USA > Iowa > Polk County > Centennial history of Polk County, Iowa > Part 18
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October 26th, 1851, the first Town Council, consisting of Hoyt Sherman, P. M. Casady, L. P. Sherman, C. D. Rein- king, R. W. Sypher, and Jesse S. Dicks, met at the old Court House, and organized by the election of Thompson Bird, President, and Charles Mckay, Recorder. The
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term for which they were elected, was one year. In Octo- ber, 1852, John W. Jones was chosen President.
The Legislature, during the January session of 1853, passed the act of incorporation. Meantime, that portion of the town now called East Des Moines, was growing in pop- ular favor, and many men of sterling enterprise labored to expand and beautify that part of the embryo city. In time, those appalling vacancies on both sides of the river, which occurred so frequently between buildings, giving us the title of "the City of Magnificent Distances," were filled, in a great measure, with costly structures of approved archi- tecture, crowded, from roof to basement, with the evidences of prosperous business.
CITY OF DES MOINES.
The Legislature, which convened in the Winter of 1856 and '57, incorporated the two towns of Demoine, on the east side of the Des Moines river, and Fort Des Moines, as a city. The prefix, "Fort," was discontinued.
The city extends four miles from East to West, and two miles from North to South, embracing eight square miles. It is divided into seven Wards, four of which are on the West side of the Des Moines river, and three on the East side. South Des Moines is that part of the city lying South of the Raccoon river.
The Census, taken in April, 1857, gave to the city a pop- ulation of less than 3,000. In 1863, we had increased to 4,500; in 1867, to 10,296; showing a lively increase, in four years, of about 4,700. In 1869, we had 12,180; in 1873, we numbered 15,061; in 1875, it was 16,130, and in 1876, our population may be placed, in round numbers, at 20,000
In another place we have reported, in order, our pioneer improvements, dating back to the building of military quarters, in 1843. Of the brick buildings erected between 1854 and 1856, Exchange and Sherman Blocks, and Iowa
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OF POLK COUNTY.
Central College, on the West Side, and Griffiths' Block and the old Capitol, on the East Side, are the most prominent. Sherman Block was built by Hoyt Sherman, R. L. Tidrick, and P. M. Casady. Savery Block, corner of Walnut and Fourthe streets, was commenced in 1856, but two or three years passed away before it was completed.
Originally, the great thoroughfare of Fort Des Moines was all that part of Second street, West Side, which lies between Elm and Walnut. For a long time the buildings were exclusively frame, maintaining this character until G. M. Hippee built on the corner of Court Avenue and Sec- ond, and Hoyt Sherman on the opposite side of the latter street. Finally, however, Second street began to lose its ancient prestige, as a commercial center, and Granville Hol- land, Harry Stephenson, G. M. Hippee, John McWilliams, C. Corning & Bro., the Lairds, B. F. Allen, H. M. and L. H. Bush, and many others who have been mentioned hitherto, began to make Court Avenue, Third, and Walnut streets, resound with the hum of business.
Among the business men who vacated Second street for other parts of the town, were W. W. Moore, who kept the old Hoosier Store, and G. W. and A. J. Dunkle, who came here in 1855, and established the old Buckeye Store. The latter gentlemen bought out W. D. Trowbridge. The Hoo- sier Store occupied the site of W. R. Stewart & Sons' Wholesale Glassware establishment. The building before which the sign of the Buckeye Store was once conspicuous, is now used as a blacksmith shop.
The Mound property, near the corner of Fourth and Wal- nut streets, was bought by W. W. Moore, for $650. Some years before this purchase, that is, in 1848, J. D. Davis, a brother of Hon. W. P. Davis, deceased, erected a residence, afterward occupied by Mr. Moore.
The first Aldermen elected under the city organization which occurred in 1857, were: W. A. Hunt, J. F. Kemp, 33
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F. R. West, Lovell White, Isaac Cooper, W. C. Burton, R. L. Tidrick, M. Lawrence, J. W. Stanton, G. W. Conner, H. H. Griffiths, J. A. Williamson, W. A. Scott, and John Hyde.
