USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 17
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DINNER BILL OF FARE Thursday, July 9, 1857
SOUP
Fish
FISH
Bass a la Jardinese
White Fish a la mode
Baked Buffalo, Claret sauce Mackinaw Trout, Egg Sauce
BOILED DISIIES
Leg of Mutton, Caper sauce
Chicken with Pork, Lemon sauce
Turkey, Oyster sauce
Beef Tongue Corned Beef New Sugar-cured Ham
SIDE DISHES
Myonaise de Poulet Oyster Patties
Young Chickens Mareirad, fried in Batter Lamb Chops, with Mashed Potatoes Chicken Myonaise
Fillet de Beuf, Jardinese
Sweet Breads, Tomato Sauce
Stewed Veal, with Green Beans
Beef Steak Pie Fricasse of Chicken Mutton a la Perdrix Coquettes of Rice Calves' Liver with Rice Maccaroni with Cheese
Fillet de Veau Myonaise of Oysters Jenny Lind Pancakes
BARRET HOUSE.
BARRET HOUSE, BURLINGTON
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Turkey Gizzards, stewed with Giblets Pork and Beans, a la Anglaise
Breast of Chicken, Madeira Sauce
Fresh Fish, Force Balls Chicken Stew, American Style Spring Chickens, Broiled Ham Rolls, Egg Sauce
Veal Stewed, Spanish Style
Stuffed Heart, a la Sobe
Beef Olives, Madeira Sauce
Omelet du Rum
Racket of Mutton, Russian Style Turkey Wings Garnished with Rice Beef a la Fingerette
Calves Feet, Madeira Sauce Veal Cutlets, Breaded Welsh Rabbits Chicken Pie Calves Liver Breaded and Fried
Oysters Fried in Batter Minced Tongue
Spare Rib of Pork, Broiled
Pig's Head Stewed Lamb, German Style
Hashed Mutton, a la Parisian
Fried Salt Pork with Liver
Vo-lo de Voleville, French Style
ROAST DISHES
Turkey, Bread sauce
Fillet of Veal
Loin of Pork
Goose, Apple sauce
Rib of Pork
Veal with fine herbs
Loin of Pork
Pomroy's Ham, Cham- paign's Rib of Beef
Surloin of Beef
Beef's Heart, Stuffed
Chicken Breaded
Spare Rib of Pork
Saddle of Mutton
Pig Stuffed, Apple sauce
Lamb, Mint Sauce
COLD DISIIES
Roast Beef, Mutton, Tongue, Pork, Ham and-Corned Beef
VEGETABLES
Stewed Tomatoes
Boiled Beans
Greens
Stringed Beans
Browned Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Carrots
Homony
Baked Beans
Boiled Potatoes
Asparagras
Green Onions
Green Peas
Turnips
Boiled Rice
RELISHES
Cucumber Pickles, Green Onions, Radishes, Lettuce, Cheese and Olives
PASTRY
Pies
Tarts, &c.
Currant
Rhubarb
Cream Schells
Gooseberry
Custard
Jelly Tarts
Puddings Farrina, Wine Sauce English, Cream Sauce
CONFECTIONERY
Ornamental Fruit Cake Ornamental Pound Cake
Sponge Cake Marrengoes, a la Mode Boston Cream Cake
Lemon Rings
Spanish Cake Queen's Cake
Ornamental Jelly Cake
Mutton with Green Peas
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Lady Fingers Chocolate Maccaroons
Tea Cake
Lemon Jelly Fruit Jelly
Strawberry Ice Cream Rum Jelly Champaign Jelly Charlotte Russe
DESSERT
English Walnuts, Pecans, Hazel nuts, Fiberts, Raisins and Figs
If any hotel, inn or tavern, whether in ancient or modern times. furnished a more elaborate menu, it has not come to our knowledge.
Mr. Charles Fales was proprietor of the Mccutcheon House on Columbia Street, near the "Ferry Landing," in 1851.
In the same year Mr. S. J. Roderick had prepared the "commodious building recently occupied by O. H. W. Stull on Third Street," which he called the "Tem- perance House." This was the first and only temperance house of public enter- tainment of which we have any knowledge that ever existed in Burlington. How long Mr. Roderick's Temperance House continued to exist we are not informed. The charges for board and lodging at the Temperance House were: Board and lodging, per week $2.00. Transients, per day 75 cents, per meal 25 cents. Horse feed at night 25 cents, single feed 121/2 cents.
