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JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:dubuquemonument.gif|left|thumb|150px|Julien Dubuque Monument]]JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT. Final resting place of the founder of Dubuque, Iowa. [[DUBUQUE, Julien|Julien DUBUQUE]] died of pneumonia on March 24,1810, and was buried on the bluff above [[CATFISH CREEK]]. Native Americans built a mound of rocks on the grave in the belief that it was bad luck to pass a grave without dropping stones on it.  
[[Image:dubuquemonument.gif|left|thumb|150px|Julien Dubuque Monument]]JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT. Final resting place of the founder of Dubuque, Iowa. [[DUBUQUE, Julien|Julien DUBUQUE]] died of pneumonia on March 24,1810, and was buried on the bluff above [[CATFISH CREEK]]. His grave was covered with a wooden and stone shelter complete with a gable roof and open window through which Native Americans believed the soul of the departed could leave. At the apex was a wooden cross made by white friends. The stone building was still intact in 1845. (1)


Controversy remains as to the inscription on the grave. [[CATLIN, George|George CATLIN]] who visited the grave in 1835 believed that Dubuque had written an inscription for himself giving his name, "Miner of the Mines of Spain," and his age. It is more likely that French Canadians left an inscription on a cedar cross. Several versions of these early years all agree that between 1827 and 1829 a cedar cross and cedar hut were constructed over the mound of rocks.  
Controversy remains as to the inscription on the grave. [[CATLIN, George|George CATLIN]] who visited the grave in 1835 believed that Dubuque had written an inscription for himself giving his name, "Miner of the Mines of Spain," and his age. It is more likely that French Canadians left an inscription on a cedar cross. Several versions of these early years all agree that between 1827 and 1829 a cedar cross and cedar hut were constructed over the mound of rocks.  


By the end of the [[CIVIL WAR]] the cedar cross, hut and mound of rocks had been removed by weather and souvenir hunters. The [[OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION]] dropped the idea of marking the grave with a granite shaft when it was discovered that the cost would be several thousand dollars. Interest in constructing a monument withered unti1 1897 when J. H. Stevenson wrote a poem entitled "By Dubuque's Grave," which was carried in the local newspapers.  
By the time of the [[CIVIL WAR]], souvenir hunters had removed the hut and cross. (2) In 1895 the  [[OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION]] had begun work on arousing interest in erecting a monument over Dubuque's grave. (3) On October 17, 1895 a group of citizens met to further those plans. (4) Chaired by Philip Pier with [[SIMPLOT, Alexander|Alexander SIMPLOT]] as secretary, the meeting began with a history of Julien Dubuque. Simplot then moved that a committee of five people be appointed to gather contributions for the purchase of land and the erection of a monument. Judge Lenehan suggested that two people come fro each of the city's wards. This was approved. (5) There were already two acres of land adjoining the site of the grave for the use of the Old Settlers' Association. One belonged to [[KIENE, Peter]] and the other was owned by [[HEER, Fridolin|Fridolin HEER]]. (6)


[[Image:JDM.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy:John Knepper]]
[[Image:JDM.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy:John Knepper]]There were five burials found at the site of the present monument. As recorded by [[HERRMANN, Richard|Richard HERRMANN]]: (7)
On September 29, 1897, a joint meeting of the Iowa Institute of Science and Art and the Old Settlers' Association formed the Julien Dubuque Monument Association. The group was to acquire the gravesite and surrounding land and eventually construct a monument. Dr. T.W. Ruete suggested a monument like the castle towers along the Rhine River. A design drawn by [[SIMPLOT, Alexander|Alexander SIMPLOT]] was approved.  
 
        Julien Dubuque, lying down full length facing to the west
        Chief [[PEOSTA]], semi-sitting position, facing to the west
        [[POTOSA]], Julien Dubuque's wife, full length, facing to the west
        Chief [[ROLLING CLOUD]], a [[FOX]] Indian, sitting in the hut,
          facing to the east
        Gray Eagle, a [[SAUK]] Indian, sitting in the hut, facing to the
          east
 
The remains discovered in the excavation were carefully reassembled and arranged for viewing at the [[HERRMANN MUSEUM]], the curator's home.  The Dubuque Sunday Herald stated that they were arranged "upstairs in a vacant room on a bare floor, where they were lying in perfect position."  By his side were the bones of Peosta. The article indicated that many people were planning on visiting the construction site of the monument which was then seven feet above the ground. (8)


[[Image:GRAVE1.jpg|left|thumb|450px|Photo courtesy: Susan McKeever]]On October 31, 1897, the remains of Dubuque were encased in a walnut casket made by the [[DUBUQUE CABINET MAKERS' ASSOCIATION]] and then lowered four feet into the ground inside the monument which was constructed of Galena magnesia limestone quarried from the bluff. The final cost of the twelve-foot diameter, twenty-nine foot high structure was $560. The dedication of the monument was attended by more than two thousand people.  
[[Image:GRAVE1.jpg|left|thumb|450px|Photo courtesy: Susan McKeever]]On October 31, 1897, the remains of Dubuque were encased in a walnut casket made by the [[DUBUQUE CABINET MAKERS' ASSOCIATION]] and then lowered four feet into the ground inside the monument which was constructed of Galena magnesia limestone quarried from the bluff. The final cost of the twelve-foot diameter, twenty-nine foot high structure was $560. The dedication of the monument was attended by more than two thousand people.  


In 1908 the Old Settlers' Association added three acres to the park at Dubuque's grave. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)
(Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)
[[Image:dubuquegravecl.png|left|thumb|250px|Cacheted letter from 1944]]
[[Image:dubuquegravecl.png|left|thumb|250px|Cacheted letter from 1944]]
[[Image:minesblotter.jpg|left|thumb|450px|Ink blotter advertising the effort to give the monument state significance.]]
[[Image:minesblotter.jpg|left|thumb|450px|Ink blotter advertising the effort to give the monument state significance.]]In 1907 members of the Old Settlers' Association offered the deed to the ground occupied by the monument and the small park around it to the county board of supervisors. The understanding was that the land would continue to be used for the park and monument exclusively. (9)
 
In 1963 eighteen acres of wooded land surrounding the grave of Julien Dubuque were made ready to be designated Julien Dubuque Park. The area included 12.3 acres donated by Herman and Marcella Lott and 5.8 acres owned by the City of Dubuque. About $28,000 had been allocated from state funds to develop the area along with $2,500 for survey and development work. The Chamber of Commerce Vacationland Committee, Dubuque County Conservation Board with city, county, and state officials had worked together to see that the project was completed. (10)


[[Image:dubuquepin1.png|right|thumb|350px|1916 event.]]
[[Image:dubuquepin1.png|right|thumb|350px|1916 event.]]
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Source:
Source:
1. Brimberg, Judith. "Indian Trail Leads to Blufftop Grave," Telegraph Herald, May 17, 1959, p. 9. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AJNFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=07wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4613,1863282&dq=richard+herrmann+dubuque&hl=en
2. Ibid.
3. "Julien Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, Oct. 18, 1895, p. 8. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m7BFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LL0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5047,5033246&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. "Julien Dubuque, Adventurous Spirit; Called Little Cloud by Fox Indians, Historian Declares," Telegraph Herald, Feb. 26, 1933, p. 9. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4v1QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Or4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2539,2728957&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en
8. "Viewed the Bones," Dubuque Sunday Herald, Oct. 9, 1897, p. 8. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LCtBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q6gMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4879,3956166&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en
9. "Wish County to Preserve Ground," Telegraph Herald, June 18, 1907, p. 16. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EtlBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=26kMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2625,4102350&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en
10. "Plans Ready for Julien Dubuque Park," Telegraph Herald, Feb. 7, 1963, p. 28. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y49FAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5bwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3194,4156713&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en


Oldt, Franklin T. ''History of Dubuque County''. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-23-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml
Oldt, Franklin T. ''History of Dubuque County''. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-23-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml


Pratt, LeRoy G. ''Discovering Historic Iowa'', Iowa Department of Public Instruction, 1975
Pratt, LeRoy G. ''Discovering Historic Iowa'', Iowa Department of Public Instruction, 1975
[[Category: Buildings]]
[[Category: Buildings]]
[[Category:Postcards]]
[[Category:Postcards]]
[[Category: Buttons/Pins]]
[[Category: Buttons/Pins]]

Revision as of 03:21, 25 October 2013

Julien Dubuque Monument

JULIEN DUBUQUE MONUMENT. Final resting place of the founder of Dubuque, Iowa. Julien DUBUQUE died of pneumonia on March 24,1810, and was buried on the bluff above CATFISH CREEK. His grave was covered with a wooden and stone shelter complete with a gable roof and open window through which Native Americans believed the soul of the departed could leave. At the apex was a wooden cross made by white friends. The stone building was still intact in 1845. (1)

Controversy remains as to the inscription on the grave. George CATLIN who visited the grave in 1835 believed that Dubuque had written an inscription for himself giving his name, "Miner of the Mines of Spain," and his age. It is more likely that French Canadians left an inscription on a cedar cross. Several versions of these early years all agree that between 1827 and 1829 a cedar cross and cedar hut were constructed over the mound of rocks.