Of the fourteen Aldermen elected, ten were democrats, and four were republicans.
The present Aldermen are: 1st Ward, M. Drady, Michael McTigh; 2d Ward, H. B. Hatch, W. H. McHenry; 3d Ward, George Sneer, T. T. Morris; 4th Ward, S. M. Nelson, H. S. Skinner; 5th Ward, Archie Christy, Duane Devotie; 6th Ward, M. H. King, J. C. Painter; 7th Ward, Daniel Rees, Marcus Kavanagh. M. H. King, President pro tem.
Present City officers are: Mayor, Giles H. Turner; Auditor, Taylor Pierce; Treasurer, George M. Walker; Solicitor, Seward Smith; Police Judge, G. B. Hammer; Clerk of Police Court, M. W. Sauerbrunn; Street Commissioner, George Githens; Market Master, Philip Nau.
The present Police force is, Marshal, George Christ; As- sistant Marshal, T. J. Hoopes; Chief of Police, Colonel F. Olmstead; 1st Ward, Hugh Brennen; 2d Ward, Charles Shafer; 3d Ward, Daniel Stickles; 5th Ward, Albert Jarvis; 6th Ward, W. C. Smith; 7th Ward, Anderson Bryan.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
MAYORALTY.
In October, 1853, Benjamin Luce was elected mayor under the first charter.
On the first Monday of November, 1854, Barlow Granger and Samuel Noel were rival candidates for mayor, the for- mer being chosen by a majority of one. November 5, 1855, William Deford was elected mayor. Charles W. Nash was chosen to the office in 1856; and the records show that he served until the extinction of the old charter in 1857.
In April, 1857, the city charter of Des Moines, went into practical operation, by the election of W. H. McHenry to the Mayoralty. Mr. McHenry was succeeded by H. E. Lem- oreaux in 1858; R. L. Tidrick was mayor in 1859; P. W. Latshaw in 1860; Ira Cook in 1861; Thomas Kavanaugh in 1862; William H. Leas in 1863, and in 1864; George W. Cleveland in 1865-6, and again in 1867; Sumner F. Spofford in 1862; J. H. Hatch in 1869-70; Martin Tuttle in 1871; J. P. Foster in 1872; (iles H. Turner in 1873.
In March, 1873, Des Moines was advanced to a city of the first class. Prior to this time, our chief magistrates were chosed for one year; afterward, however, they were elected for two years.
In March, 1874, A. Newton was chosen mayor; and in March, 1876, Giles H. Turner was elected again to the office.
From the commencement of our municipal history in 185 1, until the present time, 1876, we have had two Presidents and four Mayors under the old town organization, and four- teen different Mayors under the city charter, the last two of whom were chosen after the city took rank as first class.
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CITY OFFICERS.
From the inauguration of the Town Charter, Des Moines has had the following Treasurers: Benjamin Bryant, L. P. Sherman, M. S. Dickerson, J. N. Dewey, R. K. McMaster, J. E. Hull, T. E. Settle, Thomas Hatton, Jr., George A. Mc- Vicker, Wm. Lowry, and G. M. Walker.
There were two Town Marshals, viz: John Youngerman, and John Harter. We have had fourteen City Marshals. viz: William Deford, 1857; J. T. Moore, 1858; Robert Hedge, 1859; Lewis Jones, 1860; John Watson, 1861; A. N. Marsh, 1862; Samuel Noel served three years; S. H. Carson, elected in 1866, and served three years; F. M. Smith, elected in 1869, resigned during the year, and S. H. Carson filled out the unexpired term; S. H. Carson, 1870; M. T. Russell, served two years; W. M. Patchen, 1873; Adam Hafner, served two years; John S. Davis, died one month after his election in 1876, and was succeeded by George Christ, the present incumbent.