Mr. G. W. Kessler opened the Farmers' Hotel June 3, 1851. This hotel was situated at the southwest corner of Valley and Eighth streets. This house was for years the leading stopping place for farmers coming to town from the west. southwest and northwest part of the county. Horace Kemey succeeded Kessler. William B. Lawrence ran it for a time. The last proprietor was L. Teedrick, who was quite a prominent democratic politician. The city subse- quently purchased the ground, which is now used for a market yard.
In September, 1851, Charles Fales had the management of the Mccutcheon House, on Columbia Street, near the "Ferry Landing."
The Planters' House, situated at No. 48 North Main Street, came into exist- ence the same year. J. Brenett & Co., proprietors.
In the same year the Sunderland House, situated on the southwest corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets, when completed was leased to W. B. Lawrence, who ran the house from that time on until he became its purchaser, when he changed its name to the Lawrence House. It was destroyed by fire some time in the early 'zos and was rebuilt by Mr. Lawrence. He continued to operate it as a hotel, when again it was damaged by fire to such an extent it was not rebuilt.
M. and J. L. Perkins were the proprietors of the Burlington House, situated on the southwest corner of Water and Washington streets. A hotel was kept on this corner for many years by different persons.
We do not know the date of the establishment of the Union Hotel, situated at the southwest corner of Main and Elm streets. This hotel has been the most successful in Burlington. The recollection of the writer is, it was constructed in 1868 or 1869. When opened it was under the name of "Union Hotel," and has borne that name to this day. Mr. Chris Geyer was its first proprietor and lessee ; subsequently became its owner, and continued in its operation until his death. Since that time it has been under the sole charge and management of his widow, Ilannah A. Geyer.
161
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
The Scott House, situated at the corner of Main and Columbia streets, came into existence in 1873. Samuel Scott, proprietor.
In the same year the Green Tree House, 205 and 207 South Main Street, made its appearance.
The new Mccutcheon House, corner of Columbia and Front streets, was opened in 1873.
The City Hotel, No. 127 South Main Street, was opened by Michacl Hames in 1877.
The Grand Central Hotel was opened by J. Kleppish, proprietor, in 1886. This house was situated at 127 South Main Street.
Hotel Duncan came into existence in 1886, George A. Duncan, proprietor. This hotel was situated on the southeast corner of Main and Valley streets. Whether prior to this time this property was used for hotel purposes the writer cannot say. It has been used for such purposes ever since. The New Delano is located at this place.
The Palmer House, 501 North Main Street, had its beginning about 1886.
While Burlington in the carly days could rejoice in the quality of its hotels for the time, the time came when it had no occasion to boast of its hotel accom- modations. During those days the only hotel that could be fairly counted upon with reasonable certainty was the Union Hotel.
The building of the Burlington Hotel, situated at the northeast corner of Third and Valley streets, at a cost of near three hundred thousand dollars, was the commencement of a new era in the matter of hotel accommodations in Bur- lington.
Those here at the time of the beginning of the building of the Burlington saw that the old way of accommodation must cease and something be done for the better. The result is that Burlington has at the present time sufficient hotel accom- modations for a city of its population.
The people of the city and the traveling public know of the present hotels in the city, and it is not for us to say anything concerning them except you get what you pay for.
It is impossible to trace the history of the establishment of every hotel oper- ated in the city since its foundation. The names of the buildings used for hotel purposes change almost with the changes of the names of the proprietor.
It will not be out of place to mention the Harris House on North Main Street. It is more in the nature of a boarding house, where anyone can go and get a good meal. It is the successor of the Black Hawk Hotel, the first hotel erected in Burlington. Miss Birdie Harris is its present proprietor. More than a half a century has passed since it became known as the Harris House and been under the management and control of the members of that family.
Vol. 1 -11
CHAPTER XVI
PUBLIC AND OTHER SCHOOLS OF BURLINGTON
It is not the laying of brick in mortar, the grading of streets, the establishment of industries which give employment to men and women, that constitute a city, state or nation in the highest and best sense. Civilization does not altogether consist in the development of the material universe to make it more completely satisfy man's outward needs. There are other and better things-the develop- ment of man's mental, moral and spiritual being-without which, and by the loss of which, human society would resolve itself back to a tribal condition-that con- dition from which it was evolved. For more than six hundred years the wander- ing Arab has pitched his tent and laid himself down to sleep among the ruins of once mighty cities of Asia Minor. With wonder he has looked upon fallen columns of magnificent temples erected by human labor and skill. There all alone, in a desert of sand, stand the columns of temples, supporting entablatures, beneath whose friezes the bat finds a shelter. If the question is asked, why those ruins? What became of the people who once inhabited the fallen cities of Asia Minor, who reared those once magnificent temples? The answer will be: Those ruins were brought about by a change in inward conditions of the people who inhabited those cities, the loss of national life and spirit. Those of a community, either of a state, nation or city, who devote their time and energies for the better- ment of man's inward conditions are as much the builders of states and nations as those who contribute to its material wealth.
