Audrain County, Missouri - Chapter 19, 1884

Chapter 19

No Demand made upon Audrain County for Volunteers to The Mexican War - Cali¬ fornia Emigrants - The Names of Men Who wentfrom Audrain County - A Poem - The Civil War of 18G1 - Names of more than One Hundred Men who Enlisted in the Southern Army - Non-combatants Killed - Mexico Occupied by Union Soldiers - Union Army - Dr. W. W. Macfarlane Led out To Be Shot - The Heroes Who Died.

The Mormon Scare

On a bright, beautiful day, probably in the fell of 1840, while every¬ thing was calm and quiet in the vicinity of Mexico, there was suddenly heard in the direction of the little town, the report of small arms - about one hundred guns - the reverberation being distinctly heard by the few citizens who resided beyond the corporate limits, and by others who lived still further out. A few moments afterwards, a man was seen approaching on horseback, under full speed, bareheaded and barefooted, and saying in excited tones to all persons whom he met : " The Mormons are in town killing everybody. " In the mean¬ time, the firing could be distinctly heard in the town. I was then a boy seven or eight years of age. My mother called loudly to me, and when I went to her, she told me what Richmond Pearson (the man on horseback) had said, and told me to go over to Mr. Willingham's place and tell him of what we had heard. Willingham at that time resided on what was known as the Gass farm. When I informed him of what Pearson said he at once pronounced the report false, and im¬ mediately started to town, mounted on his little gray mare. Mrs. Willingham begged him not to go, but her appeals were in vain. He went as rapidly as his pony could take him, and when leaving, told his wife not to leave the house while he was gone. But moments to her in the absence of her husband became hours, and with her neighbors she secreted herself in the brush, north-west of the Jacob's farm. Before hiding, however, the fleeing and affrighted parties stationed pickets near the road, leading from old man Martin's mill to the west part of the county. About this time Mr. James Reed and (346)

Isaac Johnson came along, and were told the awful news, that the Mormons were killing everybody in Mexico ; the report of the guns could still be heard, and they also started to town. But a little time passed until they returned in hot haste, as though they were being pursued. Horses were running at half speed, with all the gearing on, and frightened men, women, children, and the sound of guns added to the great confusion which everywhere seemed to prevail in that im¬ mediate vicinity.

Reed and Johnson confirmed the statements which had already been made by Pearson, and said they saw the Mormons shoot Jack Wil¬ lingham off his horse. By this time the news had spread into the country, and men, women and children, for eight or ten miles around the town were fleeing in every direction, believing that the Mormons had determined to slaughter them. Mr. Willingham, after remain¬ ing in town a little while, returned and explained the matter - telling the people that the company of soldiers which had embarked on the expedition to drive the Mormons from the State had arrived in town, and had been having something like a sham battle, which accounted for the report of the guns which had been heard.

Reed and Johnson had really seen Willingham fall from his horse, but he was not shot. As they approached the town, they saw Wil¬ lingham at a distance sitting sidewavs on his horse in the street, and when the guns were fired, Willingham's horse jumped, which threw Willingham off. Hearing the report of guns and seeing Willingham fall, they supposed he was shot, and so believing, they turned their horses and fled. Well do I remember when I reached the house after the scare, that I saw there my step-father, Thomas Hook, and my uncle, Reuben Pulis, and well do I remember, too, how they devoured the bacon and cabbage which had been left on the table when we went to the bushes. For years afterwards there were many jokes about the Mormon scare.

I think old father Jesse, that good old man, long since dead, loaded up his wagon and was moving his family and household goods to the woods. Mr. Pearson, who was then the owner of the Wade farm, said that he could see from his upstairs window the people being shot down in the streets of Mexico.

Nearly a half century has passed since the scenes and incidents herein mentioned occurred, and nearly all the persons who witnessed the same have passed away. The writer has been a resident of the county for fifty years, and recollects all the old, grand men, who lived at that time, and from whom he received many kind words of advice and encouragement during his early trials and struggles. He can never forget J. B. Morris, William White, James Harrison, James Jackson, Joel Haynes, and a score of others.

