Drake University - Quax Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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I'aI1CIlS Marion D173 6 gifs DARING pioneer, a dashing soldier and a leader of armed men, a ,kf, l4-A-'51,-ii far-seeing business man and financier, a successful builder and operator of railroads, the founder and generous patron of a uni- versity, the Governor of this great commonwealth-withal a philanthropist and Christian gentleman-such was the eminent X' citizen whose loss the State sustained when Francis Marion Drake on Friday. November 20, I903. obeyed Death's inevitable and irrevocable summons. General Drake's character and career were far from the ordinary, regarded from the point of view of his achievements, although looked at from the view point of the manner and conditions of his life, they were largely typical of the life and careers of the great majority of his fellow citizens. He was blessed with parents of stout and rugged character and high purposes who thoroughly inculcated the lessons of industry, thrift, courage and high-mindedness. His infancy and boyhood were passed on the frontier and his mind and character were moulded amidst the hardships and dangers of the ,pic-neer's life. Two journeys across the plains during the excitement of the gold discoveries, with Indian attacks and constant privationsg shipwreck in the Pacific on his way homeg these experiences early taught him many valuable lessons and developed his traits of character such as the power to do and command and to make generous and heroic sacrifices for the sake of others' welfare. He had hardly got started in business here in Iowa when Lincoln's call for volun- teers stirred his patriotic soul. linlisting as a private he steadily rose higher and higher in responsible commands by the sheer force of merit, by deeds and demonstrated ability to command-until a grievous wound cut short his active army service. He was a real soldier. Attention to duty, the faithful and successful performance of every sort of task assigned him characterized his conduct as well as courageous acts and daring deeds when the battle was on. It was this combination of qualities that won him his star. He had the true commanders eye for he was quick to search and see the enemy's weak pointg and there he aimed his blows quick and hard. His was not a Fabian policy. Once he knew his ground and his men it was forced marches and sudden onslaughts before his foes could collect their wits and their forces. Into business General Drake carried the same principles of action and his success was again equally eminent. He was not much given to talking. He studied his sur- roundings. He looked abroad into other states and perceived the nature of industrial developmentg and he was quick to discern the immense possibilities here in Iowa. But lie not only foresaw what probably would happen, he proceeded forthwith to make things happen and he entered upon his successful career as a projector, builder and oper- ator of railroads that now form so important a part of the vast network of arteries in our State and nation. From these and many other successful business ventures General Drake amassed a substantial fortune which in very large measure he devoted to philan- 19

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G River opposite a huge rock on the left of the road-good feed on the opposite bank of the river .................................................... The mountains rise here to the height of 1,000 feet, and upon the highest peaks may be found several natural euriosities, viz.: Franklin's Pool. This is a spring of very cold water, about two feet deep and ten feet across, in the form of a circle. Also, Burns' Cliff of Rocks, and King David's Coffin. These are Curiosities well worthy the traveler's notice. To South Pass between the Rocky Mountains ................... . . Here is the dividing ridge between the Atlantic and the Pacific. You now descend gradually to Pacific Springs and creek ........... . . Ford about two miles-some grass here ................ . . DrySandy ...................... .. .. To Green river ..................................................... The last end of this road is quite stony, with some very long and steep de- scents. Along the river are numerous ponds of strong alkali, which should be avoided. Green river is a very cold and rapid stream, and is considered the most dangerous on the whole route. There are several good ferries in operation. Ferriage S96 per wagon. We swam our stock from a small island about three-fourths of a mile above the ferry .......................... Soda Springs ....................................................... These are observed by the large white mounds formed by the mineral water running over the surface. Along here for several miles, the earth is filled with this mineral water, which, with the addition of a little acid and sugar, makes a fine beverage. Here is a good place to camp. Steamboat Spring, a few miles to the left of the road in the bend of Bear river. . North Branch ...................................................... Emigrants should guard well against alkali and Indians all the way down Humboldt river, as they are the principal products of the countryfl Tragedy Springs .................................................... Here three of the first explorers of this route were killed by lndiansg their graves are to be seen at the foot of the hill, near the spring. About two miles from this spring, north of the road, is a fine clover pasture. A path turns to the right, before descending the hill to the spring, which leads to it. Lick Springs ....................................................... Here wild onions and some grass may be found down the ravine. Road forks -the right hand is the old Hangtown road. We took the left, which is some the farthest, on account of some feed on the route. Cosumne river, where there is some feed ................................. Grizzly Flat. A mining town had just sprung up here, where considerable min- ingisdone ............................................ Wisconsin Bar ..................... ........ . . . Here is a saw-mill, tavern and several stores. Diamond Springs ................................................... This place and Mud Springs are in close proximity, and form quite a town. Sacramento City .................................................... Fine farms and good hotels along the last mentioned distance. 723 823 826 828 836 898 908 1018 1019 1307 1797 1804 1818 1832 1844 1859 1906 You have now reached the great emporium of California 3 and hoping that you have enjoyed a pleasant trip, and seen the Elephant tamed, I bid you adieu. F. M. DRAKE. 18

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thropy, to education and to his church. These objects of benevolence were his constant and chief delight. r He lived a quiet, unostentatious life at Centerville among the friends and neigh- bors of a life time. He never cared for the pomp and circumstance of wealth. He was modest and unobtrusive in his giving. It was with no suggestion or desire on his part that the educational institution that he founded at Des Moines was given his name. Although the chief donor to the University he never presumed on that fact in his rela t'ions with the faculty and the trustees-rather he seemed to have been made more reluc- tant to interpose his opinion lest more weight than usual would not unnaturally be ac- c erded them. An interesting instance of his modesty was his refusal to permit some of his friends to correct a perversion of the history of a battle he fought with marked success, whereof his superior officer took the credit although absent and had given directions that would have led to contrary results, and Drake's name was unmentioned in the dis- patches. But while General Drake was modest and unassuming he who presumed too much on his graciousness, he who mistook his desire to please for lack of decision, very soon awoke to the fact that there was a great deal of oak and iron in his constitution. He was Governor while he occupied the oflice of chief executive. On matters chiefly or who'ly political in character he consulted freely with his friends aml co-workersg but when a matter touched him he shouldered responsibility promptly and exercised power vigorously. He could not be whipped about by the varying winds and waves of :senti- ment. One day at the dinner table of a well-known citizen in an eastern Iowa city, some prominent Iowans fell into a lively discussion of the propriety of a then recent commu- tation of a death to a life sentence, by Governor Drake. He listened to the numerous unfavorable comments for some time in stern silenceg but finally hesuddenly blazed forth, bringing his clenched list down on the table with a bang that made the china jump-HI never believed in hanging boys and I never will. The discussion was ended. -Annals of Iowa. F. I. HERRIOTT. 20