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 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
At a banquet held in Des Moines on the evening of April 3, 1899, dedicating the new Union Depot, that far-sighted promoter and railroad builder, Jefferson S. Polk, told in few words the whole story of the relation of railroads and in- terurbans to the development of Des Moines.
News came from Washington, April 8, that the President had named one of the new cruisers "the Des Moines"-a "protected cruiser of about 2,500 tons trial displacement."
On the 10th of May, there passed away a pioneer generally loved and esteemed, named Joseph Buffon Stewart, better known as "J. B. Stewart." In 1853, he came from Fort Madison to Fort Des Moines to fill a place in the government land office. After a year's service, he engaged in the real estate business. In 1857, after the location of the Capitol, he bought 362 acres in town and platted it as Stewart's addition to Des Moines-a speculation which yielded him rich returns.
On May 17, the day of the laying of the corner-stone of the State Historical Building, Governor and Mrs. Shaw gave a State reception at the Savery Hotel. About five hundred guests were invited to meet James Harlan, John A. Kasson, the former governors of the state and other honored guests. The corner-stone ceremonies drew together large numbers of the prominent citizens of the state, and several thousand from the city.
Union Park was formally dedicated May 20.
A committee of residents of North Des Moines appeared before the city council early in May, urging the building of a better bridge on Sixth Avenue than the one which had been planned-a steel structure which was to cost about $60,000. The demand was for a brick or stone structure which would last a thousand years instead of twenty-five. The council heard the petitioners and, after due deliberation decided to have new plans drafted-which years afterward resulted in a Melan arch bridge, built of brick and concrete, costing $146,476.94.
The Union Veterans' Union of the United States and the Woman's Veteran Relief Unions convened in Des Moines, August 22. The union gave a parade in the early evening, led by Troop A.
362
CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
Two thousand people witnessed the dedication of a new Auditorium on Fourth street, Monday evening, August 28. Mr. Cummins presided and brief addresses were delivered by Mayor MacVicar, Governor Shaw, Editors Strauss, Hamilton and Young, Architect Hallett and Sidney A. Foster.
The managers of Cottage Hospital in August decided to close its doors Sep- tember I, for want of adequate maintenance fund. The history of the hospital is one of womanly sacrifice covering many weary years. New and better equipped hospitals in the city compelled the trustees to face the alternative ; more money, or suspension. The action had scarcely been taken before the emergency occurred which caused the management to throw open its doors.
The most destructive fire occurring in Des Moines in years was the burn- ing of the five story building and contents of the Harris-Emery department store on the 3d of October. The losses were estimated as follows: Stock, $225,- oco; building $55,000; total loss, $360,000. The company found temporary quarters and prepared for the erection of a still larger and better building.
No murder ever occurred in Des Moines more baffling than that of Mabel Schofield, a young woman from Macksburg, Iowa, temporarily residing in the city. She was last seen on leaving the Union Depot after bidding her mother good-bye, early Saturday morning, October 21. On Sunday morning following, her body was found in the river near the public bath house. Charles Thomas is now serving a life sentence for the murder of Mabel Schofield.
An evening pleasantly recalled by lovers of literature was November 1, 1899, when the dean of American Literature, William Dean Howells lectured in the Christian church in Des Moines, on "Novels and Novelists," quaintly styling his lecture "an Impersonal Confidence." Mr. Howells gave himself "a day off" in Des Moines. In the forenoon he visited Drake University. A luncheon was given in his honor and in the afternoon a drive about the city. In a letter to the State librarian on his return to New York, he said, "My whole visit to Des Moines was delightful and I remember with peculiar pleasure my moments with you and the brave books. in the State Library, and the look we had together at the city from your window."
The business event of the week was the opening of the great department store of Younker Brothers on the 9th of November. The Younkers had been in Iowa over forty years and in Des Moines a quarter of a century.
The Fifty-first Iowa Welcomed Home.
A special cable from Colonel Loper, dated Manila, March 14, announced that the first battalion of the 5Ist Iowa was on the fighting line at Manila ; the sec- ond at Cavite, and the third was on an outpost of Cavite; that in the main the men were in good health and that no casualties had thus far been reported.
On May 4, the Iowa troops near Manila were reported as under fire, being part of the forward movement of General MacArthur pushing the insurgents on toward San Fernando. A severe engagement was reported at a bridge near Santo Tomas in which the insurgents were routed.
