trees, and other evidences necessary for an actual location of the boundary line of 1850. We are inclined to the opinion that so far as regards the twenty miles mentioned the Sullivan line can be as readily re-located as can the Hendershott line.

The decree of your honorable Court requires that the line re-located by us shall be marked with durable monuments. Twenty-one mile points included in the line re-located, being from the 40th to the 60th mile inclusive, are now marked as required. The 40th, 50th and 60th miles are marked with the cast iron monuments originally placed by Hendershott and Minor in 1850; mile points intermediate are marked with stone monuments. These are of the best quality of Missouri red granite, are twelve inches square, and from 6' 2" to 6' 6" in length. The stones stand 2' above ground (this portion being hammer dressed), and are well finished in every particular. On the north side of each stone is plainly cut the word "Iowa;" on the south side the word "Missouri; " on the east side the words "State Line," and on the west the figures denoting the number of the mile point.

The iron monuments were re-set so as to show about 18 inches above ground. The granite monuments were set with great care, their apices being exactly on the line. They were well rammed when placed in ground and will need no witness trees. Their weight averages 1,050 pounds each, and we think they can safely be pronounced both durable and permanent.

SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

HE ceremonies commemorative of the completion of the fiftieth year of Iowa's statehood were observed at Burlington during the first week of October with banquet, processions, addresses, music and poetry, all dealing with

the pioneer history of Iowa. On the first of the month a ban

quet was given in honor of the Vice-President of the United States, Adlai E. Stevenson, the highest dignitary present, and the first of such rank to press the soil of Iowa, with the exception of President Cleveland's visit to the Corn Palace at Sioux City. It is true that John C. Breckenridge had been a citizen of Iowa and a resident of Burlington, but it was long before he had been thought of for Vice-President, and Abraham Lincoln had visited our State, but this too was before he or anyone had dreamed of him for the Presidency.

Mr. Stevenson's short address at the banquet in response to the welcome of Senator John H. Gear, the presiding officer, was short but appropriate.

The celebration was participated in by most of the distinguished citizens of Iowa still living, who had woven their names into her history. Governor Drake, of course, was there, and some ex-Governors who had preceded him in the executive chair-Sherman, Gear, Carpenter and Newbold. Our strength in the Federal Government, present and past, was represented by Gear, Harlan, Sam. M. Clark, Cousins, and others. There were days set apart in the week for separate representative interests, as Democratic day, Republican day, Pioneer and Old Settlers' day, Governor's day, etc. The addresses, poems, letters, and indeed all utterances, were laden with the memories of youthful life and pioneer days. As samples of the many rhetorical productions we reproduce a few entire, beginning with the eloquent historical

ADDRESS OF EX-GOVERNOR BUREN R. SHERMAN.

Mr. President:-Standing in such a presence and surrounded by many of the noble and brave pioneers of a half century ago, who laid, deep and enduring, the foundations of this Empire State of the West, and to whose intelligent labor and truly heroic sacrifices in the cause of good government and happy homes are we of the present day most largely indebted for the prosperity and contentments which have ever attended us, and the good name always vouchsafed us, I do not hesitate

to confess my inability to do even approximate justice to such memorable occasions and invoke your charity in the attempt. The thoughts which well up from the heart are rich and manifold in reminiscence and overwhelming in volume, and it is difficult to concentrate them to the extent proper for utterance or worthy your considerate attention, but in the brief time allowed me for expression, I will endeavor not to weary your patience by indulgence in non-essentials or tiresome platitudes, but strive to present only facts connected with the history and development of the State.

Fifty-eight years ago this region was a part of the great Wisconsin Territory, as before of Michigan and Missouri, and originally belonging to the great Louisiana Purchase, and comparatively unknown, save as the outlying portion on the sun-set side of the "Father of Waters;" but in that year of 1838, and principally for the reason we were so distant from territorial headquarters on the shore of Lake Michigan, that a proper acquaintanceship was practically impossible, we were organized into a Territory of our own, and the name "Iowa" bestowed upon the new jurisdiction.