Mexican War

Audrain county, at the breaking out of the Mexican war, was so thinly settled that no demand was made upon the county for volun¬ teers under the call of Gov. Edwards, issued in May, 1846. The counties responding were Jackson, Company A, 114 men, commanded by Capt. Waldo; Lafayette county, Company B, 112 men, com¬ manded by Capt. Walton; Clay county, Company C, 113 men, com¬ manded by Captain Moss ; Saline county, Company D, 94 men, commanded by Capt. Reid ; Franklin county, Company E, 117 men, commanded by Capt. Stephenson ; Cole county, Company F, 100 men, commanded by Capt. Parsons ; Howard county, Company G, 100 men, commanded by Capt. Jackson ; Callaway county, Company H, 104 men, commanded by Capt. Rogers The regiment numbered 856 men. There were a few men, however, from Audrain, among whom was Temple Wayne, who joined Gen. Doniphan's command.

California Emigrants

No doubt the desire for gold has been the mainspring of all pro¬ gress and enterprise in the county from the beginning till the present time, and will so continue to remote ages. Generally, however, this desire has been manifested in the usual avenues of thrift and indus¬ try. On one occasion it passed the bounds of reason and assumed the character of a mania. The gold fever first broke out in the fall of 1848, when stories began to be spread abroad of the wonderful richness of the placer mines in California. The excitement grew daily, feeding on the marvelous reports that came from the Pacific slope, and nothing was talked of but the achievements of gold dig¬ gers. The papers were replete with the most extravagant stories, and yet the excitement was so great that the gravest and most incred¬ ulous men were smitten with the contagion and hurriedly left their homes and all that was dear to them on earth to try the dangers, diffi¬ culties and uncertainties of hunting gold. Day after day and month after month were the papers filled with glowing accounts of Califor¬ nia.

Missouri begun their preparations for starting in the following spring. The one great subject of discussion around the firesides that winter (1848) was the gold of California. It is said at one time the major¬ ity of the able-bodied men of the county were unsettled in mind, and were contemplating the trip to California. Even the most thoughtful and sober-minded found it most difficult to resist the infection.

Wonderful sights were seen when the emigrants passed through - sights that may never be seen again in Audrain county. Some of the emigrant wagons were drawn by cows ; other gold hunters went on foot and hauled their worldly goods in hand-carts. Early in the spring the rush began. It must have been a scene to beggar descrip¬ tion. There was one continuous line of wagons from the Orient to the Occident, as far as the eye could reach, moving steadily west¬ ward, and, like a cyclone, drawing in its course on the right and left many of those along its path. The gold hunters of Audrain crowded eagerly into the gaps in the wagon trains, bidding farewell to their nearest and dearest friends, many of them never to be seen again on earth. Sadder farewells were never spoken. Many who went left quiet and peaceful homes, only to find in the "Far West" utter dis¬ appointment and death.

Audrain county sent forth many of her sons - some of whom were men with gray beards, and boys still in their teens - to that distant region, all animated with the hope that their labors, their sacrifices and their bravery would be rewarded with an abundance of the glit¬ tering and precious ore.

The following list comprises the names of the emigrants from Audrain county, for the Gold Placers of California. The list numbers 116 names : -

The Civil War Of 1861

When the first gun was fired upon Fort Sumpter (April 12, 1861,) little did the citizens of the remote county of Audrain dream that the war which was then inaugurated would eventually, like the simul¬ taneous disemboguement of a hundred volcanoes, shake this great na¬ tion from its center to its circumference.

Little did they then dream that the smoke of the bursting shells, which hurtled and hissed as they sped with lurid glare from rebel bat¬ teries upon that fatal morning, foreboded ravaged plains -

Little did they dream that the war cloud which had risen above the waters of Charleston harbor would increase in size and gloom until its black banners had been unfurled throughout the length and breadth of the land.

Little did the}r imagine that war, with all its horrors, would invade their quiet homes, and with ruthless hand tear away from their fire¬ side altars their dearest and most cherished idols.

Could the North and the South have foreseen the results of that in¬ ternecine strife, there would be to-day hundreds of thousands of hap¬ pier homes in the land, hundreds of thousands less hillocks in our cemeteries, hundreds of thousands less widows, hundreds of thousands less orphans, no unpleasant memories, and no legacies of hatred and bitterness left to rankle in the breasts of the living, who espoused the fortunes of the opposing forces.