A dispatch of June 17 mentioned the attack of 5,000 insurgents on San Fernando. The Iowa and Kansas regiments received the first attack. Our loss was fourteen men wounded, and the majority of these only slightly hurt.
On the 19th of June the news was cabled that Walter Wagner, of Company A, 5Ist Iowa, youngest son of Charles D. Wagner, had fallen, the first Des Moines victim of insurgent bullets.
Early in August, Des Moines began to arrange for the anticipated return of the 5Ist. Reports of hard fighting near San Fernando and of the illness of sev- eral members of the regiment were, however, disconcerting to those eager for the return of their loved ones. August 14, came the report of the death in hos- pital of Walter E. Hutchison of Company A, Des Moines.
Again, after nearly a quarter-century, the people of Des Moines assembled
COLONEL LOPER AND STAFF, OF THE 51ST IOWA, ON THE MORNING OF EM- BARKATION FOR THE PHILIPPINES. THE COLONEL ON THE LEFT
NO
11912
11211
ELECTHA DrSt.
ARRIVAL OF THE 51ST IOWA IN SAN FRANCISCO FROM THE PHILIPPINES, OCTOBER 22, 1899
363
CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
to witness the home-coming of Iowa troops. The first regiment to return was the Fifty-second Iowa. The regiment had been held in camp near Chickamaugua where impure water had spread the deadly typhoid, cutting short the lives of many, and leaving many more debilitated by disease. The Fifty-second arrived in Des Moines, August 30, 1899, direct from Chickamaugua. The appearance of the men verified the reports which had been coming home from the fatally un- sanitary Camp Thomas. Thirty-seven sick soldiers were removed at once to the temporarily reopened Cottage Hospital and nineteen to the Red Cross Hos- pital. Most of the boys soon rallied under the welcome change and when, later, they were mustered out, were in fairly good condition. Several deaths occurred in camp hospital during the regiment's stay in Camp Mckinley.
The Fifty-first Iowa was relieved from duty September 6, after an arduous campaign of several months, during which time the regiment suffered much from the ravages of disease. General Otis highly complimented the regiment for gal- lantry and fidelity. The regiment sailed from Manila Bay on The Senator, September 21, 1899.
Not since 1865, had there been such a joyous home-coming in Des Moines as that which occurred one Monday evening in November, 1899. Delegations from Knoxville, Pella and other towns interested in the 5Ist joined with all Des Moines in celebrating the event. At 8 p. m., November 6, the curfew whistle at the gas house shrilly announced their coming, and other whistles combined with church and school bells in a general notification. Colonel Loper and staff were met by Governor Shaw and staff. The Auditorium was the scene of the formal greeting. Governor Shaw and ex-Governor Jackson made stirring ad- dresses of welcome. Gold and silver medals were presented by the committee to the members of Companies A and H, and bouquets were pinned on their coats by · fifty-one volunteer flower girls dressed in white.
Many reunions followed the home-coming, thus concluding an eventful chap- ter in the history of the Capital City.
Sunday afternoon, November 12, citizens and soldiers convened once more in the Auditorium, their purpose, this time, being to pay tribute of respect and ap- preciation to the soldiers of the 5Ist Iowa Infantry who had lost their lives in the service. Chaplain Williams read memorials of the men who had died. Ad- dresses were delivered by Dr. Frisbie, Editor Young and General Given, with a response by Colonel Loper. Twenty young girls, sisters of soldiers, took part in the distribution of flowers.
Of the two companies organized in Des Moines, only four members had died: Walter Wagner, of Company A, transferred to the Thirty-sixth United States, was shot in an engagement June 13. When the Camp of the Army of the Philip- pines was organized in Des Moines, in respect to their comrade's memory they took the name "Walter Wagner Camp."
John Turner, son of Robert Turner, of East Des Moines, was only sixteen when he enlisted in Company H. At Manila, April 16, he fell a victim to small- pox, not yet eighteen years of age.
Elisha L. Doran, of Company H, a grandson of one of Polk county's pioneers of 1848, died in camp hospital in California, September 14, 1898.
Walter E. Hutchinson, of Company A, son of Samuel T. Hutchinson, a representative from Calhoun county in the 19th General Assembly, died August 8, 1899, at the age of 21.
That there might be nothing lacking in the welcome extended the 5Ist Iowa, the Mothers' Prayer Circle of Des Moines entertained the returned soldiers and their friends with a banquet served at the State Capitol, Wednesday evening November 15. About 300 sat down together when the bugle call was given. Twenty-four tables, set in the rotunda, were loaded with substantials and del- icacies prepared as only mothers know how to prepare a feast.
