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 55
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For several days, the library force, assisted by high school students, were busy replacing the thousands of books from the ground to the library floor, and from the floor to their respective shelves. The office furniture and valuables were restored next day.
At the time, there was much speculation, and there were several theories, as to the origin of the fire; but the most thorough investigation proved nothing conclusively.
By extraordinary endeavor on the part of the Executive Council, the House was made ready for the incoming General Assembly by the IIth of the month, and when the legislators arrived there were few evidences of the fire which, on the 4th, had threatened to destroy the building over the erection of which there had been such fierce and long-drawn-out contest.
The extent of the damage was variously estimated. At the time it was esti- mated by Governor Cummins at $200,000; but State Architect Liebbe placed it at a much higher sum. At the time the fire occurred, electricians were employed under the supervision of Professor Cumming, the local member of the Capitol Improvement Commission, in wiring the building; but, as there was no current turned on, the fire must have had some other origin than "defective wiring."
The death of Olive McHenry, February 21, was a sad event in the lives of
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many, young and old. A graduate of West High School, a teacher in the pub- lic schools of Des Moines since 1870 she had endeared herself to many who are now active in the business and social life of Des Moines. It was fitting that the school board should honor her memory by naming one of the city's new school buildings the "Olive McHenry" school.
The "unique" Mayor Brenton retired to private life April 4. He was suc- ceeded by ex-Sheriff Mattern, who held the office of mayor for two terms.
A musical event of April was the appearance at Drake University of the Damrosch Symphony Orchestra, in recitals and mixed programs, arousing much enthusiasm among music-lovers.
May 31, a graceful tribute was paid to the veteran Barlow Granger. About fifty friends went out to his home on the heights south of Des Moines to cele- brate with him his 88th birthday. Informal speeches followed refreshments. L. Harbach slipped upon Mr. Granger's finger a heavy gold ring with a brilliant setting. Scarcely more than a year later, the honored host of this pleasant occa- sion passed away.
The death of Elias J. Fairall, September 8, at the age of 71, removed a pio- neer member of the Des Moines Park Commission, to whom much credit is due for the city's valuable park possessions.
The death of James Callanan occurred on the 26th of September. Mr. Callanan died at the age of 87. He had been in failing health for more than a year. He was born in Albany, New York, where in 1845 he was admitted to the bar and practiced law. In '57 he visited Des Moines and here became a partner in the banking house of Callanan & Ingham. In the early Sixties, he removed to this city. Wise and fortunate in his investments, he became very wealthy for his time. He founded Callanan College; but after years of experimentation became convinced that his benevolent purpose was not likely to be successful and the college was turned over to the Methodists for use as a hospital. His benefactions were numerous and various. As has already been related, one of the latest to enlist his sympathies was the Home for the Aged. Mr. Callanan's holdings were as numerous as his charities. He was president of the Capital City State Bank, vice president of the Citizens National Bank, a director of the Valley National and of the Iowa Loan and Trust. He was president of the Hawkeye Insurance Company, and president of the Durango Steel and Iron Company in Mexico. Mr. Callanan persistently resisted all temptations to public life. His home in the woods in the western part of the city was more attractive to him than any other place in the world. He was a man of education and re- finement. He had the charm of the old-school gentleman.
The will of James Callanan was the most conspicuous example of individual generosity ever chronicled in the Capital City. Without giving the items in de- tail. suffice to say, it bequeathed $175,000 to educational institutions. It gave $148,000 to churches and charities. Of these the following were located in Des Moines : Benedict Home. $10,000; Iowa Woman's Equal Suffrage Association, $3,000 ; Iowa Humane Society, $20,000; Home for the Aged, $20,000; Salva- tion Army, $20,000; Iowa Humane Society. $50,000; Corinthian Baptist Church, St. Paul's A. M. E. Church, First African Baptist Church, Burns' Chapel, M. E. Church, Maple Street Baptist Church, Union Congregational Church, each $1,000 ; Home for the Aged Colored Folks, $5,000. The remainder of his wealth was bequeathed to relatives and friends.
Senator Charles W. Fairbanks, republican nominee for the vice Presidency, spoke from the rear platform of his car at the Rock Island depot on the fore- noon of October 12. He was introduced by Governor Cummins. The stalwart Indianian made a favorable impression upon the few hundred who heard him.
