USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 19
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At the meeting of the electors in the year 1907 the board was authorized to issue the school bonds of the district to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00), and at the election in 1909 an additional sumn of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or over, with the proceeds of the sale to construct a new high school building on the grounds purchased from the Bur- lington University. Plans and specifications for the new building were prepared by Temple, Burrows & McLane, architects, of Davenport, Iowa. The contract to construct the building in accordance with the plans was let to W. M. Allen & Co., Peoria, Ill., on July 30, 1908. The work commenced August 13, 1908, by breaking ground for excavation. The cornerstone was laid November 13, 1908; the building occupied May 9, 1910; the size of the building is 147 by 175 feet, capacity 800, capacity of auditorium 750.
The cost of new high school was :
Grounds
$ 9,540.00
Cost of building
200,000.00
Heating plant
28,000.00
Furnishing
13,000.00
Total
$250,540.00
Since the occupancy of the new building the manual training department has been transferred to the old building.
The principals who have had charge of the Burlington High School are: J. E. Dow. 1864-1865; J. A. Smith, 1865-1872; Robert Saunderson, 1872-1873; George Gordon, 1873-1874; C. A. Lisle, 1874-1882; E. Poppe, 1882-1899; M. Ricker, 1899; W. L. Hanson, -; H. M. Elliott, -; George A. Brown, 1913-1915.
When the City of Burlington became an independent school district I have been unable to find out, as no records of the proceedings of its board of directors prior to 1865 can be found.
SYNOPSIS OF LAWS IN REFERENCE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS SINCE 1840
a. Chapter 140, Revised Statutes of Iowa Territory. An act to establish a system of common schools. Approved January 16, 1840.
b. Article 9, Constitution of 1846, Education and School Laws.
c. School Fund Commission. Chapter 68, Code 1851, January 15, 1849.
d. School Districts. Approved January 15, 1847. Chapter 69. Code 1851.
e. Election, terms and duties of district offices. Approved January 15, 1849, Chapter 70, Code 1851.
f. Laws of Board of Education. "An act to amend an act to provide a system of common schools," passed December 24, 1859, took effect March 1, 1860. By this act each civil township was constituted a corporate body. Under prior acts
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
each subdistrict was a corporate body. The adoption of this act dissolved the subdistrict corporations. The electors of each subdistrict elected a director for their district, and the directors so elected constituted the board of directors for the township district. This board had power to make contracts, to admit pupils to school; determine the number of schools; length of time taught ; fix site for schoolhouses ; establish grades or a union school; to determine what branches should be taught; to provide for the election of a county superintendent, and prescribe his duties, etc.
g. This act provided, "That every city or incorporated town, including the territory annexed thereto for school purposes, may constitute a separate school district." For all the above, see Chapter 88, Revision 1860, Laws of Iowa.
December 24, 1859, the board of education passed an act to amend an "Act to provide a system of common schools," passed by the board December 24, 1859, Title X, Chapter 19, Acts of Eighth General Assembly. Among other things this act provided for the election of a county superintendent of common schools.
h. Chapter 172, Ninth General Assembly. An act to amend an act passed by the board of education, December 24, 1859. By the provision of this act (passed in 1862), the acts of the board of education to provide a system of common schools was repealed. Among other things this act provided that any city or town, containing within its surveyed territory might become a separate school district." The former act limited its purposes to any city or incorporated town.
Chapter 143, Acts of the Eleventh General Assembly, provides amendments to Chapter 172, Ninth General Assembly.
Chapter 89, Acts of the Twelfth General Assembly, provides for legalizing an independent school district in Des Moines County, to-wit: "That the organi- zation of subdistricts I and 4, in Burlington Township, Des Moines County, Iowa, into indeepndent school districts, and the proceedings in relation thereto, be and the same is (are) hereby legalized and declared valid from the date of its organi- zation."
The Code of Iowa, 1873, took effect on the Ist day of September, 1873. Section 47 provides : "All public and general statutes passed prior to the present session (adjourned session of Fourteenth General Assembly), and all public and special acts, the subjects thereof are reserved in this code, or which are repugnant to the provisions thereof, are hereby repealed, subject to the limitations herein expressed." Since this time there has been one codification of the laws of Iowa, 1897, and supplement codification. 1907. We will not pursue this subject further. The board of education passed out of existence when the code of 1873 was enacted.