By the time of the CIVIL WAR, souvenir hunters had removed the hut and cross. (2) In 1895 the OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION had begun work on arousing interest in erecting a monument over Dubuque's grave. (3) On October 17, 1895 a group of citizens met to further those plans. (4) Chaired by Philip Pier with Alexander SIMPLOT as secretary, the meeting began with a history of Julien Dubuque. Simplot then moved that a committee of five people be appointed to gather contributions for the purchase of land and the erection of a monument. Judge Lenehan suggested that two people come fro each of the city's wards. This was approved. (5) There were already two acres of land adjoining the site of the grave for the use of the Old Settlers' Association. One belonged to KIENE, Peter and the other was owned by Fridolin HEER. (6)

Photo courtesy:John Knepper

There were five burials found at the site of the present monument. As recorded by Richard HERRMANN: (7) 

       Julien Dubuque, lying down full length facing to the west
       Chief PEOSTA, semi-sitting position, facing to the west
       POTOSA, Julien Dubuque's wife, full length, facing to the west
       Chief ROLLING CLOUD, a FOX Indian, sitting in the hut, 
         facing to the east
       Gray Eagle, a SAUK Indian, sitting in the hut, facing to the
         east

The remains discovered in the excavation were carefully reassembled and arranged for viewing at the HERRMANN MUSEUM, the curator's home. The Dubuque Sunday Herald stated that they were arranged "upstairs in a vacant room on a bare floor, where they were lying in perfect position." By his side were the bones of Peosta. The article indicated that many people were planning on visiting the construction site of the monument which was then seven feet above the ground. (8)

Photo courtesy: Susan McKeever

On October 31, 1897, the remains of Dubuque were encased in a walnut casket made by the DUBUQUE CABINET MAKERS' ASSOCIATION and then lowered four feet into the ground inside the monument which was constructed of Galena magnesia limestone quarried from the bluff. The final cost of the twelve-foot diameter, twenty-nine foot high structure was $560. The dedication of the monument was attended by more than two thousand people.

(Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)

Cacheted letter from 1944
Ink blotter advertising the effort to give the monument state significance.

In 1907 members of the Old Settlers' Association offered the deed to the ground occupied by the monument and the small park around it to the county board of supervisors. The understanding was that the land would continue to be used for the park and monument exclusively. (9)

In 1963 eighteen acres of wooded land surrounding the grave of Julien Dubuque were made ready to be designated Julien Dubuque Park. The area included 12.3 acres donated by Herman and Marcella Lott and 5.8 acres owned by the City of Dubuque. About $28,000 had been allocated from state funds to develop the area along with $2,500 for survey and development work. The Chamber of Commerce Vacationland Committee, Dubuque County Conservation Board with city, county, and state officials had worked together to see that the project was completed. (10)

1916 event.
Image Courtesy: Mike Day. Dave Atchison Collection

---

Source:

1. Brimberg, Judith. "Indian Trail Leads to Blufftop Grave," Telegraph Herald, May 17, 1959, p. 9. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AJNFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=07wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4613,1863282&dq=richard+herrmann+dubuque&hl=en

2. Ibid.

3. "Julien Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, Oct. 18, 1895, p. 8. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m7BFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LL0MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5047,5033246&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. Ibid.

7. "Julien Dubuque, Adventurous Spirit; Called Little Cloud by Fox Indians, Historian Declares," Telegraph Herald, Feb. 26, 1933, p. 9. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4v1QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Or4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2539,2728957&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en

8. "Viewed the Bones," Dubuque Sunday Herald, Oct. 9, 1897, p. 8. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LCtBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q6gMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4879,3956166&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en

9. "Wish County to Preserve Ground," Telegraph Herald, June 18, 1907, p. 16. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EtlBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=26kMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2625,4102350&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en

10. "Plans Ready for Julien Dubuque Park," Telegraph Herald, Feb. 7, 1963, p. 28. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y49FAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5bwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3194,4156713&dq=julien+dubuque&hl=en

Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-23-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml

Pratt, LeRoy G. Discovering Historic Iowa, Iowa Department of Public Instruction, 1975

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