The Congregationalists of the Country Convene in Des Moines.
The National Council of the Congregational Church convened October 13, 1904, bringing together under the roof of the new Congregational church in
JAMES CALLANAN Pioneer Capitalist and Philanthropist
MRS. MARTHA CALLANAN
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Des Moines a distinguished body of preachers and laymen. In connection with this convention, were held the conventions of the American Missionary Associa- tion and the Congregational Home Missionary Society. The council was wel- comed by Governor Cummins. Graham Taylor, of Chicago, and several nat- ional representatives of labor unions led in discussion of labor problems and the church. A. L. Urick of Des Moines took prominent part in the discussion. Washington Gladden, preacher and author, and president of the American Mis- sionary Association, was chosen moderator of the council. The council ser- mon, on Sunday, the 1.6th, by Rev. Alexander McKenzie, on "the Holy City," was an eloquent presentation of the real "city of God on earth."
The gathering of the three bodies brought together a large number of great Christian educators. Lyman Abbott, on "The New Theology," delighted the radicals and startled the conservatives by his advance thought on the Bible and a personal God. The great council closed on the night of the 20th, having settled several important questions of church polity and considered not a few questions of doctrine.
Dr. Gladden, summing up the events of the week, pronounced the council "unprecedented in the history of American Congregationalism,"-larger in num- ber of delegates, and more significant in the quality and direction of its utterances.
On the 13th of October, Lowell Chamberlain. secretary of the Chamberlain Medicine Company, handed to President Keffer of the Board of Park Commis- sioners, a deed for a tract of land on Ingersoll Avenue, then valued at $12,000,- but now worth much more,-the land to be used as a children's playground.
Thomas Hatton, a man who could ill be spared from the social and business life of the community, died October 26, at the age of 74. He came to Des Moines when he was 31 years old and was the first local agent of the Northwestern road, in '61. In '66 he engaged in the real estate business. The firm of Percival & Hatton continued for over thirty years. This well known firm platted many addi- tions to Des Moines-including Clifton Heights, Grand Park and Kingman Place, and laid out many towns along the lines of roads leading from Des Moines. He was possessed of a high sense of honor, and carried his religion into business and politics. In middle-life he was frequently chosen a delegate to republican con- ventions. He was a staunch churchman and had been warden of St. Paul's church for many years.
Presidents and other representatives of forty-three state universities of the United States convened in Des Moines, October 31, to attend the two-days' an- nual convention of the National Association of State Universities at the Savery Hotel. Governor Cummins welcomed the educators to the Capital City.
The presidents and the other representatives of the State Agricultural Col- leges and experiment stations of the country, about 160 in all, held their annual convention at the Chamberlain, Nov. 2-3.
The year 1904 showed large balances in Des Moines' favor. A conservative estimate made at the time was that the jobbers and manufacturers of Des Moines had done business aggregating not less than $70,000,000. Several firms aggre- gated from one to five millions.
Des Moines had won for itself third place in the United States in the extent of its vehicle and implement business, with Kansas City and Minneapolis alone outranking her. Add to that the product of her extensive brick and tile industry, her coal-mining interests and her woolen mills, and pile on top of these the aggre- gated product of her factories and jobbing houses, and the estimate is accounted for.
The volume of business of the year was slightly larger than that of the year before, notwithstanding the warm weather of the fall and early winter and the partial failure of crops.
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The aggregate local business of the seven steam railways entering Des Moines was estimated as follows: Total receipts, $5,000,000; freight, $3,750,000 ; pas- senger, $1,250,000. The passenger business was reported as from 10 to 15 per cent over that of the previous year. The seven roads were the Rock Island, the Milwaukee, the Northwestern, the Iowa Falls & Northern, the Burlington, the Great Western and the Wabash.
In addition to the steam railway business, the Des Moines City railway handled business aggregating $535,966; and the Colfax interurban, $113,699 in passenger and $19,091 in freight.
During the year 1904, real estate transfers in the city aggregated $5,416,- 777,-about $500,000 more than in 1903. The feature of the year's business was the number of transactions rather than the amounts, indicating a very large sale of lots and small homes.