All that transpired during that memorable struggle would fill a large volume. Audrain county, as did the State of Missouri generally, suffered much. Her territory was nearly all the time occupied by either one or the other antagonistic elements, and her citizens were called upon to contribute to the support of first one side and then the other. However much we might desire to enter into the details of the war, we could not do so, as the material for such a history is not at hand. Indeed, were it even possible to present the facts as they occurred, we doubt the propriety of doing so, as we would thereby reopen the wounds which have partially been healed by the flight of time and the hopes of the future. It were better, perhaps, to let the passions and the deep asperities which were then engendered, and all that serves to remind us of that unhappy period, be forgotten. We have tried in vain to obtain the number and names of the men who entered the Con¬ federate army from Audrain county. No record of them has ever been preserved, either by the officers who commanded the men, or by the Confederate government. Parts of five companies entered the Southern army from Audrain county, commanded by the following officers: Capt. George Edmonson, Capt. R. L. Maupin, Capt. Silas

L. Hickerson, Maj. D. H. McIntyre, Capt. James O'Bannon and Capt. Alpheus Payne. Capt. Maupin entered the service from Boone county ; in his company, however, there was a number of men from Audrain.

Maj. D. H. McIntyre enlisted in Callaway county while attending Westminster College as a student. He was a resident at that time of Audrain county, and is at this time Attorney-General of Missouri.

These companies were not full. There were, however, scores of men who left the county singly or in squads of from two to four each, and joined the Southern army further south. From the best informa¬ tion we can obtain, the number of men who from first to last united their fortunes with the Confederate army might be placed somewhere between three and five hundred.

George Bruce, Everett Bruce, Charles Bruce, James Bruce, Edward Bruce, William Bruce (killed at the battle of Corinth), William Eller, Clifton Black (wounded at Baker's Creek), Frank Gildee (killed at Pea Ridge), Richard Lee (killed at mouth of Big Black), Nick English, S. E. Kendall, Ezekiah Reagan (killed at Corinth), Lewis Simpson (killed at Carthage), George Simpson (killed at Murfreesboro, Teim . ) , Hiram Ricketts, Thomas Williams, Young Purcell, Abraham Eller, William McDonald, Thomas Jackson (killed), Rufus Jackson (died in prison), J. B. Jackson, Albert G. Turner, A. J. Turner, William Shearer, Benjamin Johnson, James A. Elzea, John T. Elzea, William Brown, John Davis, Thomas Harrison, Daniel H. McIntyre, William H. McIntyre, Thomas McIntyre, Edward Hal¬ ley, Deloney Willingham, John Harrison, Abner Harrison, Charles Lander (killed at Franklin, Tenn.), Charles Grant, J. C. Y. Baskin,

M. Mcllhany (member Confederate Congress), Silas L. Hjckerson, Benjamin F. Dobvns, John F. Botts, Thomas A. Botts, J. A. Cartwell, Douglas Murry, J. A. Henderson, James LaRue, Stanton Tay¬ lor, Thomas Copher, James Woods (killed at Corinth), S. O. Wright, Thomas Maffutt (killed at Pea Ridge), M. C. Flint, George Williams,

Non-Combatants Killed

Were we to enter into a detailed statement of all the facts connected with the killing of the non-combatants in Audrain county, during the war, such a statement would constitute the darkest portion of this history ; the darkest, because it would tell of the butchery of innocent victims, by men who were devoid of the common instincts of human¬ ity ; by men who distinguished themselves by their acts of brutality ; by men whose names are immortally linked with an infamy as odious and execrable as ever disgraced the annals of any country. But we forbear, leaving the facts to be more fully gathered by some future historian, who will write them up when there is still less of passion and still less of hatred. Unfortunately, men of low, brutish instincts and ignoble aspirations are found in all wars ; in fact, a war without its Kirks and Hesselriggs is something that has never yet existed, even in the most civilized countries.

