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 47
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On that day of days Des Moines was, in every fiber of its collective being, the Capital city of Iowa. The streets were thronged. As the veterans filed past-some erect and agile as of old, but most of them bent with years and infirmities, and not a few giving evidence of wounds received in battle, there was one prolonged but tenderly subdued shout of welcome, and appreciation.
The procession formed on Fifth street, west, and marched along Locust street to the bridge, thence up the hill on the east to the State House. It was wisely arranged that the march should not be long, for it was feared that there would be many old soldiers present whose ambition to march might transcend their physical powers.
At the head of the procession rode Col. William T. Shaw, the hero of Shiloh, a hero of two wars, the Mexican (War and the War of the Rebellion,- a unique man, whom the enemy could not daunt and whom military discipline could not humble, a man who went to his grave misunderstood by many, yet with a soldierly record which not even an unfriendly court-martial could tarnish.
A hundred and thirty-five veterans marched in line bearing the flags ·under which, thirty odd years before, they had marched and fought. Behind these were five thousand veterans to whom those gauze-covered flags and banners were a sad and yet inspiring memory. No captured battle-flags of the Confederacy were borne in triumph on that day. . All was done that could be done to keep the occasion free from suggestion of the bitterness of the struggle.
It should not be forgotten that this memorable Ioth day of August was the thirty-third anniversary of the battle of Wilson's Creek, the first engagement of the war in which Iowa troops were slain.
It was fitting that the Sons of Veterans were honored with the privilege of taking the battle-flags from the arsenal and handing them over to the color- sergeants who in the war had carried them to victory. Many of the veterans had not seen their flag since they had left the service, and it is needless to say they were deeply moved by the sight. Col. Warren S. Dungan, lieutenant- governor of the state, addressed the color-bearers at the arsenal.
The day was sultry, but in spite of the heat, the veterans bore the march bravely and well, escorted by the Governor and his staff, the Sons of Veterans, the National Guard, civic societies and bands of music. They marched under arches bearing the names of battles in which Iowa regiments had borne honor- able part. Business houses and residences along the route were decorated in honor of the day.
Arrived at the Capitol, as many veterans as could be arranged on the east steps were photographed, with the color-bearers and the colors prominently dis- played.
The opening address was delivered by Gen. John W. Noble, of St. Louis, himself an Iowa soldier of distinction. Rev. A. V. Kendrick, National Chap-
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lain of the Grand Army of the Republic, offered prayer. Major S. H. M. Byers, of Des Moines, read a beautiful poem, "The Battle Flags of Iowa." The principal address of the day, by Maj. John F. Lacy, of Oskaloosa, was on "The Returning of the Flags." Governor Frank D. Jackson eloquently re- sponded. Mrs. Jesse Cheek, of Des Moines, sang "The Star-spangled Ban- ner." The Des Moines Union Band and Carper's Drum Corps woke the echoes in the State-house corridors with their martial strains.
The flags were arranged in groups, one on each side of the State Library door. Group one represented the following in their order: First Cavalry, Sec- ond Infantry, Second Cavalry, First Battery, First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Infantry.
The second group represented the Third and Fourth Cavalry, the Second Battery, the Thirteenth, Tenth, Eleventh, Eighth, Twelfth, Ninth and Four- teenth Infantry.
The third, represented the Fifth and Seventh Cavalry, the Third Battery, the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first regiments.
The fourth, the Twenty-second, Twenty-third, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth In- fantry, and the Eighth Cavalry.
Group fifth, the Thirty-first, Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Infantry, and the Sixtieth U. S. Infantry.
The death of ex-Governor Kirkwood, at Iowa City, September I, was a sorrow to many in Des Moines who recalled the Governor's residence at the Capital city. The Jeffersonian simplicity which marked the old war Governor's character and life was coupled with so much of genial good-humor and broth- erliness that he had troops of friends with all classes and conditions of men. Governor and Mrs. Jackson and others at the Capital sent messages of con- dolence to the widow. Judge Wright pronounced Governor Kirkwood "one of the strongest, bravest, truest men that ever lived."
The Des Moines club, Grand avenue and Fifth, having undergone its full share of vicissitudes, opened its spacious parlors in November, taking a new lease of life ----- with new furnishings and equipment.