The improvements in Des Moines in 1904 showed a grand total of $3,756,257. Of this amount, the city expended $2,387,257, -- chiefly in paving, curbing, sewers, drains, bridges, sidewalks and river front. The waterworks company expended $84,000 in ten miles of extension, and $40,000 in a new gallery. The gas com- pany expended $150,000 in extensions; interurban, $200,000; street railway company, $200,000; courthouse, $200,000; Historical building, $250,000 ; State warehouse, $60,000; Capitol improvements, $150,000.
1905 -- THE YEAR THE METHODIST HOSPITAL WAS PUT UPON ITS FEET FINANCIALLY.
The bell which citizens of Des Moines presented to the cruiser "Des Moines," at a cost of $835, was placed on exhibition in the Commercial Club hall, in Feb- ruary and remained there until the cruiser returned from its trip to foreign shores. The design on the face of the bell is that of a woman holding in one hand the "key to the city," and with the other hand pointing to a map of Iowa. Underneath the figure is the word "Alert," presumably the normal attitude of Des Moines. The further wording on the bell is "Presented to the U. S. S. Des Moines by the Citizens of Des Moines, Iowa, A. D. 1904."
Albert S. Kingman, a resident of Des Moines since 1850, died, March I, aged 78. Kingman Place was a possession early secured by him, and for fifty-five years he had lived on this tract. The property was bought at $1.25 an acre.
On the fourth of March, the jury in the case of Charles Thomas, charged with the Mabel Schofield murder, returned a verdict of murder in the first degree, decreeing that Thomas be imprisoned for life.
"Back to the people" came William Jennings Bryan. The radicals of the democratic party in Iowa came together in Des Moines on the first day of April, 1905, and organized an Iowa Democratic Club, officered from top to bottom by "the faithful." H. C. Evans of Des Moines was elected president, and on the executive committee were Jerry B. Sullivan and W. K. English of Des Moines and James B. Weaver of Colfax. The club adopted the Bryan plan of organiza- tion, which may be condensed into the one word "thorough"-extending into every township in the State. Mr. Bryan was in a militant mood and made a speech which thrilled every radical heart. The party, "snatching victory from defeat" was to move on conquering and to conquer. Mr. Bryan was cheered to the echo, as he hurled defiance at the conservatives of his party. The banquet hall was crowded. Many republicans were present and about twenty-five ladies. Many pronounced Mr. Bryan's speech the most eloquent of his many eloquent efforts.
Assessor Schramm's assessment valuations put upon the city's franchise cor- porations were railroaded through the Board of Equalization April 7, and came out reduced by $373,000, or nearly the entire amount of the increase over the previous year. The assessor's increase aggregated $382,000.
The old Rothwell block, southwest corner of Sixth and Walnut, was pur- chased by the Fleming brothers, April 10,-the consideration reported to be
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$167,500. The property has a frontage of 88 feet on Walnut street and a depth of 132 feet. This was a new frontage record for down-town real estate.
On the 18th of April, the old M. E. Church became the property of Zag-Ga- Zig Temple. The purchase price was $35,000.
Fifty years ago, May 7, 1905, Frederick M. Hubbell, a lad of sixteen, united his fortunes with Des Moines. The anniversary was celebrated at Terrace Hill. Among the guests who greeted him on the occasion were many prominent early settlers and their sons.
Early in the year 1905, Mr. Pierce accepted plans for an enlargement of the Homestead office to three times the size of the old five-story building and ar- ranged to build during the coming season.
The Political Equality Club signally honored its surviving founders, Mrs. Mary J. Coggeshall and Mrs. Eliza J. Hunter, at a reception May 17. The club was founded in 1870.
In May the residence of the Callanans was purchased by Dr. Gershom H. Hill, purposing to convert this beautiful property into a retreat for those tem- porarily afflicted with mental diseases.
Gen. John C. Bates, commander of the northern division of the United States Army made his first annual inspection of the Eleventh Cavalry at Fort Des Moines May 27. On the following evening, a reception was given the General by Colonel Thomas. General Bates and other distinguished army officers were met by many of the leading citizens of Des Moines on their arrival in the city.
The Iowa Methodist Hospital, an institution which has made for itself an enviable record of public service, succeeded to the Callanan College buildings. Some eighteen months before his death, the management received from James Callanan a personal note for $30,000, accompanied by the stipulation that the hospital was to pay him $100 a month during the remainder of his life-time. The hospital had paid Mr. Callanan $1,800. The executors contested the note. In June, Judge McHenry ruled that the note should be paid, as was the intent of the maker. The result of the decision prepared the way for the larger useful- ness of a hospital founded four years before.