About the 12th of June, 1861, Samuel Whitman and John Q. Muldrow, were riding together horseback, in the Southern part of Salt River township, going in the direction of Mexico. They were met by a company of German soldiers, and ordered to dismount, kneel down and be shot. Whitman was from Ohio, and was an uncompromising Union man, and had just said that he would not be afraid to meet any Union soldiers. The company of men they met were about the first Federal soldiers in the county. After the two men had dismounted Muldrow J^nelt and was shot. Whitman however, being a Union man, declined to kneel and was shot while standing. He fell to the ground on his face, being shot through the neck and feigned death ; a soldier turned him over on his back, and cut him across the side of his fiice with his saber and left him. Whitman finally recovered from his

In explanation of the above facts, it is said that a company of men was organized in Audrain county, by John G. Muldrow, called the " Audrain County Rangers," to meet the Union soldiers who were ex¬ pected to enter the county by the way of Monroe Station. While Muldrow and his men had gone in the direction of Monroe Station, a company of Union soldiers had arrived at Mexico on the cars in com¬ mand of Col. Morgan Smith. After remaining a portion of the day in Mexico, the soldiers went aboard the cars, and were going out east of town, where they intended to camp. A number of soldiers were on top of the cars, and after the train had arrived at a deep cut, about one and a half miles east of town, Muldrow and his men who were re¬ turning, seeing the soldiers on the cars, came up and fired upon them, killing, it is said, 10 or 15 men. This circumstance occurred a day or two before Muldrow and Whitman were killed. The company of German soldiers, first above mentioned, had heard of the men being killed on the cars, and when thev met Whitman and Muldrow, coneluded that John Q. Muldrow, was the John G. Muldrow, who had done the shooting, and hence they killed him. For the facts above stated, we are indebted to J. H. Haydon of Mexico.

William Lockridge and Garland Surber were killed on the streets of Mexico. A company of German soldiers passed the town on the cars, going to Moberly or some other town west of Mexico. In passing they noticed that the Bell and Everett flag was floating in the breeze from the dome of the court-house. During the day, or before the re¬ turn of the soldiers, some person had taken the flag down. The ab¬ sence of the flag was noticed by the soldiers as they were passing the town on their return, and they stopped the train and came up on the streets. While here, the soldiers were scattered over town as guards, and began to shoot indiscriminately, at any body they could see about fhe streets. Mr. Lockridge was attempting to leave town on his horse when he was killed. Mr. Surber was in his wagon on the street (hav¬ ing brought a load of potatoes to town), and when the firing com¬ menced his horses became frightened and ran off in the direction of his home. Surber was trying to check his horses, and the soldiers, thinking he was making his escape from town, shot him.

Incident

While the firing was going on, S. L. Dobyns, a resident of Mexico, and quite a large man physically, started on a run to go to his home in the edge of town, and seeing a colored man behind him running in the same direction thought he was a soldier after him. The colored man's name was Norris and a rebel in sentiment. He was also run¬ ning, trying to get as far away as he could from the soldiers. The negro, being more fleet of foot than Mr. Dobyns, soon overtook him in the race, when Mr. Dobyns seeing the negro just behind him, shouted, "I surrender." Norris who knew Dobyns said - "God bless your soul Massa, I don't," and dashed on by him.

In June, 1861, Benjamin T. Sharp, at the time a citizen of Wellsville, Montgomery county, and one Capt. Jager, who resided in St. Louis, were riding together in a buggy near the town of Martinsburg, in Audrain county. Capt. Jager was a German, and was a Union soldier in command of a company of men. Mr. Sharp was an attorney at law and a Union man. Ja<rer had at the time a few men who served as guides and as body-guards.

A bushwhacker by the name of Alvin Cobb (a one-armed man) and a desperate character, came from the direction of Callaway county with seven or eight men, and meeting with the body-guard of Capt. Jager at once opened fire upon them. The guard retreated towards Wellsville, leaving Cobb master of the road. Capt. Jager, hearing the firing and seeing Cobb's men, put whips to his horse and drove to¬ wards Martinsburg. About the time he reached the village, Cobb came up with his men, and riding rapidly along by the side of the buggy, and in front of it, began to shoot at the two men in the buggy. Sharp fell out of the buggy wounded, and Jager, although wounded, too - his arm being broken - drove on until he reached a point near the depot, when his buggy struck a corn-pen and knocked him out. Jager and Sharp were well armed with revolvers, and had shot several times at Cobb and his men while they were in the buggy, after being attacked. After Sharp and Jager had fallen out of the buggy, Mr. Sim, a merchant of Martinsburg, and his good wife, went to the wounded men to render them any assistance they could. Mr. Sharp, although severely wounded in his back, had arrived at Mr. Sim's resi¬ dence, and while Mr. Sim was at the side of Capt. Jager, Cobb and his men rode up and ordered Mr. Sim to stand aside, saying that Capt. Jager and Mr. Sharp were his prisoners. Cobb dismounted two of his men and put the two prisoners on their horses. Sharp said nothing, blit Jager begged Cobb for his life, as did also Mr. Sim for the lives of both men. The prisoners were taken about four miles from Martinsburg and killed, at least this was the supposition, as their bodies were found about a week afterwards buried in the same grave. During the first or second year of the war three young men, whose

