USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 11
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Just west of Stony Lonesome was located Old Boundary street (now Central avenue). On the west side of this street was a long high trestle sidewalk over a ravine which came down Market street. The men who worked in the railroad machine shops who lived on West Hill passed on this bridge in going to and from their work. In the early winter mornings Mr. Abrahams could hear their tramp on this bridge. This led him to write
THE TIN-BUCKET BRIGADE
By James Fox Abrahams (Born 1812, in Philadelphia ; named for husband of sister of his father ; his father, an Irishman, fought in navy, under Commodore Bainbridge ; died July 8, 1875.)
I
In the gray of the morn, ere the steam whistle shrill Calls the laborers forth from the valley and hill, Night's silence is broken-how sweet to mine ear- By an echoing music none other may hear.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
At the foot of the gorge, in my cottage at rest, Here its echoing voice is my earliest guest ; O'er the chasm beyond the long foot-bridge is laid- Hark! they come! tramp-a-tramp, the tin-bucket brigade.
II
I listen-who would not ?- such time do they keep; Completely the echo now banishes sleep ; The musical brook that runs laughing along.
The music of voices, the mocking-bird's song, Æolian music, that wakens the trees- I share with all others the music of these ;
But the music that seems for mine ear only made
Is their tramp-a-tramp-tramp, the tin-bucket brigade.
III
Now steady! No straggling! A squad marches o'er ; Ha! Ha! Don't I know they've done marching before? Blithe Tom, how he whistles, while I can but grieve. When I think of his toil and his dear empty sleeve. Now faint grow the footsteps, they tread on the sod, With brow all devoted to mandate to God. No pageant of brightness, however arrayed,
Like their tramp-a-tramp-tramp, the tin-bucket brigade.
IV
Do they gaze down the valley and envy my lot, When they see the bright side of my vine-covered cot ? No! No! For such feeling they'll surely forbear, When they know that each station in life has its care ! That there's something implanted in every breast, Which may give us contentment, or bring us unrest. God's love is impartial, 'tis clearly portrayed, Oft he "sends to the front" the tin-bucket brigade.
January 4, 1872. -Stony Lonesome.
SANTA CLAUS
If I could a picture of Santa Claus paint, 'Twould astonish you, children, his form is so quaint ; His benevolent face lighted up with good cheer, And his pack full of presents the same as last year ; It is wonderful how he goes peeping around Down the chimneys, 'till all the good children are found; He is very particular, we must suppose, For 'tis only good children that Santa Claus knows.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
He can tell, to be sure, when the children are good ; I guess if he couldn't, then nobody could. When he sees them asleep, nicely tucked in their bed, In a minute he knows if their prayers have been said. He ponders a moment, selecting the toys ; He has some for the girls, and some for the boys; Where the stockings are hung there on tiptoe he goes ; But 'tis only good children that Santa Claus knows.
He counts, to be sure that the hose are all there ; And he finds in addition the tiniest pair ; Then the chuckling old fellow gives vent to his joy, When he sees by their make they belong to a boy. A rousing red rattle, surrounded with bells, With many sweet things the confectioner sells, He puts in these stockings, and things in all those, But 'tis only good children that Santa Claus knows.
Yet, oh ! when the stockings are counted all o'er, And a vacant nail found, where the Christmas before Hung the prettiest pair that were found in the row, Then he knows you've had sickness, and sorrow, and woe. He heaves a deep sigh, and he drops a warm tear, For the lost one, the loved one, that left you last year ; Then he blesses you all in your sleep ere he goes, But 'tis only good children that Santa Claus knows.
Away then he starts on his generous round, But his task is so great that all homes are not found ; Yet he knows you will give of your plentiful lot A share to poor children that he has forgot. He'd have you kind-hearted, and friendly, and true, And generous always, as he is to you ; So you'll next year confidingly hang up your hose, Tho' 'tis only good children that Santa Claus knows.
J. Fox Abrahams was not only a poet and a man of culture, but a public spirited man. He kept a book store on Jefferson street, and represented his ward in the City Council in 1860-1861 and 1863, and was at one time postmaster of the city.
