PUBLISHER'S NOTE.

Carved on the lintel of one of the great state structures at Des Moines are the words IOWA HISTORICAL MEMORIAL AND ART BUILDING. They impart the scope and depth of interest our state takes in her people of the past, present and future. In directing the activities of this Department of state government the Curator publishes or encourages the publication of pertinent facts and traditions of all eras of state and territorial history and promotes their use in Iowa schools, libraries and publications. It is believed that to successfully discharge this one of the many responsibilities of the office is to promote love of home, state and nation, a passion which throughout history has stood a silent guardian at each post of peril to human liberty. No one can measure the effect of admiration for domestic and public idols, formed from the folk-lore and legends in the character of the world's heroes in war, saints in religion, leaders in enterprise. And nearly all these, in America, have had their idols from the period within or very near the establishment of home life on the virgin soil.

Iowa settlements were of men with axe in one hand and rifle in the other, leading families into life without convenience; of women following gladly away from life with comfort, often luxury. Children bred here where there were few if any markets, churches, courts of record, means of transportation of persons, property or intelligence, no matter what their antecedents, their race or language, witnessed and often encountered ills and hazards making of later battles and achievements mere matters of course. On every acre of the Iowa frontier occurred acts of moral and physical heroism, noble if not bloody, as yet unsymbolized in art, inadequately portrayed in literature.

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Our heroic era of the Civil war laid down its mass of precious historical materials upon a period that was without spectacular achievement, an understanding of that earlier time is now extremely difficult. Life was without mails, telegraphs, railroads, markets or manufactures as they are organized today. Records of beginnings on Iowa soil are all too scarce and meagre. The historian delves ardently but fruitlessly in most repositories for ample aids. The thin stratum of evidence of civilized life in Iowa of the old wagon days grows thinner with the years, and is enriched with the appearance of the present volume of narratives by one of our pioneers through the faithful writing of her devoted daughter.

The Historical Department of Iowa, therefore, sponsors the appearance of this book as so much evidence so sadly wanting of a day and time with which all are concerned. It disclaims all credit for the labor and expense, for the responsibility far style, scope and matter of this modest work. It is well worth while. Its contributors may well take the greatest satisfaction in having done a public duty while they performed a pleasant personal task.

EDGAR R. HARLAN, Curator,
HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT OF IOWA, DES MOINES.

July 26, 1921.

PREFACE.

The fact that this volume is published under the auspices of the Historical Department of the state of Iowa is evidence of its real historical value, as well as the general accuracy of statement contained therein. It is written in an attractive style, and possesses literary merit in a high degree.

The conditions depicted in the pages of this work are, no doubt, typical of many communities, and they illustrate the-struggles and hardships of the pioneer in conquering the wilderness; nor was that life all struggle and hardship; there were many compensations. Life was full and free, self-reliance was a necessity, the blight of selfishness and the greed of the money-grubber were conspicuously absent, and the inter-dependence of the pioneers encouraged and developed a friendship and a spirit of helpfulness and cooperation which stand out in refreshing contrast to the narrow commercialism of the present day. All the finest qualities were developed in pioneer life. Courage, self-reliance, honesty, hospitality, perseverance, patience and kindness were pioneer virtues. Individualism came into flower, and the result was a hardy race of strong, independent, capable, resourceful men and women.

The work of preserving a permanent record of the pioneer life of such a community is seldom attempted. In this instance, it is done comprehensively and well, and one feels in reading each. succeeding chapter that the account is a truthful one, and from first-hand information. There is not a dull chapter in the book, and the story shows clearly the early life and times as they actually were. There are few living at the present time who have the faintest conception of the labor, sacrifices and accomplishments of the early settlers.

The narrative by Mrs. Bonebright, daughter of the founder of Newcastle, or Webster City, as it is now called, is written by her daughter, Harriet Closz, and is a faithful

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presentation of the recollections of her mother. Much of it has been verified by a search of contemporaneous records and talks with surviving pioneers, as in the chapter on remedies for diseases.

There are some chapters in the book, which aside from the narrative, possess a philosophical and literary value, notably the chapter on the relations of the Whites and the Indians. It must always be borne in mind in considering these relations and in weighing the common opinion on this subject, that the Indians had no opportunity to state their side of the case. The Spirit Lake Massacre never would have taken place had the Indians in Iowa been treated as they were treated by William Penn.

Webster City and Hamilton County furnished one of the companies which visited the scene of the massacre, and Mr. Thomas Bonebright, husband of the narrator, was recognized by the thirty-fifth general assembly of the state of Iowa as one of the honored survivors of the expedition.

The account given as Major Brassfield's of the Lou affair, may be called hearsay, but those living who know the writer and knew the original narrator, accept it as the truth, and it possesses a high historical value. It is complete and probably is the most connected portrayal of the doings of Lou, and is illustrative of his strong antipathy to the Indians. There have been other pioneers who had this strange, unreasoning hatred of the redman, notably the Brady's and other Kentucky pioneers. The reputation of Major Brassfield and Mrs. Bonebright for veracity renders this statement of untold value in clearing up the Lou affair, which has long been a puzzle to investigators. It also bears strongly on the motive for the Spirit Lake Massacre.
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Much credit also is due to the Curator of the Historical Department, E. R. Harlan, who has sponsored the work, and furnished many illustrations, valuable suggestions and expert advice on various subjects. The spirit in which Mr. Harlan has extended his assistance deserves more than passing .notice.

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A work of this kind could be widely used as a text and reference book in our common schools. The account as it appears in these pages of the sterling qualities developed by self-reliant pioneers is a wholesome lesson, and should be of great value in forming the character of the youth of our generation.

It is fortunate that this simple record of pioneer life and achievement can be handed down to successive generations who live in this county. Seldom is such a thing possible, and never to my knowledge, has it been better done. It has a value far beyond the confines of this community. It fills a gap which generally is neglected, and has a historical importance which is state-wide and permanent, and which increases in importance as the years go on.

In these days of comfort and luxury few realize the life of those who first saw the woods and prairies of this beautiful state, who enjoyed to the full the fragrant woods, the wild-flowers, the fish and game, the pure air and clear water, the wild fruits and nuts which abounded everywhere in those days, and which have almost wholly vanished never to return.

In placing these early scenes and the early life of the pioneer before the eyes of present and future generations, Mrs. Bonebright and Mrs. Closz have performed a notable service. To the pioneer we owe much of what we enjoy today.

All honor to the sturdy pioneer,
The prime explorer of the wondrous West;
A broad and crowded thoroughfare is here.
Where led the narrow path his foot first pressed.

A love of Nature's beauty stirred his blood;
A wanderlust that hurried him along
To brave the lurking foe, the fire and flood,
But he was patient, resolute and strong.

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His prairie schooner crossed the trackless wild
To halt at last in some sequestered place;
Some shelter by a stream yet undefiled,
Mayhap the seat of a forgotten race.

His lowly cabin in the clearing stood; ,
Of logs rough hewn; and puncheon floor of oak,
Late riven from the giants of the wood,
And fashioned by his axe's cunning stroke.

Alone he wrought; sufficient for the day;
As free as air, and equal to his need;
His manly spirit never owned the sway
Of vice or envy, luxury or greed.

He lit the torch; he blazed the lonesome trail;
Crusader with the vision of the seer!
High courage his; deep faith that could not fail;
All honor to the sturdy pioneer!

D. C. CHASE.
Webster City, Iowa, August 29, 1920.

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