History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I, Part 64

Author: Downer, Harry E
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1042

USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 64

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This very graceful column is mounted by a capstone bearing on each side a shield and carving. Upon this rests the pedestal which is the support for the piece de resistance of the whole design-the figure of a soldier representing the infantry. This figure of the soldier of 1861 measures exactly eight feet in height from the sole of the boot to the crown of the cap. The base of the monument is protected by a neat iron fence that encircles it.

January 15, 1909, the Scott County Monument association gave the shaft and grounds to the city of Davenport, and by so doing practically terminated the life of this organization.

At this monument patriotic exercises are held on each recurring Memorial day under auspices of the Grand Army post. With them unite the Loyal Legion, the Sons of Veterans, the Woman's Relief Corps and other patriotic organiza- tions.

COMPANY B OF DAVENPORT IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

The first military company to be organized in Davenport after the Civil war was composed mainly of veterans of that bloody conflict and was brought to- gether by J. A. Andrews, who had attained the rank of major in the federal army. This took place in 1878 and the organization, as Company B, was mus- tered into the state militia, as a component part of the Ninth infantry, Iowa National Guards. The first officers elected were: captain, J. A. Andrews; first lieutenant, E. L. Cook ; second lieutenant, J. L. Mason. This company maintained its organization and attended the various rendezvous in camps selected by the au- thorities and at the target, and as a well-drilled and disciplined entity of the regiment to which it had been assigned gained distinction and became the pride of all well-minded Davenporters.

COMPANY B STARTING FOR THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

THE ARMORY, DAVENPORT

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

When the difficulties arose between the United States and Spain on account of the latter's atrocities toward the people of Cuba, Company B was high on the pedestal of expectancy, looking eagerly for a call to arms and ready to respond. When President Mckinley called for 125,000 troops the "boys" could scarce re- strain the "war fever" that possessed them and when, in the afternoon of April 23, 1898, Captain Dalzell sent the word over the telephone to Sergeant Roe to mobilize the company, every member, on being notified, dropped whatever he had in hand and that evening had gathered at the armory to answer roll call and make ready for departure to camp and the field of battle, if need be.

MUSTERED INTO SERVICE.

Davenport -- its people-was equally excited by the declaration of war against the Dons. The Shriners donated $100 toward a company sick fund; the August Wentz post treated the company to a "mess" of hardtack, bacon and beans and the ladies vied with one another in efforts to give the soldier laddies a fitting "send off." Tuesday the company, with Company L of Maquoketa and the Sec- ond regiment band, boarded the train for Des Moines and arrived there at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The train had picked up on the way Company C, of Muscatine, and Company I, at Iowa City. At Grinnell Company K was taken on board and a part of Company L, at Newton.

While in camp at Des Moines the company was thoroughly drilled and equipped with all the paraphernalia that comprises the accoutrements of the modern sol- dier and on the 17th of May, with the exception of a few rejected at the time of the physical examination, the boys were mustered into the service of the United States as Company B, Fiftieth Iowa Infantry, for three years or until the end of the war.

On the 20th of May the regiment left Camp Mckinley for Tampa, Florida, there to go into camp and to acclimate for service in the West Indies. But Jack- sonville was on the way and there the boys were ordered from the cars and into camp, which was named Camp Cuba Libre, and remained there until the articles of peace were signed and on the 13th of September the regiment broke camp and were entrained for Camp Mckinley at Des Moines, which was reached on the 17th. On the 20th the company returned to Davenport on thirty days' furlough and was given a magnificent reception by the city, whose citizens were proud of the splendid record the boys had made, even though they had not been able to meet the enemy face to face.

Company B returned to Camp Mckinley on November Ist, was re-examined. paid and honorably discharged, having served seven months and one week from the time the organization answered the president's call for troops the preceding April. It still maintains its identity as Company B, Fiftieth Regiment, Iowa National Guards.

ROLL OF HONOR.