In going back to the beginning to discuss the names of the men who came here and took an active part in building up the city, the first of importance is Mr. William R. Ross, who, in September, 1833, opened the first general store in the new settlement, and almost at the same time Maj. Jeremiah Smith opened a general store with a large stock of goods. As there were but few white people here then, trade was to a large extent with the Indians. Pelts were as good almost as money, as they had a ready money value at St. Louis, where they could be shipped by boat. Smith was not only a merchant, but dealt in land. He acquired title to land adjoining the town just west of Old Boundary Street, of
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
which a plat was filed for record, and is known as Smith's Addition. In regard to what Mr. Smith has done in connection with the city, we find that in June, 1841, Jeremiah Smith, Jr .. conveyed to the city a portion of land lying west of lot No. 978, in the city, and extending to Boundary Street, and a certain portion of land west of Boundary Street, on which was afterwards erected the Burlington University, and on which now stands the new Burlington High School Building. This land was conveyed to the city for its use as a public graveyard, but the deed did not provide for a reservation of title to the original grantor in case it ceased to be used for the purposes granted. This old graveyard was known as the "City Burial Ground." 'On the 11th of July. 1853, the City Council adopted an ordi- nance declaring it to be a nuisance, and directed it to be vacated, and prohibited the burying of any body therein after the passage of the ordinance. On the 23d day of April. 1852; Abner Leonard and wife had conveyed to the city a tract of land containing 3.37 acres situated north and immediately opposite Aspen Grove Cemetery, as a place of public interment, and to be known as the "Burlington Cemetery," and that said cemetery should be "A free public burial ground for the interment of citizens and strangers." The ground was to be divided into four sections, one for the use of the inhabitants of the city, one for the interment of strangers, one for paupers, and one for people of color. The said ordinance pro- vided that the removal of bodies from the old graveyard must be done in five months after October 20, 1853. The City of Burlington agreed with the trustees of the Burlington University, that in consideration of the tract of land furnished by Abner Leonard, known as the "Burlington Cemetery," to remove within six months from the passage of the ordinance all monuments and tombstones, etc., "and so many of the bodies as said city may deem necessary to the removal of the monuments, and the use and enjoyment of said grounds by said university." At the time this transaction took place much feeling was engendered on account of the action of the council and board of trustees of the university. The relatives and friends of many of the old settlers had been buried at this place ; they claimed the old burial ground was not a nuisance ; that this was but a pretext to enable the carrying out of an infamous bargain made by the trustees of the university with the city to obtain a location for the university ; that other places just as suitable could be had. The fact is, the bodies of many of those buried there were not removed. Years afterwards, the university sold portions of this ground for resi- dent purposes, and in excavating for cellars and grading of streets laid out, decayed coffins were unearthed, and with the bones they enclosed, were thrown into wagons and dump-carts and hauled away.
On March 4, 1838, the Patriot (Fort Madison) contained the following: "If a division of this territory is effected, we propose that the Iowans take the cog- nomen of 'Hawkeyes.' Our etymology can then be more definitely traced than can that of the Wolverines, Suckers. Gophers, etc., and we shall rescue from oblivion a memento, at least the name of the old chief ; who seconds the motion ?" In the same number is the following account of a ball: "The 22d ult. (Wash- ington's Birthday) was celebrated in this town by a ball. We attended it merely to state that by invitation General Black Hawk and Nashe-as-kuk, his oldest son, with their wives, were present on the occasion. The former chief had on his full court dress. The bride of Black Hawk's firstborn is said to be a very modest and pretty young woman of the Sauk tribe."
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
On the first Monday of June, 1838, one J. P. Stewart opened an "Academy of Science and Literature." Mr. Stewart's academy was in the spacious upper rooms of the building formerly occupied by C. Nealey as a store. This was the first academy established in Burlington.
In 1839, Bridgman & Partridge were selling scythes, wall paper, Boston nails, teas, sugar, coffee and molasses, etc. At the same time Charles J. Starr had what he called the "New General Store," and sold boots, shoes, hardware and white lead. In the same year H. W. Moore & Co. were dealing in groceries, liquors, wines, hardware and paper at their brick store on Water Street.
William S. Edgar had on hand at his store a stock of fresh drugs, medi- cines and paints.