The minister, the school teacher, or wherever there is a human soul who seeks to make men, women and children more intelligent, to better their moral and spiritual beings, are the equals of and co-operators with those possessed of wealth in the upbuilding of a city or state. The minister who preached the first sermon in Burlington ; Zadoc Inghram, who taught the first school, is entitled to as much credit as the one who built the first cabin or laid out the town; as the one who established the first store and delivered goods over a rude counter made of rough unplaned boards.
Prior to 1840 no law existed to enable the people to impose a public tax for any school purpose, and the one enacted at that time was the best that could be devised under existing conditions. Whatever schools existed prior to this time were what were called "subscription schools." In 1836 Burlington had 124 boys under twenty-one years of age and 112 girls under eighteen years of age. It is reasonable to suppose that at least half of them, or more, were of school age. In the fall of 1833 Dr. William Ross built a log cabin schoolhouse southwest of where is now the North Hill Public Square, which was used for school and religious purposes. In the winter of 1833 and 1834 a man by the name of Phil-
162
JAMES. CLARKE First President of the School Board
163
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
pot lived in this cabin. In the spring of 1834 Zadoc C. Inghram taught school in it during the summer months. After Mr. Inghram a Mrs. Shelton had a chil- dren's school in this cabin during the summer time. From this time up to 1841 schools were kept in different parts of town. In 1839 Old Zion had been com- pleted so far that a Rev. E. M. Scott had a school in its basement. In 1838 Mr. J. P. Stewart established a school called "Academy of Science and Literature." This school was held in the large upper rooms of the building formerly occupied by C. Nealey as a store. In 1839 by an act of the Legislature this institution became incorporated under the name of "The Burlington Academy." The incor- porators were Charles Mason, George Temple, William II. Starr, James P'. Stew- art, George H. Beeler, William B. Remey, James W. Grimes, Augustus C. Dodge, James C. Clark and Dr. S. S. Ransom. In 1840 Samuel H. Clendenen advertises in the Hawkeye, "Select School opposite Mr. John S. David's." His school consisted of two sections :
First. Orthography, reading, penmanship, intellectual and practical arith- metic and geography.
Second. English grammar, ancient and modern history, natural and moral philosophy, algebra, geometry, mensuration, atlas of the United States, rhetoric and original composition. Tuition, first section, per term, $6.00. Tuition, second section, per terni, $8.00.
A Mrs. McGill taught a school in a building situated near where the railroad crosses Jefferson Street. Hawkeye afforded a good place for skating, and when skating the whig youngsters would sing: "In the year 1844 the whigs will rise to fall no more."
Mrs. McGill made it a rule to have prayers cach morning before the com- mencement of school work. There existed what was called the Stone Schoolhouse, where Division Street erosses the creek in the western part of town; Johnson Pierson was its first teacher.
In 1834 a log schoolhouse was built in the valley afterwards known as "Fox Abraham's Hollow." now "Stony Lonesome." Benjamin Tucker, the man who made the survey of the first lots in Burlington, taught in this school building in 1835. William Henry Smith, in "Authentic Story of the First Settlement of Burlington," speaks of Tucker as being cross and ill-tempered. That he gave little Robert Cooper one of the worst whippings he ever saw. The teacher who followed Tucker was a Mr. Newton, a son-in-law of a Mrs. Jones who kept a boarding house on Front Street. Mr. Newton's pupils liked him, for he seldom whipped. However, his patriotism overcame him, for on a Fourth of July he got on a spree which continued for a week, for which he was discharged and Johnson Pierson finished his term.
What was known as the Washington and Fifth Street School was kept by Mrs. Hogan, principal. A school was kept by Miss Emma Clarke at the corner of Division and Fourth streets. A Mr. S. Wetzlew had a school at No. 46 Columbia Street. Miss Cheesman had a school on Angular Street, near Main Street. A school existed in the northwest part of the town, but its location and the name of its teacher I cannot tell.
