Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1889, Part 61

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Publication date: 1889
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USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1889 > Part 61

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Newspapers.

In all the rapid advances made by Des Moines, nothing impresses the mind more than the wonderful progress in journalism, and the . eminence attained by our newspapers, and the power which they have exerted-in the growth of our city. The general character. appearance and professional rank of the newspaper of a city constitute a criterion. by which to estimate its people, their intelligence and their prosperity. No other city in Iowa has as many newspapers and publications 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.

DES MOINES -- SOCIETIES AND:ORDERS; HEALTHFULNESS. 37

. In all that relates to journalistic enterprise Des Moines papers have. reached a high standard: The following are the principal journals: : State Register, daily and weekly; Des Moines Leader daily and weekly: Iowa Capital, daily and - weekly; Iowa Homestead, weekly: Des Moines Trade Journal weekly; Iowa Staats Anzeiger, weekly; Suu -- day Post weekly; Iowa Staats Zeitung, weekly; Mail and. Times, weekly; Plain Talk, weekly; Iowa Tribune, weekly; Towa W. C. T. U. Messenger, weekly; The Merchant, weekly; Live Stock and Western Farm Journal, semi-monthly; Northwest, semi-monthly: Commercial Knot monthly; Eclectic Medical and Surgical Journal, monthly; Northwestern Library, monthly: Teachers Outlook, monthly; Western' Stock Journal, monthly: Western Trade Review, monthly, and the Western Newspaper Union, auxiliary publishers of Iowa and other. : weekly papers. ;

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 Pythias, Legion of- @Honor. United Workmon, 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, and Womans: Christian Temperance Union: sitor from abroad, it matters not from what portion of the world - hercomes, may find among the various bencrofem and social organiza- tions in the city, some one to extend the hall 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 departments of life insurance, thus- constituting them mutual benefit associations

Healthfulness.

In regard to healthfulness. which is a very important feature in the growth of a city. Des Moines presents unusual attractions to those in search of a location for a home, as it is shown by comparative statistics to have an exceptionally low mortality rate per' thousand. The climate is salubrious. and the surface of the earth is so diversified by hill and valley that it is easily drained. Nature has done much for the city in this regard, which is being rapidly supplemented by the city authorities with an- extensive sewerage system, about thirty-miles of which is already in place.

There is a marked absence of malarial diseases, and of such as are traceable to improper sanitary regulation.

The following statistics of various cities for the year 1555 will show-their comparative mortality:

DES MOINES -- MEDICAL COLLEGES, HOTELS, NEWSPAPERS.

Law Schools.

"The Iowa College of Law is located 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 free access to the State library, which contains ahuit ten thousand volumes of law books alone, including the reports of all the States and-many foreign _coun- tries 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 examination is strict, requiring faithful work of the student in order to graduate.

Medical Colleges.

Des Moines has three medical schools, the Iowa College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, the Towa Medical College, and the King Eclectic Medical College, whichoffer excellent advantages for the acquirement of a thorough medical education

.. Hotels.

Good hotel accommodations is one of the best advertisements for any city, and Des Moines is unquestionably the hotel city of Iowa. It is not unusual for commercial travelers to come into the city Saturday from a radius of one hundred miles, to spend Sunday, because of the Hotel accommodations. There are over twenty good hotels and scores of smaller ones and boarding houses. Our Savery House would be a -source of pride to any city, while the Kirkwood and. Aborn retain their reputation and popularity second to none in the State. The principal houses are elegantly furnished, the cuisine is unexceptionable and they are noted for their excellence in everything which pertains to first-class accommodations. Besides those mentioned, prominent houses are the _- Morgan, Ardmore, Gault, Windsor, International' and two excellent - European hotels, Munger's and the Sabir House. Des Moines com- fortably entertains 30,000 to 40,000 visitors per day during the State Fair. which is beyond the capacity of any other city in Iowa. to do.

Newspapers.

In all the rapid advances made by Des Moines, nothing impresses the mind more than the wonderful progress in journalism, and the eminence attained by our newspapers, and the power which they have exerted in the growth of our city. The general character, appearance and professional rank of the newspapers of a city constitute a criterion by which to estimate its people, their intelligence and their prosperity. No other city in Iowa has as many newspapers and publications 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.