In the same year Robertson & Armstrong were operating a wholesale and retail drug store. Charles B. Wall, at the corner of Water and Washington streets, had on hand a large assortment of West India goods and groceries. Mrs. Wall ( whether she was the wife of the above named Charles we do not know) advertised herself as a "fashionable dressmaker and tenders her services to the ladies of Burlington." Her residence is on Water Street, immediately under the Hawkeye printing office.
In 1840, L. A. Smith advertised herself as a "milliner and mantua maker," and requests the ladies to call and look over her styles before purchasing else- where. Webber & Remey want "wheat." They advertise, "Our customers who are indebted to us can have an opportunity to settle their accounts by the delivery of wheat, for which we will pay 50 cents per bushel." Luke Palmer has fourteen barrels of fresh flour and 22,000 good oak shingles which he wants to sell. One S. W. Babbit is running a grocery store at the old stand in the rear of the jewelry store. W. B. Ewing and W. M. Logan are doing business under the firm name of Ewing & Logan. Cook & Cochran have established a new hardware store on Water Street, second door from Jefferson. George Blackburn, a tailor, has on hand a large assortment of cashmere, vestings, etc. He keeps ready-made cloth- ing for sale, all at the southwest corner of Washington and Water streets, under the Hawkeye printing office. Now comes the first tooth puller in the town. "James Reid, M. D. Dentist, will attend to professional callers at the National Hotel." David & Kitchen have formed a partnership and succeed J. S. David as grocers and commission dealers. C. T. Dabney has started a new saddlery store, one door east of Robert Burrus on Water Street. Y. S. and M. T. Benton are selling ready-made clothing and brush hats. A. W. Carpenter is still in the ring and selling "Yankee clocks" at the sign of the "Golden Watch." On Main Street, William S. Keller is in the cooperage business and "wants fifteen compe- tent coopers at good wages."
We now skip on two years and come to 1842. Francis J. C. Peasley is still in the granary and commission business on Water Street. Samuel C. Thompson is in the same business. Barton T. David is in the same line of business as Thompson and Peasley. W. H. Mauro is in the dry goods and grocery business at corner of Front and Washington streets. E. D. Rand is dealing in groceries and provisions, boots and shoes, on Water Street. J. F. Tallant is a wholesale and retail dealer in drugs and medicines. Deutsche Apotheke C. Bodemann has just opened up a new drug store on the corner of Main and Washington streets. Copp & Parsons have just received from Boston a large assortment of cotton
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
domestics, flannels, at their store on Jefferson Street. R. S. Adams has 6,000 pounds of Spanish and oak tanned sole leather for sale. Wesley Jones is in the hat, cap, boot and shoe trade. George Partridge has gone into the pork packing business. Thomas Hedge has opened up a news store opposite Doctor Ransom's. A new bakery has just been started by John Pettinger in a building on Washing- ton Street opposite Boyle's Livery Stable. L. Stoddard and Jedadiah Bennett are manufacturing carriages on Washington Street near the Methodist Church. Corse & Hammon have a coach factory on Jefferson Street between the Western and National Hotels. Wilbur Green is a book binder and blank book manu- facturer.
We pass along, omitting many names, until we come to 1845. D. Mclntire is an importer and dealer in china and hardware. W. M. H. Holcomb Company have established a stage line from Burlington to Springfield, Illinois. W. F. Coolbaugh & Co. have received an immense consignment of queensware, carpets, etc. The fine steamer Amaranthe is making regular trips from St. Louis, for Nauvoo, Burlington, Bloomington and Rock Island. The St. Louis and St. Paul packet "Lynx" makes regular trips, etc. There are several other boats doing the same.
In the year 1845, two exciting and important incidents took place. The trial and conviction of William and Stephen Hodge, and the infamous act of Congress in cutting down the state boundary limits described in the state constitution, which constitution the people of the state refused to ratify.