364
CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
The dedication of the new and capacious addition to Mercy Hospital erected at a cost of $75,000, occurred November 15. Music and brief addresses with a banquet, to the physicians of the city and their guests, the mayor, the city council, the governor and resident member of the Supreme court were the chief features of the event of the day. Dr. Priestley served as toastmaster.
John H. Given, seventy-nine years of age,-for fifty-four years a resident of Iowa and for forty-eight years a resident of Des Moines,-died in December, 1899. Mr. Given's first constructive work in Des Moines was as a maker of carriages and agricultural implements. Later, as a member of the firm of Given & Carpenter, he did much to make Des Moines a center for manufactures, ope- rating a large factory on Second and Vine. He had served the city in Council and on the School Board.
Adam Howell's death in December, 1899, removed a pioneer in the fire in- surance business of Des Moines. Adam Howell was at the time the most widely known insurance man in Iowa, if not in the entire west.
The year 1899, the last year of what has here been arbitrarily termed the third decade of Des Moines' progress, closed with a showing of more than a million dollars in improvements. It must be noted that the totals of several years in the first and second decades -- 1870 to '79 and 1800 to '89-were swollen by the large sums expended by the State on its Capitol-a Des Moines improve- ment, but not, as such, an indication of Des Moines' local gains. The improve- ments of 1899 were, with one exception, strictly local and most of them repre- senting small amounts invested -- the product of encouraging local conditions. A few of the larger items mentioned are these: Citizens' Improvement Company, Sixth Avenue business block, $16,000; Frankel Improvement Company, brick store, $80,000; Conrad Youngerman office building, $80,000; Augusta T. Vorse, business block, 7th and Locust, $18,000; F. M. Hubbell, 7th and Vine business block, $18,000; Younker Bros. Construction Company, business block, $85,000; Auditorium, $45,000 ; Home for the Aged, $35,000; City Library, $125,000; Still College, $20,000 ; I. Friedlich, Utica building, $24,000; Savery Hotel addition, $40,000; State Historical Building, $40,000; F. M. Hubbell, Son & Co., the Victoria, $50,000.
CHAPTER IV.
FOURTH DECADE OF PROGRESS.
Continuing the roll of the locally illustrious dead,-of the men and women who in their lifetime did much to make Des Moines prosperous and great among cities, and who in death as in life are honored as few are honored living or dead, the reader will find that in the course of the first decade of the new century, few were spared of the community and commonwealth builders of the Forties, Fifties and Sixties, whose names are part of their city's history. We may well pause from time to time, in our review of the events of these later years, to note the passing of those pioneers, and the respect and regard in which they were held. The ancient Greek well said, "History is philosophy teaching by example." If this work-part history, part annals-inferentially teaches one thing more than another, it tells the younger generation the important truth that nothing endures but character and generous service; that nothing so enriches as giving, and that public spirit, though it ofttimes seems to avail little, yields to the individual citizen large dividends, in satisfaction through life and to his family after death.
1900-THE TWENTIETH CENTURY WELL BEGUN.
The nomination of John H. Gear in republican legislative caucus, preceded by the withdrawal of the Des Moines candidate, Albert B. Cummins, was the theme of the hour on the 9th of January, 1900. State Senator Cheshire, in withdrawing Mr. Cummins' name, the night before, indulged in a prediction which has since fared better than most political prophecies. He said Mr. Cum- mins' political sun had not set, adding : "and it has not yet reached its zenith."
Not less than 4,000 persons witnessed the inauguration of Governor Shaw in the auditorium, January II. Among the guests on the platform were ex- Governors Larrabee, Drake and Jackson, and ex-lieutenant Governors Scott and Gue, Mr. Gue then the oldest ex-member of the Iowa legislature. In the evening the Governor and Mrs. Shaw held a reception at the Capitol.
B. F. Allen, whose name has appeared on many a page of this history, paid his old home a visit in January, and was heartily welcomed by his many old friends. Then seventy-one years of age, he was in splendid health. Out-door life on his orange grove near Los Angeles, had evidently renewed his youth. It was good news to his friends that Mr. Allen had prospered in his California ventures.
