The life and public services of Dr. Lewis F. Linn, for ten years a senator of the United States from the state of Missouri

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Chapter I

Dr. Lewis Pields Linn, the subject of this biography, was born on the 5th of November, 1795, near the present city of Louisvme, in the State of Kentucky. He was the grandson of the heroic Col. AVilhani Linn of the Revolution. His parents emigrated from Pennsylvania at that early period of our national history when there were few white people living on the banks of the Ohio River. Those who had already pushed their hardy fortunes so far into the wilderness and upon its watercourses, dwelt in small settlements scattered over the forests, and far apart from each other. The prosperous and powerful States which now skirt both margins of the Ohio River, were at that remote day the lumting grounds and fastnesses of roving Indian tribes, against whose ferocity neither age nor sex was a shield— against the property and lives of the white inhabitants they waged a harassing and incessant warfare, and seldom if ever spared one or the other when fortune gave them the advantage in their incursions.

Both the grandparents of Dr. Linn, Avith seven members of their family, fell victims to the merciless and bloody scalping-knife of the savages. His intrepid and chivalrous grandfather, Col. Linn, espoused the cause of the Colonies and took up arms for their liberties at the dawn of the American Revolution ; he constantly remained active in the service of his country throughout that long struggle, so perilous and sanguinary to the frontier and its infant communities ; and then sealed a life of devotion and patriotism by his death in battle against the Indians. He lived, however, to behold the Lidependence for which he had striven for so many years secured to his country ; and some years after its estabhshment fell, ovenvhelmed by numbers, in a conflict with the Indians near Louisville, on the Ohio River.

An accurate and eloquent annalist of the West, the gifted Mr. Mann Butler of St. Louis, Missouri, thus relates an achievement characteristic of the indomitable spirit of Col. Linn, and the race from which he sprung :

" While the pioneers were thus bravely defending themselves against appalling numbers of savage enemies, the government of the parent State was not inattentive to the interest of their Western children. By a stretch

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

of diplomacy scarcely to have been expected in so young, a State, just sprung out of colonial bondage, yet still used to much independent care of her wide and exposed dominion, the Executive of Virginia dispatched a mission to New Orleans for the pmiwsc of procuring military supplies for her Western ports. The officers sent on this perilous mission were Colonels Gibson and Linn, the grandfather of the late Dr. Lewis F. Linn, the much-lamented senator from the State of Missouri. These gentlemen went from Fort Pitt, and descended the Mississippi River in 1776, to New Orleans, by order, it is presumed, from the Governor of Virginia. So extraordinaiy an advcntm^e may well rec^uire par ticular confirmation for the satisfaction of the reader, and it can be furnished to a most remarkable deoree. John Smith, lately, that is, in 1833, a resident of Woodford County, State of Kentucky, was, in 1776, employed in reconnoitring the country with James Harod, so eminently distinguished in the difficulties and dangers of Kentucky. On their return the companions separated ; Ilarod to go to North Carolina, and Smith to Potter's Creek on the Monongahela. While travelling on the bank of the Ohio River, the latter discovered Gibson and Linn with their party descending the river ; they hailed Smith and prevailed on him to embark on this, one of the l)ol(lcst of Western adventm-es. The party succeeded in their object with the Spanish government at New Orleans by obtaining one hundred and fifty-six kegs of gunpowder.