There had sprung up in Des Moines as everywhere else in the country, a religious cult known as the Christian Science church. Its gospel of peace and good-will had encountered no opposition of a public nature until Rev. Dr. Buck- ley, that valiant knight of orthodoxy, sprang into the arena and challenged its supporters to defend its position. Dr. Buckley came to Des Moines as a lecturer for the Itinerants' Club of the M. E. Church, and lectured on the evening of December 17, on "Faith Cures and Christian Science," and the lecture was re- ported as "full of argument, logical deductions and plentifully sprinkled with humor." But the attack made no perceptible diminution in the growth of the new congregation in the city.
1895-THE YEAR MERCY HOSPITAL OPENED.
The death of Mrs. Frances R., widow of Captain F. A. West, January 31, removed a pioneer of 1853 who, in her time had done much to develop the social life of the young city.
The New Yorkers held a banquet in Cycling Club hall, February 14, with Barlow Granger at the head of the table. The society had not banqueted since its organization at the Aborn House years before, and the number of eligibles had greatly increased. Thirty-four counties and sixty-nine cities and towns were represented. The society elected E. R. Clapp president ; R. A. Patchin and
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S. Green vice presidents; William H. Fleming secretary; J. W. Geneser, treas- urer ; executive committee, J. M. Orvis, C. L. Watrous, A. S. Wilcoxen, R. L. Chase, S. A. Foster, Barlow Granger, E. Crittenden, E. F. Hunter, F. D. Jackson, George Randall, R. B. Soules, W. R. Shepard, W. H. Tinsley, I. E. Tone, E. B. Whitcomb, H. H. Windsor and H. E. Teachout.
"The Savery" was the center of a brilliant aggregation of representative women on the night of May 6, the social event being a reception and banquet in honor of Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin, president of the National Federation of Women's Clubs. The seven clubs of the city were the hostesses. The guest of honor was presented by Mrs. J. H. Windsor. Mrs. Lindon Bates, of Chicago, who shared with Mrs. Henrotin the. courtesies of the evening, was presented by Mrs. H. C. Potter. Mrs. Macomber served as toastmistress, imparting to the after-dinner program the element of spontaneity oftentimes lacking at men's banquets. Mrs. W. H. Baily greeted the honored guests. Mrs. Henrotin re- sponded with "Women as Humorists," a theme to which she was temperament- ally well fitted. Mrs. Bates talked interestingly of the "Art Outlook," Mesdames Frisbie, Wallace, Macomber and Givens, Miss McLoney and others followed on a variety of themes. It should be noted that this was the first Des Moines banquet conducted wholly by women-the first of a long series of eminently successful banquets planned and carried out without executive or oratorical aid from the so-called stronger sex. Mrs. Lowry Goode and Mrs. J. H. Windsor made the presence of the Chicago ladies still more memorable by home recep- tions in their honor.
The first appearance of Lillian Nordica in Des Moines, in March, '95, was an event in the musical life of the city. The large auditorium responded with tremendous enthusiasm to that great singer's efforts.
That Des Moines had not yet come into its own musically, is evidenced by the small audience which greeted Theodore Thomas and his great orchestra, a few weeks later. The same orchestra which in later years drew immense audiences, even after the death of its old-time leader.
Mercy Hospital was formally opened for patients on the 23d of April, and has ever since been a source of strength to the physicians and surgeons of the city, ministered as it has been with skill, broad catholicity and undeviating kindliness to all, the poor as well as the rich, who come under its ministrations.
The Christian Endeavor Association of Iowa, organized in 1885, held its tenth annual convention in Des Moines late in October, and in numbers, in at- tendance and quality of program it surpassed all previous gatherings.
The Christian Index, devoted to the interests of the Christian Church, was founded in Des Moines in November, by Rev. G. L. Brokaw. The Index is still fulfilling its mission, with a much larger field than that which opened before it in '95.
Homer D. Cope a young man in whom were rare possibilities, who had acted on the stage with Lawrence Barrett, and whose reading of "Damon and Pyth- ias" is still a memory, died in the fall of 1895, leaving many in Des Moines to sorrow at his untimely death. His younger sister, Mrs. Mary Cope-Jacobs, has gracefully won in her lighter field the high honors which, had he lived, would surely have come to him as an interpreter of tragedy.
Col. Frank Riseley, long associated with Des Moines hotel management, and active in the public affairs of the city, died in November at Independence, Iowa, aged 57.
