
450 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 4, pp. 190, 192.
451 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 2, p. 486.
452 Letter to Mrs. Harriett N. Kellogg of Garden Grove,
March 28, 1863. — Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp.
239, 240.
453 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 86-89.
454 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, pp. 207-210. See
also pp. 229-234.

436 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
455 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 2, p. 151. See also
pp. 214, 215.
456 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
pp. 283-286; Iowa City Republican, February 4, 1863, and suc
ceeding issues.
457 Letter to W. C. Kirkwood, March 23, 1863. — Kirkwood
Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 209.
458 Mrs. Kirkwood gave the author the facts upon which this
brief characterization of the Governor's personal life during
the war is based.
459 Iowa City Republican, January 21, 1863. See also the
same paper for December 9, 1863. Mrs. Kirkwood confirmed
these accounts of the difficulties of travel from Iowa City to
Des Moines.
460 A glance through the seven large military letter books, to
say nothing of the mass of papers in the Archives at Des
Moines, will give some idea of the amount of writing which the
Governor performed during these strenuous years.
46i Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 6, p. 98.
462 Letter to Laurin Dewey, July 7, 1863. — Kirkwood Mili
tary Letter Book, No. 7, p. 31.
463 Kirkwood Military Letter Book, No. 7, p. 383.
CHAPTER XXVI
¦464 The facts concerning the building of the house were re
lated to the writer by Mrs. Kirkwood, who stated that she was
never quite contented until they moved into this home of their
own. There she still lives to-day. The street which runs in
front of the house is known as Kirkwood Avenue.
465 The card of this law firm first appeared in the Iowa City
Republican, May 17, 1865.
466 Iowa City Republican, March 23, 30, 1864.
467 Iowa City Republican, February 17, May 18, August 31,
1864.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 437
468 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 949.
469/owa City Republican, September 14, October 12, 19, 26,
1864. A copy of this oration, in pamphlet form, is in the
library of The State Historical Society of Iowa.
470 See letter from Jacob Rich, June 27, 1864. — Kirkwood
Correspondence, No. 945.
47i For a more extended account of the senatorial contest of
1865-1866 than is given in these pages see Clark's History of
Senatorial Elections in Iowa, Ch. VIII. See also Brigham 's
James Harlan, Ch. XX.
472 Letter from Jacob Rich, March 12, 1865. — Kirkwood Cor
respondence, No. 958.
473 Aldrich's The Life and Times of Azro B. F. Hildreth, pp.
393-395. in Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 960.
475 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 979.
476 Letters from Marcellus M. Crocker, June 9 and 23, 1865.
— Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 981, 986.
477 Correspondence of William Penn Clarke, Vol. Ill, No.
127, Historical Department, Des Moines.
478 Letter from Azro B. F. Hildreth, April 1, 1865.— Kirk
wood Correspondence, No. 961.
479 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 963.
480 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 987, 990, 1059.
48i Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1019.
482 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1024. Grimes was even
more emphatic in other letters. The relations between Grimes
and Kirkwood on the one hand, and Harlan on the other, were
never quite friendly after this time.
For a letter from Harlan to Kirkwood in July, 1865, prac
tically promising his support to Kirkwood, see Kirkwood Cor
respondence, No. 995.

438 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
483 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1031.
484 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1106, 1109, 1114.
485 The Weekly Gate City (Keokuk), January 9, 1866.
486 Iowa City Republican, January 17, 1866.
487 Journal of the House of Representatives, 1866, pp. 64-66.
488 Congressional Directory, 1st Session, 39th Congress, pp.
49, 68.
489 Congressional Globe, 1st Session, 39th Congress, pp. 332,
390. 490 Congressional Globe, 1st Session, 39th Congress, p. 767.
491 Congressional Globe, 1st Session, 39th Congress, p. 2735.
492 See Congressional Globe, 1st Session, 39th Congress, pp.
3256, 3264, 3265, 3479, 3480.
493 Congressional Globe, 1st Session, 39th Congress, p. 3312.
494 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1177, 1199.
495 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1293.
496 Congressional Directory, 2nd Session, 39th Congress, p. 77.
The truth of these statements was confirmed by Mrs. Kirkwood.
497 See Congressional Globe, 2nd Session, 39th Congress, pp.
198, 220, 334.
498 See Congressional Globe, 2nd Session, 39th Congress, pp.
1820-1823, 1828.
499 See Congressional Globe, 2nd, Session, 39th Congress, pp.
703, 873, 1927.
5oo Congressional Globe, 2nd Session, 39th Congress, p. 198.
501 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1339, 1345.
CHAPTER XXVII
502 Iowa City Republican, September 25, 1-867, September 30,
October 28, November 4, 1868.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 439
503 Iowa City Republican, March 11, 18, 1868.
504 History of Johnson County, Iowa (1883), p. 422.
cos Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1437.
506 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1446. Mr. Kirkwood was
also a delegate to a similar convention at Cincinnati one year
later. See Clark's The Bid of the West for the National Cap
ital in the Proceedings of the Mississippi Valley Historical As
sociation, Vol. Ill, pp. 235, 270.
507 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1430.
508 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1432.
509 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1441, 1445.
610 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2035. This letter was
written on July 7, 1876.
511 Iowa City Republican, January 26, 1870. In the spring
of 1871 Kirkwood took S. M. Finch into partnership. — • Iowa
City Republican, April 19, 1871.
5i2 Iowa City Republican, December 8, 1869.
513 Iowa City Republican, April 27, 1870.
5i4 Iowa City Republican, May 4, 11, 1870. The other officers
were: C. T. Ransom, vice president; and S. Sharpless, secretary-
treasurer. 5i5 Iowa City Republican, December 14, 1870.
516 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1523.
5i7 Iowa City Republican, May 10, October 11, 1871; and
Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1540.
sis It would be useless to go into the details of the history of
this railroad project. Besides, the materials are so fragmen
tary that a complete account could scarcely be written without
a comprehensive study of railroad building in Iowa during the
period in question.
Materials may be found in the Kirkwood Correspondence; in
a private letter book containing copies of letters written by

440 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
Mr. Kirkwood, now in the possession of The State Historical
Society of Iowa; and in the newspapers of Iowa City and other
towns along the route of the proposed road. See also Aurner 's
Leading Events in Johnson County History, Vol. I, pp. 229,
232. In the absence of data, it is not possible to state the
effect of this venture on Mr. Kirkwood 's financial condition.
It is safe to assume that he was not made any richer except in
experience. The coal mine apparently was more successful than the rail
road. It was located at Coalfield in Monroe County. — See
Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1557, 1599-1608.
519 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1520.
520 Iowa City Republican, June 28, October 4, 18, 1871.
52i Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1539, 1542, 1547, 1553.
522 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1620-1623, 1625.
CHAPTER XXVIII
623 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1632.
624 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1637.
525 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1628, 1629, 1641.
526 Iowa City Republican, May 12, 19, 1875.
527 For a good discussion of the situation see Clarkson 's The
Stampede from General Weaver in the Republican Convention
of 1875 in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. X, pp. 561-
569. 528 This account of the convention is based on, and the quo
tations are taken from, the descriptions in the Weekly Iowa
State Register (Des Moines), July 2, 1875; Iowa City Repub
lican, July 7, 1875; and Clarkson 's The Stampede from General
Weaver in the Republican Convention of 1875 in the Annals of
Iowa (Third Series), Vol. X, pp. 565, 566.
529 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1651, 1656, 1658, 1664.
530 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1663 ; and Iowa City Re
publican, July 7, 1875.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 441
531 See Clarkson 's The Stampede from General Weaver in the
Republican Convention of 1875 in the Annals of Iowa- (Third
Series), Vol. X, p. 566.
532 Weekly Iowa State Register (Des Moines), August 27,
1875. 533 According to the official canvass Kirkwood received
124,801 votes and Leffler, 93,270. — Journal of the House of
Representatives, 1876, p. 16.
534 Journal of the House of Representatives, 1876, pp. 24, 25.
535 Shambaugh 's Messages and Proclamations of the Gov
ernors of Iowa, Vol. TV, pp. 285-304.
536 Governor Kirkwood took a great interest in seeing to it
that Iowa was well represented by exhibits at the Centennial
Exposition at Philadelphia. For instance, see Shambaugh's
Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of Iowa, Vol. IV,
pp. 306, 307, 310-313.
The conditional pardon of a convict by the name of R. D.
Arthur led to a lawsuit in which the Governor was finally
upheld by the Supreme Court. — Arthur v. Craig, 48 Iowa 264.
537 Executive Journal, 1872-1873, p. 443, Publie Archives,
Des Moines.

CHAPTER XXIX
538 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1699.
539 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1811, 1817, 1879, 1911.
540 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1926.
541 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1805.
542 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1694.
343 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 1750.
544 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 1949, 1958.
545 The Iowa Daily State Register (Des Moines), January 12,
13, 1876.