The following members of Company B died at Camp Cuba Libre, Jackson- ville, Florida : Walter G. Nagel, August 19, 1898; John Schroeder, September 10, 1898; Olin G. Hoover, September 19, 1898; Gustav B. LeGrande, September 25, 1898.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

PERSONNEL OF COMPANY B.

The roster of the company in 1898: Company officers, Captain, Thomas C. Dalzell; first lieutenant, Alfred B. Hender; second lieutenant, James M. Mc- Manus. Sergeants, first, Albert A. Roe; quarter master, Julius E. Burmeister ; Edward D. Middleton, Henry G. McBurney, John P. Leonardy, Emil Schmidt. Corporals, Frank S. Fidlar, DeForrest C. McCollister, James A. Taylor, George H. Greene, Francis J. Parker, John A. Miner (transferred United States Signal Corps), Charles W. Hoover, Olin G. Hoover (died September 19, 1898), Louis G. Lasher, William J. Carson, George C. Cook (discharged September 10, 1898), Victor H. Plath, Louis Peterson, William F. Weiss, James D. Mason, Hamilton F. Gronen. Musicians, Robert R. Sindt, Phillip A. Sonntag. Artificer, Layton R. Ackley. Wagoner, Emil A. Speth. Privates, Frank H. Alford, Frank Att- water, David S. Baker, Hedley Beesley, Fred L. Bowman, Ernest E. Bruhn, Claude J. Bullock, August Busch, James Y. Cantwell (transferred to hospital corps), John D. Chambers (discharged August 20, 1898), Philo C. Colony, Wil- liam H. Corry, Alexander L. Craik (transferred to hospital corps), Jesse L. Doty, Daniel F. Evers, Carl F. Finger, William F. Fisher, William H. Gosch, Arthur C. Grilk, Henry Groenwaldt, Albert Hass, Edward Haney, Harry N. Hoag, Henry Hoeft, Jr., Rudolph Huss, August Johannsen, Adolph Kahles, Jr., Hugo V. Koch, Oliver W. Kulp, Edgar M. Kurtz, Ole A. Landy, Frank Lane, Charles B. Lantry, Joseph Lawson, Gustav B. LeGrande (died September 25, 1898), Charles D. E. Lepper, George H. Martin, Harry T. Mckown, Henry Meier, Herman H. Miller, Marshall Miller, William Muhs, Walter G. Nagel, (died August 19, 1898), Edward L. Nebergall, Robert P. Osborne, Thomas F. Owens, Max Pahl, Albert M. Parker, Peter Paulsen, Harry Pfabe, Obed K. Price, Alfred Proctor, Edward Reavy, Charles Reynolds, Robert Risley, John Rhoades, Carl A. Rhode, Theodore H. Rosche, Fred Schick, Herman T. Schmidt, Andy W. Schmidt, Paul Schmidt, John A. Schmidt, John Schroeder (died Sep- tember 10, 1898), Eddie Schroeder, William Schwartz, Walter I. Sharpe, Mar- tin Siegrist, Peter L. Smith, Ernest Sparbel, Felix Spelletich, Charles Stebens, Fred Traeger, Alfred S. Van Patten (discharged August 20, 1898), Edward H. Villian, Fred Vollmer, Henry Wohnrade, Edwin C. Weingartner, Fred O. Wil- ley, John Witt, Henry Wohlert.

INES DOEWIG SON QUORS

CITY HALL. DAVENPORT

CHAPTER XXIII.

CITY OF DAVENPORT.

ALWAYS NOTED FOR STRIKING BEAUTY OF SITUATION-THE MAYORS OF THE CITY FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE 1910 ELECTION-THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPART- MENTS-A SPLENDID STREET CAR SERVICE-WATER SERVICE OF EQUAL MERIT -THE PARKS OF THE CITY-WHAT THE CITY OWES AND OWNS-A FEW DOL- LARS EACH WAY FOR EACH MAN WOMAN AND CHILD.