Early on the morning of December 6, the flag floating from the State House was hung at half-mast, because of the death of Gen. Ed. Wright, first cus- todian of the new Capitol, and an old-time legislator from Cedar county. The body of the deceased lay in state in the Capitol on the Sunday following, and thousands availed themselves of the sad privilege of looking upon the face of their friend for the last time. The funeral took place on the 9th, attended by the members of the Grand Army, officers of State and many citizens. Robert Vol. I-22
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S. Finkbine with whom General Wright was associated in the building of the State House, Charles Aldrich, of the Historical Department, George W. Bemis, John Sherman, Samuel Green and William H. Fleming, intimate friends of the deceased, served as bearers at the funeral. Memorial resolutions came from various sources showing the high regard in which the deceased was held.
The movement for a semi-centennial celebration of the birth of the State, County and City, was inaugurated in December, 1895, by Hoyt Sherman, Isaac Brandt, Simon Casady and other pioneer citizens of Des Moines.
Governor and Mrs. Jackson gave a reception at the Savery on the evening of December 19. Governor-elect Drake and his daughter assisted Mr. and Mrs. Jackson in receiving. Many distinguished people from all parts of the State were present. Governor Jackson's retirement to private life was known to have been wholly voluntary and to mean a continued residence in the Capital city, his duties as president of the growing Royal Union Insurance Company having compelled his declination of a second nomination. The incoming Gov- ernor was well known to many in the city and was received with every evidence of cordiality.
Among the new business organizations of the year were: The Keith Furnace Company, the Anchor Insurance Company, the Valley Savings Bank, the Dodd & Elwood Electric Apparatus Company, the Carbondale Fuel Company, etc.
The city engineer reported that the public improvements made under his direction during the year amounted to $260,483.93. Of this sum the details (in round numbers ) are : sewers, $30,000, paving streets, $164,000; curbing, $16,000 ; grading, $10,000; Bird's run, $23,000.
At the end of three years of hard times, Des Moines was found to have borne the strain far better than most cities of the State and nation. Her banks and business houses were in the main financially strong. Her schools, forty- eight in number, with 290 teachers, were run at an expense of $281,870, and while there was much dissatisfaction with public expenditure in other directions, no one grumbled at the outlay for schools. The enrollment of children of school age was 11,857; the average attendance, 8,633. There were seventy- eight churches, with a good general attendance and fair support.
1896-THE YEAR OF DES MOINES' SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
The death of Judge George G. Wright, January IT, 1896, created a vacancy in many local circles which will never be filled.
The appointment, in January, of W. C. Brown to the position of General Manager of the "Q" system was gratifying to Mr. Brown's many Des Moines friends-the one regret being that it necessitated the removal of the appointee to Chicago.
The quo warranto proceedings brought by A. G. West, in March, 1894. to test the right of the City of Des Moines to exercise corporate authority over certain territory added to the city by legislative enactment, finally, January 22, came from the Supreme court with a decision in support of the city's right to annex.
The failure of the Lowry Goode "boom" left behind it a long trail of lit- igation. One of the cases "F. M. Hubbell vs. the Avenue Investment Company," was first to come from the Supreme court, -- in January, 1896. The questioned receivership was sustained.
On the 5th of February, the business house, known as "Trepanier's" opened its "new and magnificent store" at Sixth and Walnut, occupying the three floors. Though an event of yesterday, how few are able to recall it !--- so completely has the march of improvement swept away all vestige of what was deemed "magnificent" only fifteen years ago !
The Tippecanoe Club tendered to John A. Kasson a complimentary banquet,
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February 10. Mr. Kasson's informal response was received with enthusiasm. Several other speeches filled out the evening till a late hour.
On the following evening, Mr. Cummins introduced Mr. Kasson to the Women's Club, before whom the statesman turned aside from statesmanship to lecture on "Social Womanhood."
A meeting of about forty ladies in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium on the IIth of February, 1896, was the starting point of a movement long under considera- tion which led on to that beneficent local institution, the Home for the Aged. Mrs. Preston B. Durley presided and Mrs. W. H. Baily acted as secretary. Mesdames Conger, Orwig, Robertson, Seeberger, Hillis and others reported the encouragement they had received as a result of a preliminary canvass. A com- mittee on constitution and by-laws was created, and the ladies went forth to work. Nearly every church in the city was represented. A second meeting was held a week later when a constitution was voted upon, and general plans of pro- motion were considered.