442 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
546 Journal of the House of Representatives, 1876, pp. 47, 48.
For a more complete aecount of this senatorial contest see
Clark's History of Senatorial Elections in Iowa, Ch. XI.
547 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2025.
548 Iowa City Republican, January 19, 1876.
549 Congressional Directory, 1877-1881.
550 Congressional Record, 1st Session, 46th Congress, pp.
2213-2217. ssi Congressional Record, 1st Session, 46th Congress, pp. 2217,
2219. 552 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2091.
353 Congressional Record, 2nd Session, 45th Congress, pp.
1642, 3570, 4588; 3rd Session, 45th Congress, p. 2035; 1st
Session, 46th Congress, pp. 1945, 1946, 1947; 3rd Session, 46th
Congress, pp. 1291-1297.
554 Congressional Record, 2nd Session, 45th Congress, pp.
4547, 4548; 1st Session, 46th Congress, pp. 2403, 2404.
555 Congressional Record, 3rd Session, 46th Congress, pp.
1595, 1698, 1705, 1750-1752.
556 Congressional Record, 2nd Session, 46th Congress, pp.
3916, 4111-4113.
557 Congressional Record, 1st Session, 46th Congress, pp.
1629, 1630; 3rd Session, 46th Congress, pp. 1835-1838.
558 Congressional Record, 2nd Session, 46th Congress, pp.
2186, 2189-2191, 2197, 2198; 3rd Session, 46th Congress, pp.
1030, 1031, 1093-1095. These are only a few of the subjects
on which Senator Kirkwood spoke during the debates in the
Senate, but they are the subjects in which he showed the
greatest interest.
659 This paragraph is based on statements made to the writer
by Mrs. Kirkwood. Many invitations to public functions,
social and otherwise, are to be found in the Kirkwood Cor
respondence.

NOTES AND REFERENCES 443
660 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
pp. 376, 377.
sei Kirkwood Correspondence, pp. 2120-2155, etc.
CHAPTER XXX
562 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2180 ; The Washington
Post (Washington, D. O), March 2, 1881.
563 Newspaper clipping in small scrapbook, kept by Mrs.
Kirkwood, now in the possession of The State Historical Soci
ety of Iowa, p. 3.
564 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 2189, 2190, 2203.
565 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2201.
566 The Washington Post, March 8, 9, 1881; clippings in
small scrapbook, p. 17.
567 Private Letter Book of Secretary Kirkwood, No. 1, p. 44,
in the possession of The State Historical Society of Iowa.
568 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2202.
569 See Private Letter Book of Secretary Kirkwood, No. 1,
p. 467.
570 This list was compiled by the writer from the Register of
the Department of the Interior Corrected to October 10, 1881,
in the office of the Secretary of the Interior in Washington.
57i Newspaper clipping in small scrapbook, p. 20.
572 The Washington Post, March 10, 11, 14, 1881.
573 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2218.
574 Private Letter Book of Secretary Kirkwood, No. 1, p. 289.
575 Orders, Circulars, etc., in the office of the Secretary of the
Interior, p. 351.
576 Orders, Circulars, etc., in the office of the Secretary of the
Interior, p. 363.
£77 Report of the Secretary of the Interior, 1881, Vol. I, pp.
iv-vii.

444 SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD
578 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2237. See also letter to
Edward W. Bok. — Private Letter Book of Secretary Kirkwood,
No. 2, p. 10.
579 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2240. For letters con
cerning the leasing of this house, which was No. 223 East
Capitol St., see Private Letter Book of Secretary Kirkwood,
No. 2, pp. 13, 18, 36, 38.
580 Private Letter Book of Secretary Kirkwood, No. 2, p. 29 ;
clipping in small scrapbook, p. 18; clipping in large scrapbook,
p. 27.
ssi The Washington Post, April 16, 17, 1882.
CHAPTER XXXI
682 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2260.
583 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
pp. 382, 416; Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 2265-2298.
584 See Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 2341-2350.
585 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2345.
586 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2333. By the time Mr.
and Mrs. Kirkwood started on their trip the Northern Pacific
Railroad had been completed, and so they went over that line
from St. Paul to Tacoma, and returned over the Union Pacific
from San Francisco.
587 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
pp. 417-419.
588 A number of these speeches are printed in Lathrop 's The
Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Ch. XIX.
589 Iowa City Daily Republican, August 20, 1886.
590 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2407.
591 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 2399, 2413, 2423.
592 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2413 (there are several
letters under this number).

NOTES AND REFERENCES 445
593 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, p.
429. The letter of acceptance is here printed in full.
594 See Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2421. Mr. Joe R.
Lane of Davenport was the manager of Kirkwood 's campaign.
595 Kirkwood Correspondence, Nos. 2424, 2435.
596 Hayes received 15,279 votes; O'Meara, 8,602; and Kirk
wood, 8,009. — Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J.
Kirkwood, p. 440.
CHAPTER XXXII
597 Iowa Historical Record, Vol. IV, pp. 87, 88.
sos See letter in the Annals of Iowa (Third Series), Vol. IV,
pp. 475, 476.
599 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2440.
600 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 2469.
ooi The following description of the gathering in honor of
Mr. Kirkwood, together with the extracts from speeches and
letters, is taken from the account written by Mr. John Springer,
then editor of the Iowa City Press, who was a member of the
party. The account is reprinted in full in Lathrop 's The
Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, pp. 447-460. A cut of
the photograph taken at this time is printed in Aurner 's Lead
ing Events in Johnson County History, p. 622.
602 This letter from David B. Henderson was received later.
— Kirkwood Correspondence, Miscellaneous, No. 77.
603 Lathrop 's The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood,
Ch. XXIII; and accounts in the Des Moines newspapers.
It should also be noted that there is a bronze statue of
Samuel J. Kirkwood in the Hall of Fame in the capitol build
ing at Washington, D. C. It is the work of an Iowa sculptress
— Vinnie Ream Hoxie.
604 Kirkwood Correspondence, No. 839.

INDEX

447

INDEX

Accountability, need of, 222
Accounts, examination of, 54
Adjutant General, service of Baker
as, 212 ; need of assistance to,
236
Agricultural College, 147; meeting
of Trustees of, 171, 172 ;
chairman of Board of Trustees
of, 327
Agricultural exhibits, 172
Agricultural professorship, 109
Agriculture, interest of Kirkwood
in, 170, 171; reference to, 223
Aids, appointment of, 211, 212
Albia, joint debate at, 136
Aldrich, Charles, 124, 179, 227,
382
Alexander, Mary, 391
Alexandria, 13
Allen, I. J., letter from, 360
Allison, William B., first political
service of, 127; reference to,
179, 211, 328, 349, 377; letter
from, 198, 280, 327, 342, 343;
letter to, 293; service of Kirk
wood to, 302, 303 ; movement
in favor of, 307; campaign of,
against Harlan, 326; fear of
opposition of, 342
Altoona (Pennsylvania), meeting
of loyal Governors at, 247-252,
293
Amin Bey, 70
Amusements, 38
Anamosa, 141, 408
Anderson, Senator, 146
AndrS, John, 150
Andrew, John A., address written
by, 248, 249
Animal husbandry, bureau of, 356
Antietam, battle of, 248
Appointments, making of, 210-215,
264; applications for, 362
Appropriations, 147, 148
Arkansas Post, battle of, 297, 298
Armentrout, Abram, employment
of Kirkwood by, 24, 25
Arms, difficulty in securing, for
troops, 186-188, 206-209; need
for, on frontier, 258, 259; need
for protection of, 265
Army, appointments in, 212-215;
30

efforts to secure promotions in,
241-243
Army appropriation bill, speech
on, 350-355
Army clothing, speculation in, 336
Army of Potomac, 249, 250
Arnold, Benedict, 176
Art Union, 66
Arthur, Chester A., 368
Arthur, R. D., pardon of, 441
Assassination, attempts at, 276-
278
Assault and battery, 70
Assistants, choice of, 210-212
Auditor of State, report of, 220
Audubon County, 331, 332
Autobiography, 879
Autograph album, 9, 23, 24
Babbitt, L. W., 410
Bacon, John H., 139
Bailey, Gideon S., 108
Baker, Elihu, 410
Baker. Nathaniel B., 199, 212,
231, 239, 265, 273, 334; ser
vice of, as Adjutant General,
212; letter from, 240, 307
Baldwin, Caleb, -224, 259, 841;
letter to, 265; letter from, 342
Ballard, S. M., nomination of
Kirkwood by, 331, 332, 333
Ballot box, protection of, 146, 147
Baltimore, 1, 11, 13, 247
Bank, president of, 371 (see also
State Bank)
Bank notes, 117, 222
Banking, 49 ; views of Kirkwood
on, 71, 72
Banks, Committee on, 109
Bar, admission of Kirkwood to,
30, 31
Barker, Frank, friendship be
tween Kirkwood and, 30, 31,
43 ; reference to, 32 ; murder
of, 41, 42
Barker, Margaretta, friendship of
Mrs. Kirkwood and, 43 ; refer
ence to, 46
Barner, Mr., 265
Bartley, Mordecai, 395, 396
Bartley, Thomas W., Kirkwood in
office of, 27-31; partnership of
449