DES MOINES-SOCIETIES AND ORDERS, HEALTHFULNESS .. 37

In all that relates. to journalistic enterprise Des Moines papers have. relichedl a high standard. The following are the- principal journals :- State-Register, duily midt weekly; Des Moines Leader. daily and weekly ;- Iowa Capital, daily and weekly: Iowa Homestead. weekly: . . Des Moines Trade Journal. weekly: Iowa Staats Anzeiger, weekly ; Sun- day Post, weekly: Iowa Staats Zeitung, weekly; Mailand Times. weekly; Plain Talk, weekly; Iowa Tribune, weekly: Iowa IL C. T. U. Messenger. weekly; The Merchant, weekly; Live Stock and Western Farm Journal, semi-monthly; Northwest, semi-monthly; Commercial Knot, monthly; Eclectic Medical and Surgical Journal, monthly: Northwestern Library, monthly: Teachers, Outlook, monthly; Western Stock Journal, monthly : Western - Trade Review, monthly, and the Western Newspaper Union, auxiliary publishers of Town and other weekly papers .-

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 Pythias, 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 Afrance, Good Templars, and Womans . 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 organiza -. . tions 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 number's and influence. Many of them have departments of life insurance. thus constituting them mutual benefit associations.

Healthfulness.

In regard to healthfulness, which is a very important feature in the growth of a city. Des Moines presents unusual attractions to those in search of a location for a home, as it is shown by comparative statistics to have an exceptionally low mortality rate per thousand. The climate is salubrious. and-the surface of the earth is so diversified Iyi-Hiff and valley that it is easily drained.Nature has done much. for the city in this regard, which is being rapidly supplemented by the city authorities with an extensive sewerage system, about thirty miles . of which is already in place

There is a marked absence of malarial diseases, and of such as are -traceable to improper sanitary regulation.

The following statistics of various cities for the year 1555 will show their comparative mortality :

DES MOINES-HEALTHFULNESS, PUBLIC PARKS.

CITIES.

Population

Death Rate; per

Pul- monary Dis- eases.

Dis-

Deaths.

New Haven. Conn

51.000*

19:00

.216

170

1594

Minneapolis. Min

200,000

33.40

694

353

2689

Newport. R. I.

22,000

14.30

315

Reading. Pa

57.750.

14.20

133

Portland. Maine.

10.000-

16.55

150

Des Moines, lowa

55.000

8.02

107

46.

494

Davenport. Iowa

33.715-

12.52

,51

. 136

422

Dubuque, Iowa

26.330

44.05

7:+

50:

The following the death rate per thousand population in the

following cities:

Hartford. Conn ...

19.10

Brooklyn, N

Manchester N. II

26.41

- Albany, S. )

19.38-

Concord. N. IL.

2260

Syracuse.

16.10

Merrimack, N. H .:

18.03

Rochester. N. Y

:- 18.32

Boston, Mass ..

21.50

Chicago, IL.

17.00

Springfield, Mass:

18.60-

New York City

26.60

MNiis gratifying exhibit is largely due to the purity of the water supply of our city. The water, which is soft, is taken by the Holly. system from the Raccoon river, and there is no contamination of - sewage in the river where the city Mer is pumped directly from the filtering beds, which are located fourteen feet below- the bed of the river, into the street mains, and microscopical analysis proves it to be among the best water supplies of the country. There are, How sixty miles of water mains in the city. and the system is being con- stantly extended. Artesian wells have also been sunk in various parts.

of the city, and a bountiful supply obtainedt. "These well Fido An abundance or water at a comparatively small cost. the water being obtained at a depth of about two hundred feet, yielding pure. soft. water. some with agreeable. health-giving mineral properties, which are becoming very popular."

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.

A few years ago. however, the continued agitation of this necessity resulted in the purchase of a tract of sixty are ne the river bet north of the city. This was named Prospect Park, and was immediate- ly thrown open to the public as a pleasure resort .- No other place in this region affords scenery more romantic, varied and picturesque.

1.000 Pop- ulation.

eases

eases.

823

1.1 . .

.Con -... ] Mal- tagious+ arial-| Total

DES MOINES --- IOWA STATE FAIR.

Oaks. This, and other native trees afford protection from the heated rays of the sun, and render the place delightfully cool-in_summer. . `From the summit of the heights near the entrance to the park-may be -- `obtained a magnificent view of the river and valley, together with a . vast extent of prairie covered with the verdure of meadows and green fields. Art has added much to the natural beauty of-Prospect Park. The narrow descent bearing the name of Devil's Stairway levity to Sylvan lake. at the- source of which you enter a glen so quiet, and retired that you may imagine yourself at once a thousand miles from Des Moines, enjoying the wild solitude of the outskirts of civilization. Des Moines Zoologienl Garden is another pleasant resort Wind- ing carriage- ways. under over arching branches: meandering walks · among the trees; over rustic bridges and creeping along the bluffs; artifical lakes. grottos, swings, summer honses; and rustic seats, hive -already been provided, and the improvements made have rendered it adapted to the comfort and convenience of visitors. The grounds con; fains sixty acres including a charming lake, on which there are in steamer a beautiful gondola and any number of you boats. There are maur delightful spots within the inclosure, for picnics_and pleasure parties. - The management have already secured a good number of . animals and intend to add steadily to the collection. The variation of hill and dale, woodland and lake are beautiful and attractive and the company intend to add extensively to the improvements already made.