Mr. Smith helped to carry around the Falls of the Ohio River this powder to the mouth of Bear Grass Creek, in the spring of 1777 ; each man carried three kegs along the portage, one at a time ; this gunpowder was delivered at Wheeling or Fort Heniy, and thence conveyed to Fort Pitt." Independent of this particularity of circumstances, learned from an old and most venerable citizen of Louisville, (the late Worden Pope, Esq., long a clerk, with imtainted reputation to the highest courts of law in Jefferson County, Kentucky,) it was solemnly deposed to in a suit of law by a very respectable party in the transaction ; it was frequently mentioned by Col. Linn in his lifetime, and is still known in 1833, as his information in the family left by this gallant and most energetic man. To this may be weU added the manner in which he met his death, and the heroic firmness of his last moments. A few years after the United States had gained their independence from the yoke of England, Col. Linn set out at the head of sixty armed men on a march against a body of hostile Indians who had foraged the White settlements and taken many lives. At a point near what was called Linn's Station, not far from Louisville, his party was met by a force of three hmidred Indian warriors, avIio had received full intelligence of his approacli, and mustered in strength to receive him. The savages were composed of the most daring and vindictive of the predatory bands infesting the great bend of the Ohio River ; they were acquainted ^vith all forms assumed by border warfare between the Red Men and the frontier settlements ; apart from desultory affrays many of them had borne part in the most memorable engagement which had, as yet, taken place upon this continent between a regular army in the field, and Aboriginal warriors ; withm thirty years their tribes had fought under the French banner against Washington and Braddock, and they were now arrayed within a few days' march from that disastrous battleground.

The Indians were inspired with furious animosity against Col. Linn — his knowledge of their character and stratagems, his superior sagacity and dauntless intrepedity, his genius in border warfare, and the frequency with which they had been defeated by him ; the dread insei)arable from his name ; the confidence and courage with which his protection inspired the weak and isolated societies of his partisans ; added to the frightful chastisements with which he had repeatedly visited their common enemy, combined to render him, for long years, an object of deadly hatred and hereditary revenge. This was the era of Indian combination and preconcerted movements ; his destruction appeared inevitable, and would open the way to sweep every stranger from the land ; but in order to glut every horrid passion of their swarthy race, they determined to take him alive ; his death could have been easily effected as he led on and encouraged his men. Suddenly a cry arose in the English tongue, " Take him ! take him alive ! take him alive ! we want to eat his heart ! " Instead of aiming at the vital parts of his person, they fired volley after volley below his knees, until his feet were shot to pieces and the bones of his legs broken. When he fell the braves rushed in to disarm and bear him off alive ; but they found him in his last hour the same avenging implacable foe they had dreaded through life. Gaining his knees, the dying hero grappled with his enemies, giving and receiving many a death wound before he expired. Of them he slew, hand to hand, seven, before his arm was rendered nerveless by death.

It is a just reflection, that the most extraordinary acts of fortitude and brilliant valor which excite our admiration in history, have been evinced in the retrograde and not onward course of armies. Gallant retreats and daring passages, whilst they warm our sympathies lead us to forget that certain destruction was willingly exchanged for the chances and probabilities of self-extrication, and that chivalry alone which dazzles the mind in the face of death can best explain the steady onward course of our early emigration to the barriers held by savage races, and the strange inflexibihty with which they penetrated the fertile region and mountain lab}Tinths beyond them. The task was always to force new avenues and never to retreat by old ones. Reviewing the occupation of districts in ancient Virginia before their erection into separate States, we are arrested by the number of appalling nuirders in Massachusetts; — forts surprised; block-houses given to the flames ; and other evidences of civilization and industiy reduced to ashes. The heroic conduct of a vast number of our admirable countrywomen during those distressing times, must be a source of great pleasure to their descendaius.

The mother of Dr. Linn, whose maiden name was Ann Himter, when only fifteen years of age, 'conveyed provisions on two several occasions, into forts invested by the Indians, to save, not only members of her own family, but others who with tliem Avere suffering for food; young, active, and possessing great resolution, ^liss Ann Hunter eluded detection from the keenest human vision, and with her own hands carried into the forts food for her suffering friends.