The following Recorders have served during the same time: B. D. Thomas, Warren Curtis, M. H. King, John Jack, Jr., John K. Lyon, J. C. Benedict, M. H. King, George Sneer, J. W. Cattell, and Taylor Pierce.
We have had the following solicitors: C. C. Cole, G. H. Turner, S. Sibley, Seward Smith, W. H. McHenry, C. P. Holmes, and Seward Smith. The Police Judges have been, L. A. Crane, and G. B. Hammer.
The Street Commissioners for the West Side have been, John McNamara, T. E. Mitchell, J. C. Bailey, G. Wash- burn, W. Milligan, S. Farr, B. T. Jones, W. C. Burton, J. J. Fox, and Silas McGready. For the East Side for the same. time, William Tomlinson, G W. Comer, Isaac Whicher, C. Stutsman, A. Murray, D. Rees, G. C. Jeffries, A. L. F. Mower.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
Since 1871, the city has had the following Street Com- missioners: George Sneer, A. L. F. Mower, Evan Rees, and George Githens.
The City Engineers have been, B. Callan, J. C. Booth, D A. Poorman, J. B. Bausman, and Frank Pelton.
The City Assesssors have been, J. Hyde, A. J. Taylor, John McNamara, Duane Devotie, Dan Ellyson, G. M. Walker, William Matthews, Harry Rich, and George F. Walker.
DES MOINES POSTMASTERS.
The original name of the office was Raccoon River, and the first duly commissioned Postmaster was Joseph Smart, Indian Interpreter, who received his appointment in April, 1846. Declining to serve, T. K. Brooks, with Messrs. Church and Newcomer on his bond, filled the place as the first reg- ular postmaster. The office was kept at the time at the old Agency. The mail was brought on horseback.
P. M. Casady was appointed postmaster in January, 1847, at which time the name of the office was changed from Rac- coon River to Fort Des Moines. R. L. Tidrick, entered on the duties of the office January 1, 1849. He was succeeded by Hoyt Sherman, in the Spring of 1849, appointed by Pres. ident Taylor.
In 1853, at the time when president Pierce came into power, Wesley Redhead was appointed postmaster. He served until the accession of President Lincoln in 1861, when John Teesdale came to the office. Mr. Teesdale was followed by George C Tichenor, May 16, 1867, after whom came J. S. Clarkson, September 1, 1871, the present post- master.
A few years since, the office was removed from the build- ing it occupied on Third street, to the fine and costly Fed- eral structure on the corner of Fifth and Court Avenue, the building of which commenced in 1867. The immense busi-
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ness which is now done in this office-greater than that of any other office in the State-contrasts strangely, as well as strongly, with those primitive times when Mr. Casady car- ried the entire mail matter of the town in bis hat and pockets.
A. L. F. Mower was, until recently, the Deputy Postmas- ter in East Des Moines. He came here in 1856, and died a few weeks since in California. He was succeeded by L. H. Mower.
The city mail carriers who commenced service July 24, 1873, are Number 1, James B. Olmsted; 2, William Hoppe; 3, Archie Christy; 4, John A. King; 5, Barton H. Dear; 6, Warren Walker; and 7, Frank Daugherty.
John Beckwith, the present Assistant Postmaster, has been connected with the office during the past twelve years.
To show the rapid increase of business in the Des Moines postoffice, we give the following aggregates, as furnished by Mr. Beckwith: Total amount of money orders issued during the first six months of 1870, $24,284.07; fees received for same, $186.15. For the first six months of 1876, $41,- 944.76; fees on same, $396.15. The amount of money orders paid during the first six months of 1870, is, $37,096.61; the amount for the same time in 1876, is $146,838.46.