Hlowa State Fair.

The State Agricultural Society about three years ago, purchased, with - money donated by the citizens of Des Moines, and an equal amount appropriated by the State, two hundred and sixty-six acres of land, directly east of the city for a permanent location for the Iowa State Fair. The location was admirable, as the grounds are watered by half a bien large springs which has been supplemented by an extensive system of drive wells. There is an abundance of timber, and every- thing inecessary for the requirements of the Society __ The location of the buildings is very sightly, overlooking the city, and the manufactur- ing district lying south and east of it. Over $150.000 has been expended upon the grounds in permanent buildings, drives, race track, "etc. and are now equal to any in the country for the same purpose. This great Fair is held annually, and is attended by forty to fifty thousand people daily, some days averaging a much greater number. The lt F of the oil and the dairy of agricultural implements and we suisctured products and of fine stock ever held within our State. Every year manufacturers from other States take advantage of the multitudes in to advertise their goods, and to exhibit their products. knowing well that .

DES MOINES-CEMETERIES, BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

they will reap rich returns for the outlay of time and money. Of- course Des Moines business men are also benefitted in having the peo ple thus brought to their doors, and are not slow to take advantage of. these grand opportunities to display their goods to the best of their ability, acknowledging that they have been important factors in greatly extending the trade of our city.

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.

Benevolent Institutions;

COTTAGE HOSPITAL is located in a pleasant and commodious building in the north part of the city, and is a beneficent and praise- worthy institution. It was opened for the reception of patients in- July. 1878. and the demands upon it have increased so rapidly that it has been compelled to enlarge its facilities for usefulness, and is now contemplating a still further extension .-- It is sustained in part by- voluntary contributions, has been the means of alleviating untold suf- fering and of accomplishing great-good.

: THE TRACY HOME FOR INVALIDS is a large and admirably arranged institution, where patients may receive the best of private surgical treatment and nursing. . It is located on an eminence in the north part of the city, where the air is delightfully pure, ant which overlooks the city and the river. The interior arrangements provide every conven- ience for the 'accommodation and treatment of patients:

THE CHRISTIAN HOME FOR SELF-SUPPORTING WOMEN is one of the- most beneficent institutions of our city. and though but recently estab_" lished. is quietly accomplishing a good work. Its object is to provide a Christian ihome for working girls and women in the city. and for strangers coming from other places in semch of employment. Here they receive aid. encouragement and protection from the evil influences incident to large. cities. If they can bring reliable recommendations, they are assisted to procure situations at good wages. They receive board at a nominal

cost, and have the comforts of a home.

THE BENEDICT HOME is an institution having for its object the reclamation of fallen women. and is under the-auspices of the State .... organization of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. It receives

41 :: -

DES MOINES-PUBLIC CONVENIENCES.

its support partly from contributions from the local Unions throughout Iowa, and partly from the State treasury. It has been in existence about seven years And has been instrumental in accomplishing much · good.

THEDES MOINES HOME FOR "FRIENDLESS CHILDREN is, a most worthy institution. Its object is to care for friendless and destitute- children, providing them with board. clothing and-Christian training until they can be placed in good permanent homes. It is dependent entirely upon public charity. and has - been established three years. . During that time it has taken a large number of children from the lower walks of life and placed them in good, christian homes. thereby - insuring to them such training as shall make them good citizens and useful members of society.

Public- Conveniences.

The industries of Des Moines, which have shown such a remark able improvement during the past few years, and which draw their sup -.. plies from all portions of the- UnitedStates, demand-an-extensive system of telegraphic communication. which is furnished by the West- . ren Union Company. with three offices in the city, under the manage- ment of ME. T. A. Yearnshaw. and the Postal Telegraph-Cable- Com- pany. which also has three offices here, and is under the management __ of Mr. F. K. Holtzinger. . The American District and Telegraph Fire: Alarm Company is composed of the best Des Moines business man and is rapidly growing in popularity. Nearly all the fire alarmns 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 communication with the public department_ " for the small sum of $6.00 per year. The lines extend to all parts of_ the city In these days of rapid transit and expeditions transaction of. basiness, the telegraph has been supplemented with the telephone. so that business men are enabled to hold personal conversation, although widely separated. Des Moines was not slow to recognize the benefits to be derived from this invention, and hor telephone system is excel- lent: Des Moines has telephonic communication with over-one hun- redt cities aml towns in the surrounding country.