Judge David Ryan, late President of the Polk County Bar Association, died suddenly June 19. The Judge was 65 years old. He was a lieutenant in the Eighth Iowa Infantry, was a member of the Eleventh General Assembly, and was for twelve years a judge in the Sixth district of Iowa.
On the 5th of June, after eighty-nine years of activities many and varied, Barlow Granger, the veteran journalist of Fort Des Moines, and a prominent democratic leader in Iowa, and at the time of his death president of the Octo- genarian Club, passed to his rest. His funeral took place from the Granger home, on the 9th, and his remains found interment in Elm Grove cemetery, south of the city. The funeral brought together many early settlers from all parts of. the county.
Two hundred people attended the reunion of the Casady clan on the 27th of June in celebration of the 57th anniversary of the marriage of Judge and Mrs. P. M. Casady, and the 59th anniversary of Mr. Casady's arrival in Fort Des Moines. Speeches were made by Rev. Thomas Casady, Ward C. Henry, A. L. Frisbie and Mrs. W. W. Williamson. Mr. Hussey read a poem. About this time a new school building in Des Moines was appropriately named in honor of this pioneer in matters educational.
The death of J. C. Savery occurred in Montana, in August. There was a large gathering of pioneers at the funeral in Des Moines on the 28th.
The national Board of Evangelization of the Church of Christ convened in Des Moines September 18. The movement which this board embodies was started by General Drake with a gift of $1,000.
The veteran editor and publisher, Richard P. Clarkson passed away on the 3d of October. His funeral, on the 6th, brought together all the members of his family and many prominent men from all parts of the State. Many were the
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tributes of respect and regard paid this strong character. Those who best knew him held him in highest esteem-"a plain, blunt man who loved his friends."
Mr. Berryhill, not content with a study of the Galveston Plan at long range, made a trip to investigate the practical workings of the plan on the ground. His after-reports did much to interest Des Moines and the press of the city in the commission form of government.
The question "Has the Des Moines City. Railway Company a franchise to operate cars over the streets of Des Moines?" came before District Judge Howe November 27, with Judge Brennan sitting with Judge Howe by request. The case was brought in the spring by the Civic League, Messrs. Baily & Stipp at- torneys. County Attorney Miller also entered an appearance as a plaintiff in the action on the part of the State. The differences between the street car com- pany and the citizens were, later, by agreement, left to a committee of citizens consisting of James G. Berryhill, W. N. Heaton, J. W. Hill, George H. Lewis and D. H. Kooker. Action was deferred until the committee could confer with the bondholders of the company. On the 9th of December the Civic League was ruled out of court. The court declared the quo warranto proceedings were in order, but that the county attorney should bring the action.
In December, M. H. Cohen, assistant city solicitor, also made a personal in- vestigation of the Galveston plan, reporting that the tax rate in Galveston was higher than in Des Moines. His further observations were later used by the op- position against the adoption of the commission plan in Des Moines.
Late in December, City Solicitor Bremner presented a plan for acquiring the street car property by a graduated tax, a contract to run fifteen years with the privilege of purchase at the end. This plan and one previously offered by Mr. Berryhill-on a twenty-five year basis-were duly considered but were not found to offer an acceptable basis of agreement.
1906 ---- THE YEAR THE MUNICIPAL REFORM MOVEMENT BEGAN.
Brinsmaid & Company, one of the oldest business houses in Des Moines, cele- brated its fiftieth anniversary on the opening of the year 1906. This china and glass-ware house was founded by Keyes & Knight, January, 1856. Mr. Knight, a pioneer dry-goods man, took on Mr. Keyes and a small stock of crockery as an experiment. The firm started out a wagon loaded with crockery. Later, Mr. Keyes went by himself and soon formed a partnership with "Charley" Gray, his clerk. In '71 O. H. Perkins bought the interest of the senior partner, and launched out into the wholesale business. In '78, Fred Brinsmaid entered the employ of the firm, and the next year came S. S. Brinsmaid. Mr. Gray died, and Elwood Gatch took his place. A few years later the Brinsmaid brothers bought Mr. Gatch's interest, and the firm-name became Perkins & Brinsmaid. In '99 the brothers bought out Mr. Perkins' interest.