The early history of Davenport has been already gone over in these pages, and a repetition here would only tend to tire the reader and consume unnecessary space. Since the beginning of things in Davenport great changes have taken place, however, and in order to keep in mind the trend of events since 1863, when Mr. Barrows ended his recital of the salient features pertaining to the in- fancy of the seat of government of Scott county, it may be well to recapitulate here and there. It will be remembered that at the close of the Black Hawk war General Winfield Scott conferred with representatives of the Sacs and Foxes upon the site of the present city of Davenport, for the purpose of making a treaty with them. By that treaty a section of land was reserved and by the In- dians given to their friend and interpreter, Antoine LeClaire. Part of the city of Davenport now stands upon that reserve. Long before this section was set- tled the beauty of its scenery, the fertility of the soil, its pure, sparkling water, salubriousness of climate and natural advantages for habitation and the building of a city gave rise to enthusiastic comment on the part of the traveler. Note the following :

"At the foot of the Upper rapids is one of the most picturesque scenes that we recollect to have beheld. On the western side a series of slopes are seen rising one above another for a considerable distance, until the background is terminated by a chain of beautifully rounded hills, over the whole of which trees are thinly scattered. On the other side of the river is a broad, flat plain of rich alluvion, several miles in length, and more than a mile in breadth, and terminated by a range of wooded hills. On this prairie is a small village of the Sac and Fox Indians, composed of rude lodges, scattered carelessly about. In the front of the landscape, and presenting its most prominent feature, is Rock

686

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

island, the western shore of which is washed by the main current of the Missis- sippi, while the eastern side is separated from the main land by a narrow chan- nel, which is fordable at low water. The southern point of the island is elevated about forty feet above the ordinary level of the river, and is supported by a per- pendicular parapet of rock. Here stands Fort Armstrong, a strong and very neat work, garrisoned by two companies of United States troops; and here will be one of the most desirable sites for a town on the upper Mississippi. Rock river, which enters the Mississippi a few miles below the island, is a rapid stream, which may be easily rendered navigable, and which affords abundant water- power for the propulsion of any kind of machinery. The whole of this region is fruitful, healthful and agreeable to the eye."

CIVILIZATION'S ADDED BEAUTY.

George B. Sargent, at one time mayor of Davenport, in a little work entitled "Notes on Iowa," published in 1848, in copying the foregoing adds: "It is inter- esting to mark the changes that have taken place since the above description was written. On the western side, with the beautifully rounded hills in the back- ground, now stands Davenport. On the other side, which was then occupied by the Sac and Fox village, is now the flourishing town of Rock Island, in Illi- nois. Fort Armstrong is abandoned and in ruins. All along the banks of the river are seen the marks of civilization and improvement. But though the scen- ery has lost some of its wildness, it retains its original characteristic, and has gained many pleasant features. The towns of Rock Island and Davenport, the old fort with its deserted blockhouses, the Mississippi, winding gracefully above and below, Rock river branching off through the woods, the forest-covered is- land, the high, wooded bluffs, and the rich, green prairies of Illinois, form a pic- ture which, for beauty, variety and extent, can hardly be surpassed.

"The healthfulness and beauty of the situation, together with the facilities for hunting and fishing in its neighborhood, have made the place the fashionable resort during the summer months of large numbers of people from St. Louis and other southern cities. It has hitherto been more noted on this account than as a place of trade; but the business of the town is now rapidly on the increase. There are several flourishing stores and two large flouring mills have been erected during the past year, one of which is already in operation. Most of the houses are substantially built of brick. The hotel and courthouse are large and handsome buildings."

NEWHALL'S DESCRIPTION.