450

INDEX

Kirkwood and, 32 ; work left to
Kirkwood by, 35, 36; service
of, as acting Governor, 39 ; ref
erence to, 43, 85, 360, 396;
election of, as Supreme Court
Judge, 75; career of, 395
Bates, Edward N., 108
Belknap, William W., 108, 345
Bennett, J. C, letter from, 175,
176
Benton Barracks, 206, 240, 241
Big Crossings, 15
Bigelow, William H., letter from,
145
Blacksmith, work of Jabez Kirk
wood as, 3
Blaine, James G., 349
Blair, Prank P., 145
Blind, Asylum for, 97, 147
Block-houses, building of, 260, 261
Bloomfield, joint debate at, 136
Bloomfield Clarion, 133
Bolton, Mr., 172
Bonds, provision for sale of, 194;
failure of people to purchase,
204; difficulty in selling, 207-
210, 222; sale of, to people, 355
Booth, C. H., 410
Borders of State, need for pro
tection of, 191 ; defense of, 253-
261
Boston Post, 209, 210
Bounties, payment of, 236
Bowen, Jesse, resignation of, 212
Bowland, Margaretta, 42
Bowland, Robert M., trial of, for
murder, 41-46
Braddock, General, grave of, 15
Braddock's Road, 13
Bradley, P. B., 108
Brainerd, Nathan Hoit, service of,
as military secretary, 210,211;
letter by, 213, 241; reference
to, 322, 382
Bridgeport (Ohio), 17
Brigadier General, efforts to se
cure appointments as, 241, 242
Brigham, David T., 93
Brinkerhoff, Jacob, 28, 360
Brown, John, attitude of Kirk
wood toward raid by, 148-150 ;
part of Coppoc in raid of, 155,
156
Brownsville (Pennsylvania), 15
Buchanan, James, 174
Burlington, 132, 142, 188, 321
Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North
ern Railroad Company, 325
Burlington Rifles, 176
Burns, Barnabas, friendship be
tween Kirkwood and, 28, 29;
partnership of Kirkwood and,

75; reference to, 78, 395; let
ter from, 360
Burnside, General, 293
Bussey, Cyrus, 211, 254
Byington, Le Grand, controversy
between Kirkwood and, 167-
170
Cabinet, service of Kirkwood in,
359-370
Cadiz (Ohio), 17
Cahill, Richard W., 52
Cairo (Illinois), 239
California, trip to, 373
Camden, battle of, 2
Cameron, Simon, letter to, 182,
207
Camp, C, 155, 156, 157
Camp of instruction, 236
Campaign, direction of, 100 ; de
scription of early, 102, 103 ;
description of, for Governor,
123-143, 338, 339; part of
Kirkwood in, 314; use of mon
ey in, 344, 345 ; last participa
tion of Kirkwood in, 374-378
Camps, visits of Kirkwood to, 239
Canals, 48
Capital, 97; plan to remove, 319
Capital Citv Band, 339
Capitol building (Ohio), descrip
tion of, 50
Carpenter, Cyrus C, 108, 336
Cattell, J. W., 91
Cattle, raising of, 83, 84, 162
Cattle disease, protection against,
171
Caucus, nomination by, 310, 346,
347
Cedar County, 155, 323
Cedar Rapids, 116, 121, 142
Centennial Exposition, 337, 338,
441"
Central America, 145, 150
Chain Lakes, 261
Chambers, Alexander, 214
Champaign County (Ohio), 50
Chariton, joint debate at, 136, 137
Charles, John H., 138
Charters, 70
Chase, Salmon P., attitude of
Kirkwood toward, 165
Cherokee, 261
Cherokee County, 163
Chesapeake Bav, 1
Chicago, 77, 80, 121, 162, 188,
324 ; emigration through, 79 :
convention at, 164-166
Chicago, Towa and Nebraska Rail
road, 121
Chicago and Rock Island Rail
road, 165

INDEX

451

Chicago Tribune, 209
Ohipman, N. P., letter from, 274
Cholera, adjournment of conven
tion because of, 63, 64
Church, interest of Kirkwood in
work of, 3 8
Churches, taxation of, 69
Cincinnati (Ohio), 31, 400;
choice of, for holding of conven
tion, 63, 64; constitutional con
vention at, 65-74; impressions
of, by Kirkwood, 65-67 ; con
vention at, 439
Cincinnati College, 67
Circulating medium, scarcity of,
117; supplying of, 118
Civil service, reforms in, 370
Civil "War, first call for troops in,
179, 180 ; activities of Kirk
wood as Governor during, 181-
300
Clark, Ezekiel, birth of, 34; ref
erence to, 77, 120, 404, 410;
Kirkwood urged to come West
by, 78 ; history of mill owned
by, 82; letter from, 162, 196;
money advanced by, 185, 203
Clark, Ichabod, 33, 34
Clark, Jane, birth of, 34; first
meeting of Kirkwood and, 35;
marriage of Kirkwood and, 37
(see also Kirkwood, Mrs. )
Clark, John, friendship between
Kirkwood and, 30; birth of, 34;
visit of Kirkwood at home of,
34, 35; visit of, to Iowa City,
77, 78 ; reference to, 78, 80
Clark, Lincoln, 108
Clark, Rush, 211, 227
Clark, Samuel Kirkwood, letter to,
153, 154; death of, 297, 298
Clarke, William Penn, 100, 104,
306, 408, 418
Clarkson. James S., 334
Clarksville, 82 (see Coralville)
Clay, Cassius M., lecture by, 66
Clayton Countv, 199
Cleveland (Ohio), 21, 26
Clearing of land, 21
Clinton, 324, 325
Clinton County, 323, 374
Close. M. T., 324
Clothing, appeal for, 235
Coal mine, 325
College Hall. 67
Columbus (Ohio), 17, 21, 26, 31,
65, 400 ; constitutional conven
tion at, 47-64; attractions of,
62, 63
Columbus City, 183
Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
363

Committees, membership of Kirk
wood on, 53, 94, 109, 349
Companies, acceptance of, 196,
199
Compromise, attitude of Kirkwood
toward, 175
Compromise of 1850, 174, 175
Concord stage, 105
Confederates, exchange of prison
ers with, 239 ; invasion of
Maryland by, 247; defeat of,
248 ; sympathizers with, in
Iowa, 262-278
Congress, Kirkwood urged to be
candidate for, 101, 102; sug
gestions for memorials to, 150;
letter to delegation in, 174, 175;
validity of laws of, 351
Conkling, Roscoe, 349, 355
Connecticut, letter to Governor of,
187
Connelly, Edward, 119
Conscription, preparations for,
233, 234; lack of necessity for,
234; threats of resistance to,
263-270
Constitution of Iowa, 1846, 117
Constitution of Iowa, 1857, pro
visions of, concerning banking,
118 ; reference to, 407
Constitution of Ohio, character of,
73 ; reference to, 396 ; reasons
for revision of, 398
Constitution of United States, 350
Constitutional Convention of Iowa,
1857, 98
Constitutional Convention of Ohio,
service of Kirkwood in, 47-74
Contingent fund, provision for,
194; use of, 238
Coolbaugh, William P., 91
Copperheads, difficulty with, in
Iowa, 262-278
Coppoc, Barclay, controversy over
rendition of, 155-162
Coppoc, Edwin, 156
Coralville, location of Kirkwoods
at, 82 ; friends of Kirkwoods in,
85 ; mill dam at, 91 ; reference
to, 105, 137, 162, 180, 301;
burning of house at, 404
Corinth, battle of, 244
Corn, raising of, 83
Cornell College, visiting commit
tee of, 172
Corporate powers, 56
Corporations, abuses in laws con
cerning, 49; lifibilitv of indi
viduals in. 56-58; taxation of.
68; franchises of, 70
Correction ville, 261
Correspondence, neglect of, 363

452

INDEX

Corwin, Thomas, story concerning,
40, 41
Cosmopolitan Art Association, 172
Coulson, Mary, 2, 5
Coulson, Miss, 5
Council Bluffs, 138, 196, 257, 258
Counties, discrimination between,
233
County fairs, 172
County judges, 144, 171
County officials, 222
Court of Claims, 111
Courts, 61
Cox, Thomas J., store bought by,
120
Crawford County (Ohio), 52
Credits, taxation of, 68
Crocker, Marcellus M., 241; letter
to, 242, 281, 285; letter from,
280, 281, 306
Crops, harvesting of, 231
Crum family, 85
Cuba, expedition to, 148, 149
Cumberland (Maryland), 13, 15
Cumberland Road, journey of
Kirkwoods over, 11-18
Currency, views of Kirkwood on,
72, 73, 355
Curtin, Andrew G., call issued by,
247, 248
Curtis, Samuel R., 127, 258, 274,
308
Dancing, 38
Dart, William S., 410
Davenport, 78, 81, 129, 141, 180,
273, 374, 408, 410; speech by
Kirkwood at, 131, 181, 182,
201, 377
Davis, Jefferson, 269
Davis, Timothy, 125
Dawes, Henry L., 349
Day, James G., 372
Day, M., 406
Deaf and Dumb, Asylum for, 97,
137, 418
Dean, Henry Clay, 171
Decatur County, 265
Decorah, 142
Delano, Columbus, 44, 397
Delinquent taxes, 426
Democratic party, Kirkwood a
member of, 39-41; dissatisfac
tion of Kirkwood with, 76, 77;
division in, 200
Denmark (Iowa), 172
Denmark, letter from, 226, 227;
appointment of Kirkwood as
Minister to, 279-283
Dennis family, 85
Deputy assessor, employment of
Kirkwood as, 24, 25

