noted and admired for the manly course pursued. and the able and impartial manner in which it is conducted, and also for its true loyalty on every page, and for its defence of our country and flag. It does a patriotic man good to read such loyal breathings. His interest is identified with that of the northern part of the State, and he is true to that interest. 1n 1863 he was chosen by the Republican convention as a suitable person to represent them in the Tenth General Assembly; that choice was ratified at the ballot box; and the result was that the Legislature had the benefit of the talents, experience and advice of one of northern Iowa's most noble sons. "Mr. Hildreth entered heartily into the work of the session. Energy and zeal characterized him. and close thought and investigation governed all his actions through the entire session. He was especially interested in the memorial to Congress asking for a grant of land to aid in the construction of the McGregor Railroad, and it was mainly through his influence and efforts that the memorial passed the Legislature, and a copy of it was sent to each member of Congress. "The people of Northern Iowa are under more obligations to Mr. Hildreth for that memorial, and consequently for the Grant of Land made thereon, than to any other man. The completion of that road will be of great advantage to Northern Iowa. Then will the thousands of acres of unimproved lands in that region be brought under cultivation. and beautiful farms, with fields of golden grain, will be found where the prairie in its native beauty now appears. Mr. Hildreth's religious faith is the 'Golden Rule.'" HOOSIER. CHAPTER XXXII. THE SANITARY COMMISSION. ASSASSINA w/ TION OF LINCOLN. ́HILE Mr. Hildreth was subserving the interests of his constituents in the General Asbly, at Des Moines, Mrs. Hildreth, his wife, was actively engaged at home in the work of the Sanitary Commission-raising funds to provide medicines, clothing, reading, &c., for soldiers in the camps and hospitals at the South. During this time Rev. D. M. Reed. Unitarian clergyman, then of Dubuque and later of Rockford, Ill.. visited Floyd county in behalf of this work. He was an early friend of Mr. Hildreth in Massachusetts, and at this time found a welcome home with Mrs. Hildreth. At a public meeting in Charles City Mr. Reed spoke of the separations caused by the war, of depleted regiments returning home, of places vacant and voices silent! He paid a glowing tribute to the valor of Iowa soldiers, and to the heroism of those who had fallen in death, or were languishing and dying in hospitals, caused by disease in camp or wounds in battle, and read statistics showing the benefits conferred on the disabled soldiers through the agency of the Sanitary Com mission. Mrs. Hildreth was a member of the Executive Committee, engaged in this philanthropic work, by whom much good was accomplished, and she often expressed a wish to go South and nurse the sick and wouuded soldiers. On reception of the news of the assassination of President Lincoln an impromptu meeting of the citizens of Charles City was held at the Court House. Mr. Hildreth drafted and presented a series of resolutions, appropriate to the occasion. which were unanimously adopted, and speeches on the subject were made by clergymen and others. Afterwards arrangements were made for funeral services to be held April 17th. 1865. The Court House and nearly all business houses and private residences were draped in mourning. The attendance was immense. Mr. Hildreth was President of the meeting. When the vast audience was called to order, he spoke of the cause and object of the meeting and the solemnity of the occasion caused by the killing of the beloved Lincoln. After reading the proclamation of the Governor he proceeded with the exercises in their proper order. which were appropriate and very impres sive. The weather was propitious, and it was said that no public demonstration ever witnessed in Floyd county could compare with this one. |