The respective amounts of mail matter delivered and col- Jected by the city carriers, for the third quarters of 1874, and 1876, are as follows: Delivered during the third quarter of 1874, 108,427 letters, 16,970 postal cards, and 72,566 papers; collected during the same period, 70,213 letters, 9,434 postal cards, and 8,809 papers. During the third quarter of 1876, there was delivered, 146,825 letters, 43,279 postal cards, 81,566 papers; collected during the same period, 84, 717 letters, 21,680 postal cards, and 8,300 papers.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
STAGE COMPANIES.
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In September, 1849, Fink & Walker established lines of stages from Fort Des Moines to Keokuk and Iowa City; and during the same year Chiles & Hall ran a hack from the · Fort to Kanesville, or Council Bluffs. These companies gave the public on these routes, all the facilities of travel which were enjoyed, before the Western Stage Company was introduced into Iowa.
WESTERN STAGE COMPANY.
No history of Polk county would be complete, without special mention of this great corporation, the Western Stage Company, which wielded such a commanding influence among us in ante railroad times. Among the prominent partners in this company, were: E. S. Alvord, of Indian- opolis, President; Kimball Porter, of Iowa City; Messrs. Shoemaker, W. H. Sullivan, D. Tallmadge, and Campbell, of Ohio, and Colonel E. F. Hooker, of this city.
The headquarters of this Company were established at the old Everett House in Fort Des Moines, July 1, 1854. The House was at that time kept by A. Morris. The Gen- eral Superintendent of the Stage lines was Colonel E. F. Hooker, whose residence and business office were located on the site, or nearly so, of the large furniture establish- ment of Harbach Brothers, on Third street. The first office agent was a Mr. Smith. One of the early agents was W. H. McChesney, who died at Colonel Hooker's old residence May, 1858.
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Another agent in those early times, was W. P. Cooper, who was succeeded in April, 1858, by A. T. Johnson. This latter gentleman, so extensively and favorably known to our citizens, remained as agent until the corporation ceased to exist, July, 1870. George McGuire, who died in August, 1864, was prominently known as one of the representatives of the Company. The Secretaries who resided in Des. Moines were: E. B. Alvord, T. R. Fletcher, E. W. Spar- hawk and E. G. Sears. Of these, E. B. Alvord, and E. W. Sparhawk are dead.
A. B. Woodbury was Superintendent of the Company's shops, which were located, along with the barn, on the corner of Eighth and Vine streets, where Getchell's lumber yard is now situated. The shops were divided into depart- ments, in one of which the wood work was executed; in another, the painting; in another horse-shoing, and in others, harness-making, and blacksmithing for ironing coaches. From these varied operations, the reader will form some conception of the magnitude of the business carried on by this great organization.
Col. Hooker retired from the Superintendency in 1866, and was succeeded by R. Lounsberry, who was the last one filling this office. H. B. Alvord settled up the affairs of the corporation at its close, with great profit to the Com- pany. To give some idea of the business accomplished, it is proper to state in this connection, that the receipts for one . year alone, on the line between Des Moines and Boone, reached the large sum of $100,000. But after the Rock Island Railroad was completed to Council Bluffs, the Boone line fell into insignificance, and the days of the Western Stage Company, so far as Iowa is concerned, were num- bered.
The stages of this corporation transported to Davenport, with all their personal equipments, the members of the 23d and 39th Iowa Infantry, requiring just two days to take an
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OF POLK COUNTY.
entire regiment. In this way, parts of the 2d, 4th, 10th' and 15th regiments, were taken to their rendezvous. On the day after the adjournment, in old times, the members of the Legislature, living abroad, were either at their homes, or were far on their way to their destination. The morning after the great Republican State Convention in 1864, hardly a delegate to that body, except those who lived here, could be found in the city. Mr. Johnson had sent them off during the previous night in a regiment of coaches.