Des Moines has a fire department equalled in its efficiency by but few cities in the country, and surpassed by none of the same popula- tion. There are seven engine houses located in various portions of the city. and the average time occupied from the sounding of the first alarm until the men are in their places and the horses on a run through the streets is from fift ty seconds. - The Gift has

spared no pains or expense in perfecting its fire department. and it is an honor and credit to Des Moines.

DES MOINES STREET RAHWAYS.

The electric light is well introduced in Des Moines, and proves very satisfactory. There are two electric light companies, and they furnish both the arc and incandescent light. . They also furnish many of our business houses with power at rates much less than steam power.

Our gas, works are first class, and amply supply the demand with gas of excellent quality. The lights upon the streets are numerous. and are kept in good condition.

The United States sigund service established a station in Des Moines August 1. 1875. Five observations are taken daily and reported to Washington by telegraph, from which, together with the reports received from other stations, of which there are one hundred - and thirty-five, predictions of the weather are made for the next twenty-four hours .- - The Des Moines station is one of seventeen print- ing signal stations in the United States, and has been of special ben- efit to residents of this locality. This station is under the manage- ment of a thoroughly competent officer, Sergeant G. M. Chappel. who" is fully informed on all, matters pertaining to the weather. The cold wave signal was established in 1833, and has proved of -great-benefit to centers in perishable goods and to railroads.

Straat Dailways

Des Moines is well supplied with street railwarys, having five companies whose lines extend to all portions of the city. " "The Des .. Moines Street Railway the oldest company has about seventeen miles of track.extending -into nearly all parts, of the city. They have horses in use but are contemplating a change which shall make their line one . of more rapid transit. A large part of their track is paved. and they are extending their lines into new territory.

. The Des Moines Electric Railway has met with almost phenomenal - success. Established as a horse railroad. although a new road with " new cars it did not pay. The motive power was changed to the Thom. son-Houston electric system. and their-accommodations are not ade- quate to the demand. . Their cars are. crowded, and there is urgent - need of more, which the company is supplying- as fast as possible. They have about twelve miles of track, much of which is up and down heavy grades, and the cars run at the rate of six and eight miles per hour. stopping and starting at any point. even when loaded to their fullest capacity. Stock, which six months ago was greatly depreciated. is now far above par. The company is rapidly extending its lines in various portions of the city.

The DesMoines Bolt Live Railway is operated by steam motors. is about four and a half miles in extent. running from west Locust and Second streets through the suburban town of North Des Moines to Oak . Park and Highland Park.

DES MOINES -- PUBLIC LIBRARIES,-A.CITY-OF HOMES.

The East and West Motor Line is nearly seven miles in length -from the west side of Brown's Woods on the west to the State Fair Grounds on the east. This is operated at present by steam power, but in consequence of objections to steam power traversing the principal . streets. it is probable that this company will adpot some other motive power Work is actively progressing on this line, and it is expected that cars will son be running the entire length of the road.

The Des Moines and Sevastopol Railway is about three miles in lengthi. is operated by horse power, and connects the surburban town of Sevastopol with the city. It is expected, by the first of next year or possibly sooner, that the electric and the horse car lines will be con- solidated as one corporation and will be operated by electricity.

Public Libraries. -

The value of well selected public libraries cannot be too strongly emphasized. They affoul_one of the most_beneficial : and" pleasing . sources of entertainment aml culture, and exert a powerful influence in. elevating the standard of intelligence wherever they exist. . The Iowa - State Library, which occupies elegant rooms in theCapitol. ranks among the first of the law libraries of the United States: The depart- "ments of history, biography, travel fiction, science and art are well- supplied :- A very valuable addition to the State library is what is -- known as the "Aldrich Collection." being a collection of photographs, autographs and mementos of notable men and women of the past and present. in this country and the old world. The collection is very rich and fuH. and occupies a large numberof beautiful cases made especially for its preservation. It is the gift of Hon Charles Aldrich, of Web- ster City; to the State of Iowa, and the generous donor is constantly adding to and enriching the collection, which now numbers many thou- sand specimens.

The Des Moines City Library contains between five and six thou- Sand volumes besides the current week, and monthly magazines all of- which are free to the use of the public. The library is very much crowded in its present location, and the city has now in contemplation -. the erection of a suitable butting for the use of the library. It's put- ronage is very large and is constantly merensing.

The State Arsenal contains the War Records of Iowa during the . Wars of the United States and are for public reference.

-A City of Homes.

the capital with ts many educational advantages and influences, such as universities. splendid public and private schools. law medical and musical schools, art stores and art studios. Des Moines possesses unusual advantages as a city of homes. And it is noteworthy

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Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1889, Part 61

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher:
Number of Pages: