USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume I > Part 43
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to get control of him, leading him to use "language unbecoming in a Christian gentleman." On May 27, Judge Love, of the Federal court, directed Constable Pierce to return to Hurlburt, Hess & Co., the liquors held in custody. The court order was that Pierce be incarcerated until the liquor is returned.
Pierce's attorneys advised that the goods were in the custody of the District court and could not be turned over without authority from that court. Mean- while Pierce was incarcerated in jail. On the 28th, District Attorney Phillips refusing to dismiss the suit, Judge Kavanagh decided he had no authority to dis- miss the case. Pierce's next move was a demand for a writ of habeas corpus, on which he obtained his freedom.
Mayor Phillips, convinced that municipal problems could not be solved with- out new legal power, expressed his views in a message and sent copies to officials in other cities, proposing a meeting of mayors.
A State convention of city marshals and chiefs of police in Des Moines, May 10, was chiefly for the consideration of the difficult enforcement problems of the period.
Professor Bartlett, to whom Des Moines owes much for his persistent and well directed efforts to supply lovers of music with music of a high order, held a pioneer May Festival in Des Moines in 1887, with the Chicago Chamber Music Society, the Lotus Male Quartette of Chicago, the Philomelia Quartette of Des Moines,-with Mrs. Bartlett first soprano, Sallie Compton second soprano, Metta Hills first alto, and Carrie Clark second alto, and Gerberich's Grand Orchestra of thirty-eight pieces. Governor Larrabee opened the festival with an encourag- ing address.
The Supreme Court in June rendered a decision the effect of which was to sustain Dr. Turner's position that the franchise granted him in 1886 provided that the right to operate street cars in Des Moines was "exclusive for the term of thirty years."
The decision was the subject of much comment. By some it was styled "a calamity," "an outrage," and "contrary to all precedent." The "Broad Gauge" promoters and investors talked of compromise; but Dr. Turner, interviewed by the Capital was quoted as saying: "Do you suppose I would have spent one- fourth of my life and $100,000, if I had not supposed Des Moines was honest when she gave me a charter ?"
Another sequel of the Pierce-Hurlburt imbroglio was the burning of the wholesale drug house of Hurlburt, Hess & Co., on the early morning of July 9. Well-directed work by the fire department saved the building.
Constable Potts added fuel to the fire of popular indignation on the early evening of August 12 by shooting and seriously wounding John Hardy, whom he tried to arrest for keeping liquors with attempt to sell. Potts' plea was self- defense, Hardy having seized a ball-bat and raised it to strike him.
An August event was the opening of Hotel Goldstone on the site of the old Union House on the east side.
The National Encampment of the Sons of Veterans met with Burnside Camp in Des Moines in August. The general meetings were in the Joe Hooker Post hall. The Kirkwood House was headquarters. Many States were represented and the order was locally strengthened by the encampment.
On Sunday, August 28, the remains of John A. Elliott were buried in Wood- land Cemetery. The deceased had several years before retired from the presi- dency of the State Insurance Company of Des Moines, and had spent much of his time in travel and in rest in California and Florida. Mr. Elliott became a citizen of Des Moines after having served as Auditor of State. He helped organ- ize the Citizens' National Bank and the State Insurance Company. The bearers
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at his funeral were his old friends and business associates, R. P. Clarkson, S. B. Tuttle, J. S. Polk, Fayette Meek and John Wyman.
The candidacy of Albert B. Cummins and Adam Baker for State representa- tives on a platform of opposition to state-wide prohibition, and the candidacy of James G. Berryhill and Oldfield on the regular republican ticket brought to the front of affairs two young men who were destined to take prominent part in the future of the city and the State, one as Governor of Iowa for three terms and at present United States Senator, the other as a student of municipal problems to whom is accorded the honor of the initiative in the development of the Commnis- sion Plan of City Government which has found its best exemplification in Des Moines. Though the two men took opposite grounds on the prohibition question, both were elected, their stronger personality having drawn votes away from their respective associates. Both were active in the discussion of the question of rail- road rates which later was projected upon the General Assembly by the vigorous railroad regulation policy of Governor Larrabee.
