NEWSLETTER OF THE WAYNE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

P.O. Box 104, Corydon, Iowa 50060 June 2009 641-872-2211 ptmuseum@grm.net

www.prairietrailsmuseum.org

14th Annual Freedom Ring July 4th – 3 pm

Come join the crowd at Prairie Trails Museum for the 14th Annual Freedom Ring on

July 4th at 3pm in the 20th Century wing. The Civil War will be the focus this year. Speakers for this special occasion will be members of Iowa Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Iowa Rifles unit. David Lamb, Chief of Staff, Department of Iowa, SUVCW will speak about

the history of this organization and current activities. In 1860, Iowa was a pretty “wild and wooly” place. We were the frontier, and our people were a mixture of a

hardy blend of immigrants from Europe and second & third generation Americans lured from the East by the riches of the rolling prairie and rich farmlands. Census records for the time show Iowa’s population to be 674,913 men, women, and children….approximately the population of Polk County today.

But when President Lincoln issued the call for volunteers to “save the Union” following the firing on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, Iowans were the very first (Co. I, 1st Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a militia unit known as The Governor’s Greys” from the Dubuque area) entered into Federal Service. They gaily marched off to war believing that one battle would do the trick; everyone would have a grand adventure, and be, “Home by Christmas.”

Over the next four terrible years, 76,242 Iowa boys would march off to that war….per capita, more than any other state in the Union. That number equaled 11.3% of our population who would serve in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Revenue Cutter Service (became the Coast Guard). 13,101 (17.1%) of them would never see their homes again. Twenty-eight Iowans would win the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery under fire….again, more than any other state.

When the “War of the Rebellion” ended in April of 1865, hundreds of thousands of Union veterans returned home to their homes, families, and communities. Over 600,000 did not.

In 1866, Union Veterans of the Civil War organized into the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) and they played major roles in government, politics, business, finance, industry and agriculture. The members of this fraternal organization stayed in touch with one another the rest of their lives.

In 1878, sons and grandsons of the original founders of the G.A.R. formed military units called the Corps of Cadets, which were akin to National Guard units of today. These units actually trained alongside active military units and saw war service in the Spanish American War.

In 1904 the Sons of Veterans (SV) Units actually changed into a “Patriotic Education Society” and in 1925 changed their name to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War to conduct “historic, ceremonial, and educational programs” throughout the length and breadth of this nation. The Department of Iowa SUVCW is that order. The goals and projects remain much the same. They are involved in Veterans Affairs, Monument restoration, Living History programs and projects, Civil War Re-enactments, Honor Guards such as the members of the Iowa Rifles who will be at Freedom Ring on July 4th.

David Thompson & Courtney Stahr of Iowa Rifles

Upcoming Museum Events August 7, 2009 Cemetery Walk – held in conjunction with Corydon’s 126th Old Settlers Reunion Friday evening event at Corydon Cemetery with portrayals of 4 people buried there October 3, 2009 Pioneer Festival – 8th Annual – held in and around the Heritage Barn Games, horse-drawn wagon rides, Old time crafts demonstrations, food, music

Don’t miss these fun annual events. Have fun and learn more about the history of our area!

Wayne County Lady Knew Abraham Lincoln

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. There have been numerous events around Iowa in commemoration. President Lincoln will be forever linked with the Civil War(1861-1865) and school children today still study the speech he gave on November 19, 1863 at the site of the a battle in Gettysburg, PA.

In February 1926, a letter written by Anna Renshaw Souder, Clio published in the Des Moines Capital Newspaper recalled in vivid detail meeting Lincoln in 1860.

The Renshaw family came to Wayne County in 1854 from Spring Creek, Illinois to make a new home in a pioneer country. The family traveled by covered wagon and the children walked part of the way.

At the age of 17 years in 1860, Anna returned to Illinois and remained a year with her aunt and uncle. This year proved to be one of the most outstanding years of her life. During that time she attended the Lincoln-Douglas debates. At a political rally for Lincoln she was one of 17 young ladies, who were delegates from Spring Creek, IL, Lincoln’s hometown at one time. These young ladies rode in a float just behind Lincoln during the parade. She came to know Lincoln well and was a great admirer.

Anna returned to Wayne County and married Jacob Souder, September 26, 1861. They had six children, including Hollie Alphonso Souder, who began his pitching career with the Shane Hill ball team. Hollie eventually joined the major leagues and pitched for the New York Giants.

Anna watched with interest the development of the pioneer country from the time of covered wagons and oxen. As a young girl she helped her brother plow the filed with a yoke of oxen. In 1926, at age 83, she took her first airplane ride.

President Lincoln at Antietam

In the photo at right President Lincoln interviews General McClellan at Antietam October 3, 1862. On the table between them lay maps and plans of the battlefield of Antietam: where two weeks before (Sept 16-17) the Confederate army was defeated. This proved to be McClellan’s last battle. He was replaced as commander of the Army of the Potomac on November 7, 1862. Mathew Brady was the official photographer of the Civil War. He and his associates made thousands of images by order of President Lincoln during the war, many were published and preserved, others were lost. This image is part of a group that was published in 1910 in Photographic History of the Civil War. This image along with 17 other images of battlefields, soldiers, and ordinary citizens were donated to the museum in 1969 by Lois Elder. Some of the images will be on display during the Freedom Ring on July 4th.