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BURLINGTON, IOWA
1849-1915
The members of the board of education since 1849 have been :
James Clarke, 1849-1850, died in office ; John Johnson, 1849-1850, 1851-1852; L. D. Stockton, 1849-1853, 1854-1857; A. W. Carpenter, 1850-1851, 1857-1863, 1865-1868; James W. Grimes. 1850-1852; John G. Foote, 1852, elected but declined to serve : Wm. Salter. 1852-1853, 1855-1861 ; O. H. Schenck, 1852-1853 ; Geo. Snyder, 1852-1854, resigned ; Wm. Chamberlain, 1853-1855: J. F. Tallant.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
1853-1858; Lyman Cook, 1853-1856, 1861-1862; Adam Funck, 1853, resigned ; J. N. Evans, 1853-1856, died in office ; J. H. Rauch, 1853-1854; Geo. Temple, 1854-1860 ; Oliver Cock, 1854-1860; Wm. W. White, 1855-1858; John M. Corse, 1857-1860, 1865-1868, died in office; D. J. Sales, 1857-1863, 1865-1867 ; J. P. Weightman, 1858-1859: T. L. Parsons, 1859-1863; Denise Denise, 1859, elected but declined to serve; E. McKitterick, 1860-1861, 1862-1863, 1865-1867, 1868- 1870; W. F. Baird, 1860-1862, 1864-1865 ; Geo. Darwin, 1861-1863, died in office ; A. J. Messenger, 1862-1863 ; Silas Hudson, 1863-1864 ; Luke Palmer, 1863-1865; H. H. Hawley, 1863-1864 ; John HertzIer, 1863-1865, resigned ; J. C. Power, 1863, resigned : W. D. McCash, 1863-1865; Thompson McCosh, 1863-1865, 1868-1871 ; D. Y. Overton, 1864-1865, resigned ; E. E. Gay, 1864-1867; J. H. Davey, 1865- 1867 : R. Spencer, 1865-1868; B. J. Hall, 1867-1870; J. S. Schramm, 1867-1879; I. N. Ripley. 1867-1872; A. C. Sales, 1867. resigned, 1868-1870; Chas. Starker, 1867, elected but declined to serve; A. W. Parsons, 1867-1870: Horton Bailey, 1870-1879; L. Teedrick, 1870-1872; W. McD. Houseworth, 1870-1880; Wm. Wolverton, 1871-1880; W. S. Berry. 1872-1878; I. P. Wilson, 1872-1875, 1901 ; Robert Donahue. 1873-1874 ; C. B. Parsons, 1875-1887 ; Theo. Guelich, 1878-1887 ; J. M. Sherfey, 1879-1891 ; G. R. Henry, 1879-1885, died in office : C. F. Schramm, 1880-1892: A. M. Antrobus, 1880-1895 ; S. Wadleigh, 1885-1892, resigned : J. R. Nairn, 1887-1896; E. Hagemann, 1887-1899; C. C. Clark, 1891-1897; G. H. Bicklen, 1892-1901 ; W. W. Baldwin, 1892-1897; Wm. Lyon, 1895-1898: J. T. Illick, 1896-1899; H. G. Marquardt, 1897 ; J. D. Harmer, 1897-1900; Frank Mil- lard, 1898; G. B. Little, 1898-1901 ; W. E. Blake, 1899; A. H. Kuhlemeier, 1899- 1902: C. H. Mohland, 1900 ; G. C. Henry, 1901 ; H. H. Gilman, 1902.
MEMBERS OF BOARD SINCE 1902
The members of the board since 1902 have been :
March, 1903-W. E. Blake, H. H. Gilman, T. G. Harper, Frank Millard, Dr. I. P. Wilson, J. H. Dustman, Geo. Henry.
March, 1904-W. E. Blake, H. H. Gilman, T. G. Harper, J. W. Swiler, H. C. Garrett, E. E. Stevens, J. H. Dustman.
March, 1905-W. E. Blake, H. H. Gilman, H. C. Garrett, J. W. Swiler, J. H. Dustman, T. G. Harper. E. E. Stevens.
March, 1906-W. E. Blake, H. C. Garrett, J. W. Swiler, E. E. Stevens, H. H. Gilman, J. H. Pettibone, James Moir.
March, 1907-W. E. Blake, H. H. Gilman, II. C. Garrett, J. W. Swiler, E. E. Stevens, J. H. Pettibone, James Moir.
March, 1908-W. E. Blake, H. H. Gilman, H. C. Garrett, J. W. Swiler, E. E. Stevens, J. II. Pettibone, James Moir.