The first reunion of the Hornets' Nest Brigade in Des Moines in October drew from far and near about eight hundred veterans. On the 12th the regi- ments separately met and organized,-the Second Iowa with J. M. Tuttle, presi- dent ; J. B. Weaver, vice president ; W. L. Davis, secretary ; and John H. Looby, treasurer ; the Seventh Iowa with J. C. Parrett, president; Samuel Mahon, vice president ; J. M. McMullen, second vice president; J. W. Akers, treasurer ; and Mr. Baer, secretary; the Twelfth Iowa with Colonel Edington, president; R. Terrill, secretary; the Fourteenth Iowa with W. T. Shaw, president, and R. Wheatley, secretary. At three P. M. General Tuttle called the Brigade meeting to order, and Mayor Phillips delivered the welcoming address. Colonel Eding- ton responded, paying high tribute to the hospitality of the Capital city. The evening session was devoted to short addresses by General Tuttle, Colonel D. J. Palmer, Captain Akers, Major Mahon, Colonel Ryan and, on behalf of the Sons of Veterans, John A. McCall. The next day the veterans marched to the Capitol, where they were received by Governor Larrabee and Captains Lyons and Wil- kinson.
A remarkable prohibition mass meeting was held in Foster's Opera House Sunday evening before election. The conspicuous feature of the assemblage was the predominance of temperance democrats in its organization. It was pre- sided over by G. V. Haines, a life-long democrat. Among the vice presidents were P. M. Casady, J. S. Mahana, G. M. Hippee, E. J. Likes, Captain Kennedy, Lowry W. Goode, William Phillips, M. D. McHenry, and many other well-known democrats. Barlow Granger, the pioneer democrat of the county, made a strong plea for temperance and drew from recent history to show the temperance record of his party. He closed the principal address of the evening by declaring that "in this nineteenth century any party that espouses the cause of the saloon will go down into disgrace-and ought to."
The dismissal of the Potts case on the recommendation of the United States District Attorney is all that need be said of the charges against the belligerent constable. The animus which prompted the opposition to the aggressive con- stable was shown in an attempt to burn Potts' house one night, the house having been saturated with coal oil and set on fire.
The improvements in Des Moines during the year 1887, as estimated by the Board of Trade under Mr. Bushnell's supervision, aggregated $3,520,733. Of this sum, $2,967,933 represented residences and business houses, and $532,800 represented city, suburban and other improvements. Interesting items under this last heading are: Churches; $109,500 ; schools and colleges, $67,000; opera houses, $32,000 ; hotels, $252,500 ; postoffice, $55,000 ; water company, $50,000; gas-light company, $48,000; street railroads, $60,000; railroads, bridges, round- houses, grading, track-laying, $695,000; sewerage, paving, curbing, grading $154,300. The manufacturing product reported was $14,505,100; the wholesale trade, $26,851,860.
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1888-THE YEAR STREET CARS WERE ELECTRIFIED.
On February 6, a large new chapel of the University of Des Moines was ded- icated to Christian education. This structure forms the basis of the present en- larged and beautiful main building of Des Moines college. Rev. H. L. Stilson, afterward president of Des Moines college, delivered an able dedicatory address on "Denominational Colleges necessary to Denominational Growth."
The East side was greatly encouraged, in March, '88, by the location of the Tibbles Sewing Machine Manufactory near the fair ground, also by the location of a cotton mill on five acres on the Rock Island road, a short distance west of the fair ground.
The Republican State Convention of March 21, to select delegates to the Republican National Convention, was memorable because it brought out Jona- than P. Dolliver for temporary chairman, giving this promising young orator an opportunity to catch the ear of the nation with his happy combination of humor and eloquent appeal. This was not Dolliver's first essay in convention oratory, as has been frequently stated, for years before in a speech nominating Gilbert B. Pray for Supreme court reporter, he had lifted a convention to its feet with enthusiasm in response to his plea for a recognition of young republi- canism.
The convention of '88 was notable in that it recorded the personal triumph of James S. Clarkson over a powerful combination of his enemies, the combina- tion led by F. W. Faulkes of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. When the Linn county delegation, refusing to follow Faulkes' lead, swung its twenty-one votes for Clarkson, the convention went wild with enthusiasm and the result was assured, and on the deciding ballot Clarkson led all the rest.
A citizens' meeting April 5 raised about $8,000 for pushing the claims of Des Moines as a trade and manufacturing center. D. B. Lyon and Judge Kavanagh were the chief inspirers.