In the spring the city council passed an ordinance, vacating portions of Sixth and Seventh streets for a union depot. A similar ordinance had been vetoed by Mayor Campbell several years before.
Another movement for cheaper gas, long following the failure of the Sher- man ordinance to bring about that result, was agitated in February, but with- out any immediate result. This time the mover in the matter was the Missouri Gas Company of Kansas City. Mr. Sherman had examined the company's home plant and reported it satisfactory in every respect.
On the 4th of March, the incredulous opened their eyes on reading that Rep- resentative Hull had secured a favorable report from the House Committee on military affairs on his bill for the establishment of an army post in Des Moines. The bill carried an appropriation of $50,000 for preliminary work to be done under the direction of the Secretary of War. The post was to be located upon a site to be donated. The skeptical were still of opinion that the favorable re- port was only a courtesy extended by the members of the military committee to their chairman.
The advent of Paderewski was the musical event in March, and is still a treasured memory with the musicians of Des Moines. The old Calvary Taber- nacle was the uncouth auditorium in which, on the evening of the IOth of March, the world's greatest pianist revealed himself. The large audience of music-lovers was recruited from all parts of the State, and to the appreciative the evening was one of rare satisfaction and delight. To them the hard seats, . the rude stage, the unsightly rafters, and the unsympathetic ones in the audience -everything was forgotten in the ecstacy of that all too brief hour. Next day, the management wanted the public to know that the absence of lights on the stage was not due to parsimony on their part, but to the expressed wish of the artist whose vision was painfully sensitive to electric light.
The Kirkwood was the scene of a brilliant social event near the close of the session in the spring of '96. More than three hundred guests were present, on invitation of the wives of members of the Twenty-sixth General Assembly then in session. The ladies of the legislative family and of the city had fre- quently met at the Friday afternoon receptions ; but this was the first opportunity the hostesses had had to bring their husbands and the leading men of the city and their wives together socially. Dr. Hutchins, who knew everybody by name, was master of ceremonies. In the receiving line were Mesdames Funk, Davis, Craig, Allen, Cheshire, Waterman, Phelps, Martin, St. John, Rowen, and Rig- gen. Mrs. Parrott, who had been ill, gave to many a glad surprise by her pres- ence. Mr. Hussey read a poem which caused much merriment.
An Iowa Allison Club was organized in Des Moines in the early Spring, the purpose of which was to push the candidacy of Senator Allison for the presi- dential nomination in the coming national convention at St. Louis. Des Moines was represented in the organization by Judge Spurrier as vice president and
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Sidney A. Foster as district committeeman. Committees were named to arrange for a large representation at St. Louis ; but, as is well known, the popular demand for McKinley had set in so strongly that nothing could withstand it.
"Devisive Strife."
One of the bitterest political contests ever held in Des Moines began early in February between the supporters and the opposers of municipal waterworks. The supporters under the dual leadership of James G. Berryhill and John Mac- Vicar, backed by the Daily News; the opposers, under the vigorous leadership of the Register. The term "devisive strife" frequently employed by Editor Clarkson, finds perhaps its best exemplification in the memorable waterworks campaign of 96. But, withal, it was an educational campaign-part of the preparation needed for the active citizenship which was to come in the next decade. The stormiest meeting in this campaign of education was one of conference with the city cen- tral committee -- in the Y. M. C. A. hall, March 13, where the rush for seats, in a factional attempt to pack the house almost assumed the aspect of a riot. Chair- man William H. Fleming, of the committee, announced that the object of the meeting was to anticipate the factional charges of fraudulent purpose by agree- ing upon methods to secure an honest ballot and a fair count. He unfolded a long petition of prominent citizens asking for the Australian ballot at the pri- maries. Judge Nourse then read lengthy resolutions, previously prepared by the committee, detailing methods for conducting the primaries. The reading of the resolutions was frequently interrupted. Pandemonium followed. In time Dr. Schooler moved that, in view of the disorderly nature of the meeting, the con- ference adjourn to meet at the Kirkwood parlors March 23. The motion was declared out of order, another motion-one on the adoption of the resolutions --- having been entertained. Ignoring the chairman's ruling, ex-Sheriff McGarraugh demanded that the secretary put the motion. Secretary Chamberlain put the motion and it was declared to be carried. The McCartney, anti-waterworks forces withdrew ; Chairman Fleming called Col. D. M. Fox to the chair and the conference proceeded. The Nourse resolutions were then unanimously adopted. Mr. Berryhill made a vigorous speech which nerved the MacVicar forces to renewed effort.