Dodrill Cemetery Mystery Revisited

Avid readers of this newsletter may recall an article in March 2007 about the Dodrill Cemetery north of Promise City in Southfork Township.. This cemetery was established in the mid-1850’s by the William Dodrill family. The stones disappeared many years ago, reportedly around 1940, so today it is almost impossible to find without a plat map.

Dale Clark, Corydon is working with Wayne County Historical Society on documentation of burials in the Dodrill Cemetery. State Archeologist will be helping to locate the graves. The Iowa Rifles SUVCW is also involved with re-establishment of the Dodrill Cemetery as at least one veteran of the Civil War rests there.

A new sign will be erected for the cemetery as well as a stone to mark the veteran’s grave.

Touring Southern Iowa

They stole into town on Sunday morning. Some had their tops down, some had their tops up, and others were being towed on trailers. There were coupes, roadsters, town cars and small trucks. They all had one thing in mind; eat Sunday dinner at Betty’s and to visit the Prairie Trails Museum, on a Sunday drive from Ottumwa. Who were they? The ILLIAMO (Illinois, Iowa Missouri) Model T Ford Club, a chapter of the National Club, and they were on the annual summer outing. This year the tour was put together by Linda Durfliner, of Eldon and Richard Hemm of Ottumwa, pictured on the right. The group met at the Antique Airfield in Ottumwa Friday evening, visited the American Gothic House in Eldon, the Sprint Car Museum in Knoxville and Pella in the rain on Saturday and came to Corydon on Sunday. When they started out Saturday there was about thirty cars, but because of the storms and predicted rain for Sunday some left and about 15 vehicles came to Corydon in beautiful sunny weather. Those who arrived in Corydon are the “diehards”. They “stick with it on the trips, no matter what” one driver reported.

Betty’s Café opened especially for them for Sunday dinner. The parade of Model T Ford’s then drove to the Prairie Trails Museum for a tour. Several remarked the Sunday trip was the best of the weekend. One couple from Wallace, Indiana (shown on left) was especially happy with the trip and very interesting to visit with. They own 9 or 10 Model T’s in different stages of repair. The number depended on which one you were talking to. The couple was driving a truck with 5 bullet holes, three of which are in the door. “There are lots of stories to tell of how the bullet holes got there”, said Thelma Ellingwood.

John O’Donnell, (on right) from Lees Summit, Missouri is a retired engineer. He really enjoys the trips to meet people with any kind of antique vehicle. “I also get the chance to see some of the out of the way places in the Midwest, and eat lots of ice cream.” The cars headed back east a bit earlier than planned, but they were facing strong head wind that adds to travel time. Plus, they wanted to be sure to arrive back in Ottumwa before the storm hit. We certainly hope they made it.

Memorials and Gifts to the Wayne County Historical Society: The Wayne County Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the memorial gifts received since our last Newsletter. We honor the memories of: J. C. Hook, DeVee Muilenberg, Leatha Greenlee Trumper, Jan Foster, Iris Alley, Jacquetta (Jackie) Young Browns, Hazel Grimes Hook, Pearl and Jamie McMurry, O. K. and Nancy Engene, David E. Donald, Gerald Jellison, Roy Coates, Jarold Palmer, Vincent J. McCartin, Linda Hanson, Kenneth O. Ferguson, Abraham and Mary Johnston, Charles and Fannie Loughman, M. L. and Lelah Johnston, William T. and Dorothy Mumma, Wynema Hellyer, Dale Besco, Dallas Donald, Harold V. Smith, and Ray Leib. We also are deeply appreciative of bequests received from the estates of Patricia Mae Smith, Margie Morrett, and Neva Trumbo. Gifts to the Wayne County Historical Society enable us to maintain and improve our Prairie Trails Museum so we can continue to share our wonderful heritage.

Silent Auction of Paintings

Marietta Lord, one of Wayne County’s favorite artists, has painted many beautiful scenes and documented many Wayne County landmarks. In March, Marietta & husband Eudean began preparing for a move to an apartment in Corydon and generously donated many of her paintings to Prairie Trails Museum. A silent auction began the evening of the Historical Society’s annual meeting on March 26. Paintings not sold that evening were on display at Corydon State Bank until May 1. All paintings sold with the exception of a few that will remain in the Museum collections. At right, Marietta Lord and her daughter Anita Wells are shown with two of the paintings. We want to say thank-you, Marietta for your wonderful generosity to the Museum.

Decorated Egg Contest a Success Spring, Easter, & Eggs. Those words go together in our thoughts, don’t they? In April the Museum sponsored a decorated egg contest for all

elementary school children in Wayne County. There were 46 entries from three schools; prizes were awarded in three age groups. One of the more unique designs was the egg pictured at left created by Seth Sheriff, Wayne Community 2nd grader. The egg was a clay covered wagon complete with small pasta wheels. Plans are to hold the contest for all elementary age kids in Wayne County again next spring.

Touring the Museum

Children always fill the museum with energy. Teaching children about Wayne County history is a

rewarding experience for our museum volunteers. Cub Scout Troop 137 came to the museum one evening in February. They are pictured at left with Harold Dent as he tells them about hunting Indian artifacts. The group at right is Wayne Community 5th graders in May on one of the final days of school. Their teacher, Kristy Sheriff

spends a few weeks each year teaching Wayne County history. When the 5th graders come to the museum they are well versed on Wayne County history and can give the volunteers pointers.