The manufacturers and capitalists of Central Iowa met in mass convention in the Grand Opera House, Des Moines, May 15-18, for the discussion of rate questions and other subjects of vital interest to shippers. The committee of arrangements were the following representatives of Des Moines manufacturers : N. S. McDonnell, L. Harbach, H. B. Hedge, J. M. Christy, O. L. F. Brown, J. A. Jackson, Thomas Hatton and E. W. Truesdell.
The Commercial Exchange under the influence of the active and resourceful temporary secretary, J. E. Clary, did much effective work during the year.
The Supreme court in June sustained the Narrow Gauge as against the contention of the Broad Gauge street railroad, declaring that the city could not lawfully interfere with the track-laying of the Narrow Gauge.
On the 25th of June the New Hotel Savery was thrown open and thousands inspected it, from attic to basement. The entire structure was brilliantly lighted by electricity. It was so far in advance of the Old Savery in "all the modern improvements," that to the early settlers it seemed more like an Arabian Night's Dream than a reality. On the evening of the Fourth of July the hotel was for- mally dedicated with music and with congratulatory speeches by B. F. Kauffman, A. B. Cummins, Milo W. Ward, James C. Savery and others. Landlord Riseley and the hotel company were profusely complimented by the speakers and guests.
The nomination of Harrison for the presidency was duly ratified at the Capital city; but not with the uncontrollable enthusiasm which marked the ratification of Blaine's nomination four years before.
Having had a costly experience with cedar block paving, the city council sent a paving committee east, in the summer of '88, to investigate brick paving. The ultimate result of the investigation may now be seen in the miles of home manufactured brick paving on the city's streets.
A meeting of Kinsman and Joe Hooker posts in memory of General Sheri- dan, lately deceased, was held August 7, with Commanders Guthrie and Schooler
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in charge. J. R. Sage and others presented feeling resolutions and addresses were delivered by Captain Hull, Colonel Gatch, Railroad Commissioner Campbell, Captain Wilkinson, Colonel Godfrey and Commander Consigny; Homer D. Cope read "Sheridan's Ride."
On the 18th of September, President W. W. Witmer and his associates of the Commercial Exchange, and a delegation of newspaper men made a tour of thirty-four factories in Des Moines. There yet remained twenty-four other factories to be visited on the following day. The extent of the several factories visited, the number of employes engaged, the quality of the equipment and the reports made as to the value of business-all together greatly impressed the visitors with the start made by the city in manufactures.
"The viaduct" over the railroad tracks at last, in 1911, a reality, passed be- yond the "dream period," and became a formidable movement late in the Eighties, but was turned aside.
An all-day Harrison meeting was held in the city, November 2, with campaign speeches afternoon and evening and with any number of speakers; James C. Jordan, the hero of many a whig and republican campaign, presided over the West side meeting, which was addressed by Senator Allison. On the East side, Stewart Goodrell 7 presided and Messrs. Cheshire, Wilkinson and Akers were the speakers. There was an immense parade in the early evening headed by General Tuttle. Later, Colonel Hepburn was the orator at the Capital City Opera House, and John A. Kasson at the Grand. The day closed with fireworks.
The opening of ."Iowa's first cotton mill" occurred November 26th. The capacity of the mill was 200 looms, 6,000 spindles and 30 cards. The producing capacity was 10,000 yards per day besides cotton bats. Nearly a thousand per- sons were present "to see the wheels go round," Rev. A. L. Frisbie, Isaac Brandt, Wesley Redhead, Rev. Ida Hultin, and others made congratulatory speeches. The Messrs. Mason, managers, happily responded.
The event of December 19, 1888, was the inauguration of electricity as a motive power in the city street railway system. The first car started at Sixteenth and East Grand. It was packed with men and women. Only one car was ready on that day, but regular trips with three cars were promised soon.
The published report on business conditions and building improvements for 1888 came from John E. Clarey, acting secretary of the Commercial Exchange. It aggregates the building improvements in West Des Moines at $1,775,010. The principal items in the list are the Savery Hotel, finishing and furnishing. $100,000 ; the High School, $65,000; Iowa Loan and Trust Company building, $37,000 ; Postoffice and Court building, $113,000; Hawkeye Oat Meal Company, fitting and equipping, $17,500. The principal East side improvement was the Des Moines Packing Company, packing house, $100,000; the Tibbles Sewing Machine factory, $26,000.