The last coach belonging to the Company in Des Moines, was sold for $30 to James Stephenson, of Omaha, in 1874. Mr. Johnson rode on the driver's seat from the stage barn to the freight depot of the R. I. R. R., and as he left the old vehicle to take its journey westward on the cars, he bade it an affectionate farewell. Many of the old employes of the Western Stage Company, are yet living in the county. The Company's farm on Mud Creek, in the eastern part of the county, comprising at one time 600 acres, has gone into the hands of other owners, and nothing is left to us of the rich old corporation, but the stirring memories with which its name is associated.
OMNIBUS LINE.
After the railroads had been completed to Des Moines, the Western Stage Company established an omnibus line in the city, which was operated by them until July, 1868, when A. T. Johnson & Son bought their interest. Since that time, these gentlemen have had almost exclusive control of this business. Two or three months since, they purchased three fine omnibuses, thereby accommodating themselves to the increasing capacity and demands of the city.
EXPRESS COMPANY.
The first Express in the County was an individual enter- prise, operated by a Mr. Parker, commencing in 1855. The 34
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first regular agent at Fort Des Moines was Harry Clark. In 1858, the U. S. Express Company bought out Parker's Express, and R. K. McMasters was appointed agent in the City, and so continued till July, 1863, when W. H. Quick was appointed to take his place. At that time, J. Shepard, now General Western Superintendent at Chicago, was Di- vision Superintendent.
In 1865, Mr. Quick was appointed Division Superinten- dent of the Iowa and Nebraska Division, and E. L. Smith succeeded to the place of Mr. Q Mr. Smith is still agent here, having the honor of being the oldest continuous agent of the Company in the State.
Like all other business enterprises, the U. S. Express Com- pany had a small and nnpretentious beginning, requiring the work of but one man to serve its limited interests; but wow, since the old Western Stage Company has been su- perseded by our grand railroad system, the Express Agency here has grown to very large proportions, requiring the con stant services of eight men and three teams to transmit packages from the depots to their local destination, and transact other business connected with the office. In early times, when the facilities for transportation were confined to horses and vehicles, Skunk river, and especially Skunk Bottom, as it was classically called, was a constant terror to the Express Company. The packages consigned to their care were frequently hindered in transit by the delays and obstructions caused by this historic bottom; and although the greatest care and precaution were taken to prevent hin- derances and accidents, they did not prevent the local Agent and Messenger from feeling great solicitude on this account.
It is worthy of remark here, that in the amount of ex- pressage during the past ten years, Iowa has presented a more rapid increase than any other State in the Union. This certainly speaks well for the business energy of our people.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
HOTELS.
Martin X Tucker-the X having been suggested by the fact that he always wrote his signature with that accommo- dating capital-kept a public house in one of the garrison buildings in 1846. His education was quite deficient, as upon one occasion, while speaking of some contemplated repairs in his hotel, he declared he intended to "run an av- enue through it, and having put up a condition, he would be able to detain the traveling public in a more hostile man- ner."
Part of the old Collins House, on Market street, was orig- inally occupied as a blacksmith shop, by S. L. Fuller. In time Mr. Tucker took possession of this property, and fitted it up for a hotel. He sold it to Mrs. Brechbill, who changed the name to Astor House. For many years, it was recog- nized as one of our principal public houses. Samuel Noel and Mr. Collins were among the landlords. The old hotel on Third street, near Walnut, West Side, was first kept by B. T. Hoxie, who was succeeded by Henry Everly. In the Spring of 1853, this house was purchased and occupied by J. C. Savery. The log part of this building had belonged to the barracks, and the additions to it were made by Mar- vin and Luse, in 1852-3. The hotel and furnishings, and two lots, 132 feet square, were bought by Mr. Savery for $5,000, the lots being valued at $1,000. This hotel, known amid its changes as the Everett and Blodgett House, City Hotel, and other names, was demolished not long since, to give place to a more stately and imposing edifice, after hav- ing served the purpose of its creation nearly thirty years.