Mr. Asael Linn, the father of Dr. Linn, accompanied four young gentlemen from his father's residence near Louisville, on the Ohio River, in pursuit of wild game. Carried away with the ardor of the chase, they had gone some distance from home before they were aware of it, when they suddenly found themselves surrounded by a number of hostile Indians. Resistance was vain. After one of their party was wounded in the leg they were secured as captives by the savages, and forced across the Ohio River. The Indians travelled at a rapid pace, fearing piusuit from the white settlements. Lewis Fields, although suffering greatly from the wound in his leg, kept his place among the prisoners with the utmost difficulty. The savages cast looks of impatience and anger upon him whenever he relaxed the speed at which they were proceeding. Young Asael Linn, scarcely twelve years of age, pressed on before his wounded friend, and removed every obstacle in his power when he arrived at difficult passes ; another companion made a rough crutch for Lewis, which enabled him to keep up with the captors and the captured. It was by the most strenuous efforts on his part and the aid of his friends, that his life was saved, for the Indians required but the least pretext to determine upon his instant death ; for, whenever he attempted to rest for a moment, they grasped their weapons to kill him. Young Linn's efforts were solel}^ to save his friend Lewis Fields. He felt convinced that his own death was resolved upon as soon as they should reach the village of their tribe ; for, as the son of Col.

Linn, the great white warrior, there was no hope for him. To watch his lingering death woidd be grateful to the savage wretches who had so often \\Tithed under the blows of his father. At length, after journeying incessantly for three days, so great a distance had been put between them and the Ohio River, that they supposed themselves safe from pursuit. They made an encampment, binding their captives to trees, leaving two old Indians to guard them, while the young dispersed to hunt in the wilderness. They judged the youth of Linn and the presence of the old savages a sufficient security for his remaining at large near his companions. The sequel shows how much they had miscalcidated the energy and nei-ve of a border youth, partaking of the blood of Col. William Linn. When the shade of night had descended, young Linn was made to lie down flat upon the ground : the two old Lulians spread a blanket over him, placing themselves on the edge of it on both sides of the brave boy, wedging him in between them, compressed by the blanket with tlieir weight upcm it. In a short time the old men, overpowered with fatigue, fell into a deep sleep. Linn watched then- movements with intense anxiety, and when convinced his captors were asleep, conunenced with great dexterity and presence of mind to draw his person from under the blanket witliout disturbing those upon it ; for if awakened, his death would not have been delayed one moment. When liberated from his painful situation, the first object

Linn beheld was one of his companions, Mr. Wells, bound to a tree near him ; and seeing from the gleams of light sent forth from the watch-fire, a tomahawk near to his hand, he seized it, and soon cut the cords that bound his friend. Mr. Wells made him a sign to retain the weapon, and arming himself with another, they di'ew near to their blood-thirsty foes, and in an instant bui'ied their tomahawks in the heads of the Indians. Weakened in frame, and of the most humane disposition, in spite of the justice and necessity of the act, Linn's heart recoiled from putting a sleeping enemy to death, and the wound he inflicted, although completely stunning in its effect, did not produce death, but left a hideous and distorting mutilation on the face of the savage. Li a few moments the captives were liberated from the cords that were cutting into their flesh. Collecting in great haste a few fragments of food, securing all the hatchets and knives they could find for their defence, and concealing the guns, (as the Indians might at any instant be so near their path as to hear a report from them, and the weight of them would retard their flight,) before the light of day (a bitter cold morning in the month of November) these five boys, not one of them out of his teens (Linn not twelve years old), commenced their flight tln'ough the A\ilderness towards the Ohio River, half starved, almost naked, and bearing with them one of their number.

wounded, sore and crippled. Poor Lewis Fields suffered so nuicli from his inflamed MOund in consequence of the great exertions he was compelled to make, that he frequently stopped and implored his friends to leave him to his fate, and save themselves by retreating more rapidly than it was possible to do while he continued with them ; but the faithful httle band of friends, deaf to his self-devoting proposition, urged him forward by every act of friendship and encouragement until, through indescribable suffering of hunger, cold and lassitude, they stood once more on the bank of the Ohio River. Fortunately they could all swim, and it was only necessary to construct from the limbs of trees and drift-wood on the shore, a raft large enough to bear their disabled friend, and push it before them while swimming across the river. Linn was so nmch exhausted that his friends feared he would perish in the water, and urged him to get on the raft with Fields ; but the gallant boy declined their friendly ofl'cr, assuring them that his fothcr had taught him to swim very well, and that he was still strong enough to assist in getting their frieiul across the river. At the moment the raft was launched into the water, the distant yell of the Lidians in pursuit was heard. They had struck the trail of the youths and were now almost upon them. Straining every nerve, the gallant boys soon gained the middle of the river, while the frail raft appeared as if