Des Moines, 78, 145, 172, 189,
220, 285, 289, 298, 306, 308,
314, 318, 331, 334, 339, 344,
345, 386, 410; route to, in early
days, 105 ; description of, in
1858, 106, 107; receptions at,
113; convention at, 125, 197,
199; Republican rally at, 167;
speech at, 200-205, 336; trip
from Iowa City to, 299; mail
service for, 409
Des Moines House, 228
Des Moines Rapids, canal around,
315
Des Moines River Lands, 171
Dewey, J. N., letter from, 309,
344; letter to, 330; reference
to, 341
Dewey, Laurin, 108, 199
Dey, Peter A., 382
Discharge of soldiers, 238
Disloyalty in Iowa, 262-278
Distillery, 336
District courts, 61
Dodge, Augustus Caesar, nomina
tion of, for Governor, 128; cam
paign between Kirkwood and,
128-143; defeat of, 143; refer
ence to, 339, 371
Dodge, Grenville M., 138, 241,
242, 326; letter to, 244; letter
from, 380, 381
Doolittle, James R., letter from,
145
Douglas, Stephen A., opposition of
Kirkwood to bill of, 76, 77 ; ref
erence to, 81; effect of bill of,
86
Draft, possibility of need of, 232-
234; threats of resistance to,
263-270; method of dealing
with resistance to, 286, 287
Draft commissioners, instructions
to, 233, 234
Dred Scott Decision, resolution
relative to, 111, 112
Dress, carelessness of Kirkwood
in, 131, 132
Drug clerk, employment of Kirk
wood as, 7-9
Drummond, Thomas, 108; letter
from, 124
Dubuque, 141, 362; military com
pany at, 176, 177; speech at,
286, 287
Duncombe, John P., story concern
ing. 84, 85 ; reference to, 404
Dunlavy, Henry, letter from, 313
Dutton, John W„ 410
Eads, James D., defalcation of, 96
East, trips to, 298

INDEX

453

Eastman, Enoch W., letter to, 188
Economy, need of, 147, 222, 226
Edginton, Edward T., 410
Edmonds, James B., 324
Edmonds & Ransom, 119
Edmunds, George P., 355
Education, interest of Kirkwood
in, 96, 97; part of Kirkwood in
law concerning, 110
Education, State Board of, 146,
407
Edwards, John, offer of, to re
sign, 189; reference to, 211,
254, 255 ; trouble over appoint
ment of, 214, 215
Eighth General Assembly, inaugu
ration of Kirkwood by, 145,
146; adjournment of, 163
Eldora, 142
Elections, suggestions relative to,
146, 147; law giving soldiers
right to vote at, 236, 237; use
of money at, 350-355
Electors, disqualifications of, 56
Elliott, M. L., 241
Elmira, 325
Emancipation Proclamation, 248,
250
Emigration, 79, 80, 403
Eminent domain, right of, 58
Emmet County, 261
England, attitude toward, 228
Enlistment, term of, 231
Equipment, difficulty in securing,
for troops, 186-188, 206-209,
232
Erie and Ohio Canal, 20, 26
Estherville, 261
Evidence, bill relating to, 97
Ewing, Thomas, 44, 397
Exchange of prisoners, 239-241
Exemption from taxation, 68, 69
Extradition case, 155-162
Fairall, Samuel H., 326, 382
Fairfield, W. B., 331, 333
Fairfield, 141, 263, 274
Farm, profits made on, 83, 84;
reference to, 301
Farm machinery, tax on, 312, 313
Farmer, work of Kirkwood as, 81-
85
Farming, attitude toward, 25
Farnam, Henry, letter from, 165
Farwell, S. S., 382
Favoritism, charges of, 196, 199
Federal government, relation of
States to, 150; support of, by
Iowa, 193 ; taxes in support of,
222; power of, to use army.
350-355; efforts to weaken, 353
Federal Relations, Committee on,

92, 98, 109; reports of Kirk
wood as chairman of, 110-112
Felt, A. J., letter from, 329
Ferries, 80
Fessenden, William P., 320
Finch, S. M., partnership with,
439
Finkbine, R. S., 334, 382
Financial situation, 117
First Iowa Regiment, praise of,
204, 205, 218; treatment of, by
Governor, 216, 217
Fisher, Maturin L„ 200
Five per cent fund, 111
Flag of Second Iowa, 228, 229
Fleming's Ravine, 30
Flour mill, 82
Folsom family, 85
Foote, J. G., 334
Ford, Thomas H., 28
Foreign Relations, Committee on,
349
Fort Dodge, 83, 260
Fort Donelson, celebration of cap
ture of, 227, 228; charge of
Second Iowa at, 229 ; reference
to, 239, 241, 293, 296, 427;
Tuttle's charge at, 242
Fort Madison, 142, 170
Fort Sumter, 179, 195, 257
Franchises, 49, 70
Franklin County (Ohio), 51
Freedman's Aid Society, 302
Fremont, John C, 255
Frontier, protection of, 191, 192,
222, 257-261
Fugitive Slave Law, 134, 275
Funding bill, 355
Funeral, 387
Garfield, James A., appointment
of Kirkwood by, 359 ; assassina
tion of, 366; death of, 368; ref
erence to, 397
Gatling, William J., 410
Gear, John H., 330, 331, 334
withdrawal of, 332, 333
Geauga County (Ohio), 50
General Assembly, remarks con
cerning sessions of, 53-56 ; ref
erence to, 81, 182, 282, 289,
328, 345; service of Kirkwood
in, 91-115 ; control of, by Re
publicans, 103 ; receptions giv
en by, 113, 114 ; opposition to
inaugural address in, 152. 153 ;
action of, concerning Coppoc
case, 159-162; veto messages to,
163 ; extra session of, in 1861
188-194; service of Baker in
212; celebration of capture of
Fort Donelson by, 227, 228

454

INDEX

extra session of, in 1862, 235-
237
Germans, 336
Gillespie, Mrs. A., letter to, 186
Glenwood, joint debate at, 137,
138
Governor, veto power of, 56; sal
ary of, 109; first campaign of
Kirkwood for, 123-143 ; election
of Kirkwood as, 143, 205, 339;
first year of Kirkwood's service
as, 155-172 ; prospects of Kirk
wood for reelection as, 178,
179; activities of Kirkwood as,
during Civil War, 181-300;
need for military staff for, 192 ;
contingent fund for, 194; pro
vision for staff for, 194; cam
paign of Kirkwood for, in 1861,
195-205 ; proposal for extra pay
for, 218, 219; relations of, with
soldiers, 230-246; abuse of
Kirkwood as, 275, 276; refusal
of Kirkwood to be candidate
for, 284, 285 ; campaign for, in
1863, 285-289; comment on
Kirkwood's service as, 290, 291 ;
personal side of Kirkwood's life
as, 292-300; Kirkwood suggest
ed for, 326, 328-331; nomina
tion for, in 1875, 331, 334;
campaign for, in 1875, 335-
339; third term as, 339, 340;
resignation as, 340 ; effect of
election as, 343 ; portrait un
veiled in office of, 386
Governor's Greys, 176, 177
Governors, meeting of, at Altoona,
247-252
Grand jury system, objections to,
70, 71
Grant, Ulysses S., 227, 397; let
ter to, 238 ; defense of, by Har
lan, 325
Grant Club, organization of, 318;
speech before, 319, 320
Granville (Ohio), 65
Graves, J. K, money advanced by,
185
Graves, R. E., money advanced by,
185 ; reference to, 415
Greek Slave, 66
Greeley, Horace, 375, 376
Greer, Mrs. A. M., 386
Grimes, James W., election of, as
Governor, 86; early relations
between Kirkwood and, 100-
105; letter from, 101, 102, 104,
105, 127, 129, 144, 308, 309;
reference to, 123, 167, 187, 199,
282, 283, 286, 303, 311, 408,
412, 425, 437; charge of bar

gain between Kirkwood and,
129; letter to, 173, 174, 219,
241, 242, 264, 297; refusal of
Kirkwood to run against, 283 ;
vote of, in impeachment case,
319; strain in relations between
Kirkwood and, 319-322; death
of, 321
Grimes, Mrs. James W., letter
from, 321, 322
Grinnell, Josiah B., 91, 164, 324
Grinnell, 299; tornado at, 372
Grist mill, 82
Que, B. F., 108, 382
Guerrillas, raids by, 191, 256, 257
Guiteau, Charles J., 366
Guns, character of, 206, 207

Hall of Fame, statue in, 445
Halleck, Henry W., 229, 242; let
ter to, 294
Ham's Hall, 347
Hamilton, Schuyler, 229
Hamilton, W. W., 91, 124; letter
from, 123
Hamilton Freeman, 124
Hamlin, Hannibal, 349
Hammond, William G., 347
Hampton, Wade, 349
Harbors, 48
Harford County (Maryland), 1,
8 ; departure of Kirkwood from,
13
Harlan, Edgar R., acknowledg
ments to, xi
Harlan, James, 104, 105, 127,
167, 178, 199, 335, 342, 437
support of Kirkwood by, 129
letter to, 187, 188; appointment
of, to Cabinet, 303; desire of,
to return to Senate, 308-310
election of, as Senator, 310
311; letter from, 325; cam
paign of, against Allison, 326
candidacy of, for Senate, 345
withdrawal of, 346
Harper's Ferry, raid on, 148-150
Harrison, E. H., 410
Hart family, concert by, 416
Havre de Grace (Maryland), 1
Hay, sale of, 275, 276
Hayes, Walter I., 375; election
of, 378; votes received by, 445
Health of soldiers, 235, 237, 238
Henderson, David B., letter from,
385
Henderson, James P., 52
Hepburn, William P., 108
Hiatt, J. M., letter from, 276
High schools, 110
Hildreth, Azro B. F., letter to, 304
Hill, Benjamin H., speech by, 354