Doubtless there were public schools in Burlington prior to 1852. If such was the case there is no record of them. Prior to January 19, 1838, the time when Burlington received its first charter, the town consisted of an aggregation of
-
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
people who lived in log cabins and a few frame houses, with the exception of two or three brick structures. There did not exist a township organization at this time. On the 3d of April, 1838, the board of commissioners caused to be entered of record certain orders, among which were orders establishing certain town- ships, one of which is an order establishing election precinct No. 1, or Burlington Township. From this time until 1840 no law existed whereby the people could organize school districts. Under the law of 1840, which provided for the estab- lishment of a system of common schools, it was made the duty of the school inspectors, whose election was provided for in the law, to divide the townships into school districts and deliver a written notice to a taxable inhabitant of the district describing its boundaries and the time and place of a meeting of the voters of the district ; and it was mandatory on the person to whom the notice had been given to notify the electors of the district of a meeting by posting up notices of the meeting and the purposes for which it was called. The electors assembled had authority to organize as the law provided. When the voters had organized themselves into a school district, the district so organized became a corporate body by the name and style of "School District No. - of the Township of the County of -, Iowa Territory." When lawfully assembled the voters had power to designate the site for a schoolhouse, to purchase or lease school- houses. Had power to impose a tax from time to time to keep the schoolhouse in repair ; to impose a suitable tax for the purchase of a library case and books. It was made the duty of the inspectors to file a report with the clerk of the District Court concerning the schools of his township. No such reports were ever filed with the clerk of that court for Des Moines County. It was made the duty of the clerk to report to the superintendent of public instruction what had been done by the inspectors. Mr. William Reynolds, superintendent of public instruction, in his report to the Legislature in 1842 says: "Those reports should have been made before the 20th of November last. I regret, however, that but three counties have reported, and those three are not as full as desirable. The three counties which have reported are Clayton, Lee and Des Moines. Des Moines County has nine townships-Burlington, Union, Augusta, Flint River, Danville, Benton, Pleasant Grove and Yellow Springs-all of which have organ- ized except Union. Those organized, except Benton, have elected school inspectors, but none of them have made a report of their doings. This is a matter of sur- prise to me, for being personally acquainted in that county, I am convinced that materials are not wanting for publishing reports, both desirable and interesting. There are several good schools in that county and are being liberally supported. The City of Burlington has seven schools, one in which the higher branches of an English education and the classics are taught, and another devoted to the education of young ladies."
Of what had been done prior to 1849 respecting the establishment of com- mon schools in Burlington we have no record.
In 1847 Hon. Chas. Mason, Hon. James W. Grimes and George Partridge were elected school inspectors. A better selection could not have been made. They were educated men and felt the necessity of popular education. As soon as possible, under the conditions then existing, they commenced carrying into effect their ideas on this important matter. They were ably assisted by Mr. Edwards, editor of the Hawkeye, who in 1850 in an editorial said: "We
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
regard it as vastly important that in laying the foundation of a system of com- mon schools for our city we should begin upon the most important plans, with better wages than our traders now get; with children properly classified, seven teachers can better instruct them than seventeen can under the system which now prevails." It appears up to 1849 no attempt had been made to establish even approximately a graded system of common schools. Mr. William Walker, school inspector for Burlington Township, in his notice to Mr. Edwards (see hereafter) says he had consolidated all the districts in the city into one district, known as School District No. 2.
On March 29, 1849, a meeting of the qualified electors of the City of Bur- lington, composing School District No. 2 of the Township of Burlington, was called to meet at the Congregational Church in Burlington for the purpose of organization by virtue of a notice which reads as follows :
"Burlington, March 19th, 1849.
Mr. J. G. Edwards :-
Sir :- I notify you that I have changed all of the school districts in this city into one district, to be known as "School District No. 2" of the Township of Burlington, in the County of Des Moines, State of Iowa, and request you to give notice of the same as required by law (Sec. 34, school law). The first meeting will be held on the 29th of March, at 2 o'clock P. M .. in the Congre- gational Church. WILLIAM WALKER."
This meeting was called to order by James G. Edwards, who nominated James Clarke, Esq., as chairman, who was chosen accordingly. The chairman having stated the object of the meeting, on motion of James W. Grimes, Oliver Cock was appointed secretary of the meeting. On motion of Mr. Grimes, it was resolved that the meeting now proceed to elect by ballot a president of School District No. 2, Burlington Township.
James W. Grimes nominated Rev. William Salter, A. W. Carpenter nom- inated James Clarke, Esq., J. C. Hall nominated Rev. D. N. Smith.