The harvest of death in the different counties of Missouri was some¬ thing like the Bloody Assizes, memorable in English history and in¬ augurated by Jeffreys after the defeat and capture of Monmouth and Argyle. These American Jeffreys, like their infamous prototype across the sea, left some of their victims dangling in mid-air, where they hung until their bodies were devoured by the beasts and birds of prey - no one daring to give them even the semblance of a decent burial. The difference, if any, between the English tyrant and the American butchers seems to have been in favor of the former, as he went through the farce of a trial before taking the blood of his vietims, while the latter shot them down like dogs wherever they could be found, without trial, judge or jury.

The Heroes Who Died Mexico Occupied By Union Soldiers

As already stated, the first Union soldiers that came into the county of Audrain were under the command of Col. Morgan Smith, and con¬ sisted of a portion of the 2d and 8th Missouri regiments. He had charge of about 600 men and remained only about one week. He came in June, 1861. Col. Morgan was relieved by Col. U. S. Grant, afterwards General and President of the United States. His command was composed exclusively of the 21st Illinois regiment. He had his headquarters in West Mexico, where Harry Rice's house is now lo¬ cated. Gen. Grant remained about three weeks, when he was ordered to Bird's Point, Missouri, opposite to Cairo, Illinois. While at Mexico, his regiment won the respect of the citizens for its orderly conduct, and for attending strictly to its own business. Gen. Grant was respected by all, and during his sojourn in the town he had frequent conversations with the citizens in reference to the objects of the war. He remarked upon two occasions in the presence of two or three old citizens, that if he " were satisfied that the government in¬ tended to free the slaves, he would lay down his arms." Gen. Grant was made brigadier general while at Mexico.

Gen. S. D. Sturgis, was the next commander of the po3t, com¬ ing sometime in the fall or spring of 1861 or 1862. He had charge of the 27th and 29th Ohio regiments, two batteries and one regiment of cavalry.

Then came Col. Ed. Smart, 3d M. S. M. cavalry. Col. Smart re¬ mained in command until January, 1863, when he was again succeeded by Col. John McRoberts, who remained until May,»1863, when he was

Capt. John M. Gordon's company was organized in August, 1864, with the following officers: John M. Gordon, captain; W. D. Hunter, 1st Lieut., F. M. Shyrock, 2d Lieut.

This company was organized (upon the authority of Capt. Gor¬ don) as a kind of home guard, to do duty in the absence of regular soldiers. It was composed of citizens of the town, and originally numbered 125 men. The organization remained intact about one year.

Union Army

The number of white men who entered the Union army or the mil¬ itia service from Audrain county, is estimated to have been about three hundred and fifty.

About one half of Cuivre township, especially that portion of it settled by Pennsylvania Germans and Frenchmen, espoused the cause of the Union, and in the neighborhood where they resided (Mount Carmel Church) probably eight out of every ten men went into the Union army.

Capt. George M. Ross, Capt. Abraham Kempinsky and Capt. Lewis Musick, with their companies and parts of companies, entered the Union army from Cuivre, and Capt. M. E. Swift went from the western part of the county. Capt. John McRoberts made his com¬ pany up of citizens also from the county.

Shot

Many, if not all, of our readers have heard of Dr. W. W. Macfarlane's thrilling adventure during the late war. You have all heard of it, and, at the same time, have not heard the particulars. A Ledger reporter has gleaned all the facts he could without interviewing the doctor, for we knew he would give us nothing for publication.