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

it woiild go to pieces under the slight weight of Fields. As the Indians arrived one after another at the water's edge, they fired at the fugitives, but fortunately the distance was so great they were unable to do them any injury; and the reports of their guns attracted the attention of some settlers working on the Kentucky side of the river, who immediately came to their relief. Although exhausted and half dead, Linn still retained his hold upon the raft, but entirely insensible, and at first it was thought he had expired. He v/as carried home, and after remaining for three days wholly unconscious, awoke to a sense of external things in the arms of his mother. His life was spared, and he grew up to a manhood of great energy and exalted worth. Many years afterwards, when the country had become peaceful, Linn met his old enemy the Lidian, whom in his boyhood he had deprived of so large a portion of his face, and, touched with his horrid appearance, bestowed on him an annuity for life. The mother of Dr. Linn was married twice. Her name, it has already been stated, was Ann Hunter. This admirable and courageous lady did not live to see an event unknown to the history of any other family in our country, both of her sons and one of her grandsons Senators of the United States Senate, at periods nearly simidtaneous. Her first marriage was contracted with Mr. Israel Dodge, of Louisville, the father of the

Hon. Henry Dodge, United States Senator from the State of Wisconsm, and of Mrs. Nancy Sifton of St. Louis, Missouri. After the loss of her first husband, Mrs. Dodge was united to Mr. Asael Linn of Louisville, Kentucky. Lewis Fields Linn and Mary Ann Linn were their only offspring who siu:vived to maturity.

Much might here be said of the half brother of Dr. Linn, but these are not the pages to narrate the eventful life of Senator Henry Dodge, for they are devoted to the memory of one whose being was derived from the same beloved mother, and among its dearest recollections may justly be inscribed the tender affection that bound her two sons together ; yet there is one, who deems it her privilege to say that for long years, with thrilling pleasure, she lias witnessed the truth, honor, magnanimity, and heroic firmness, so conspicuous in the character of a husband's only brother, and equally so in that brother's son, the Hon. Augustus C. Dodge.

The death of both their parents left Lewis F. Linn and his sister INIary orphans early in life ; the latter being thirteen years of age and her brother twelve years old. Between the brother and sister a remarkable similarity of character and personal resemblance existed ; both had the same resolution and precocious self-reliance, with the same elevated and fearless spirit ; they both possessed great personal beauty, set off by gentle unassummg manners ; both were equally endowed with guileless, generous hearts — ever anxious to perform for their friends the most liberal and unselfish sendees. Unhappily the cheerful and buoyant spirits which Miss Linn had at all times possessed, and which bore her up under the greatest misfortunes and afflictions, were frequently overcast and oppressed in the temperament of her brother. She was always animated and full of hope, while he at times from his infancy labored under a great depression of mind : the fatal disease of the heart which cut him off prematurely from a world, fast learning to love and admire him, affected his health and induced periods of the greatest despondency. The knowledge he attained of his profession in early life, informed him too sm-ely of the teniu-e by which his existence was held. When these melancholy moments weighed him down, he never repined, but by his touching sweetness of temper, and unaffected gratitude to those around him for their kind attentions and sympathy, drew them still nearer to him, and opened too fully their hearts to the anguish of his own predictions. He was left, it has just been stated, at the age of twelve years, to struggle for the future. Resolved that it should be an honorable one to him, as soon as his fifteenth year was attained he commenced a course of self-education. Making use of every means in his power, he endeavored to compensate for that want of early academical education inevitable in all new countries, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Gault, of Louisville.