The general and public improvements aggregated $636,300; the chief items of which are: Water Company, $75,000; Telephone Company, $25,000; Street Railway Company, $18,000; Gaslight Company, $25,000; North Des Moines Water Works Company, $50,000; Belt Line (and river line) Railroad, $87,000, Electric Railway Company, $75,000; city grading and paving, $30,000; cement walks, $40,000; C. St. P. & K. C. bridge, stone house, trestle, etc., $83,100; West Motor Line (two mile road for steam motor), $45,000.
Des Moines' factory products were estimated at $9,485,950, an increase of $1,002,650.8
Des Moines' jobbing trade during the year was placed at $20,348,650; an increase of $2,478,500.8
The coal mined during the year was placed at 575,361 tons, an increase of
7 Son of the pioneer, Stewart Goodrell.
8 Mr. Clarey and Mr. Bushnell were wide apart in their estimates: both were evidently liberal estimates.
NEW MUNICIPAL BUILDING ON EAST SIDE OF RIVER, SHOWING THE NEW LOCUST STREET BRIDGE AND GRAND AVENUE BRIDGE. TAKEN FROM YARD OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
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154,082 over 1887. The value of the output of coal was placed at $10,000,300, an increase of $250,000.
The real-estate business of the year as compiled by T. E. Cox, of the Real Estate Association, was placed at $12,849,073.
The number of people employed by manufacturing industries, wholesale houses and other employing bodies was placed at 5,315. Of these, 325 were traveling salesmen ; 4,408 were male accountants, laborers, etc .; 582 were females in various occupations.
1889-THE YEAR THE "GREATER DES MOINES" MOVEMENT WAS BORN.
The new year found the citizens' committee and the City Council at odds as to the amount of the city's indebtedness and the questioned regularity of some of the council's acts. The controversy lodged in the public mind the con- viction that publicity and direct responsibility were essential to local self-gov- ernment, thus making large contribution to public sentiment in favor of municipal reform.
Eight State conventions were held at the Capital during the first week of the new year.
The Tibbles' Manufacturing Company eagerly sought and enthusiastically welcomed, soon came to grief. Suit was brought by S. A. Robertson for money on contract for erecting the company's factory. The management had agreed to turn over to Robertson the money raised from Des Moines subscriptions, and the plaintiff asked that the company be enjoined from diverting moneys to other purposes. A temporary injunction was granted. The defendents moved to dissolve the injunction on the ground that they had no authority to dispose of the subscriptions in that manner, and that the meeting in which such action was taken was illegal, inasmuch as it was held outside the State of Illinois, in which the company was incorporated. The court ruled that the board had the right to appropriate its funds in payment of the Robertson debt. Judge Given assured the public by the statement that the enterprise was on a sound footing, and harmony was all that was needed to make it a success. But the needed harmony was not forthcoming and suffice to say, the enterprise so bravely began soon "ceased," leaving a large brick building as a monument to misdirected effort.
The city's evolution from darkness to electric light went through the second stage early in 1889, by the substitution of gasoline for coal oil as an illuminator for its streets.
North Des Moines, then a separate municipality, in January, became involved in a quarrel between John MacVicar, recorder, and the council. The council took action for the recorder's removal. Mr. MacVicar procured from Judge Con- rad a temporary restraining order commanding the council to "refrain from enter- ing upon the investigation of the charges and specifications preferred," and from the removal of the incumbent "by reason of his refusal to sign certain certificates of assessment," etc.
At a meeting of the council, January 29, Recorder MacVicar read a state- ment giving his reasons for not signing the paving certificates in question, the principal one being that they had not been duly signed by the town engineer, the council having ignored that official by appointing a committee to act in his stead. At a later meeting new certificates were issued obviating the recorder's objection, peace was restored, and nothing more was said of removing the recorder.
It is interesting to note that at this meeting Councilman Conrad reported the population of North Des Moines as between eighteen and nineteen hundred.
There was rejoicing among the members of the Y. M. C. A. late in January, over the completion of subscriptions for their building, afterwards erected on the corner of Fourth and Grand. The sum of $51,000 had been subscribed, besides real estate donations amounting to $6,000.
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The Des Moines Women's Club was, as far back as 1889, a power to be reckoned with in municipal affairs. At a council meeting early in February, a club petition was read calling attention to the propriety of placing female pris- oners under the care of a competent woman, and suggesting that the jailor's wife be appointed matron with a salary. The W. C. T. U. equally aggressive for the good of the city, presented a similar petition. .
