Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886, Part 6

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Publication date: 1886
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MUSIC SCHOOLS.


The advantages offered by our, music schools for the acquirements of a thorough musical education are unsurpassed in the west, and whether the student is desirous of obtaining a theoretical or practical knowledge of.


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music, instrumental or vocal, the instructors in these schools are fully competent to impart the information desired. We have among our teach- ers of music in Des Moines a few who are not surpassed as instructors in as part of the country, and who pursue a system of training admirably: ndoted to the object for which it is designed. These institutions are all Mensant and accessible locations, and are largely attended by advanced Bils, as well as those commencing the study of music.


LAW SCHOOLS.


The Iowa College of Law iselocated here. Des Moines cannot be excelled as a location for legal training. As the capital of the State, it affords the student rare advantages. | The student has tree access to the State library, which contains about ten thousand, volumes of law books alone, including the reports of all the States and many foreign countries complete, and is one of the fullest collections of legal text books in the West, ranking fifth among the law libraries of the United States. The aim of the faculty is to give thorough instruction, and the final examina- ton is strict, requiring faithful work of the student in order to graduate.


MEDICAL COLLEGES.


There are three medical schools here, the Iowa College of Physicians; i and Surgeons, the, Iowa Medical College, and the King Eclectic Medical College, which offer excellent advantages for the acquirement of a thorough medical education.


PUBLIC LIBRARIES


One of the most beneficial and complete sources of entertainment, progress and culture is afforded by the libraries of the city. : Here we have our celebrated Stato Library: which ranks fifth | in size and import. ance among the law libraries of the Union, the reports of the United States and several sets of the foreign reports being complete. " The scien- tific, historical, fiction, biographical and record departments are also well filled, containing in all about forty thousand volumes, exclusive of pam -. phlets and manuscripts. We have also a well-selected city library, con- taining about five thousand volumes, in addition to which is kept a file of the leading monthly and weekly magazines, and our city publications, all of which are free to the use of the public, and the reading room is a favor- ite resort for many persons of studious habits. | The State Arsenal contains the Record Library for Iowa, of the wara of the United States, which are for public reference.


ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.


This was originally organized June 5, 1878, and re organized, under .1.


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the name of "Iowa State Academy of Sciences," November 20, 1879, at which time it was incorporated, Its object was declared to be "' the in- crease and diffusion of scientific knowledge, and, as contibutary thereto, the collection and maintenance of a museum and library illustrating the different branches of natural science." Its officers consist of a president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary,, treasurer, curator and librarian, with a board of five directors. Regular monthly med; ings are held for the transaction of business and the presentation and dis cussion of papers on scientific subjects. The membership is gradually in creasing, and a growing interest-appears to be manifested. The academy possesses a fair beginning for a museum and a library. Interesting publics lectures by popular scientists have been given under its auspices. , It, bids fair to become one of the' permanent institutions of Des Moines, and is worthy of the liberal patronage of her citizens.


POST-OFFICE.


The United States Court House and Post-office is a fine structure built of Joliet stone,, three stories and basement, at an expense of $206,000, and is decupied by the post-office department, the United States Courts, and all United States officers residing here. This is noted as a; model post- office in every detail, and although the amount of business transacted here is very large. yet so systematically and efficiently is the work of transmit ting the mails conducted that it leaves no cause for complaint. The postal business of the city has increased so largely as to necessitate greater space, and for this purpose Congress has recently appropriated the sum of $180,- 000; to enlarge and improve the, building. which will greatly improve Another story will be added, its appearance, and other changes will be> made which will add to the comfort and convenience of the post-office officials.


The transactions of the post-office are a very fair index to the general business of a city, and the showing made in the annual report is certainly very flattering. The following figures of business done in the Des Moines post-office during the past year are taken from their annual report: Gross receipts, 893,308.83. Expenses -- salary $3,300; clerk hire, $9,895; free delivery, $13,047.14; incidentals, rent, etc., $229.15 ;, total, $25,471.29. Net revenue, $67,837.54.


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In order to arrive at some just estimate of the business done here as) . compared with that of Iowa towns, it might be well to mention some facts taken from the annual report made to the department at Washington by: the second city in the State: The receipts for the year were $40,979.31. In the Des Moines office, the receipts for the, same time were $93, 308.83.


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The receipts at Des Moines werd more than for both the second and third cities in the State combined as to the amount of business done. The the net revenue was more than $26,000 in excess of both together as shown by shown by their annual reports.


It is a grand showing for Des Moines, and the percentage of expense to receipts makes it the most economically managed office in the State, if not in the West.' There is but one other firet-class office that is managed as economically as this, which speaks volumes for Mr. John Beckwith, the postmaster, and his assistant, Mr. W. L. Harlan .!


NEWSPAPERS,


The general character, appearance and professional rank of the news- papers of ia city constitute a criterion by which to estimate its people, their intelligence and their prosperity,


In all the rapid advances made by Des Moines, nothing impresses the mind more than the wonderful progress in journalism, and the cinin- ence attained by our newspapers, and the power which they have exerted in the growth of our city. | They are always alive to the interests of Des Moines. The whole editorial staff are a wide awake and enterprising fraternity. No other city in Iowa has as inany newspapers and publica- tions as Des Moines; and certainly in proportion and extent of circulation, no other city of the same population in the country can make a better exhibit. They are edited with ability, and with a just appreciation of the prominent position they occupy as public educators. the principal papers:


The following are'!


Leader, daily and| ' News, daily; Iowa


State Register, daily and weekly; | Des Moines weekly; Iowa Capital, daily and weekly: Des Moines Homestead, weekly; Journal of Commerce, weekly; Iowa Staats Anzei- ger, weekly; Saturday Evening Mail, weekly; Persinger's Times, weekly; Plain "Talk, weekly; Towa Tribune, weekly; Iowa Messenger; weekly; Northwestern Journal of Education, weekly; Christian Oracle, weekly; Million, weekly; Live Stock and Western Farm Journal, semi-monthly; American Real Estate World, monthly; Eclectic Medical and Surgical Jourhal, monthly; National Illustrated Vindicator monthly; North-


western .Library, monthly; Presto, monthly; . Western Guardsman, monthly; Western Stock Raisers Journal, monthly; Western Trade, Review, monthly; and the Western Newspaper Union auxiliary publish- ers of Iowa and other weekly papers.,


BANKS


Des Moines has a ! solid financial status, "and comparative state -; inents: rank us far in advance of any other city in the west, of the same


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population, in number and amount of surphis deposits. A commercial city is always in a great degree dependent upon its banking facilities, and. any one at all observant would naturally be impressed with the extent ofi the business of this city, by noticing the amount of capital possessed and the . prosperity of the banking institutions; for the advance of business is proba- bly more accurately demonstrated by the growth of the banking interest ; than by any other standard that can be followed withi equal precision. The exhibits of the Des Moines banks have proved 'this to be a greater financial center than many suppose. The banks of Des Moines draw from the principal mercantile and corporate institutions,throughout western and northern Iowa, and furnish a safe deposit for the banks and merchants, in the counties of central Iowa. Eastern exchange sold by Des Moines banks amounts to millions annually. The following are the banks of the- city:


Citizens' National; Town, National; Des Moines National; Merchants' National; Valley National; Capital City; 'and the Des Moines, Polk .County, and American Savings Banks, Besides these, there are several Loan and Trust Companies, as follows: Iowa Loan and Trust Company, New England Loan and Trust Company, Central Loan and Trust Com- paniy, Security Loan and Trust Company, and the Des Moines Loan and Trust Company.


HOME INSURANCE COMPANIES. 1


Des Moines may well be styled the Hartford of the West,'in the num- beif of insurance companies established here. The position occupied by these companies is such that in describing the commercial, manufacturing and financial advantages of this city, it would be impossible to omit men- tion of these institutions, which have contributed so largely to the solvency and solidity of our mercantile, enterprises, hffording that protection and! security guaranteed only by the most reliable organizations of this char- acter. These companies, inchiding fire, lightning jand tornado, and acci- dent, have done much for Des Moines, and as their settlements have been promptly and liberally made, confidence on the part of the public has been established. The fire companies are as follows:


The Hawkeye. State, Des Moines, Monarch, Capital, Mill Owner's Mutual, Merchants and Bankers. The life companies are the Equitable Life of Iowa, Bankers' Life Association, Guaranty Life Association, Western Mutual Aid Society, Security ( Mutual Life Society, Farmers Mutual Benefit, and two live stock companies, viz: the National Mutual Live Stock Association and the Northwestern Farmers and| Live Stock Breeders Indemnity Association.


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SOCIETIES AND ORDERS.


The fraternal and benevolent societies usually found in large cities are well represented in Des Moines, there being numerous organizations of Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythia's, Legion of Honor, United Workmen, Modern Woodmen, Knights of Labor, Red" Men, Druids, Grand Army of the Republic, and many others of minor importance, while in the temperance organizations there are the State Alliance, Good Templars, Citizen's League, Sons of Temperance, Temple of Honor, and Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The visitor from abroad, it matters not from what portion of the world he comes, may find among the various benevolent and social organizations in the city, some one to extend the hand of welcome, and express a fraternal interest in the stranger. These various societies and orders are numerous, and most of them are strong in numbers and influence.' Many of them have depart- ments of life insurance, thus constituting them mutual benefit associations.


HOTELS.


There is nothing which adds so much to the prestige of a city lin the estimation of strangers, as first-class hotel accommodations. And the numerous and excellent hotels of Des Moines, are noted for their excel- lence in all those essentials which pertain to first-class accommodations. The leading houses are furnished in elegant style, the cuisine is unexcep- tidnable, while the locations, accessibility and general management have given them a reputation and popularity second to none in the state. : The two principal hotels have been re-modeled, enlarged and re-furnished in the most thorough and complete manner, atja cost of more than $100,000; thereby greatly increasing their facilities for the entertainment of the public. ¡ The most prominent houses are the Kirkwood, Aborn, Morgan, Gault, Sabin, Capital, International, Given, Miller, besides many smaller but comfortable and home-like houses of entertainment. | Two large and elegant hotels are to be built during the coming season, one on each side of the river.


OPERA HOUSES.


During the last few years much has been done throughout the country in building and fitting up theatres' and opera houses for the comfort and accommodation of the great mass of theatre-going people, and Des Moines, through the efforts of Her public-spirited citizens, has kept pace with other :


cities in this respect, having three fine opera houses the (Grand, Foster's and Lewis' Opera House with a combined seating capacity of about five thousand. They are admirably arranged for comfort and convenience,


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special attention being paid to heating and ventilating, also to the means of exit in case of an emergency. They are ornamented with fine frescoes and furnished with upholstered opera chairs, beautiful scenery, ample for the production of any play, large and completely equipped stages, and every convenience of a thoroughly first-class place of amusement, The managers have exhibited an energy and ability in the character of the amusements presented to the public, which have placed these houses in the front rank of such establishments in the west.


THE NEW CAPITOL.


The illustration of Iowa's new Capitol on another page, is an excel- lent representation of the building, which is a model of beauty throughout, comparing favorably with the finest buildings in the country, standing as a monument to the progress, thrift and industry of the people of the statu. The building stands on an elevation of about one hundred and twenty feet above the Des Moines river, presenting an appearance magni- ficent in proportions, elegant in design and solid in construction. The massiveness of the structure is relieved by elegant domes at each of the four corners, while a larger one crowns the center of the edifice. Over: the west entrance is the coat-of-arn's of Iowa, handsomely sculptured in solid stone. The central dome commands a beautiful and extensivo view of the surrounding country. 1


The partitions are all of brick or other fire-proof material, and the floors are made with iron beans and brick arches with either an encaustic tile or wood covering. The rooms are all warmed with steam, with both direct and indirect radiation from a battery of seven boilers located in a building across the street on the north side, and the rooms-are all venti- lated by exhausting the air through air ducts built in the walls. The roof is an iron frame-work covered with porous terra cotta and slate laid in cement mortar. The corridor floors are all of encaustic tile laid in very rich patterns, and the wainscotings of the corridors and all the principal rooms of both office and second story are of domestic and foreign marbles, of which there are thirty-two varieties in the building.