Dr. Macfarlane and about fifty more Confederates were one day fighting thrice their number of Federals, near Moore's mill, in Calla¬ way county, when the Doctor and Pres. Wilkerson were sent out to reconnoitre. The Doctor is color blind. He had not gone far before he saw some men in the brush near by, but, as he could not tell blue from gray, thought they were members of his own company. He kept on his way, when "spit! spit! spit!" went bullets by his ears.

He thought they were random shots. He then turned toward the men and saw that they were shooting at him, the bullets whistlinguncomfortably close. He kept on toward them, shouting "What in the devil (or words to that effect) are you shooting at me for? " They rushed in and captured him before he found out that they were not members of his own company. He was taken to Fulton and kept in prison for a time. He was then brought to Mexico. In a few days Col. Smart, well known but not favorably in Mexico, had an order for " Mac far lane to be shot." When the day for the execution arrived he was led out near Avhere Mr. Dunbar's residence now is, in North Mexico. The guns were loaded, the cotlin was there, and Macfarlane had taken his position, but he never flinched. Col. Smart then began to give him a lecture, but the doctor told him to stop ; that his orders were to shoot him, not to talk him to death. The men formed in line, the order was given to " Make ready ! Take aim ! " The Doctor could hear the locks click, and could see the caps glisten on the tubes, as the executioners were only a few feet distant. Just as the Doctor was sighting along the dark barrels of the rifles, and wondering if they would not shoot below his face, Col. Morsey stepped out and ordered a halt in the proceedings, saying that he had an order for a commutation of the sentence to imprisonment during the war. Smart had this order several hours before, but still took the Doctor out, wishing to give him a good scare. We do not know how badly the Doctor was frightened, but do know that he did not weaken. He fully expected to die, but saw no way out of it, and was going to die as he lived - a brave man. What a contrast he was to Smart. After he received orders to shoot Macfarlane, instead of telling him he put him through all the above torture, which amounted to the same, as far as human feeling goes, as if he had shot him ; and this is not all. On the way out to the place where he was to be shot, in the face of the commutation he wanted Macfarlane to try to make his escape, so he could shoot him down running, like a dog. Macfarlane thought it better to be shot in the face for the cause he was fighting for than to be shot in the back in an endeavor to escape. Smart was in this way cheated out of his morbid desire for human blood.

Dr. Macfarlane remained a prisoner during the Avar, and uoav resides in Mexico Avith his family. He sIioavs the same character in all his dealings that he displayed on this trying occasion.

We copy from the Mexico Ledger : The funeral of President Gar¬ field might truly be called the nation's funeral. It was conducted on the grandest and most sublime scale possible. The congregation was not confined to Cleveland, Ohio, or even to the United States. While every bell in our own beloved country was tolling, the mourners were gathering all over the world, to mourn the loss of a great and good man.

The funeral cortege reached from ocean to ocean, and from pole to pole. People of every clime and every birth were bowed around the nation's bier.

Mexico, Missouri, if not with as much drapery, at least with as much feeling, mourned the loss of " our President." The business houses on Monday 2 p. m., we think without exception, were all closed. The churches were crowded with our business men, and citizens of all parties and classes. During the memorial services at the various churches, our streets were deserted, showing how deep and general the feeling was with our people. The memorial services at the Liberty Street M. E. church were highly interesting. The church was beautifully draped with various mottoes, and extracts from the dead President's speeches were hanging all around the room. The exercises were presided over by the pastor, Rev. T. J. Wheat. There were appropriate selections of Scripture read, with exceedingly well executed music and song. The prayer was by Elder J. A. Headington, and was most appropriate and effective. The Rev. Wheat de¬ livered a short sermon of great power and pathos.

Judge William O. Forrist, who all of his life well knew the dead President, delivered an appropriate and fitting eulogy, which was the most complete and beautiful we ever heard.

Elder John A. Brooks spoke to a full auditorium at the Christian church. His remarks were most appropriate to the occasion and were delivered in his characteristic and decisive manner.

Rev. J. C. Maple held memorial services at the Baptist church, and was greeted with an appreciative audience. He spoke in a most touching and becoming manner of the distinguished dead.

At the M. E. Church South, the front seats were occupied by the Knights Commandry of the Knights Templar, of which the deceased President was a member, and which were commanded by Sir Knight James Carroll. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. T. J. Gooch, who, after song and prayer, read the 90th Psalm and ad¬ dressed those present from a portion of Scripture found in Isaiah, and the Litany of the Order. "All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof, is as the flower of the field ; the grass withereth and the flower fadeth ; because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it ; surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ; but the word of our God shall stand forever." The reverend speaker com¬ menced by saying that anywhere on earth strange contrasts were pre¬ sented. On one side was the bridal and on the other the funeral train. The church often stands on the square where the criminal is confined. The sounds of music and revelry mix with those of the waiting assembly. Men congregate and found cities, in which art vies with the art to please ; but side bv side of the city of the living there is also a city of the dead. Wherever there is evidence of life, there also are the footprints of the destroyer. To-day, standing as we do here, ive can look back upon the history and work of the past and behold old Time with heavy locks among the ruins of antiquity. In his hands the greatest and the mightiest are no more than the weakest. The Nimrods, Alexanders, Csesars and Napoleons, Abra¬ ham, Moses and David, and all the celebrated of earth have alike fallen before his scythe.

The life of man in the text is compared to grass that endures not, fallina- as it does before frost and heat. That form of more than human power, the God-like form of Christ, tasted of death before salvation was achieved. All flesh is indeed as grass, and in the midst of the changes of life it is well to consider, not only that all that move will be consigned to death, but to give attention also to the contrasts of the other side of the picture. It is a beautiful truth of the sonsr, "It is not the whole of life to live." There is also a life of quiet peace and joy, where weeds of mourning grow not, where Rachael weeps not for children lost, and where man is not crowned for evils inflicted upon his fellow. To this points the Scriptures that have been read. The question presented is not concerning earth's ambition, thrones, honor, wealth, residence and good bank account, or that abundance that suggests " Soul take thine ease," I have toiled and laid up for an old age to be spent in enjoyment. But the inquiry suggested is, where shall rest be found? It cannot be reached through wealth. In all ambition there is nothing that reaches out to it. In all the attainments man can make, there is no rest ; nothing worth living for; nothing that can by any means meet the cravings of an immortal life.

President Garfield was a representative man. He was not like some, born to greatness. We have no privileged class in this coun¬ try, and I thank God for it. The chief we mourn was one of America's noblest lads, blessed with the strong will that always makes the man. With a few educational opportunities he reached the highest position known to statesmanship. It is of little importance to even be born a czar, or an emperor, but to be meritoriously elevated to be the head of such a nation as ours, is to attain the position of all others the most honorable. At one time, he taught morality and preaching occasionally, he became a highly educated man, acquainted with belle-lettres, the classics and history. He afterwards served his State, entered the army, was sent to Congress, both to the House and the Senate, and elected to the Chief Executive. If I were to at¬ tempt to criticise this man, there Avould be difference of opinion de¬ veloped. There are many that did not cast their ballots for him, but all accord honesty of purpose to him. In his early administration he gave great promise of his successful national management, and as far as opportunity came, the expectation created thereby was met. He promised to be an old-fashioned President, and had he lived he would have been one. These facts have embalmed his memory in our affec¬ tions. All over this land meetings are being held at this hour to give expression to the general sorrow for the untimely taking off of such a man.

While all else dies and passes, Truth can never pass. God-like, immortal, indestructible, Truth will last. Princes, Governors will all pass, but Truth never. Some one musing on futurity has said, " The time may come when the conquering Laplander may look on the ruins of London." The heavens and the earth shall pass. The whole solar system is unstable. The prophet says the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and pass away with a great noise, but the Word of the Lord shall stand. Reposing upon it, let us take religion

At 4 p. m. there was a citizens' meeting, without party distinction, at the court-house park, called to order by Mayor Bassford. Upon motion, Col. John E. Hutton was chosen to preside. On taking the chair, that gentleman remarked : -

Called unexpectedly to preside, I would have preferred the mayor to have stated the objects for which the meeting has been con¬ vened. You are aware, fellow-citizens, that to-day the remains of the President have been placed in their final resting place, and that at every church from every hill and vale in our country, our countrymen are assembled to confer honor upon the departed. We have met to mingle our offerings with those of others, and I have no wish to detain you. I open the exercises of the occasion by calling upon Hon. A. H. Buckner, who knew Gen. Garfield intimately and had a high appre¬ ciation of his distinguished ability.