INDEX

455

Hillis, D. B„ letter to, 244
Hinckley, F. E., 324
Hinsdale, B. A., 359
Hiram College, 359
Historical Society of Iowa, State,
establishment of, 98; bill for
salary for secretary of, 109,
110; president of, 172; flag in
possession of, 229; relics for,
246; reference to, 302
Hitchcock, Peter, 50
Hoar, George F., 349
Hogs, raising of, 83, 84
Holt, Joseph, letter to, 197
Home, building of, 301; purchase
of, in Washington, 367
Home guards, 192 ; organization
of, 256, 269, 430; service of,
273
Homestead Bill, 150
Homestead legislation, 126
Homesteads, restriction of, in
South, 312
Horse shows, 172
Hospitals, visits to, 239
House of Representatives (Iowa),
prominent members of, 108
Housekeeping, beginning of, 37
Hoxie, H. M., 198, 422
Hoxie, Vinnie Ream, statue by,
445
Hubbard, Asahel W., 259, 308
Hull, Captain, 333
Dlinois, 133, 253
Impeachment trial, 319
Inaugural address, contents of,
146-153, 224-226, 339, 340
Independence, 142
Indian affairs, policy in regard to,
356, 364-366
Indian agencies, inspectors of, 365
Indiana, 14, 117, 133; speeches
in, 356, 357
Indianapolis, speeches in, 356,
357
Indianola, 314
Indians, danger from, 33, 34,
191 ; right of, to give testi
mony, 97 ; depredations by,
163; protection of frontier
against. 257-261; dealings with,
360, 361
Ingersoll, L. D., letter from, 307
Ingham, S. R., letter to, 260
Insane Asylum, 147, 170, 416
Inspectors of Indian agencies, 365
Internal revenue tax. 312
Iowa, removal of Kirkwoods to,
75-80; route to, 77, 78; emi
gration to, 79, 80, 403 ; finan
cial situation in, 117; attitude

of people of, toward Union,
177; quota of, in first call for
troops, 180, 181; response of,
at beginning of war, 181-194;
support of Federal government
by, 193 ; response of, to calls
for troops, 230-234; protection
of borders of, 253-261; method
of dealing with disloyalty in,
262-278; return of Kirkwoods
to, 290; office-seekers from,
362, 363
Iowa & Southwestern Construction
Company, 324
Iowa & Southwestern Railroad
Company, president of, 823-325
Iowa Citizen, The, 151
Iowa City, 77, 100, 141, 273, 274,
298, 334, 356, 408; visit of
Kirkwoods to, 77, 78; arrival
of Kirkwoods in, 80 ; descrip
tion of, 81; purchase of store
in, 82 ; friends of Kirkwoods
in, 85 ; Republican State Con
vention at, 87-89; meeting of
legislature at, 91 ; branch of
State Bank at, 118, 119; inter
est of Kirkwood in community
affairs at, 120-122 ; return of
Kirkwood to, 163, 317; speech
es in vicinity of, 167, 318;
joint debate at, 169, 170;
speech at, 275, 814; trip to Des
Moines from, 299 ; building of
home in, 301; funeral oration
at, 303; proposed railroad
through, 323-325 ; reception at,
347, 348; retired life of Kirk
wood at, 379-387; gathering at,
in honor of Kirkwood, 381-386;
funeral at, 387; population of,
403
Iowa City Lecture Association,
121
Iowa City Manufacturing Com
pany, 82
Iowa City National Bank, 322;
president of, 371
lovja City Republican, 330
Iowa City Township, 90, 121;
road supervisor of, 318
Iowa County, 90, 374
Iowa Lake, 261
Towa River, 81
Ireland, 1, 391
Island No. 10, 241
Jackson, Andrew, 7
Jackson County, 374
Jasner County, 97
Jefferson, Thomas, 145
Jerome, Mr., 131

456

INDEX

Jewett, Annie, 386
Jewett, Etta, 386
Jewett, J. E., partnership of
Kirkwood and, 301
Jewett, Mrs. L. C., 386
Johnson, Andrew, 313; impeach
ment of, 319
Johnson County, 87, 90, 302, 322,
374, 426
Johnson County Republican Con
vention, 90
Joint debates, 103, 169, 170; ar
rangement for series of, 130,
132, 134
Jordan, M. 0., letter from, 343
Jones, George Wallace, 101, 103
Journal of Commerce, 210
Journeys, necessity of taking, 298
Judicial department, committee on,
53 ; views of Kirkwood on, 61,
62
Justices of the peace, 71
Kansas, emigration to, 79 ; strug
gle in, 86, 148; resolution rela
tive to admission of, 92-96; ref
erence to, 155, 253
Kansas-Nebraska Bill, opposition
of Kirkwood to, 76, 77, 85, 86;
reference to, 148, 402, 403
Kasson, John A., letter from, 133;
reference to, 283, 308
Kasson, Mrs. John A., 309
Keokuk, 167, 190, 203, 245, 258,
259, 420; rendezvous at, 182;
difficulty over company from,
184, 185; troops at, 186; hos
pital at, 238
Keokuk County, 213, 271, 277;
Tally War in, 270-275, 277,
278, 286, 287
Kirk, E. R., 341, 342 ; letter
from, 345
Kirkwood, Coulson, 2, 391
Kirkwood, Daniel, 8
Kirkwood, Jabez, land given to,
2; occupation of, 3; removal of,
to Ohio, 11-18; land taken by,
20
Kirkwood, John, 3, 16, 85, 391;
land bought by, 20
Kirkwood, Robert, military ser
vice of, 2; reference to, 391
Kirkwood, Robert, 2, 391
Kirkwood, Robert, 2, 391; school
taught by, 6
Kirkwood, Samuel J., career of,
ix; sources for biography of, x;
birth of, 1 ; ancestors of, 1-3 ;
boyhood of, 3-5 ; school days of,
in Washington, 5-7; employ
ment of, as drug clerk, 7, 8, 9 ;

school taught by, 8, 23 ; jour
ney of, to Ohio, 11-18 ; first
home of, in Ohio, 19-21; poem
by, 23, 24, 392, 393 ; service
of, as deputy assessor, 24, 25;
employment of, in tavern, 25 ;
study of law by, 25-31; part
nership of, with Bartley, 32,
33; meeting of Jane Clark and,
33-35; first legal papers drawn
up by, 35-37; marriage of, 37;
early married life of, 37, 38;
early law practice of, 39; inter
est of, in politics, 39-41, 76,
402, 403 ; election of, as prose
cuting attorney, 41 ; Bowland
murder trial conducted by, 41-
46; service of, in Ohio consti
tutional convention, 47-74; part
nership of, with Burns, 75 ;
opposition of, to Douglas's bill,
76, 77, 85, 86; removal of, to
Iowa, 77-80 ; activities of, as
miller and farmer, 81-89; speech
of, in Republican State Conven
tion, 87-89; election of, as State
Senator, 90, 91; service of, in
Sixth General Assembly, 91-99;
service of, as chairman of State
central committee, 100; early
friendship between Grimes and,
100-105 ; campaign trip of
Grimes and, 102, 103 ; service
of, in Seventh General Assem
bly, 105-115; service of, as di
rector of State Bank, 116-120;
activity of, in railroad conven
tion, 120, 121; social life of,
121 ; nomination of, for Gov
ernor, 123-127; campaign of,
against Dodge, 127-143 ; first
election of, as Governor, 143 ;
first inaugural address of, 144-
154; refusal of, to return Bar
clay Coppoc to Virginia, 155-
159; criticism of, on account of
Coppoc case, 159-162; veto mes
sages of, 163 ; activities of, at
Chicago convention, 164-166;
service of, in campaign of 1860,
167-170; controversy between
Le Grand Byington and, 167-
170; official acts of, as Gov
ernor, 170-172; attitude of, to
ward Southerners, 173-175; first
meeting of Lincoln and, 177,
178; call for troops received by,
180, 181; raising of first troops
by, 181-194; difficulties of, in
securing arms, 186-188, 206-
209; extra session called by,
188, 189, 235; first war mes-

INDEX

457

sage of, 189-193 ; campaign of,
for Governor in 1861, 195-205 ;
Sherman Hall speech of, 201-
205; second election of, as Gov
ernor, 205 ; activities of, during
first year of war, 206-219; ef
forts of, to secure sale of bonds,
207-210; appointments of secre
taries and aids by, 210-212;
army appointments by, 212-215;
proclamation by, 215, 216, 217,
218, 233, 235; message of, in
1862, 220-224; second inaugu
ral address of, 224-227; activ
ities of, in behalf of soldiers,
230-246; message of, at extra
session of 1862, 235-237; part
of, in Altoona Conference, 247-
252 ; activities of, in protection
of borders of State, 253-261;
difficulties of, on account of dis
loyalty in Iowa, 262-278; mis
sion to Denmark offered to, 279-
283; political prospects of, in
1863, 283^285; activities of, in
campaign of 1863, 285-289;
close of governorship of, 289-
291; personal life of, as Gov
ernor, 292-300; law practice re
sumed by, 301, 322; speeches
by, 302, 303; campaign of, for
United States Senator, 303-310,
341-347; election of, as United
States Senator, 310, 311, 347;
career of, in United States Sen
ate, 311-317, 348-358; strain in
relations between Grimes and,
319-322; interest of, in railroad
project, 322-325; mission to
Turkey offered to, 327; political
prospects of, in 1875, 328-331;
nomination of, for Governor in
1875, 331-335; third campaign
of, for Governor, 335-339; third
election of, as Governor, 339 ;
third inaugural address of, 339,
340; resignation of, 340; ser
vice of, as Secretary of Inte
rior, 359-370; attitude of, to
ward prohibition, 372 ; trip of,
to Pacific coast, 372-374; last
candidacy of, for office, 374-
378; closing years of life of,
379-387; gathering in honor of,
381-386; unveiling of portrait
of, 386; death of, 386, 387;
brothers of, 391; opposition of,
to slavery, 402 ; invitation to, to
speak in Ohio, 406; influence
of, at Chicago convention, 417;
votes received by, 422, 423 ;
delinquent taxes of, 426