One Saturday evening, January 20, 1900, Crocker Post held a meeting of unusual interest in recognition of the honor which Conrad Youngerman had done the brave soldier whose name the Post commemorates, in naming after General Crocker the large, substantial and beautiful office building erected by him on the corner of Fifth and Locust streets. Among the invited guests and speakers of the evening were: J. B. Weaver, J. S. Polk, P. M. Casady, Barlow Granger, John Scott, F. M. Hubbell and C. C. Nourse. The Crocker Building was erected by its owner, Mr. Youngerman, himself a master-builder, whose career in Des Moines was one of marked success. It covers 66 feet on Fifth and 132 on Locust and is seven stories high. It is one of the absolutely fire-
365
366
CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
proof buildings of the city. Its walls contain 250,000,000 brick. and 265 tons of steel beams were placed in its construction. Its basement walls, of vitrified brick, rest upon a foundation of isolated pier construction including over a hundred tons of steel laid in Portland cement. It is classified as of Roman architecture, the predominant suggestion of which is solidity. Mr. Younger- man took satisfaction in speaking of "the Crocker" as a home-grown product. It was built with Des Moines money, designed by Des Moines architects, super- vised by a Des Moines builder and erected by Des Moines mechanics. The brick was made by a Des Moines company, as was the wood-work, and the mantels were supplied by a Des Moines house.
"The thirty-eight" who stood by Mr. Cummins in the recent House caucus, banqueted their chief at the Savery Hotel, January 31. Mr. Cummins in his response to the toast "the guest of the evening." expressed deep gratitude for the friendship and the kindnesses shown him. He assured his friends that the arrows shot his way during the heat of the campaign were not rankling in his breast. He assured them that he had "turned with a contented mind from the . broad, plain and easy paths of politics to the narrow, winding, hidden labyrinths of the law !"
North Des Moines citizens obtained a hearing before the city council in February, and urged the building of the Melan-arch bridge. On March 21, the city council ordered the board of public works to contract with J. H. Kilmar, the lowest bidder for a Melan-arch bridge, but it turned out that the final letting of the contract was a long way off !
A Des Moines Manufacturers' Exhibition at the Auditorium drew large numbers, late in February and early in March.
An elegant reception was given by Governor and Mrs. Shaw at the Savery Hotel on the evening of March 2.
On the 12th of March, ground was broken for the new Rock Island depot, west of the old station,-thus seemingly settling for all time the question of one union depot for all the roads centering in Des Moines.
The first of several grain dealers' conventions held in Des Moines occurred March 14. The call for the convention was signed by thirty prominent firms and individual dealers in Des Moines. The general purpose of the association was to relieve Iowa grain-dealers from annoying conditions surrounding the grain trade.
A Half-Century of Odd Fellowship.
Eighty-one years is a long time for any organization to live in this new country. and few are the lodges that waken at all on the morn of their semi- centennial. As we have seen, the first Odd Fellows' lodge was founded in Fort Des Moines in 1850. There were only six charter members of the lodge, Madi- son Young, Charles C. Van, Granville Holland, I. J. Cole, B. F. Allen and Marshal Townley. At the formal organization, later, by District Deputy Gardiner, the following additional members were admitted: J. E. Jewett, William McKay. A. M. Lyon, William Kraus, P. M. Casady and T. W. Keene. The first officers of the lodge were: Madison Young, noble grand; C. C. Van, vice grand ; Marshall Townley, recording secretary ; Granville Holland, treasurer; B. F. Allen, secretary. Byron Rice was the first representative to the Grand Lodge. Of the charter members, none were living fifty years after.
During the half-century of its existence the lodge numbered among its mem- bers many of the most prominent citizens of Des Moines.
Meantime, the lodge had occupied several different quarters, but on its fiftieth birthday, it awoke to find itself well established and elegantly housed in the then new Odd Fellows Building, on the corner of Sixth and Locust streets. During these years ten other lodges of the order had been organized, until at the time the Odd Fellows constituted a large and influential portion of the male population of Des Moines, and in 1911 its influence had still further increased.
Senator Albert B. Cummins
S. J. Kirkwood War Governor of Iowa
Gov. Cyrus C. Carpenter
Lieut. Gov. Benjamin F. Gue
مستوى
11
367
CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
The anniversary exercises opened with an afternoon parade. Over 2,500 members of the order were reported in line. Chief Marshal W. F. Mitchell, assisted by Adam Hafner, C. J. McClenahan, J. E. Stout, George P. Curran and L. W. Smith, had the parade well in line. The Iowa State Military Band led the procession in the following order: Pioneer Canton, Patriarchs Militant, with members of visiting lodges following, and the several Des Moines lodges in the rear. Fort Des Moines lodge was given the place of honor in the line.