The following are the names of the persons who voted for a president, viz. : John Johnson, E. D. Ransom, William Walker, William Salter, Isaac Leffler, I. W. Webber, Z. C. Hovey, James W. Grimes, S. S. Ransom, J. G. Edwards, L. D. Stockton, L. P. Reed, David Rorer, Wesley Jones, Thomas Sperry, J. C. Hall, George Temple, Harvey Ray, James F. Stephens, H. Pasche, Evan Evans, J. W. Neally, Edward Marlow, Gilbert Robbins, Dr. John F. Henry, P. Dunlap, Joseph Clarke, James Hayes, James Golden, D. S. Ebersol, David Rice, John Whittaker, H. B. Ware, J. A. Funck, D. N. Smith, Silas Ferry, John Grey, James Bridges, E. W. Gray, S. B. Goodwin, Joseph Greenough, Dr. G. M. Mc- Kenny, William M. Walbridge, W. W. Wightman, Thomas W. Scott, William Morgan, John W. Myers, A. W. Carpenter, William Lewis, Lewis Boerstter, B. C. Hopping, C. Parr, William Endsley, Martin Heisy, H. K. Eads, Martin Wheeler, James Kurtz, John G. Foote, M. G. Criswell, James Eads, John H. Armstrong, George W. Snyder, James Armstrong, James Clarke, Oliver Cock-68.
The ballots being taken and counted, James Clarke was duly elected president of School District No. 2, Burlington Township, Des Moines County, Iowa.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
On motion of James W. Grimes it was resolved, That a committee of five persons from different parts of the town be appointed to ascertain as to the propriety of building one or more schoolhouses, and to collect information as to the eligibility of sites for schoolhouses, cost of ground and such other information as may be of importance, and to ascertain how many schools are needed for the district the ensuing summer.
The chairman appointed the following persons upon said committee: James WV. Grimes, George Temple, Oliver Cock, John W. Webber and Dr. George W. Snyder.
On motion the meeting adjourned for two weeks, until April 12, 1849, at 2 o'clock P. M., to meet at the same place.
At the adjourned meeting on April 12 the committee appointed on March 29 reported. After much discussion the following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, That two schoolhouses be erected in this district for the use of the district during the year 1849; the cost of the same with the lots upon which they may be erected not to cost more than four thousand five hundred dollars each.
On motion of James W. Grimes the following resolution was adopted by the meeting :
Resolved, That the board of directors is authorized to levy a tax of not more than I per cent. on the taxable property of this District No. 2, for the purpose of purchasing lots and erecting two schoolhouses during the year 1849.
On motion of James G. Edwards it was
I. Resolved, That the board of directors be required to report to the next regular meeting a draft of the schoolhouses to be erected, the sites such school- houses shall occupy and the probable cost of the same.
At this meeting L. D. Stockton was elected secretary; John Johnson, treas- urer of the board; James W. Grimes was selected chairman of a committee to make inquiry of the number of schools needed.
At a meeting held May 11, 1849, a tax of one-third of I per cent. on all the taxable property of this city was authorized for the purchase of schoolhouse sites.
At a meeting of the board, May 11, 1849, School District No. 2 was sep- arated into four distriets :
First. All the city south of Market constituted a district.
Second. All the city east of Fourth Street, between Market and Court, to constitute a district.
Third. All the city west of Fourth Street, between Market and Court streets, to constitute a district.
Fourth. All the city north of Court Street to constitute a district.
Schools were soon afterwards opened in the other districts. Samuel M. Clendenen was elected principal of the district north of Court Street, O. L. Palmer of No. 3, Abraham Darbey of No. 2 and Mrs. Burge of No. 1. Her daughter was her only assistant. Mrs. Burge was compelled to resign on account of ill health, when David S. Moore was elected principal, with Miss Eliza A. Clark assistant. Mrs. May Wiggins was assistant in No. 2, Miss Ellen Griffey in No. 3 and Mrs. Price in No. 4. Mrs. Burge has the honor of being the first woman principal of the Burlington city schools, at the magnificent salary of
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
$25.00 per month, and her daughter at $8.00 per month, but be it said to the credit of the school board, she received the same salary as the men principals.
The school census, taken in September, 1850, a little over one year after their establishment, is as follows :
No. I.
238
Attendance, No. I . 130
No. 2.
473
Attendance, No. 2. 183
No. 3.
192
Attendance, No. 3. 140
No. 4.
II2
Attendance, No. 4. 109
Total
1.O15 Total
562
To those of the present time this attendance is not a good one, but it is not as bad as it looks, for at these times were many private and parochial schools ; besides, in the minds of many there existed a prejudice against public schools. Some aristocratic mothers did not want their children to mix with children of the "common people." and sent them to private schools. That which survives and attains the excellent has to struggle. So it was with the public schools of Burlington. As time passed, through their excellence they overcame all oppo- sition, while on the other hand private schools as such have almost ceased to exist.
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