Kirkwood, Mrs. Samuel J., ac
knowledgments to, xi; church
membership of, 38; friendship
of Mrs. Barker and, 43; visit
of, to Columbus, 62; reference
to, 65, 142, 162, 296, 297, 298
301, 314, 348, 367, 371, 380'
385, 386, 387, 444; visit of, to
Iowa City, 77, 78; relatives of,
in Iowa, 78, 85; children cared
for by, 82, 83, 84; activities of,
302; life of, in Washington,
356; characterization of, 369;
trip of, to Pacific , coast, 373-
residence of, 436
Kirkwood, Wallace, 3, 391; drug
store of, 8
Kirkwood, W. W., letter from,
206; sickness of, 296, 297
Kirkwood (Delaware), 391
Kirkwood House, 311
Knights of Labor, 374
Knights of the Golden Circle, 264;
number of members of, 267;
character and purposes of, 267',
268; efforts to gain information
concerning, 268, 269
Knox County (Ohio), 59
Kossuth County, 257
Lake, E. W., 27, 28, 85
Lake, Jed, letter to, 300
Lake Erie, 20, 34
Lamar, L. Q. 0., 349
Land, Indians' title to, 366
Land grants, 223
Lane, Ebenezer, 44, 45, 47, 396
Lane, Joe R„ 445
Lansing, 142
Larrabee, William, 334
Larwill, John, 52
Lathrop, Henry W., book by, .<,
379; reference to, 382
Latta, William, pardon of, 171
Law, practice of, by Kirkwood,
32-46, 301, 322
Law reform, attitude of Kirkwood
toward, 70, 71
Lee, Robert E., invasion of Mary
land bv, 247
Leffler, Shepherd, 335, 339, 441
Legal procedure, 49
Legislative sessions, remarks of
Kirkwood concerning, 53-56
Letcher, Governor, correspondence
of, with Kirkwood, 157 ; mes
sage of, to legislature, 158, 159
Letters, writing of, by Kirkwood,
244-246, 299, 300
Lexington (Ohio), 37
Leyne, Patrick, 7
Liberty Corners (Ohio), 52

458

INDEX

Lincoln, Abraham, 138, 293, 303;
efforts of Kirkwood to secure
nomination of, 165, 166, 417;
defense of, 168 ; congratulations
to, 170; first meeting of Kirk
wood and, 177, 178, 419; in
auguration of, 179 ; letter to,
230, 231, 241 ; Emancipation
Proclamation by, 248, 250 ;
conference of Governors with,
249-252 ; conversation between
Kirkwood and, 251, 252; sup
port of, by Kirkwood, 294, 295;
funeral oration for, 303
Lindsley, William D., 402
Linn County, 198
Liquor, sale of, 70
Literary institutions, taxation of,
69
Live stock, transportation of, 355,
356
Lodges, membership in, 38, 336
Logan, Senator, 359
Londonderry (Ireland), 1, 391
Loughridge, William, 91
Lowe, Ralph P., efforts of Kirk
wood in behalf of, 102 ; election
of, as Governor, 103 ; reference
to, 123; withdrawal of, as can
didate, 125, 126 ; nomination
of, for Supreme Court Judge,
126
Lucas, Mrs. Edward, 85
Lyon's Band, 347
McClellan, George B., dissatisfac
tion with, 247-252, 293; remov
al of, 293, 296
McCrary, George W., 108, 345
McGregor, 142
McKean, Thomas, 425
McLeod, John, school of, attended
bv Kirkwood, 5-7 ; reference to,
40
McPherson, M. L., 91, 98
MacVeagh, Wayne, 367
Madison County, 264
Mahaska County, 271
Mahonev, D. A., 108; arrest of,
264
Manassas, battle of, 216
Manon, H. S., 59
Mansfield ( Ohio ) , roads to, 17;
reference to, 20, 360, 393, 395,
406; description of, 25-27;
members of bar of, 28, 29; so
cial life in, 30, 37, 38; law
practice of Kirkwood in, 32-46;
position of Kirkwood in, 76;
removal of Kirkwoods from, 77-
79 ; banquet to Kirkwood at,
79; people from, in Iowa, 85

Manufacturing, promotion of, 120
Maquoketa, 141
Marengo, 142, 167, 408
Marion, 408
Marshalltown, 83, 142
Maryland, boyhood of Kirkwood
in, 1-10; reference to, 15; in
vasion of, 247
Mason, Charles, 200
Masonic Lodge, membership in,
336
Massachusetts, 171, 315, 316, 364
Mechanics' lien, 109
Medical aid. need of, 219, 223
Medill, William, 52
Merrill, Samuel, letter to, 208,
209; letter from, 318, 319
Merritt, William H., 200
Message to legislature, contents of,
189-193, 220-224, 235-237, 289
Methodist Church, Mrs. Kirkwood
a member of, 38
Metropolitan Bank, 208
Mexico, Minister to, 39
Military affairs, management of,
230-246
Military companies, offer of ser
vices of, 176, 177
Military duty, excuse from, 58,
399
Military professorship, 223
Military secretary, selection of,
210
Military training, lack of, 181
Militia, 58 ; need for organization
of, 175, 176
Militia law, need of, 192 ; revision
of, 194; reference to, 223
Mill, history of, 82 ; patronage of,
83; interest in affairs of, 162;
reference to, 301; profit of, 404
Miller, Daniel F., 179
Miller, Dave, 360
Miller, Joaquin, 364
Miller, Samuel F., 197, 422; let
ter to, 208
Miller, Valentine, letter from, 162
Miller, work of Kirkwood as, 81-
85
Minister to Denmark, appointment
of Kirkwood as, 279-283
Minister to Turkev, offer of ap
pointment as, 327
Minnesota, Indian depredations in,
259
Minute men, plan for raising of,
192
Mississippi & Missouri River Rail
road, 403
Mississippi River, 14, 79, 121,
132 ; improvement of navigation
of, 314, 315

INDEX

459

Mississippi Valley, plan to remove
capital to, 319
Missouri, emigration to, 79 ; dan
ger of raids from, 191 ; defense
against attack from, 198, 253-
257; refugees from, in Iowa,
266, 267
Missouri Compromise, 77
Missouri River, 257, 323
Mitchell, Robert B., petition of, 59
Mitchell, M. H., 59
Mob, method of dealing with, 286,
287
Mohican Creek, 19
Money, offer of, at beginning of
war, 185, 186; difficulty in
raising, 207-210; use of, in
campaign, 344, 345
Monongahela River, 15
Monroe, James, 6
Monroe County, coal mine in, 325
Montezuma, 408
Moore's Opera House, 331
Moot court, 29, 397
Mormon Trail, 137
Morrill, Justin S., 349
Mortgages, taxation of, 69
Morton, Oliver P., 349
Mt. Pleasant, 170, 274, 309, 408
Mt. -Pleasant Guards, 176
Mt. Vernon (Ohio), 17
Murder trial, conduct of, by Kirk
wood, 43-46
Murdock, Samuel, letter from, 384,
385
Murphv, J. W., 339
Muscatine, 78, 141, 274, 322,
376; speech by Kirkwood at,
132, 133
Muscatine County, 374
National banks, 411
National Road, journey over, 13-
16
Naturalization law, 126
Neal, J. E., 91, 96, 97, 160
Nebraska, admission of, 314-316
Needham, John R., 422
Negroes, right of, to give testi
mony, 97; colonization of, 145,
150; use of, as soldiers, 294;
objection to counting of, 311
New Castle (Delaware), 1
New Castle County (Delaware),
391
New Hampshire, 212
New Mexico, 95
New Philadelnhia (Ohio), 17
New Ulm (Minnesota), massacre
at, 259
New York City, 42, 208; resist
ance to draft in, 286