The following account appears in the Hawkeye and Patriot of July 30, 1840: "Below will be found in detail an account of the convention held in this place on Thursday and Friday last. There were about fifty Indians, most of whom pre- sented a noble appearance. Although not a chief, young Black Hawk appeared to be the chief among this nobility. When he stood up to speak of the desecration of his father's sepulcher-as he told of the white men coming to the sepulcher and stealthily removing his father's head in the summer, and coming again to take away the remainder of his body at another time, we imagined him to be a complete personification of grief, telling to a sympathizing audience his tale of woe. The recital of the sacrilegious act sent a thrill of horror through the whole assembly. When he learned that this was an offense against our laws, and the perpetrators would be punished, he seemed satisfied." Governor Lucas addressed them as follows: "My children, when I met you in the village last spring, I told you my ear was opened at all times to listen to your complaints, and I would always be ready to make such representation to your great father, the President. as you might wish to communicate through me. Any grievance which you wish me to lay before your great father, the President, I will now hear."
Wish-e-lan-e-qua, or Hardfish, rose and said "he was well pleased with what he had told them at the village in the spring-he opened their cars a little and they were pleased. Now those with him did not know about the business of the money, how it was appropriated, their women and children were destitute and bad off and they wanted them fixed better. Their chiefs, Keokuk. Appanoose, Wapello and Powishiek, do what they don't understand and this was the reason for their coming. He was not well, but the other men would speak, he was not able to speak himself."
1
THE INDIAN CHIEF WAPELLO
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Wa-ha-kis-kok, the Prophet, said "they were all very glad to see their father today, and to know they were not forgotten (pointing upward) ; that their good Father above had not forgotten them. Those with him know they are bad off, they will tell the truth so all the men and women around can hear. That all those with him were braves." The interpreter informed the audience that they were the only chiefs, that they did not acknowledge Keokuk or any other to be their chief. Wah-at-aqua said "they were all very glad to have their ears opened. When they started it was very cold, but cold or warm they determined to come. They had been blind, they did not know what became of their money, they think Gen- eral Street has been a great cause of making them blind with the other chiefs. These are the chiefs (meaning Hardfish and the Prophet), we wish to have them and no others. The other chiefs, Keokuk, etc., have done wrong. Hard- fish and the Prophet want each one of the tribe to have a share of the money ; this is the mind of all his friends." Nashe-as-kuk, son of Black Hawk, said "that he was well pleased with what had been said by his friends. Our children and families are poor and are suffering, and that is what brought us here. The other chiefs have kept us blind. He and his friends wish the money divided." "Gov- ernor Lucas addressed them and matters were so arranged that they had no fur- ther complaint. After the above conference the meeting adjourned until the afternoon, when the Indians amused a very large audience for about two hours in performing religious and war dances. During these exercises the Indians were almost naked, and their bodies painted with various colors which made them appear quite terrific. After the dancing a contribution was taken up on behalf of the Indians. Throughout the whole ceremony Hardfish and young Black Hawk stood all in their native dignity as silent spectators of the scenes. The latter looked remarkably sedate, and his features bore the marks of apparent grief, probably because of the wrongs received from the white man. It is said young Black Hawk is opposed to whisky and dram drinking." Where this coun- sel and dance was held the Hawkeye fails to state.
That an Indian war dance was ever held in Old Zion Church we do not know. The story is traditionary as far as we can learn. In February, 1845, five years after the incidents recited, an article appeared in the Hawkeye headed, "Meth- odist Church," which bears somewhat on the question, and out of which would grow the story of an Indian war dance in Old Zion. The author of the article did not sign his name to it. He says: "Application was made to the trustees who have control of this house to permit its use for a sacred concert. Two of the board gave their consent, but the third placed his official ban upon the neg- ative, saying he would not give his consent to appropriate the building to any other purpose than preaching. We have the highest regard for the purity of the sanctuary, but in this case there are qualifications which change the relation, etc. No fane covered with shingles has been used for more various purposes, etc. We do not know that there was ever a bowling alley, a faro bank, or a roulette table, within its walls, etc., but we do know if credit be given to oral testimony that it has been occupied for the meeting of the Territorial Legislature, Indian councils, war dances and Indian pow-wows, etc." We refrain from giv- ing all this gentleman's choleric article, but will state it is out of such as the above the story of a war dance being held in Old Zion has grown.
CHAPTER XI
HISTORY OF BURLINGTON, CONTINUED
It will be remembered that the district of country now comprising lowa was by act of Congress in June, 1834, attached to Michigan Territory. That Wis- consin Territory was organized April 20, 1836, and was made to include all that part of Michigan Territory west of the Mississippi River.