Among the predilections of his earliest boyhood Dr. Linn evinced a strong inclination to devote himself to the profession of medicine, and following his desires on this subject, his health became seriously impaired by unremitting application to his studies, and at the end of two years it became necessary for him to resort to some relaxation from his labor and enjoy a period of leisure and change of scene. He proceeded to St. Genevieve, in Missouri, to visit his sister Maiy, (who was then married to Mr. McArthur,) and his half brother, Gen. Henry Dodge. During his residence with these relatives the war with Great Britain broke out. No siu-geon being attached to the troops commanded by Gen. Dodge, he accompanied them in that capacity, and at the close of the campaign, with restored health and an increased desire to pursue his mechcal studies, he returned to Louisville, and continued some time with Dr. Gaidt, and ultimately proceeded to Philadelphia for the purpose of endjracing the facilities and advantages that city has always afforded to medical students. The presence of his sister and half brother at St. Genevieve decided Dr. Linn to make that place his residence and the field of his professional pursuits. By his own energy and ability he had mastered one of the most honorable and benevolent callings of civilized society ; and at the age of twenty-one fonnd himself established as a physician in one of the most refined and intelligent commnnities of the West.

At the period Dr. Linn established himself in St. Genevieve, it retained the distinguishing characteristics impressed upon it by its original settlers. They bestowed the name of the " Glorieuse patronne de Paris " upon this, their new home in the " far west," and from the banks of the Seine transplanted thither, with then' cherished faith, all the amenities of a high civilization, the attentive pohteness, the cultivated and polished manners, and the chivalrous gallantry peculiar to the true son of Prance. These primordial blessings, now transmitted through many successive generations, are sparklingly salient over the surface of society in this and other quiet communities of similar origin, and cannot escape the notice of the least incurious observer. Perhaps it may be considered out of place in a narrative like this to present these facts, but there is so much misconception of the true character of these most estimable citizens ; so much hateful prejudice, and almost inexcusable ignorance relative to them, that one who went among them a stranger, of other affinity, association, habits, education, and religion, vividly retaining a remembrance of the numberless kindnesses received at their hands during a long series of years, is impelled by a feeling of gratitude and a sense of justice, to endeavor, however feebly, to dispel these most erroneous, though commonly received opinions. A proper information would have prevented many, wellintended, from having been betrayed into speech and action, the impression of which they subsequently deemed necessary to erase by a mortifying apology. With a charitable intent, it is desired most gently to say to any young lady who may happen to peruse these lines, that, if it should be her fortune in the great assembhes of the Atlantic cities, to meet a young person of her own sex from these ancient towns on the river or prairie, that she should not treat her as a semi-barbarian, and refrain joining in the invidious remarks wiiich the appearance of a " Creole " may occasion. Let her receive some idea that this " creole " girl is better instructed in her duty to her Maker and towards her neighbor, than she is likely to be ; and is at least her equal in all the proficiencies of a polite education. The unlady-like conduct intimated is related to have occmTcd, and though politeness and self-respect forbade retort, others heard the unfounded sarcasm, and made a comparison between its modest subject and the pretentious beauty who so incautiously uttered it, far from complimentary, though she was the favorite of a fashionable boarding-school, and the belle and toast of the locality. The very word " creole " as usually received and applied in the more Eastern

States, is a perversion of its meaning. The fair descendants of those who first landed at Jamestown, of those who were wafted in the " Ark and the Dove " to the land of Mary, those who came in the " Mayflower" to the bleak shore of the " Old Colony," or in the succeeding ships to the more inviting ports on the " Bay," are properly as much Creoles (with the prefix of Enghsh) as their fellow countryv/omen along the great Father of Waters. The term Creole simply designs to signify the children of European parents born in America or the Indies, and then' descendants. As usually applied, it is incorrect and offensive, and being so, should be disused by every considerate person.

The discovery of the Mississippi, as the remote initial point of interest to its settlers, was effected by Eernando De Soto in 1541; its shore was the terminus of aU his mundane hopes, aspirations, difficulties and disasters ; its depths received his, the first Christian coi^se, over which its waters sang its monody, and its current conveyed the disheartened and shattered remains of his unfortunate expedition to the Gulf of Mexico. The survivors made report of this acquisition to geographical knowledge, but from deficiency in the requisite science of that day, or loss of proper instruments to determine, or of leaders most competent to define it, the exact place of disemboguement for a long period was mystical. Subsequent events have shown the vast importance of this stupendous stream, and the advent of De Soto is appropriately commemorated on the canvas that adorns the rotunda of our national Capitol.