New York Tribune, 152, 209
Newark (Ohio), 17, 65
Newbold, Joshua G., 340, 843
Newman, Joseph, 29
Newton, 141, 408; speech at, 314
Newville (Ohio), 21, 25, 52
Niagara ship canal, 312
Nicaragua, expedition to, 148, 149
Ninth General Assembly, recom
mendations to, 220-226
Noble, Reuben, 199, 422; letter
from, 316
North, compromise between South
and, 175; despondency in, 227.
247
North Bend, 302
Northeastern Iowa, campaign in,
286
Northern Iowa Border Brigade,
261
Northern Pacific Railroad, 373,
444
Northwestern frontier, protection
of, 257-261
Nourse, C. C, 127; letter from,
308
Nurses, need of, 223
Oakland Cemetery, 387
O'Connor, Henry, 100, 408
Odd Fellows Lodge, membership
in, 38, 336
Office, location of, 170
Office-seekers, experience with,
362, 363
Officers, election of, 71; salaries
of, 109; appointment of, in
army, 212-215
Ohio, removal of Kirkwoods to,
11-18; reference to, 14, 117,
121, 133, 165, 301, 406; early
life of Kirkwood in, 19-31; need
of new Constitution in, 47-49 ;
service of Kirkwood in consti
tutional convention of, 47-74;
departure of Kirkwoods from,
78, 79
Ohio River, 17, 79
Ohio Valley, route to, 13
Old Brick Capitol, 108, 114
Old Stone Capitol, 81, 91, 98,99;
convention in, 87
O'Meara, T. J., 374; votes re
ceived by, 445
Oregon, trip to, 373
Oskaloosa, joint debate at, 134,
135; reference to, 324, 408
Pacific coast, trip to, 373
Pacific Railroad, 312
Pacific Railroad Bill, 150
Palmer, Frank W., 227

460

INDEX

Paper money, 72, 73
Paris, Grimes in, 321
Park House, 137
Parker, Jacob, 29
Parole, breaking of, 240
Partisanship, 52, 352; remarks
concerning, 57; objection of
Kirkwood to, 97; disappearance
of, 189; revival of, 195
Pattee, John, service of, as pri
vate secretary, 211
Peace conference, attitude toward,
174, 175
Peace Democrats, 200
Peacock, Lieutenant, 243
Penitentiary, 71, 147, 170, 223
Pennsylvania, 1, 14, 15, 19, 156
Pensions, attitude toward, 355
Pensions, Committee on, 349
People's Charter, poem on, 23
Perczel, Nicholas, 241
Perkins, George D., 342
Peterson, 261
Petit larceny, 70
Philadelphia, 337, 441
Pierce, Franklin, 95
Plough-handle Ticket, 133
Plow, letter concerning, 172
Plymouth (Ohio), 41, 46
Poem, writing of, by Kirkwood,
23, 24, 392, 393
Politics, interest of Kirkwood in,
39-41, 76, 77, 85, 86, 279-281,
302, 303; last participation in,
371-378
Polk, James K., 395
Polls, use of army to keep peace
at, 350-355
Polygamy, 94, 95
Porter, Kimball, 119
Portrait, unveiling of, 386
Post Offices and Post Roads, Com
mittee on, 349
Potomac River, 13, 14, 15
Powell, John, 119
Poweshiek County, 271
Presbyterian Church, 5, 38
President, preference of Kirkwood
for, 165 ; call of, for troops,
179, 180; plan for address to,
248 ; conference of Governors
with, 249-252 ; power of, to use
army, 350-355 (see also Lin
coln, Abraham)
Price, Eliphalet, letter from, 198,
199, 290, 291; statement by,
387
Price, Hiram, 100, 302, 345, 346,
410; money advanced by, 185,
203 ; appointment of, 363 ; let
ter from, 377, 380
Price, Mrs. Hiram, 367

Printing, 53
Prisoners, exchange of, 239-241
Pritchard, Mrs. Rachel, 386
Private property, taking of, for
public use, 56
Private secretary, provision for,
194; choice of, 211
Privileges and elections, committee
on, 53
Proclamation, 171, 182, 183, 188,
189, 215-218, 233, 235
Prohibition, views of Weaver on,
331; attitude of Kirkwood to
ward, 337, 338, 372
Promotions, efforts to secure, 241-
243
Prosecuting Attorney, election as,
41; service as, 41-46, 47
Public Buildings, Committee on,
92, 109
Public improvements, State debt
to aid in, 48
Pusey, W. H. M., 108, 115, 382
Quilting bees, 38
Railroad, inspection of, 373
Railroad company, president of,
323-325
Railroad convention, attendance of
Kirkwood at, 120, 121, 322
Railroad stock, 336
Railroads, 48, 77, 339; use of, by
emigrants, 79 ; opposition to
State aid to, 120, 121
Railroads, Committee on, 92
Randall, Alexander W., proposal
by, 218, 219
Rankin, John W., 102, 108, 214
Ransom, C. T., 119
Reading, taste of Kirkwood for,
121, 122
Real estate, taxation of, 69
Receptions, 113, 114
Reconstruction, attitude of Kirk
wood on, 313
Redstone, Old Fort, 15
Reed, Joseph R., 372
Regiments, raising of, 182-185,
216-218; difficulty in filling va
cancies in old, 232-234, 236
(see also Troops)
Registration of voters, 146, 147
Remonetization of silver, 355
Representative, campaign for, 374-
378
Representatives, election of, 350,
351
Republican National Convention,
part played by Kirkwood at,
164-166
Republican party, early activities

INDEX

461

of Kirkwood in behalf of, 89,
90; victory of, 103; letter de
fending policies of, 168, 169;
praise of, 356, 357
Republican State Convention, at
tendance of Kirkwood at first,
87-89; nomination of Kirkwood
by, 125-127, 197, 198, 331-
334; nomination of Stone by,
285; reference to, 805
Requisition for Barclay Coppoc,
155-162
Reservations, 366
Resumption, 355
Revenue, recommendations con
cerning, 220, 221, 222
Revenue laws, 147
Revolutionary War, 2
Riblet, Daniel, 360
Rice, S. A., 197, 422
Rich, Jacob, letter from, 303, 307,
309, 319, 320, 321, 329, 341,
342, 344, 347, 360, 385; ref
erence to, 326, 341, 359; letter
to, 362
Richardson, R. A., 108
Richland County (Ohio), arrival
of Kirkwood family in, 17; de
scription of, 19, 20 ; early life
of Kirkwood in, 19-31; refer
ence to, 33, 52, 360, 393; ser
vice of Kirkwood as prosecuting
attorney of, 41-46, 47; people
from, in Iowa, 85
Road supervisor, election as, 318
Robinson, Captain, 237
Robinson, Giflord S., 382
Rock Island (Illinois), 78
Rolla (Missouri), 237
Root, J. C, letter from, 375
Rothrock, James H., 382
Rusch, Nicholas J., 91; letter
from, 124; nomination of, 126
Russell, Edward, 375
Russell, John, 331, 382; with
drawal of, 332
Russell, Nicholas, 237
St. Clair, Arthur, 2
St. James Hotel, 347, 381
St. Louis, 206, 228, 229, 239,
240, 297; convention at, 319
St. Paul, 444
Salaries, bill relative to, 109
Samuels, Ben M., 102, 103, 408
Sanders, J, H.. letter from, 272
Sandusky (Ohio), 44, 400
San Francisco, 444
Sanxay, Theodore, 119
Saunders, Addison H., 211
Saunders. Alvin, 91. 166, 417;
letter from, 178, 179

Saverv Hotel, 309
Saw mill, 82
Sawyer, William, 52
Schaeffer, Charles A., 382
School, attendance of Kirkwood at,
5-7; teaching of, by Kirkwood,
8, 22, 23
School director, election as, 121
School funds, security of, 96 ; ref
erence to, 110, 147; protection
of, 223
School lands, 96
Schools and State University,
Committee on, 109
Schurz, Carl, 325, 361
Scientific institutions, taxation of,
69
Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, 19
Scotland, 391
Scott County, 324, 374
Scott vs. Sanford, resolution rela
tive to case of, 111, 112
Secession, attitude of Kirkwood
toward, 173-177
Second Iowa Regiment, episode in
history of, 228, 229
Secret societies, attitude toward,
336
Secretary of the Interior, letter to,
171; appointment as, 359; ser
vice as, 359-370
Secretary of War, letter to, 187,
231, 258, 259 (see also Cam
eron and Stanton)
Sectionalism, 352
Seevers, William H., 108
Sells, Elijah, 197, 422
Senate, State, members of, 91, 108
Senator, State, nomination and
election of Kirkwood as, 90, 91;
service of Kirkwood as, 91-
115; defeat of Kirkwood for,
326
Senator, United States, talk of
Kirkwood as candidate for, 101,
104, 282, 283, 290; campaign
for, 303-310, 341-347; election
as, 310, 311, 347; career as.
311-317, 348-358; desire of
Kirkwood to become, 328-330
Settlers, danger to, from Indians,
259, 260
Seventh General Assemblv, service
of Kirkwood in. 107-115
Seward, William H., attitude of
Kirkwood toward, 165 ; corre
spondence with, 280, 281
Sewing machine, 419
Shambaugh, Benj. F., editor's in
troduction by, vii ; acknowledg
ments to. xi
Shannon, Wilson, 39