In the first carriage sat the ranking members of the order in Iowa, J. Nor- wood Clark, of Iowa City, eighty-four years old, and a member since 1837; John McCain, of Polk City, seventy-three years old, and the only surviving charter member of the Polk City lodge; T. S. Keeny, sixty-seven; and H. Y. Rogers, seventy-five. In other carriages sat distinguished officers and ex-officers of the Grand Lodge. Among these was that pioneer of pioneers, "Uncle Billy" Moore, of Des Moines, Past Grand Master.
The Rebekahs were out in force occupying several carriages, prominent among the number was the chairman of the general commmittee, Mrs. G. L. Barquist.
The several lodges following the pioneer lodge were: Sevastopol, No. 65; Capital, 106; Jonathan, 137; University, 356; Sherman, 576; Center Star, 588; Gold Leaf, 599; Chesterfield, 608; Highland Park, 612; and Montifiore, 630.
The Rebekahs held an afternoon meeting, with music, speeches, and exempli- fication of the Degree.
The Odd Fellows convened in the Auditorium in the evening, presided over by Judge Bishop of the Supreme Court. The pioneer members, Judge Casady and Major Sherman, sat in a box and were the recipients of many courtesies. A joint letter from the two was read, eliciting much enthusiasm. In this well- worded letter, these patriarchs spoke tenderly of their half-century association with the order.
The Commercial Exchange honored Congressman Hull with a banquet at the Grant Club, on the evening of April 12, in celebration of his success in securing the Army Post for Des Moines. Lafayette Young put everybody in a happy frame of mind by congratulating Des Moines on having obtained some- thing that hadn't cost anything! He urged the business men of Des Moines to keep everlastingly at it. as that was the price of success. Chancellor Craig of Drake University, Edwin A. Nye, of the News, Samuel Strauss, of the Leader, Frank P. Clarkson, of the Register, Maj. J. A. Olmsted, inspector general of Iowa, Governor Shaw and Judge Prouty, made congratulatory speeches to which the congressman happily responded. The report of a special location committee, Messrs. Lyons, Godfrey and McGarraugh, was read, recommending the tract three miles from the Keokuk & Western Road and four miles from the Indianola branch-the tract afterwards selected.
The Harris-Emery Department Store, which was burned out last year, found itself in the spring of 1900 in a new, capacious and beautiful five-floor building, which was formally opened to the public April 26.
The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Heath was celebrated at the home of the Heaths on' Sixth avenue, on the evening of May I. Nearly five hundred guests were present. Of their fifty years of wedded life, forty- four had been passed in Des Moines. Mr. Heath was a pioneer miller in Fort Des Moines.
In the spring of 1900, Capt. Amos W. Brandt wrote a series of interesting letters to the State Register on army life and local conditions in Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Mrs. Hannah G. Solomon, of Chicago, president of the National Council of Jewish Women, was the recipient of profuse hospitality in Des Moines on the 3d of May. At a luncheon given by the officers of the local Jewish Council,
368
CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
Mrs. Solomon charmingly entertained her friends in an informal address, at the conclusion of which a reception was held. An evening banquet closed a strenuous day for the city's guest.
Mr. and Mrs. George Schramm celebrated their fifty-seventh wedding anni- versary on the fifth of May. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren assembled at their old home on Ninth and School streets. Mr. Schramm came to Iowa in 1845, and to Des Moines in 1869. He and Mrs. Schramm first came by boat to the Capital city in '58, when Mr. Schramm was a representative from Van Buren county.
Congress of Mothers.
An event of much significance was the Mothers' Congress in Des Moines, May 22, 1900. It was a national gathering, including many of the ablest and best-known women in the United States. This first western session was secured by Mrs. Isaac L. Hillis, at the Washington Congress the year before. The club women of Iowa and its Capital city aided Mrs. Hillis in making the meeting successful. On rising to address the Fourth National Congress of Mothers, Mrs. Hillis was given an ovation in honor of her services in first securing, and then arranging for, this unique and interesting gathering. The large and beau- tifully draped Auditorium was thronged for two days with visitors and towns- people. Ex-Governor Jackson and Mayor Hartenbower welcomed the city's guests. Mrs. Birney, the president, delivered an address which had the rare merit of being "all too short." Mrs. Gaffney, representing the International Council of Women, ably presented her cause.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.