The next approach of the European was from the north through Canada, which appellation is said to have been formed by that given in disappointment by the first discoverers of the sterile coast leading thereto — ■" Capo di Nada," or the Cape of Nothing. It was named New France by Jacques Cartier, who ascended the Saint Lawrence in 1535 as far as the Isle of Orleans. Before that period the French had made several unsuccessful essays at settlement at different points upon this continent. A few years afterward, Cartier Avith La Roche Robertval attempted to plant a colony, which was not more fortunate; from time to time others followed, but the inhos})itable climate and the hostility of the natives prevented all permanent settlement. It was not until IGOS that they Avere able to retain a residence. Champlain early in July of that year laid the foundation of Quebec, and to conciliate his immediate neighbors, the Hurons and Algoncpiins, aided them in their war with the Iroquois. He secured the friendship oj the first named, and the enmity of the warlike Iroquois contiiuied towards his countiymcn for nearly a century, preventing their advance southward until after the occupation of New York by the

Dutcli and English. Dangers, suffering, and privations in every shape attended the feeble colony for many years. In 1620 there were but 100 inhabitants in Quebec, men, women and children. But the Erench had penetrated a great distance northwardly and westwardly, and were sparsely settled on the trail to the valley of the Ottawa. The Jesuit Eathers Breboeuf and Daniel, had entered the wilderness as far as the southern shore of Lake Superior as early as 1634, by way of the Ottawa ; and this dangerous and difficult route was the one followed by the missionaries and voyagem's for many years, the easier way by Lake Ontario being closed by the hostility of the Iroquois. In 1659 a bishop's see was created, and Erancis de Leval, the proto prelate of North America arrived. In 1665 the government of Erance considered the colony of such importance as to deem it fit to send thither, for the first time, a regiment of soldiers for its protection. The Erench possessed a great excellency in their new country by having among them a number of the muchabused sons of Saint Ignatius. Erom these models of piety, prudence and discrimination, in any emergency, they could ahvays obtain the best advice, and often, when within the object of their i^ission, received the invaluable aid of their personal assistance. These exemplars of true courage were ever in advance of the most venturesome voyageurs ; the great American historian says of them : " The history of then- labors is connected with the origin of every celebrated to^n in the annals of French America; not a river was entered, not a cape was turned, but a Jesuit led the way." Indeed, for many years they were the main stay of the feeble colony, and but for them, left as it was, almost entirely to its o\vn resom'ces, must have succumbed in their inclcmeut climate to the hostile natives. The ''Black Gotvn" proved a more powerful protection than a band of armed soldiery.

In 1GG7, Father Allouez, being on the mission among the Chippewas, Sioux, Potawatamies, Sacs and Foxes, by his influence had reconciled their animosities and established peace among them. He here received information of a large river, unlike any that was as yet known in their territory to Europeans, which rolled its waters in a southern direction. Anxious to acquire a correct idea of the topography of the immense wilderness which he had entered, he retained the rude map which the unlettered but observant savage had depicted, and noting the time stated as necessary to proceed from one indicated point to another, attained some approach to information as regards distance, as well as direction. These faithfid symbols, with appropriate questioning, were placed before other succeeding })arties of aboriginal friends of a more southern residence, and received additions and confirmation. The French were convinced of the existence of a river of great volume of water, but where it would lead them they could only conjecture : — ^would it afford them the much-coveted passage to the South Sea ? or was it the lost river of De Soto ? It was resolved to verify their information and dispel their doubts, and if possible, by an expedition to find and examine this flow of water, which seemed to promise such transcendent advantages. Pather AUouez returned to Quebec in 1669 ; and Fathers Marquette and Dablon were sent to the mission at the Sault de Sainte Marie. At this distant point the Jesuits had assembled neophytes from almost all the tribes among whom their brethren labored ; even at that early day was there present a representative of the only tribe of the Red Men on the Atlantic border that yet possess a portion of their paternal heritage ; the long-suffering, faithful, docile, patient, and once powerfid Penobscot.