Newhall, in 1841, thus writes in regard to Davenport:

"This town was laid out in 1835-6, on a reserve belonging to Antoine Le- Claire, Esq. It is the seat of justice for Scott county, and is situated nearly op- posite to the lower end of Rock island, on a handsome elevation, with a beautiful range of sloping hills in its rear. It is about 350 miles above St. Louis, by water, eighty miles above Burlington, and ninety-five below Dubuque. The town of Steph- enson, on the opposite shore, with the glittering dome of its courthouse, the

RODOLPHUS BENNETT, 1839.

JOHN H. THORINGTON. 1840.

JONATHAN W. PARKER 1841.

HARVEY LEONARD. 1842

JAMES THORINGTON. 1843-4-5-6.

JAMES M. BOWLING. 1847 8.

JONATHAN PARKER 1849.

JAMES HALL 1850

DAVENPORT MAYORS

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

mouth of Rock river a few miles below, the picturesque and antiquated fortifica- tions on Rock island, with its beautiful villa, the charming residence of LeClaire, the magnificent hotel overlooking the white cottages of Davenport, and the adjacent village of Rockingham-all form a combination of picturesque beauty seldom if ever surpassed. I have aproached this point from all its bearings, and whether viewed from river or bluff, it is like a beauteous picture varied in all its lights and shades. I well remember the first and lasting impression it produced upon my feelings ; it was on a bright, sunny morning in August, in the year 1836; the sun was fast dispelling the glittering dews, and every drooping flower was lifting its smiling crest; on the Iowa shore might be seen occasionally a gaily painted warrior of the Sacs and Foxes riding along the heights, his painted form par- tially exposed to view as his scarlet blanket waved to the breeze, his light feathers and gaudy trappings being in admirable contrast with the verdure-clad hills ; then did I feel the utter incompetency to describe so beautiful a scene; then could I have invoked the pencil of the painter. or the pen of the poet.

"The distant reader may be skeptical concerning this high-wrought descrip- tion. At this I marvel not. The author is aware of the difficulty of conveying entirely correct ideas of a region to those who have never traveled beyond the threshold of home; especially, in delineating this (in common parlance) land of the 'squatters ;' as if, forsooth, the land of song, of Arcadian groves and shady bowers, must needs be in sunny Italy, or classic Greece. I will, however, add the corroborating testimony of one or two graphic writers, to convince the reader that nature here has been lavish of her beauties as well as her bounties.

THE MOST CHARMING.

" 'The country around Davenport is, in our opinion, the most charming that the eye ever beheld. Davenport is, of itself, one of the greatest natural beauties on the Mississippi. The "old fort," not to speak of its military association, is, in truth, an object on which the eye delights to dwell. The flourishing town of Stephenson upon the Illinois shore, adds greatly to the attractions of the scene; and Davenport, with its extended plains, its sloping lawns, and wooded bluffs, completes one of the most perfect pictures that ever delighted the eyes of man. The interior of the territory is rich, beautiful and productive from end to end. Enterprising and industrious farmers may flock in from all quarters, and find a rich reward for moderate toil. The interior is healthy and every section of land admits of easy cultivation.' "

The claim upon which the city of Davenport was first laid out was made in 1833, and was contended for by a Dr. Spencer and Mr. McCloud. The matter was finally settled by Antoine LeClaire buying them both out, giving them for the quarter section $150. In 1835 Mr. LeClaire sold his holding to a company which was formed for the purpose of purchasing and laying out a town site. The company thus formed was composed of Major William Gordon, Antoine Le- Claire, George Davenport, Major Thomas Smith, Alexander McGregor, Levi S. Colton, Philip Hambaugh, and Captain James May. In the spring of 1836 the site was surveyed and laid out by Major Gordon, United States surveyor, and one of the stockholders. The spot selected included the area bounded on the east

690

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

by Harrison street, on the north by Seventh, west by Warren, and south by the river. It included thirty-six blocks and six half-blocks, the latter being the por- tions lying adjacent to Warren, on the west.