The presentation by Mrs. A. Russell, of a portrait of General Crocker to the post named in the General's honor was the event of February 7. General Given received the gift with an eloquent tribute to his distinguished fellow soldier. Colonel Godfrey, Captain Maish, Judge Casady and others paid their individual tributes to Des Moines' foremost citizen-soldier.
To the present generation it almost seems as though there had always been a Tippecanoe Club of Des Moines. But there was a "first banquet," of that venerable club, -- and that less than a quarter-century ago! The event was celebrated at the Aborn House on the night of February 9, 1889, with Major Holmdale in charge of the banquet itself and the indefatigable Col. D. M. Fox in charge of the soul-flow, with Judge Wright his representative as toast- master. To the toast "General William Henry Harrison," C. F. Clarkson `re- sponded, giving from memory a vivid picture of the memorable Tippecanoe log-cabin and hard-cider campaign and paying high tribute to the General. Gov- ernor Larrabee responded to "Iowa the land we love best." To the toast, "The women of 1840," there was no response, Judge Wright facetiously remarking that "no lady could be found who was willing to confine her remarks to five minutes." P. H. Bristow read a poem, and happy speeches were made by Col- onel Fox, Superintendent Sabin, Colonel Gatch, Alderman Macy, and Judges Kinne, Nourse and Given. Mrs. Cheek, the singing heroine of so many public occasions, was at her best.
The Knights of Pythias of Des Moines celebrated their silver anniversary at the Aborn, February 19.
"The State against William Larrabee," was the sensation of the hour in Judge Conrad's court, February 21. The alleged offense of Governor Larrabee was in libelling Mrs. Turney, mother of Chester Turney, by issuing circulars in which it was charged that "Mrs. Van Glone, otherwise Mrs. Turney, had two living husbands, meaning that she was living in adultery," the statement preju- dicing the public against her in her appeals for aid for her son, then an inmate of the penitentiary. J. K. Macomber was public prosecutor, and C. A. Bishop, assisted by Judge Cole, was counsel for the defense. Mr. Bishop recounted the Governor's many kindnesses to Mrs. Turney, and maintained that the circular letter sent out was to offset the misstatements made by Mrs. Turney, and to inform the public of the facts. It was maintained that the letter was of a priv- ileged character. The jury wrestled with the case all one night and next morning came into court for further instruction. Later in the day they agreed on a verdict of "not guilty."
"The Union of Des Moines and the Suburbs," was the comprehensive theme of discussion at the March meeting of the Commercial Exchange. The principal speech of the evening was by J. S. Polk, showing the mutually bene- ficial effects of the union of East and West Des Moines, and predicting that like benefits would follow the inclusion of North Des Moines, Capital Park and all the other suburbs. He urged that annexation should be accomplished at once, before the question was complicated by local debts. The movement thus well begun, was not accomplished without much effort and long delay, as will be seen in the annals of the early nineties.
J. S. Clarkson's acceptance of the position of First Assistant Postmaster General in March '89, was a surprise to many in Des Moines, as it was gen- erally known that his acceptance meant financial loss to the incumbent.
At about the same time, John A. Kasson was named as one of the commis-
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sioners to represent the United States at the Berlin Conference concerning af- fairs in the Samoan Islands.
President William Beardshear of Western College, Toledo, was in March unanimously chosen Superintendent of West Des Moines Schools.
The North Des Moines Water Company was, on April I, enjoined from connecting with the Des Moines City Water Company, thus adding to the com- plications of the inevitable water question.
The dedication of the new High and Industrial School on the West side, April 19, brought together a large number of the distinguished educators, preachers, public men, and as many others as could find place in the building. State Superintendent Sabin, Revs. Nash, Frisbie and Hultin, Dr. Beardshear and others made brief addresses and Olive C. McHenry read a history of the high school since 1864. In the evening Crocker Post had a program which in- cluded the presentation of a beautiful flag to the school.
Des Moines caught the spirit of the great Centennial and on April 30, emu- lating the example of the fathers, a hundred years before, the churches and schools of the city celebrated the constitutional birth of the republic. A pro- cession of surprising length marched through the streets, ending at Foster's Opera House where A. B. Cummins and Fred Lehman delivered patriotic ad- dresses.
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