Lincoln Monument

Lincoln Monument

Abraham Lincoln Speech Made in Council Bluffs on August 1859

The speech made by Abraham Lincoln was not recorded in the newspapers and the following accounts of the Concert Hall speech reflect the already sharp division between Democrats and Republicans on the slavery issue.

The Bugle was the "Voice of Democracy." The Nonpareil spoke for the Republicans. Because the newspapers were published weekly the account of his speech appeared in the newspaper several days after the speech was given.

"Hon Abe Lincoln and the Secretary of State for Illinois, Hon. O.M. Hatch, arrived in our city last evening, and are stopping at the Pacific House. The distinguished "Sucker" has yielded to the solicitations of our citizens, without distinction of parties, and will speak on the political issues of the day at Concert Hall this evening. The celebrity of the speaker will most certainly insure him a full house. Go and hear old Abe."

[Published August 13, 1859, The Weekly Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, submitted by Ann]

Hon. A. Lincoln Speaks at Concert Hall this evening at half past 7 o'clock -- Go and hear him.

[Published August 13, 1859, The Weekly Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, submitted by Ann]

Abe Lincoln On The Slope

The people of this city were edified last Saturday evening by a speech from Hon. Abe Lincoln of Illinois. He apologized very handsomely for appearing before an Iowa audience during a campaign in which he was not interested.

He then, with many excuses and a lengthy explanation, as if conscious of the nauseous nature of that Black Republican nostrum, announced his intention to speak about the "eternal Negro," to use his own language, and entered into an ingenious analysis of the Nigger question, impressing upon his hearers that it was the only question to be agitated until finally settled.

He carefully avoided coming directly to the extreme ground occupied by him in his canvass against Douglas, yet the doctrines which he preached carried out to their legitimate results, amount to precisely the same thing.

He was decidedly opposed to any fusion or coalition of the Republican Party with the opposition of the south, and clearly proved the correctness of his ground in point of policy. They must retain their sectional organization and sectional character and continue to age their sectional warfare by slavery agitation, but if the opposition South would accede to their views and adopt their doctrines he was willing to run for President in 1860, a Southern man with Northern principles, or in other words, with Abolition proclivities.

His speech was in the character of an exhortation to the Republican Party, but was in reality as good a speech as could have been made for the interest of the Democracy. He was listened to with much attention, for his Waterloo defeat by Douglas has magnified him into quite a lion here.

[Weekly Morning Bugle, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Wed., August 17, 1859, submitted by Ann]

Abe Lincoln

This distinguished gentleman addressed a very large audience of ladies and gentlemen at Concert Hall in this city. In the brief limits of a newspaper article, it were impossible, even though we yielded the trenchant pen of a Babbit (which we do not) to give even an outline of his masterful and unanswerable speech.

The clear and lucid manner in which he set forth the true principles of the Republican Party the dexterity with which he applied the political scalpel to the Democratic carcass beggars all description at our hands.

Suffice it, that the speaker fully and fairly sustained the great reputation he acquired in the memorable Illinois campaign, as a man of great intellectual power a close and sound reasoner.

At the close of Mr. Lincoln's remarks, Judge Test of Indiana was called to the stand. The judge spoke for near half an hour, to the evident edification of the audience. He is a ready and pleasant speaker and has a fund of anecdotes at his command with which to illustrate his arguments. Having once been in the democratic fold, he more fully apprecites the demoralized condition of that party hence he is for showing them no quarter, and avowed a willingness to enlist under almost any banner to battle with almost any army that promises to dislodge that party from power.

In this he differed from Mr. Lincoln and a majority of the republicans present, we believe. Both speeches were listened to with marked attention and both gentlemen endeared themselves to the Republicans by their praiseworth efforts on this occastion.

[Weekly Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published Sat., August 20, 1859, submitted by Ann]

Abraham Lincoln once warned that "we cannot escape history" and that we "will be remembered in spite of ourselves."

Where Lincoln Stood

Ex-Congressman Pusey Tells of His Visit to Council Bluffs

There are very few people in Council Bluffs who know that the immortal Abraham Lincoln once visited this city, it was as far back as 1859. Lincoln had just finished his great debate in Illinois with Stephen A. Douglas and had come west for a little recreation. He first went into Kansas where he stirred the grangers up with several rousing speeches. Then he came up the Missouri River to Council Bluffs. With him was Secretary of State Hatch of Illinois.

The distinguished gentlemen were received by Hon. W.H.M. Pusey and the late N.S. Bates who was then stage agent and afterwards mayor of the city. While here the visitors were entertained at the home of Mr. Pusey who tells of the visit as follows:

"In the afternoon we drove Lincoln and Hatch over the town and showed them every point of interest. We took them to the bluff to which Oakland Avenue now leads where they could get a commanding view of the valley stretched out below to the west. The party took up a position just behind where Hon. Lucius Wells' residence now is, and there Lincoln stood in wonder and admiration gazing silently and intently upon the landscape before him. Just before leaving the spot Lincoln swept the valley with his long, slender arm and said to me: "Pusey, that valley was made for railroads." Lincoln doubtless had in mind the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific. The law making Council Bluffs the eastern terminus of the road had just been discussed in congress. Although the exact terminal had not yet been decided, Lincoln appeared to have this matter in his mind, and seemed to realize that the time was not far distant when this great line would terminate in the valley before him and thus unite the great west and the east into one grand and glorious country.

"I gave Lincoln and Hatch a public reception at my house while they were here and everybody who had heard of the Lincoln-Douglas debate was present and saw Lincoln. In the evening a public meeting was held in a hall that then stood on the northwest corner of Broadway and Sixth Street. The gathering was large. Lincoln and Judge Charles H. Test of Indiana, were the speakers. Judge Test was the father of the late Col. James D. Test of this city. He is dead now. He was a fine talker a regular, old time campaign orator. I knew him intimately and admired him for his great knowledge of politics, national questions and manly traits of character.

"But returning to the meeting. Lincoln made the first speech. It was a good one, but the audience could not muster up enthusiasm other than light applause at its close. Then Judge Test spoke. He made a characteristic campaign address, and the audience went wild over him. In fact, he seemed to have made a better impression on the audience than Lincoln.

"A year after his visit Lincoln was nominated for the presidency and was elected. Not a great while after this I was in Washington, and went to see Lincoln in his office. The Union Pacific terminal was then before him for official consideration. He hauled out a map of the country, and I was surprised to see him point out the very spot upon which he stood on the occasion I have mentioned, and remarked, running his finger over the valley: 'Here's where we stood on the day I visited you, and this valley must be the terminal of the Union Pacific.'

"Yes, remarked Mr. Pusey in conclusion, "Lincoln was a great man and I reverence his memory."

[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published July 10, 1891, submitted by Ann]

A Feast For Lincoln

An interesting reminiscence of Lincoln's visit to Council Bluffs in 1859 is given by Mrs. E.C. Dodson. Mrs. Dodson says: "Being a resident of this city at the time Mr. Lincoln visited here in August 1859, I will relate one incident which I have not seen among the reminiscences of any of the old citizens, but which came under my personal observations.

"As soon as it was known that the 'rail splitter' would be in town in a day or two, a meeting was called, in which the city officials, politicians and business men all enthusiastically participated, and it was resolved to celebrate the event by preparing a bowery dinner. A committee was appointed, which selected Judge G.A. Robinson to prepare the dinner. The money for the expense was contributed liberally by the citizens, and it was to be quite an elaborate affair. Mr. Robinson was a hotel keeper of experience and therefore amply qualified to make the preparations with speed and elegance. That night after the meeting, he went to the bakery and ordered a large amount of bread, rolls, doughnuts and cookies to be ready by 3 o'clock the next day. The next morning a large beef roast was placed in the large range and several dozen chickens were dressed and roasted and quite a number of hams were boiled. Three or four women prepared salads and slaws.

Four or five men were put to work setting posts and forks and hauling boughs and limbs of trees and grape vines to make an arbor. Two long tables were arranged under this arbor, constructed of planks, with plans for seats around them. Beautiful damask tablecloths were placed upon the tables and the food was arranged in a dainty and attractive manner, beautiful jellies and pickles adding much to the attractiveness of the spread. After everything was completed to await the coming of the procession Mr. Robinson remarked that he would go down to the hall, and told two or three men to stay by the tables until he returned.

When Mr. Robinson left there were quite a number of men walking up and down the sidewalk watching the tables. Within a few minutes the crowd increased until there were more than 200. After a short talk among themselves the word was given and a dash was made for the tables. The marauders tore off the coverings, trampling them under their feet and, snatching up as much as they could carry, made off in a hurry, the smaller and weaker ones taking what was left. Someone notified Mr. Robinson as quickly as possible and he soon made his appearance. His remarks, which were more forceful than pious, soon dispelled the rabble, but the feast was destroyed. Mr. Lincoln was taken to the home of W.H.M. Pusey for supper, after which he was taken in a carriage around town, accompanied by Mr. Hatch, Mr. Pusey and another gentleman. I had an opportunity to see the 'rail splitter,' as Lincoln was usually denominated, as they drove slowly past the hotel, which stood about where C. Hafer's office now stands.

[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published February 12, 1909, submitted by Ann]

Lincoln Held Title To Lots

Discovery of an old instrument dating back to 1860 in the county recorder's office yesterday brought to light the interesting fact that Abraham Lincoln once held title to fifteen lots and a small additional tract of ground in Council Bluffs. The land which bears the distinction of having belonged to the nation's revered war executive is all included within the area bounded by Fourth and Eighth Streets and Eighth and Twelfth Avenues. Part of it is now railroad trackage, part residence property and the remainder unoccupied.

J.H. Chizum, one of the clerks in the employ of the Abstract Title Guranty Company, came across a deed, while going over the books in Recorder Smith's office, which showed that on November 11, 1859, Norman B. and Adaline R. Judd of Cook County, Illinois, conveyed to Abraham Lincoln of Springfield, Illinois, the property above mentioned for the sum of $3,000. the filing date here is February 14, 1860. Though the Christian name in the instrument does not coincide with Lincoln's an additional entry made underneath states that the error was in the original deed and that the name should have been "Abraham."

Later filings as shown by the abstract records of the county disclose that the deed was given to secure a mortgage, and after Lincoln's death his wife, Mary Lincoln, conveyed the real estate back to the Judds on August 10, 1867. A joint conveyance was executed at the same time by Robert Lincoln, who was administrator of his estate.

Two of the lots are at the northwest corner of Fourth Street and Ninth Avenue, a short distance north of the Great Western tracks. Two more are at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Tenth Avenue. One fronts on Sixth Street a little ways north of Nineth Avenue. Four of the lots contribute to the location of the present Burlington passenger station.

Old residents of Council Bluffs say that the ownership of the property by Lincoln used to be a matter of common knowledge in the city, but of late years it has been forgotten and the present generation has never been aware of it.

[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published November 3, 1904, submitted by Ann]

Lincoln's Bible Has Two Marked Pages

Was it chance that left two white silk ribbon markers at passages particularly appropriate to the stress of the civil war in the bible upon which Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office, or did the hand of the Great Emancipator himself place them there.

The book is now in the permanent keeping of the Library of Congress. It was placed there last spring by Mrs. Robert Todd Lincoln together with the old family bible of Abraham Lincoln and the gold medal presented to Mrs. Lincoln by citizens of France after President Lincoln's death. It is a small book with red plush cover and gilt edged leaves.

The two markers were left at the thirty first chapter of Deuteronomy and the fourth chapter of Hosea. Both chapters contain verses particularly appropriate to the dark days through which Lincoln passed soon after taking the oath of office.

The sixth verse of the first named chapter reads: "Be strong and of good courage, fear not nor be afraid of them, for the Lord, thy God. He it is that doth go with thee. He will not fail thee nor forsake thee."

The first three verses of the fourth chapter of Hosea, where the other marker rests, are as follows: "Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land because there is no truth nor mercy nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and committing adultery they break out and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn and every one that dwelleth therein shall anguish with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published November 30, 1928, submitted by Ann]

He Cut Trees So Lincoln Could See

When Abraham Lincoln made his memorable visit to Council Bluffs in 1859 to consider a site for the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific railroad, a young fellow with an ax cut away obstructing brush and trees that he might better view the vast west valley. The boy with the ax was Robert F. Rain, who at the age of 87 died Tuesday evening in a local hospital. Others in the group accompanying the president to be were: W. H. M. Pusey, pioneer banker and Col. Lewis Ross, an attorney and the employer of young Rain.

The exact spot where they stood while Mr. Lincoln, looked over the broad valley of the Missouri River and a little south of the point where the Lincoln Monument is located, Mr. Rain often told members of his family. One of the oldest pioneers of this community was Mr. Rain, as he lived in Council Bluffs seventy two years. He came to this country in 1857 from New Castle on Tyne in England. After coming up the river by steamboat, he settled at Florence, Nebraska. On September 18, 1863, he was married to Isabelle McPherson at Council Bluffs.

Mr. Rain became a city councilman in 1882 and served during the term when W.R. Vaughn was mayor. He also was a member of the board of education in 1887. In 1891 his wife died. Mr. Rain was again married thirty six years later to Mrs. Rosina Dachtler. Ever an ardent believer in Council Bluffs, Mr. Rain took a great interest in civic affairs. He was in the gardening and florist business for a number of years.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at 345 Scott Street. Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery.    See Obit

[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published July 31, 1930, submitted by Ann]

Other obits related to Abraham Lincoln:
Robert Augustus Austin

LINCOLN MEMORIAL NEARLY FINISHED

It is expected that the Lincoln Memorial situated at the entrance to Oakland Drive and Lincoln Park, standing on the point where Abraham Lincoln stood in 1859, and viewed the Missouri River and vista of country beyond, will be completed during the present week. The members of the Lincoln Memorial Association who inspected the progress of the monument were: General G.M. Dodge, president of the association; Mayor Thomas Mahoney, first vice president; Theo. Laskowski, treasurer, Mrs. D.W. Bushnell, M.F. Rohrer, A.C. Graham, S.L. Etyre, F.E. Cox and J. Chris Jensen. The memorial is to be unveiled during the reunion of the Army of the Tennessee in this city on October 10 and 11.

[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published September 18, 1911, submitted by Ann]

SUPERVISORS INSPECT LINCOLN MEMORIAL

Former Mayor M.F. Rohrer yesterday entertained the members of the board of supervisors and a part of friends at dinner at the Grand Hotel, and later the members of the party took automobiles and visited the new Lincoln Memorial in Lincoln Park at the head of Oakland Drive. General Grenville M. Dodge, president of the Lincoln Memorial Association was present at the dinner and the inspection of the memorial, which is now fast approaching completion. The other members of the party included: George W. Spencer, chairman of the board of supervisors, George Darrington, and T.J. Johns together with I.N. Minnick and Charles G. Saunders.

[Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Published September 22, 1911, submitted by Ann]

During his visit to Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln was introduced by W.H.M. Pusey to Grenville M. Dodge, who had been surveying railroad right-of-ways. Mr. Lincoln queried Dodge concerning the best rail route west to the Pacific Ocean as they sat on the porch of the Pacific House. Dodge and Lincoln agreed the route through Council Bluffs as the logical route. From the top of the bluff, where the memorial is located, Lincoln could see Florence and Bellevue, Nebraska, and the struggling 400-resident village of Omaha. "These flat lands" Lincoln said, "would make a suitable terminus" for the Union Pacific Railroad. Two years later, Lincoln was elected president. Congress chartered the Union Pacific Railroad as the first American transcontinental rail line and Lincoln selected surveyor Grenville M. Dodge as chief engineer of the project. Council Bluffs was later named the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Lincoln Monument Plaque

The Council Bluffs Chapter of the D.A.R. erected a granite shaft in memory of Abraham Lincoln's visit. It cost $1,350 and was dedicated on October 10, 1911. The architect was J. Chris Jensen, and the shaft was made by Sheely and Lane Monument Company; Nels Jensen did the concrete work. A metal plaque was added by the State of Iowa.

In 1938 it was called to the attention of Rainbow Post No. 2, American Legion, that the date on the Lincoln Monument was in error (Lincoln was here August 13, not August 19). In July of 1996 the Lincoln Memorial was rededicated and it was decided that the incorrect date would remain in place. The inaccuracy was considered to be part of the history of the monument.

[Submitted by Ann]