The cost of the entire site was $2,000, or $250 per share,-a price which now would purchase but a very indifferent building lot in the least valued part of it. In May the lots were offered at auction. A steamboat came up from St. Louis laden with passengers to attend the sale, and remained at the levee during its continuance, in order to afford the conveniences of lodging, edibles, and the not less essential item of drinkables. The sale continued two days, but owing to the fact that the titles were simply such as were included in a squatter's claim, and purchasers fearful that such were not particularly good, only some fifty or sixty lots were sold, and these mostly to St. Louis speculators. The lots brought from $300 to $600 each, a smaller sum than the proprietors calculated upon. The re- maining portion of the site was then divided among the proprietors.

IN THE BEGINNING.

The immigration this year was but small, only some half-dozen families coming in. The first. hotel or tavern was put up this year, and opened by Edward Powers. It was located on the corner of Front street and Ripley. It was put up by Messrs. Davenport and LeClaire, and was called "Davenport Hotel"-in honor of the "city." The first saloon was also started this year by an old sea captain, John Litch. It was a log house, and stood on Front street. It was long a favorite resort for the politician and those who felt the necessity of using a "little wine for the stomach's sake and their often infirmities." The captain did not always live up to the letter of the law and the matter of license was probably contrary to his convictions of right, as he was on more than one occasion taken in hand by the board of county commissioners.

In October, 1836, James McIntosh opened a small stock of goods in a log house, built by A. LeClaire, on the corner of Ripley and Third streets. In December following D. C. Eldridge also opened a large stock of goods, and claims to be the first to keep a general assortment, with the intention of making it a business.

In the fall of 1836 a son was born unto Levi S. Colton, the first birth in the new village. The first female child born was a daughter of D. C. Eldridge, in the spring of 1837.

The town of Davenport was incorporated by the legislature in the winter of 1838-9, and the first election for township officers was held April 1, 1839. Ro- dolphus Bennett was elected mayor; Frazer Wilson, recorder; and Dr. A. C. Donaldson, D. C. Eldridge, John Forrest, Thomas Dillon and John Litch, trus- tees. The town council held its first meeting April 20. James M. Bowling was appointed treasurer ; William Nichols, street commissioner ; and W. H. Patton, marshal.

MAYORS OF THE CITY.

In 1843 a new charter was granted the town, which was used without amend- ment until 1850, when it was amended and in 1851 repealed by the passage and adoption of a new city charter. This charter has been amended from time to time

CHARLES WESTON. 1851.

JOHN JORDAN. 1852.

JOHN A. BOYD. 1853

JAMES GRANT. 1854.

ENOS TICHENOR. 1855.

G. C. R. MITCHELL 1856.

GEO. B. SARGENT 1857.

EBENEZER COOK. 1858-9

DAVENPORT MAYORS

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

' to suit the convenience of the inhabitants or to grant or take from it some privi- lege. From 1839 to 1910 the following named have served as mayors of Dav- enport :

1839, Rodolphus Bennett ; 1840, John H. Thorington; 1841, Jonathan W. Parker ; 1842, Harvey Leonard; 1843, James Thorington ; 1844, James Thoring- ton ; 1845, James Thorington ; 1846, James Thorington ; 1847, James M. Bowling ; 1848, James M. Bowling ; 1849, Jonathan Parker ; 1850, James Hall ; 1851, Charles Weston; 1852, John Jordan ; 1853, John A. Boyd; 1854, James Grant ; 1855, Enos Tichenor ; 1856, G. C. R. Mitchell; 1857, George B. Sargent ; 1858, Eben- ezer Cook; 1859, Ebenezer Cook; 1860, James B. Caldwell; 1861, George H. French; 1862, George H. French; 1863, John E. Henry; 1864, Robert Lowry ; 1865, John L. Davies ; 1866, John L. Davies; 1867, M. Donahue; 1868, M. Don- ahue ; 1869, James Renwick ; 1870, J. M. Lyter ; 1871, John C. Bills ; 1872, A. H. Bennett ; 1873, J. H. Murphy ; 1874, J. W. Stewart; 1875, Roderick Rose; 1876, Roderick Rose; 1877, T. T. Dun; 1878, John W. Thompson; 1879, J. H. Mur- phy ; 1880, Roderick Rose ; 1881, John E. Henry ; 1882, John C. Bills ; 1883, John W. Thompson (died in office) ; 1883-9, Ernst Claussen; 1890-1, C. A. Ficke; 1892, John C. Bills; 1893-6, Henry Vollmer ; 1897, S. F. Smith; 1898-9, George T. Baker ; 1900-1, Fred Heinz; 1902-3, Waldo Becker ; 1904-5, Harry W. Phil- lips ; 1906-7, Waldo Becker ; 1908-10, George W. Scott. In the April election of 1910 Alfred C. Mueller was elected to succeed Mayor Scott.