The varieties of wood employed in the building are : Ash, Red Oak, White Oak, Black Walnut, Butternut, Chestnut, Cherry, Mahogany, Poplar, Yellow Pine; White Pine and Catalpa. The walls are elegantly 1 decorated with frescoes, including some very fine figure work. The furni- ture is of the richest and most artistic patterns manufactured to order, and in harmony with the elegance and beauty of the building.


It is but justice to the gentlemen who have been in charge of this work, to state that the money appropriated from time to time, by the .


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general assembly, for the construction of the new Capitol, has been most judiciously and economically expended by them, and so honestly and faith- fully has every dollar been applied to the purpose for which it was intend- ed, that it is amatter of astonishment to strangers and visitors generally, that so magnificent an edifice could have been erected at so comparatively moderate an outlay. Thus far there has been expended about 82,000,000 and it is estimated that to complete and furnish the building and properly improve the grounds surrounding it-consisting of ten acres-will; require" the putlay of about $1,000,000 more, thus making the total cost of the- building and grounds about $3,000, 000.


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PUBLIC PARKS.


It was unfortunate that the city was not provided with park grounds years ago, when grounds could have been purchased at comparatively moderate cost, but as year followed year available spots were seized upon one after another, and converted into residence lots, until the hope of a public park seemed doomed to disappointment.


One chance yet remained in the old picnic grounds on the Des Moines river, at "Devil's Gap." The announcement that this romantic spot, and a large tract of ground beside; had been purchased and would be im- * mediately thrown open to the public for a pleasure resort to be known as Prospect Park, was received with great satisfaction on the part of the pub- · lic .. The park includes, in all, some sixty acres of woodland lying north of the city, and more centrally located than any other spot that could have been selected. All the principal streets from Sixth to Thirteenth lead directly to the grounds.


Nature has already done much for the place. One would have to- travel many miles from Des Moines to find another such wild, romantic region-so picturesque and varied in its, scenery


On the river bank is an extensive green sword sufficiently shaded with gigantic oaks and elms; to have made it long since a favorite resort of picnics and pleasure parties. If you would take a little invigorating exer- cise, you may climb the rugged steep of Prospect Heights. Having gained the summit, a magnificent panorama of the surrounding country, the river, the valley, the far-reaching prairie, with miles and miles of green meadows and cultivated fields, bursts upon your view. " Here is Prospect Boulevard, eighty feet wide, and forming, with Fountain Avenue, the finest drive in the city, extending the, whole length of the southern limit of the park. A short walk brings! us to the narrow descent bearing the euphonious name of Devil's Stairway. This leads to the Sylvan lake, at the source of which you enter a glen so quiet and retired that you may


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imagine yourself at once a thousand miles from Des Moines, enjoying the wild solitude, of the outskirts of civilization.


Winding drives and carriage ways under over-arching branches; meandering walks among the trees and through the underbrush, over rustic bridges and creeping along the bluffs, artificial lakes, grottos, swings, summer houses, and rustic seats, have already been provided, and the improvements made have rendered it accessible to the public, and adaptee to the comfort and convenience of visitors


CEMETERIES.


Woodland Cemetery, our beautiful "city of the dead," is situated in the northwestern portion of the city. The land is gently undulating, uplands and dells and shady groves abound, and a small stream quietly pursues its way through the grounds. It contains many elegant designs in statuary and monumental sculpture, and with the care bestowed upon it, and the improvements constantly being made, it is fast assuming the appearance of a landscape garden, as well as that of "God's Acre." Immediately north of Woodland, Cemetery is the Catholic, and the Jewish Cemetery adjoins it on the northwest. . 7. HOSPITALS AND FREE DISPENSARIES.


The Cottage Hospital, a most beneficent and praiseworthy institution, was opened for the reception of patients in July, 1878, and is located in a pleasant and comfortable building in the northern part of the city. It is, sustained in part by voluntary contributions, and few people have any ade- quate idea of the work that is being done by this institution and of the great good already accomplished. Up to the present time they have re- ceived and treated 595 patients, many of whom would have had no place of refuge in the time of sorest need had it not been for the charitable hand extended thein by the hospital. It has been the means of alleviating un 1


told' sufferings.


No patients are received having contagious diseases, but any and all who are sick, and have nowhere else to go, are cordially welcomed and. kindly cared for. Such as are able to pay for treatment do so, but others are received and given the best of medical skill and nursing.