James S. Carter, the pioneer bookbinder of Des Moines, died January 5, aged 73. He came to Des Moines in 1857, and worked for N. W. Mills & Com- pany. For years he was of the firm of Carter & Hussey, which was founded in '64 as Carter, Hussey & Curl. The firm did a large business but passed into the hands of a receiver in 1901. The failure, followed by the death of a son. shortened Mr. Carter's days.
A forerunner of "the Des Moines Plan" was a committee appointed by citi- zens of Des Moines to draw up a bill for presentation to the General Assembly making possible the operation of municipal government by Commission. The committee was made up of William H. Baily, John Read and James G. Berry hill. Mr. Berryhill, who had early made a thorough study of the Galveston Plan, was satisfied that it included features of great value which might well be applied in Des Moines.
A meeting of citizens was held at the Commercial Club rooms January 24 to consider the municipal reform measure drafted by this committee. The bill
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as read was subjected to much criticism; but several amendments submitted by W. W. Witmer, and one amendment submitted by A. K. Stewart, removed the most serious objections and it was adopted as amended. Those present signed a petition to the legislature praying for action.
Gradually, for a number of years, Des Moines had been growing in favor as a horse-market. On the 26th of January, horsemen from Omaha, Kansas City and many Iowa towns congregated to attend a sale at the Garrison horse-market. About 200 young horses, chiefly draft horses, were sold, the sales aggregating about $25,000. This was the beginning of the annual sales which have made Des Moines the horse-market of Iowa.
"Father" George Schramm, pioneer legislator, apparently as young as at sixty, celebrated his ninetieth birthday at his Des Moines home on the 12th of February. A few months later, the friends who had called to congratulate him on his birthday were summoned to attend his funeral. He died at Lake Okoboji, July 26.
On the 20th of February the cities-and-towns committee of the Senate killed the so-called Galveston bill offered by Senator Dowell, giving as a reason the differences existing among the people of Des Moines as to the measure. To all appearances the movement was dead.
The death of Judge L. G. Kinne (at his home in Des Moines March 15, 1906,) removed a man of unflinching honesty and courage, and a lawyer of ability. He was the only democrat whom men in middle life had seen on the Supreme Bench of Iowa. As a member of the new Board of Control, he was an indefatigable worker and scrupulously honest and honorable.
Mayor Mattern was reelected in March, by 234 majority over C. O. Holly- the smallest majority given a mayor in several years. The scratchers' ticket was partly responsible for the circumstance.
At a democratic conference and banquet in Des Moines April 2, Governor Folk, of Missouri, made an earnest plea for the primary election system.
Late in April Des Moines sent about $12,000 cash to the San Francisco earthquake relief fund.
The hardest-fought campaign ever conducted in Iowa for the gubernatorial nomination in the republican party was carried on in April and May, 1906. The contestants were George D. Perkins, of Sioux City, and Albert B. Cummins, the first governor of Iowa who had ever been a candidate for a third term. The contest was waged in every county in the state. In Polk-and especially in Des Moines-it was intensely personal. It resulted in Governor Cummins' victory in the primaries of Polk county-as in the State-by a considerable majority.
Mme. Sarah Bernhardt made her first appearance in Des Moines April 27. The great tragedienne gave "Camille" at Ingersoll Park to a loud accompani- ment of rain beating upon the roof, rendering the scene on the stage almost a pantomime. Her appearance at the park was because all syndicate theatres had been closed to Bernhardt, and all the theatres in Des Moines were under the control of Manager Foster, who was under contract with the syndicate.
The Presbyterian General Assembly in Des Moines.
An event in the church history of Des Moines was the convening of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the city, the 16th of May, 1906. The Central Presbyterian Church, the First, the Westminster, the Sixth, Highland Park and Clifton Heights were all equally at home to their friends. The occasion brought together about 700 delegates and many keenly interested visitors. The Woman's Board of Home Missions was also assembled, two hun- dred strong. The principal meetings were held in the auditorium. Dr. Hunter Corbett, a returned missionary, was elected moderator.
There was much interest in the question of sustaining Dr. Henry Van Dyke's
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