Upon taking the stand, Judge Buckner said he had prepared some resolutions to be proposed for adoption. He looked upon Gen. Gar¬ field as the grandest of our American Christian statesmen. In com- mon with the country he mourned the loss of such a man, and the cause and the manner of his death. In life he was tender to his wife, family and mother. In death he was patient and submissive. The judge said when this meeting was called he expected to be at Cleve¬ land and take part in the ceremonies there, but was prevented by an unavoidable accident, and was now here to express his opinion briefly of one of the best men of his generation. He alwavs listened to his speeches with profit. Gen. Garfield had been the greatest intellect of the House during his connection with it. He was remarkable also for his large-heartedness. Like Lincoln, he had no malice, but charity for all. He ever avoided controversy, and was kind and courteous upon all occasions. Why has so much feeling, continued the judge, been elicited at home and abroad concerning this man? We have heard much of his devotion to his mother and wife, and much also of their devotion to him. No doubt this had much to do with prevailing public sentiment. Everywhere the general heart is touched by them, but not merely on their account is such wide interest manifested. Where among the great of this earth, can a career similar to his be found? Rising from obscurity without adventitious aid, the deceased first attained to the position of State Senator, thence he went into the army, and was then advanced to Congress, where he became a leader for eighteen years, and was elected United States Senator while he was a Congressman, and before entering upon the duties of this hitter position, raised to the high distinction of the Chief Executive of the Nation. He was also a man of large and varied attainments, a student of books, devoted to duty and God, as well as to family, and when you looked at him there was no mail like James A. Garfield. He would say he was perfect. It is human to err, but God-like to forgive.

Fellow-citizens, we have suffered a great calamity. God alone knows why. Doubtless it is for the best. Thus thought one man than whom none other more believed in revelation and religion. He would like to have been at Cleveland at this time, had it been possible, and yet he was glad to meet with fellow-citizens and express his views of him who was mourned.

In this country, said he, there is but one king, and that is law. The law must be obeyed under all circumstances. If the law con¬ demns the assassin, if it declares him to be sane, responsible and guilty, let him be executed ; but let the law take its course, and when it is applied, let all submit to what it declares to be right.

The chairman of the meeting being next called upon, said : There are occasions once or twice in a century when people of all classes can come together and exchange the opinions of free thought. The result of such interchange upon religious sectarianism and political partisanship, both of which to a certain extent are right, are always auspicious. When the city of Chicago burned there was such an occasion. Then everybody East and West, North and South, con¬ tributed to the relief of its inhabitants. Then when the yellow fever at the South swept that country like a besom, the North and East came together and sent to its relief ; and then when the bloody hand of the assassin struck down the President, the people came together again. A like interest is again manifested. Here are all ages, sexes and colors - for there are many of the latter class here - manifesting sympathy and sorrow. He congratulated his fellow-citizens upon the exhibition that was being made, and implored God to cause bless¬ ings and not evil to follow what was being done.

The citizens of Audrain county, in public meeting assembled, for the purpose of paying tribute to the memory of James A. Garfield, late President of the United States, and of giving expression to their grief, on account of his untimely death, do

Resolve, 1. That in James A. Garfield we recognize one of the grandest products of republican institutions nurtured under the in¬ fluences of Christianity, and that his brief administration of the gov¬ ernment gave abundant promise that his great intellectual endowment, his varied knowledge, his laborious and diligent habits, his kindly affection, his generous sympathies, aided by his large political expe¬ rience, would have not only augmented his well merited renown, but would have greatly tended to promote the prosperity, harmony and fraternal affection of the whole people, if he had been permitted to live through the term for which he was elected.

2. That in common with all true-hearted Americans, we mourn with inexpressible sorrow over the great calamity that has befallen our country - as well as on account of the chosen head of the gov¬ ernment as the manner and circumstances of his death. In life he was a bright and burning example of the devotion to duty, of laudible ambition, of love and charity for all, of hatred for none. In death, he was uncomplaining, patient, heroic, submissive and resigned to the will of his Maker.

3. That we tender to the venerable mother and devoted wife of our late President our heartfelt sympathies in their and our own be¬ reavement, and we commend them, and the children of our late President, to the watchful guidance and protection of our Common Father.