There are also in the city two institutions known as Free Dispensaries, the object of which is to give free medical services to all who present them selves, and are unable to pay. The draggists generously co-operate with the physicians and furnish medicine gratuitously. . Des Moines Free Dig- pensary meets daily from 1 to 2 P. M. except Sunday, room 16 Exchange Block, over 311 west Walnut .~ Monday, Dr. L. C. Swift; Tuesday, Dr


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Charles . D. Moore; Wednesday, Dr. T. Co>kery; Thursday, Dr. C. E. Cur- rie; Friday, Dr. O. D. Benson; Saturday, Dr. A. J. Crawford .. .


IOWA STATE FAIR GROUNDS.


The Iowa State Agricultural Society is now permanently located in Des Moines with its office in the State House. The directors of the society availed themselves of the | proposition made by the Twentieth General Assembly, to the effect that the State should appropriate fifty thousand dollars toward the purchase of new grounds, on condition that a suitable location for the purpose, which would donate an equal amount, should be selected. Des Moines wasa ked to raise the amount, which her enterpris ;. · ing citizens have done, and the State fair will now have a permanent home., The 'grounds selected are one mile east of the city and admirably adapted, to the purpose.


The selection is the best that could have been made. . The grounds are watered by half a dozen large springs, there is an abundance of timber, a mile course can be easilyjconstructed, and everything necessary for the requirements of the society. The lands are touched by nearly all the rail- roads from the north, south, west, and east. The drive from the city will be one of the finest in the State. The board has, acted wisely and for the best interests of the association. , The last fair was the grandest exhibition of the products of the soil and dairy, agricultural ' implements factured products, and fine stock, ever held within our State.


and manu- The State Society has been controlled, as a rule, by the best minds in Iowa; its af- fairs have been conducted with intelligence and prudence, and its annual volume of transactions has accomplished a great work toward inviting im- migration; it has given wide circulation to a knowledge of our resources to other States and countries; its confpilation and preservation of statis- tics, its collections of the products of the field, and its library, are valu- able.


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TELEGRAPH .:


The industries of Des Moines, which have shown such remarkable improvement during the past few years, and which draw their supplies from all portions of the United States, demand an extensive system of tele- graphic communication, which is furnished by the Western Union Com- pany, with two offices in the city under the management of Mr. T. A. Yearnshaw. Seventeen persons are employed in these offices in the ca- pacity of operators, clerks, and messengers,.


THE AMERICAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH COMPANY.


The American District Telegraph and Fire Alarm Company is com- posed of the best Des Moines business men, and is rapidly growing in


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popularity. Nearly all the fire alarms are being sent in over this system. The messenger department is something long needed in the city, and it is highly appreciated. "This system puts every |home in direct communi- cation with the public department for the sin ill sum of $6.00 per year. One hundred and fifty private boxes have already been rented out, besides twenty-five public fire alarm boxes. Their lines are extended in every portion of the city. The officers are, C. H| Gatch, " president; H. E. Teachout, vice-president; J. G. Rounds, treasurer; |G. H. Williams, secretary; C. K. Mead, assistant secretary.


TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.


In these days of rapid transit and expeditious transaction of business, the telegraph has been supplemented with the telephone, so that business men are enabled to hold personal conversation, although widely separated. oper . Des Moines was not stow to recognize the benefits to be derived from this invention, and her telephone system is excellent, and there are now 7651. patrons of the exchange in the city. Besides these, Des Moines las tele- phonic communication withi over one hundred cities and towns in the sur- rounding country, and the business 'transacted through this medium has become so large as to necessitate a separate department in the exchange. It is said by those familiar with the telephone business, that this city has the finest construction work, and we claim the Central Union Telephone Company have the best exchanges in the West. Sixteen regular lady men on outside work. the city limits, and an operators are employed in the exchange, and nine There are over five hundred miles of wire within average of eight thousand connections each day is made at the exchange. Much credit is due to the manager, Mr. O. K. Mead, for the excellent and business-like manner in which the exchange is conducted. The company is about to make some important changes by way of adding new style. switch boards and more room for operating.




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