Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/305



to the claim of Missouri to a strip of Iowa Territory, Governor Lucas was sustained by the final decision of the United States Supreme Court. He was largely instrumental in procuring the enactment of a liberal public school system, at that early day one of the most advanced in operation in the West.

Governor John Chambers had been a prominent member of the Kentucky Legislature for many years, had served three terms in Congress and was for three terms Attorney-General of his State. Upon his appointment Governor Chambers selected for his Private Secretary J. O. Phister, of Maysville, Kentucky. O. W. H. Stall was appointed by the President, Secretary of the Territory. It is related of Mr. Stull while Secretary of the Territory, that wanting a servant, he purchased a negro boy of a Mr. Clancy for two hundred fifty dollars. After Mr. Stull was removed from office by President Tyler, it is stated that the boy was taken to Maryland and held as a slave. *  Secretary Stull left no records to show the official business transacted in that office during his term.

On the 20th of June, 1841, a steamer, the “Ripple,” ascended the Iowa River to Iowa City and was welcomed by a great assemblage of people who hoped this was the beginning of regular navigation of the Iowa. On the 22d of June, Governor Chambers made his first visit to the new Capital and was cordially received by the citizens. He was at this time past middle age, and is described as a plain, unostentatious man, cordial in manner, who made a favorable impression on the pioneer population. The last Legislature had, by joint resolution, decided that the next session should be held at Iowa City, provided the citizens would furnish a suitable building in which its sessions could be held. Walter Butler, a public-spirited man, erected a building at his own expense for the use of the Legislature, upon a pledge of the citizens that they would aid in reimbursing him for the

* History of Johnson County, page 403.