"Your father who had formerly traded with some Indian tribes in Michigan could make himself understood by them and courteously saluted them as they passed, which salutation they gallantly returned, pointing and telling I suppose where they were going, they pranced on, I looking after them till they all disappeared in the forest beyond, and wishing they would return so that I could see more of them.

After nightfall, the same day, we were sitting in pleasant converse before the large open fire-place, in which small logs were burning briskly, sending forth a bright light, when suddenly the room filled up with numbers of Indians, who stole in so noiselessly that we had not the slightest sign of their approach till they were all about us, shorn of all the gay trappings of the morning, their blankets, even, ready to fall from their almost naked bodies. It seems that they had been to receive their semi-annual annuities from government to whom they had sold their 'hunting grounds' and, like many white men when paid off, had been where they could buy fire water,' and this was the result.

Perhaps they made us the evening call because your father had shown himself so friendly, and we had all greeted them so heartily in the morning. Once in the house, with the warmth of the fire they grew hilarious, then some quarrel began among themselves and they became ill-natured and boisterous.

"I began to grow frightened and the moments grew long, and my alarm increased as I saw your mother was looking anxious, too.

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Only one seemed composed and sober, and he, evidently seeing our fears, lighted the 'pipe of peace,' smoked and handed it to your father, who would not take it even when your mother urged him to do so, but insisted on their leaving, which they did not seem inclined to do.

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My fears grew apace as their noise increased. I made my way into the darkness of the only room besides the one they occupied, imagining ourselves all scalped, etc., with no possible help at hand, while all through the din, I could hear your

father's imperative tones bidding them begone,' and your mother begging him to deal gently with them, for fear of further hostilities, while alone in the dark, I prayed for Divine protection for us all.

"Finally, the invaders left, and quiet was restored, but what I suffered in that hour cannot be described, and that whole night, I could not sleep, having the feeling that they would return and slay us all and burn the house. My curiosity was fully satisfied, and I never wanted to see any more wild Indians."

IOWA BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.

IONEER LIFE IN AND AROUND CEDAR RAPIDS FROM 1839 TO 1849, is the title of a book of two hundred and fifty pages written and published by Rev. Geo. R. Carroll. In this work Mr. Carroll has made a very excellent contribution to local history. It is to a considerable extent composed of biographical notices of the early settlers of that part of Linn County and, as in all cases, history is made up of the records of the leading events of the lives of the makers of such history, so is this book an excellent history of the county in which it was written during the fourth decade of the present century.

There is too little of this work being done. Our early pioneers are fast passing away, their ranks being already sadly depleted, and it is only by some of them that such a work as this can be prepared.

Every one of the eighteen counties in the old "Blackhawk Purchase" should have such a historian as Mr. Carroll, and his work should be duplicated in each of them.

HISTORY OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, FROM 1612 TO 1860, is a book of nearly seven hundred pages written by Frances M. Caulkins and published by H. D. Utley of that place. There has not a book of local history come to our table

so voluminous, so full in its detail and as well written as this. It has been well spoken of by such men as Edward Everett, R. C. Winthrop and George Bancroft. It is valuable as giving a true account of the "Blue Lights" that were seen on that coast during the War of 1812. It should find a place on the shelves of every library devoted to history.

THE MIDLAND MONTHLY for October is before us. It is more than fulfilling its early promises, furnishing an excellent medium for Midland writers, and the best of literature for Midland readers. Its every article is a readable one and it is fast taking a front rank among the magazines.

DEATHS.

MRS. SARAH S. TROWBRIDGE, widow of the late Col. Trowbridge (who had been Librarian of the State Historical Society), died at her home in Iowa City, September 22, 1895, having nearly completed her eighty-fifth year. She was born at Newark, New Jersey, January 25, 1811, removing while young to Newark, Ohio, where she married her first husband, A. I. Willis, and where her two children were born. In 1840 she came to Iowa City, where Willis died. In 1844 she married Col. S. C. Trowbridge, remarkable for exact remembrance of pioneer events, and dogmatic opinions expressed with epigrammatic conciseiness, who died in 1888. Mrs. Trowbridge during the war was an active member of the Soldiers' Aid Society, and in the early days her house was a favorite place, on account of her cheerful and gracious hospitality, for the social gatherings of the pioneers. Above all, she was a Christian woman, devoted to the charitable works taught by the Gospel.

MISS IOWA FELKNER was born in Newport Township, Johnson County, Iowa, March 19, 1845, and died in Iowa City, October 4, 1895. She was the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Felkner, two of the most prominent and worthy pioneers

of this county. Early in life she engaged in teaching. Upon the death of her mother many years since, she became the head of her father's household in Muscatine county and following the example of her saintly mother, the larger portion of her life was passed in caring for a large family of brothers and sisters, and cheering the declining years of her grand old father. Shortly after his death she became a resident of Iowa City, the home of her childhood.

Miss Felkner occupied a position in society worthy of a descendant of the pioneers. How well her part in life was performed is attested by every person who enjoyed her acquaintance. Probably no one has ever dwelt in this community that so completely won the esteem, the respect, the love of all as did Miss Felkner. The genial warmth of her welcome will be recalled by many as a pleasant memory, when as a stranger they came among us and were cheered by her kindly greeting.

In her youth she became a member of the Christian church and was always prominent in advancing the interests of that organization. Her pleasing methods and kindly ways gave her great advantage as a Sunday school teacher and worker. The impress of her teaching and example, has done much to form the character of the children, youth and students who have come within the scope of her labors.

Having passed her life in the community in which she was born, her last painful and lingering illness was borne with the fortitude of a martyr and when her warm heart was chilled by the icy touch of death, her noble soul passed onward to the abode of the blessed. G. R. I.

NOTES.

IT will be seen that we have some valuable contributions to Iowa history in this number.

THE sketch of the life of Dr. Silas Totten, written in the pure English of Dr. Watson, his successor in the rectorship of

Trinity Church, is a link in the history of the State University, and the excellent portrait of Dr. Totten which accompanies the sketch will recall to those familiar with the institution in its early career, the strong personality of the second University President.

THE fascinating sketch of the Early Landscapes of Iowa by Prof. T. H. McBride, is like a pearl rescued from the waters of oblivion. When those who saw the west in its wildness are all gone who will be able to depict it in the real colors we find in this sketch, written by an eye witness impressed by its loveliness in his youth.

THE Outline of Early Instruction in Physics in the University by Prof. Francis E. Nipher, is an opportune companion paper to the leading article of the number. Prof. Nipher's long connection with the University as student and instructor, as well as his later experience as a professor in the Washington University, renders his opinions on all educational subjects interesting and valuable.

THE short Historical Sketch of West Point by Lieutenant Vogdes is in the same line, containing much information concerning the chief Government Military School not generally known. Lieutenant Vogdes comes of an ancestry of soldiers and educators, his father having been a Brigadier General during the war and afterwards Colonel of the First Artillery, and on the maternal side his grandfather, Claudius Berard, was Professor of French at West Point in the early days of the Academy. Lieutenant Vogdes to the Board of Regents. is one of the most acceptable, as he is with the University Battalion one of the most popular officers the War Department has detailed to the service of lowa's chief institution of learning. Fortunate has the University been in the list, now beginning to be a rather long one, of young officers of the army supplied to its corps of instructors, in the order of their service here including Lieutenants Schenck, Chester. Thurston, Knower and Califf of the Artillery, Read of the Cavalry, and now Vogdes of the Infantry. And the wives of those of