At the first session of the Legislature of Wisconsin, meeting at Belmont, to which Jeremiah Smith of Burlington was a delegate, it selected Madison as the capital, and in the act provided that, until the capitol building was completed, the Legislature should meet at Burlington.
After other counties had been carved out of old Des Moines County conten- tion arose as to the location of the county seat of Des Moines County. The Iowa Territorial Legislature, by an act approved January 25, 1839, divided Des Moines County into three districts, from each of which was to be elected a county commissioner. That part of the county south of Flint Creek formed the first district. That portion north of Flint Creek constituted the second district. The City of Burlington comprised the third district. The Territorial Legislature on the 9th day of January, 1840, passed an act entitled, "An act to enable the citizens of Des Moines County to establish the seat of justice for said county." Section I of the act provided : "That there shall be an election held in the sev- eral precincts within said county on the first Monday of March next, at which each qualified voter in said county shall have the right to vote," etc. Section 2: "That the votes shall be confined to two points only ; that is to say, the 'Center,' or Burlington, and those voting at said election shall vote by ballot. Those voting in favor of the 'Center' will write or print on their ticket the word 'Center,' and those in favor of Burlington will write or print on their ticket the word .Burling- ton,' and if a majority shall be in favor of the 'Center,' then it shall be the duty of the county commission to proceed to make the selection of a suitable site at or near the center as a good situation can be had on which the seat of justice shall be located ; but should the majority be in favor of Burlington, then in that case Burlington shall be the seat of justice for said county." The election took place on the 2d day of March, 18440:
Townships
Burlington
Center
votes
votes
Burlington
465
40
Augusta
70
21
Union
3
58
Yellow Springs
40
155
578
274
Majority for Burlington, 304 votes.
110
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
It may seem strange that forty votes would be cast in Burlington Township for the "Center." At the time many of the land aristocrats of Burlington had entered large tracts of land near what they considered the center, and just the place where the county seat ought to be located. This fully accounts why those forty votes in Burlington were cast for the "Center."
Burlington, from 1846 to 1859, made great growth. Soon after the settle- ment of a new county, or the formation of a city, a weeding out process com- mences, many of the first settlers moving away to newer lands. Such was the case with Burlington. From a population of 517 in 1836, with many of the first settlers leaving, the city continued to increase in population, and many substantial brick homes and business buildings had been erected since the first brick house erected by Judge Rorer in July, 1836.
In 1856 was published the Burlington Business Directory, which gives a review of the trade, commerce and manufacturers of the city. We quote largely from this book. "Burlington's population at the census taken over a year ago was 11,000. Now it is computed at 13,000 to 14,000 inhabitants. The vote cast imme- diately after the census was taken was 1,100, while the vote cast at the last Feb- ruary non-contested election was 1,500. At the same ratio of votes to the people, the present number of the population would be 15,000.
"The pork packing business is carried on more extensively in Burlington than any city of its age in the United States, and Burlington has already been named by some, the 'Porkopolis' of Iowa. There are three pork packing houses here, all of them extensive. That of Schenck & Denise is deserving of notice. It is 90 feet wide and 200 feet deep, with two stories and a cellar. The smokehouse is capable of smoking at once not less than eight thousand hams. In two packing houses I saw about an acre of park piled up several feet high, through which there are narrow lanes and passages."
The pork packed during the past season is as follows :
Schenck & Denise, hogs. 18,535
McFaul & Co., hogs. 17,208
J. G. Law & Co., hogs. 10,000
Total packed
45,943
These firms shipped live hogs to Chicago during the same year. 30,172
Total receipts of hogs at Burlington for 1856. 76,115
Dressed hogs shipped to Chicago
19,075
Pork shipped to Chicago, barrels. 719
Lard shipped to Chicago, pounds. 592,655
The above is a pretty good showing in the pork line for a town of the size of Burlington in 1856.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
AMOUNT OF GRAIN HANDLED
Wheat
Names of Dealers
bushels
Oats bushels 60,000
Corn bushels
Rye bushels
Ogden & Copp.
40,000
.... .
......
Michaels, Parks & Co.
60,000
5,000
5,000
Thomas Hedge & Co.
30,000
15,000
5,000
500
Joseph Norton
17,000
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