THE CITY HALL.

The city hall, which is located on the northeast corner of Fourth and Harrison streets, was built in 1895 and cost $100,000. It is a beautiful building architec- turally, is built of Bedford stone and is absolutely fireproof. On the ground floor is the police department, including the general offices and that of the chief ; also assembly room, the desk sergeant's office, cell rooms and the office of the police judge. The offices of the city clerk, treasurer, board of public works and health department are on the second floor. A magnificent council chamber, the office of the city attorney and the engineering department occupy the third floor. There is probably no other city in the state of Iowa that has a city building that will surpass this one.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Davenport, like all cities of push and progress and good order, has its mod- ern, systematized, metropolitan police force. At this time the number of uni- formed policemen number forty-five, including the chief. Of this body of men twenty-seven are patrolmen. The police are chosen not only for their physical make-up, but they are also required to meet a certain standard-which is a high one- of morality and intelligence. Davenport was one of the first western cities of its size to employ a police matron who has charge of the house of detention for females and juvenile offenders.

694

HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Davenport traces its first fire department to the year 1838, when, on July 27th, the proper official ordered each citizen to keep constantly in his house two buckets for fire protection, and to use them when needed. On July 26, 1856, the fire department of Davenport was actually organized at a meeting held in the office of R. G. Congdon, Colonel Robert M. Littler being chairman of the meeting. At that time a volunteer fire company was formed and two days later the constitution was adopted. The name given to the company was The In- dependent Fire Engine & Hose Company. Two hand engines and 1,500 feet of hose were purchased and about 100 members enrolled. In 1857 a lot was bought by the city on Brady street, just above Fifth, and thereon a building was erected and used for the fire apparatus, and also for meetings of the city fathers. It was called the city hall. This same year, 1857, the Fire King Engine Com- pany and the Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company were organized. In April, 1858, the Rescue Engine Company, No. 3, was organized. When the Davenport Water Company began to furnish water, the city took over the fire department, reorganized it and installed a paid department and enlarged the equipment to meet the needs of a growing city. At this time the fire department of Davenport has assumed quite large proportions. With its fire chief it has a force of forty- five men that is distributed among seven hose companies and two hook and lad- der companies. There are twenty-four horses, the best for the purpose that money can buy, a splendid electric fire alarm system, 14,000 feet of hose, eighty- one miles of water mains, with 669 hydrants, and the expense for the past fiscal year, ending March, 1909, of maintaining this department was $56,318.55. The following is the valuation of the property :

Real estate

$86,000.00

Apparatus and equipments

24,000.00

Furniture and supplies 2,500.00

Fire alarm telegraph 18,000.00

Horses

4,000.00

DAVENPORT'S PARK SYSTEM.

Davenport has a system of parks and drives that are very gratifying to the senses. In 1890 a board of park commissioners was established. The members of this board are elected by the people and ever since its existence have been men adapted to the work of beautifying the city and have given it their unstinted services.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I, Part 64

Author: Downer, Harry E Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1042

Author: Downer, Harry E
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1042