The Shamrock House, on Second street, kept by Michæl McTighe, has been in existence about twenty years. The landlord, Michæl McTighe, one of the Aldermen from the First Ward, has served more years in the City Council than any other member of that body. He came to Fort Des
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Moines, September 7th, 1854; and was the first native of Ireland to settle in town. Major Thomas Cavanaugh, also from Ireland, who was Mayor of the City in 1862, took up his residence here not long after Mr. McTighe.
The most important public house in the Town twenty years ago, was the "Demoine House," the owner of which for a long time has been S. F. Spofford. It is now kept by J. Gump & Son. Among old hotels on the West Side, were the American House, on Second street; the Buckeye House, on corner of Market and Third; and the Cottage House, since called Avenue, on Court Avenue. The Cooley House, established by N. B. Cooley, and now called the Loper House, in East Des Moines, was a place of entertainment in early times. In the same part of the Town, were the Grout, Walker, and Slatten Houses.
The first public house, however, in what is now East Des Moines, was kept in a log cabin, near the site of Shepard & Perrior's mills. It was called Meachem's Tavern; and it was cotemporary with Tucker's first hotel in Fort Des Moines.
In 1866, work on the Savery Block was commenced; and a few years later, one of the grandest hotels in the West was opened in it. Subsequently, through the money and enterprise of Dr. Aborn, the Aborn House, with its splen- did appointments and commanding position, added new dignity to the Capital City. Meantime, the Pacific, now the fine Morgan House, kept by Mrs. Long; the Given, Monitor, and Fanning Houses, and City Hotel, began to grace the town; while on the East Side, the Capital, Groves, Banner, Pennsylvania, and Jones Houses, displayed their inviting attractions to the public. The Jones House is a large and well appointed hotel, whose gentlemanly propri- etor, G. W. Jones, is a solid and influential citizen.
In South Des Moines, the Indiana and South Des Moines Houses have grown up; and finally, the Spofford House, on
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OF POLK COUNTY.
Walnut street, which is destined to take the place of the old Demoine House, will be the most magnificent edifice of the kind in the State. It will be owned and controlled by a stock company, of which Col. S. F. Spofford is President; P. M. Casady, Treasurer; R. G. Orwig, Secretary; Dr. H. L. Whitman, Joseph A. Ankeny, and F. L. Downing, Di- rectors. This immense building will be 132 feet square, and five stories high, above the basement, with Mansard roof and towers, and with 262 rooms. The dining room and rotunda will have marble floors, and the ceiling will be 24 feet high. There will be an open court in the center, 44 feet square, with a fountain in the midst, and decorating flowers. Forty rooms will have bath attachments, and the whole edifice, from basement to tower, will be constructed on the most refined and elaborate plan, suggested by the best approved systems of modern architecture. The entire cost of finishing and furnishing this massive structure, will reach $200,000. William Foster is the architect. Work has already been commenced on the foundation.
We understand that the Spofford House Company have recently purchased the Jones House, in East Des Moines.
GAS COMPANIES.
The first Gas Company of the city, represented by James M. Starr, of Richmond, Indiana, was organized in April, 1864. His contract with the city stipulated that on or be- fore the first day of September, 1865, he was to complete the apparatus for making gas, and lay down one mile of main pipe in the principal streets of the city. The privi- leges granted to this Company were to extend over a period of fifteen years.
he Capital City Gas Light Company was organized September, 1875, and received their charter from the city, March 20th, 1876. They have almost completed their works, having put in ten miles of mains. An unfortunate contro-
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versy sprang up between this Company and the old one, which has been pending several years. This controversy precipitated a lawsuit, in which C. C. Cole and Bissell & Crane were attorneys for the old Company; Seward Smith, City Solicitor, for the new, and C. P. Holmes, Smith & Bay- lies, and McHenry & Bowen for the city. This suit termi- nated by a Supreme Court decision, in favor of the right of the city to grant a charter to the new Company.
The officers of the Capital City Company are: F. F. Marsh, President; W. S. Agard, Secretary; William Sum- ner, Treasurer.
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