The campaign closed with the primaries on Thursday, March 17, resulting in the selection of John MacVicar as the republican nominee for mayor-Mr. McCartney declining to run against the regular nominee of his party. The elec- tion, April 6, resulted in Mr. MacVicar's success by a large majority over Mr. Loomis, the democratic nominee. The new mayor went in under the pledge, made by his party in convention. that the waterworks should be purchased "at their actual value."
The East Grand avenue home of Isaac Brandt was saddened March 29 by the death of the beloved wife and mother. The original home of the Brandt's on the site of their later home, corner of East Twelfth and Grand, was the first dwelling within the city limits on the East side. It was then-in '58-in the midst of a natural forest. The funeral of Mrs. Brandt on the 3Ist was conducted by Dr. Frisbie, assisted by Mrs. Billington and Dr. Kennedy. The early settlers, the Tippecanoe Club and a vast concourse of friends were present.
The last reception of the legislative season was given at the State House on the evening of April I, and it was said that more than 5,000 people paid their respects to Governor Drake and his daughter.
The appearance of William Jennings Bryan in Des Moines in April was an event of interest to fifteen hundred people who turned out to hear "the coming man" of democracy. "Free Silver" was his theme.
Another forerunner of the movement which was ultimately to revolutionize methods of municipal administration in Des Moines was a Civic Federation,
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formed on the 29th of April, having for its object "the advancement of the municipal, industrial and moral interests of the city," and the promotion of "honesty, efficiency and economy" in city government. Its chief objective point was municipal reform legislation in the shape of a primary law such as had been formulated and favorably considered in Chicago.
The dedication of the Callanan College building, which Judge Callanan had generously donated to the organization of the "Old People's Home," or Home for the Aged, was a happy event for the devoted women who, some five months before, had undertaken the task of founding such a home. Mrs. Durley pre- sided. Mrs. N. M. Smith, of the board, made the opening address. Mayor Mac- Vicar, Governor Drake and others spoke encouraging words for the enterprise. The ladies had cleaned, repainted and redecorated the interior, and, with furni- ture donated and about $4,000 in money, had made the building look presentable- even inviting.
The long-drawn-out and sensational trial of S. R. Dawson for the murder of his son-in-law, Walter Scott, on the 24th of December, 1895, went to the jury May 8, and after eight hours of consideration, the jury rendered a verdict of murder in the second degree. It was a sad and painful case and a distressing outcome, though the justice of the decree was not generally questioned. The case may be briefly stated as an unhappy marriage and a father's uncontrollable exasperation. Mr. Dawson, the perpetrator of the homicide, was famous in his time as the inventor of "the Damascus blade," a steel so highly tempered as to have all the conditions of the traditional Damascus blade. So thoroughly did he believe in his invention that after his incarceration a company was forined for the manufacture of the steel; but the enterprise died from lack of capital and lack of faith. The old man was pardoned bv Governor Shaw.
The spring campaign brought James G. Berryhill to the front and resulted in a contest between Mr. Berryhill and Captain Hull for the seat in Congress long occupied by Hull. The storm center of the campaign was a joint debate between the two candidates for the republican nomination, in the old Tabernacle on the East side, on the evening of June 3. The building was packed and the debaters were tremendously applauded. Rarely is a political audience as evenly divided in sentiment as was the case that night. The chief burden of the debate was the railroad question-rates, regulation, pooling, etc. In the course of his speech and in verification of his statements, Captain Hull read a long letter from Judge Reagan of the United States Railroad Commission, and a long extract from the. Railroad Commission law, which tended to quiet the enthusiasm of his hearers .. But the audience awoke when the Captain returned to Mr. Berryhill and paid' his respects to Editor Hamilton of the News. Mr. Berryhill's last fifteen min- utes straightened out his record on railroad legislation which his opponent had left badly tangled. A second joint debate was held in the Grand Opera House, June 4. The net result of the meetings was the inclusion of more "ginger" into the campaign, which resulted in the renomination of the incumbent.
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