462

INDEX

Shaw, A. T., letter from, 179
Shelledy, Stephen B., 108
Shepherd, E., 119
Sherman, Buren R., 371, 381, 382
Sherman, Charles T., 29
Sherman, Hoyt, 410
Sherman, John, early association
of Kirkwood and, 29 ; contests
between Kirkwood and, 47 ;
reference to, 395, 402
Sherman Hall, speech in, 200-205,
210
Shiloh, battle of, 239, 241
Sickness, 300
Sigourney, 139, 314, 323, 408;
Kirkwood at, 273, 274; plan to
assassinate Kirkwood at, 277,
278
Silver, remonetization of, 355
Sinking fund, remarks concern
ing, 60, 61; plan for, 399
Sioux City, joint debate at, 138,
139; reference to, 258, 261
Sioux Indians, depredations by,
259
Sixth General Assembly, character
of, 91, 92
Skunk River War, 274
Slagle, Christian W., 410
Slaughter houses, 66
Slavery, opposition of Kirkwood
to, 76, 86, 95, 173, 174, 402;
attitude of people of Iowa to
ward, 87; resolution relative to,
111, 112; reference to, 126,
145, 148, 169, 293; attitude of
Kirkwood toward continuance
of, 224, 225 ; relation of war to,
295
Smith, William T., money ad
vanced by, 186; reference to,
382
Smithfield (Pennsylvania), 15
Smythe, Robert, 331, 333
Sociables, 38
Social life, character of, at Mans
field, 30, 37, 38; character of,
in Columbus, 62, 63 ; partici
pation of Kirkwood in, 121,
122
Soldiers, pay of, 194; relations of
Kirkwood with, 230-246; right
of, to vote, 236, 237; popular
ity of, as candidates, 285; use
of negroes as, 294 ; visits to,
298 ; addresses at reunions of,
379
Soldiers' Orphans' Home, 302
Somerfield (Pennsylvania), 15
Sound money, importance of, 357
South, mistake of people of. 149 :
compromise between North and,

175 ; sympathizers with, in
Iowa, 262-278; restriction of
homesteads in, 312; attitude to
ward people of, 352, 353
South America, 145, 150
South Carolina, secession of, 173
South English, disturbance at,
270, 271
Southern border, protection of,
253-257
Spain, Minister to, 128
Special messages, 163
Specie payments, resumption of,
355
Spirit Lake Massacre, 191, 257
Springdale, John Brown at, 155 ;
reference to, 159
Springer, John, 382, 445
Springfield (Illinois), visit of
Kirkwood to, 177; reference to,
188
Stage coach, 105
Stage line, 78
Stanberry, Henry, 51
Stanton, Edwin M., letter to, 231,
232, 233, 238, 240, 241, 265,
266, 269, 428
State Bank of Iowa, part of Kirk
wood in law creating, 110; ser
vice of Kirkwood as director of,
116-120; reference to, 410, 411
State Central Committee, work as
chairman of, 100, 116
State debt, lack of limitation on,
48 ; amount of, in Ohio, 48 ;
need for limit on, 58 ; plan for
payment of, 60. 61, 399
State Fair, address at, 372
States, relation of, to Federal gov
ernment, 150 ; use of United
States army in, 350-355
Statutes, revision of, 54
Stewart, James, 29
Stewart, John. 360
Stockton, L. D., 170
Stone, George A., 297
Stone, J. C, letter from, 355
Stone, John Y., 334
Stone, William M„ service of
Kirkwood in campaign of, 285-
289; letter from, 288, 289; in
auguration of, 290: reference
to, 302, 308; question of ap
pointment by, 303-306
Store, purchase of, 82 ; sale of,
120: keeping of, 404
Sturges, Solomon, offer of, 423
Sumner, Charles, conflict between
Kirkwood and. 315, 316; refer
ence to, 325
Superintendent of Public Instruc
tion, 96

INDEX

463

Supervisors, county, 192
Supplies, appeal for, 235
Surgeons, need of, 219, 223
Susquehanna River, 1
Tacoma (Washington), speech at,
373, 374; reference to, 444
Tally, George C, Copperheads led
by, 270; death of, 271
Tally War, incidents of, 270-275,
277, 278
Tariff, views on, 314, 315
Tariff commission, 355, 371
Tavern, employment of Kirkwood
in, 25 '
Tax titles, 221, 336
Taxation, 49, 53 ; exemption from,
58 ; views of Kirkwood concern
ing, 68, 69 ; recommendations
concerning, 220, 221, 222
Taxes, levy of, 53, 54, 68; diffi
culty in payment of, 147, 148 ;
appeal for prompt payment of,
215; amount of, delinquent,
220, 221; penalty for non-pay
ment of, 221; apportionment of,
222; voting of, for railroad,
323, 324
Taylor, Zachary, 397
Teale, Fred A., 346
Teesdale, John, statement by, 127,
130, 132
Teller, Henry M., 349; appoint
ment of, 369; letter from, 371,
373
Temperance question, attitude to
ward, 337, 338
Templin, J. D., campaign between
Kirkwood and, 90, 91
Territories, slavery in, 173, 174
Test, James D., 98
Testimony, giving of, 97
Teter, I. P., 334
Thanksgiving Day proclamation,
171
Thompson, William G., letter to,
284 ; reference to, 382 ; re
marks by, 384
Thompson, W. H„ 212
Thurman, Allen G., 349
Tichenor, George C, letter from,
316, 317
Tipton, 141, 408
Todhunter, Lewis, Kirkwood nom
inated by, 126
Toledo, 142, 408
Toll. Charles H., 324
Transportation facilities, 48
Trent affair, 228
Trimble. H. H., 91: amendment
by, 95; statement bv. 115
Troops, call for, 179, 180; raising

of, 182-185, 215, 218, 222, 230-
234, 260, 261, 428; difficulty
in securing arms for, 186-188,
206-209 ; expenses of raising
first, 190, 191, 202, 203; meth
od of calling for, 217; praise
of, 289
Trumbull, Lyman, 321
Trumbull, General, 332
Trustees of State University,
Board of, 96; Kirkwood a mem
ber of, 99
Tufts, J. Q. 834
Turkey, visitor from, 70; offer of
mission to, 327
Tuttle, James M., 242, 285, 288
Udell, Nathan, letter to, 268
Uniforms, making of, 186
Union, need of preservation of,
174, 175, 176; fear for safety
of, 247; loyalty of Kirkwood to,
292, 295, 296
Union Pacific Railroad, 444
Union party, formation of, 199
Uniontown (Pennsylvania), 15
University funds, protection of,
223
University of Iowa, State, 81, 98,
99, 147; proposed location of,
97; appropriation for, 109;
military professorship at, 223
Utah, 95
Ute Indians, council with, 364
Vance, Joseph, 50
Vandever, William, 180, 181
Vegetables, appeal for, 235
Veto messages, 163
Veto power, 56 .
Vice President, Kirkwood suggest
ed for, 164
Vicksburg, 239, 300
Vinton, 142, 408
Vinton Eagle, 124
Virginia, requisition for Coppoc
from Governor of, 155-162 :
peace conference called by, 174
Volunteers, compensation of, 191;
plan for raising of, 191, 192 ;
support of families of, 192,
194 ; expenses of raising first,
202, 203 (see also Troops)
Wallace, Mrs., marriage of Jabez
Kirkwood and, 3
Wapello, 141, 408
Wapello County, 271
War, attitude of Kirkwood toward
conduct of. 188, 247, 293-296
War and Defense Fund, 194, 207
War Democrats, 200

464

INDEX

War of 1812, 34
Warrants, amount of, unpaid, 221
Warren, Fitz Henry, 129, 197,
284, 308, 422
Washburne, Governor, letter to,
427
Washington, George, 150
Washington, D. C, 1, 13, 40, 174,
177, 187, 209, 226, 247, 298;
school days of Kirkwood in, 5-
7; Kirkwood as drug clerk in,
7-9; trip to, 179; conference of
Governors at, 249-252 ; resi
dence of Kirkwood in, 311, 314,
349; life of Kirkwoods in, 356,
368, 369; purchase of home in,
367; statue of Kirkwood in,
445
Washington (Iowa), joint debate
at, 139-141; reference to, 274,
314, 408
Washington County (Iowa), 272
Washington County (Pennsylva
nia), 15
Washington Light Guards, 176
Waterloo, 142
Waukon, 142
Weaver, James B., 136, 333, 335,
376; prospects of, for Governor,
330, 331; defeat of, for nomi
nation, 331-335
Weed, Chester, 119
West, removal of Kirkwoods to,
11-18; financial depression in,
117; influence of, 373, 374
West Union, 103; speech at, 435
West Virginia, 15
Western Stage Company, 105
Wheat, marketing of, 20
Wheeler & Wilson sewing ma
chine, 419
Wheeling (West Virginia), 14,
16, 17

Whig party, 168
White, Abe, 138
Wide Awakes, 167
Wild cat banks, 117
Williamsburg, speech at, 167
Williams College, 366
Williamson, James A., 382
Wilmot Proviso, 28
Wilson, David S., 108
Wilson, James F., 108; letter
from, 124; resolution by, 159,
160
Wilson, Jonathan, conveyance pro
vided by, 139
Wilson, William Duane, letter
from, 171, 172; letter to, 284,
287
Wilson's Creek, battle of, 204, 216
Withrow, Thomas F., letter to, 285
Woman suffrage, attitude on, 336
Women, service of, at outbreak of
war, 186, 187; work of, in
fields, 231; enumeration of, 311
Wood, Bradford R., 434
Woodbury County, 83, 163
Woodin, George D., 100
Woolson, John S., 346
Wooster (Ohio), 17
Wright, Ed., 334, 335
Wright, George G. 123, 146, 170,
326, 328, 334, 341, 382; re
marks by, 382-384; career of,
418
Yates, Governor, 177
Ye well, George H., portrait by,
386
York County (Pennsylvania), 8
Youghiogheny River, 15
Young Men's Mercantile Library
Association, 67
Zanesville (Ohio), 17