To us was sent that noble old Ohioan, Robert Lucas, as the first chief magistrate, who industriously engaged acquainting himself with the extent and resources of his new and wholly uncovered domain, and to whose efforts in their development, and in the diffusion of information concerning the same throughout the then States of the Federal Union, during his three years incumbency of the office, was greatly resultant the rapid growth which followed his coming. In this good work he was ably seconded by both Chambers during the years 1842-44, and Clark for the years 1845-46, so that in the eight short years of territorial life the new region had made material progress, and was gladly welcomed to the rank and dignity of statehood, which was finally consummated on the 28th of December, 1846,—an event we are now celebrating. Our population, which was but 22,859 when set apart as a Territory, had grown to 81,920, when as a new

State we launched out to our destiny, being the sixteenth in consecutive number admitted to the original thirteen of the Union.

In area we comprised nearly one-third the original Wisconsin Territory, being exceeded only by that portion afterwards known as Minnesota, but yet larger than that locally designated as Wisconsin; our precise area being 55,475 square miles, then one of the largest in the Union, being the eighth in size, but now exceeded by several, all of subsequent admission, and leaving Iowa at this date the nineteenth in area of all the States. It was made up in the largest part of prairie land, which for beauty of appearance, and in the general fertility of the soil, was superior to any in the then national domain, and for healthfulness of climate as conclusively demonstrated by the appearance and activity of the people, could not be excelled anywhere on the globe. The State was also supplied with numerous streams of clear and pure water with which to make glad the heart of the husbandman and stock raiser, some of which were navigable far into the interior of the country, and thus as the forerunner of the extensive railroad system of transportation soon to follow, contributed not a little to the rapid settlement and development of the new State, which advanced in rapid stride to prominence in the galaxy of sovereign States.

The pioneers of these days-and the fourteen years from admission to 1861, the outbreak of the war, may properly be designated as our pioneer days-have left a record of their intelligent toil conspicuous and enduring and to which we are glad to refer and accord them the honors so justly their due. Many are yet spared in the enjoyment of the fruits of their earnest labors, and are to-day recipients of the universal esteem of their fellow citizens.

Amongst the most prominent at the time of admission were Augustus C. Dodge and George W. Jones-the former hailing from the city of Burlington, and the latter residing in the mining city of Dubuque-who were the first United States

Senators from the new State, and strove faithfully in duty to their constituency and, as if in reward of their early service, were permitted to live for nearly two score years thereafter, to witness the growth of the structure to the foundation of which their labors had been largely contributory, Mr. Dodge departing on November 20, 1883, and yet a resident here, and Mr. Jones allowed to remain until July 22 of the present year, when his summons came. During his service in the United States Senate, Mr. Dodge enjoyed the fellowship of his venerable father, Hon. Henry Dodge, who was United States Senator from Wisconsin-the only instance in the history of the country where father and son were both members of our highest legislative body at the same time. It was a matter of quite general remark in those days, in view of the fact that the father was a radical Republican in political sympathies, and the son a confirmed adherent to Democratic policies and practices.

Another of the early pioneers was Ansel Briggs, the first, Governor of the new State, who served the people four years, 1846 to 1851, and retired with a good name and record. It was my privilege to see him several times during his later years, for he remained a resident of Jackson County until his death on May 5, 1881, and always to hear him speak in enthusiastic terms of the remarkable growth and grandeur of the Hawkeye State,

The second in regular line was Governor Stephen Hempstead, a prominent lawyer in Dubuque, and a man of high character, whose administration of State affairs was creditable both to himself and the State. During his incumbency of the office he made his home at Iowa City, the then Capital, but on its expiration returned to Dubuque, where he lived in dignified retirement and in the enjoyment of the respect and affection of all who knew him until his death, February 6, 1883.

The third Governor was one whose name and fame was coextensive with the nation, and whose career, in all the public positions held by him, was most honorable in every respect.