March, 1909-W. E. Blake, H. H. Gilman, H. C. Garrett, J. W. Swiler, E. E. Stevens, H. S. Rand, J. W. McLain.
March, 1910-W. E. Blake. H. C. Garrett. H. H. Gilman, H. S. Rand, J. W. McLain, H. L. Madison, H. W. Stadtlander.
March, 1911-C. C. Clark, H. C. Garrett. H. L. Madison, H. W. Stadtlander, H. S. Rand, S. P. Gilbert, W. M. P. Shelton.
March, 1912-C. C. Clark, H. C. Garrett, H. L. Madison, H. W. Stadtlander, S. P. Gilbert, Geo. C. Boesch, Dr. A. C. Zaiser.
Vol. 1-12
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
March, 1913-C. C. Clark, H. C. Garrett, H. L. Madison, Geo. C. Boesch, Dr. A. C. Zaiser, S. P. Gilbert, W. F. McFarland.
March. 1914-C. C. Clark, H. C. Garrett, H. L. Madison, S. P. Gilbert, Geo. C. Boesch, Dr. A. C. Zaiser, Wm. F. McFarland.
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
1849-1902
Presidents
James Clarke, March, 1849, to July, 1850, died in office ; A. W. Carpenter, July, 1850, to May, 1851, to fill vacancy ; James W. Grimes, 1851-1852; John G. Foote, 1852, elected but declined to serve; Wm. Salter. 1852-1853. 1855-1856, 1859-1861; W. B. Chamberlain, 1853-1855: Geo. Temple, 1856-1858; J. P. Weightman, 1858-1859; T. L. Parsons. 1861-1863 ; Luke Palmer, 1863-1865; E. McKitterick, 1865-1867 ; B. J. Hall, 1867-1870 : J. S. Schramm, 1870-1873 ; Robert Donahue. 1873-1874; W. S. Berry, 1874-1875: Horton Bailey. 1875-1878; Wm. Wolverton, 1878-1879; C. B. Parsons, 1879-1887; A. M. Antrobus, 1887-1895; W. W. Baldwin, 1895-1897 : E. Hagemann, 1897-1899; H. G. Marquardt, 1899- 1900; W. E. Blake, 1900-1911 ; C. C. Clark, 1911-1915.
Secretaries
L. D. Stockton, 1849-1852: Geo. Snyder, 1852-1854; Oliver Cock, 1854-1858; D. J. Sales, 1858-1863, 1865-1868; J. C. Power, 1863, until July, resigned to enlist in the Union Army ; D. Y. Overton, 1863-1865; A. C. Sales, 1868-1872; A. C. Hutchinson, 1872-1875 : Geo. Frazee, 1875-1876; H. A. Kelley, 1876-April, 1900; W. W. Turpin, April, 1900: D. S. Cooper, 1915.
Treasurers
John Johnson, 1849-1850, 1851-1852; James W. Grimes, 1850-1851 : O. H. Schenck, 1852-1853: J. F. Tallant. 1853-1857; A. W. Carpenter, 1857-1863; W. D. McCash, 1863-1865; J. H. Davey, 1865-1867; Chas. Starker, 1867, declined to serve; 1882-February, 1900; A. W. Parsons, 1867-1877; Chas. Mason, 1877- 1882: E. Hagemann, February to March, 1900; Louis Wallbridge, 1900; F. W. Brooks, -; Louis Wallbridge, 1915.
Superintendents
J. C. Dowe, 1864-1865, principal of high school and city superintendent ; J. A. Smith, 1865-1870, principal of high school and city superintendent; Wm. M. Bryant, 1871-1872: R. G. Saunderson, 1873-1890; Robert McCay. 1890-1893 ; C. E. Shelton, 1893-1899; F. M. Fultz, 1899 -; W. L. Hanson, -1915.
BURLINGTON UNIVERSITY
This institution, incorporated in 1852, opened its preparatory department in 1854 as an academy. This was the beginning of a larger work to be performed in the near future.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
The institution had its origin in an educational convention called by a com- mittee of the Iowa Baptist State Association held at Iowa City, April 13 and 14, 1852.
These were the times when there were many discussions between different denominations in reference to the teaching of the Scriptures on certain subjects and each denomination sought to establish institutions of learning controlled by the denomination calling it into existence.
The articles of incorporation of this institution, among other things, provided for the establishment of different departments in academic, collegiate, theological and others.
The management of the institution was under the direction of a board of trustees consisting of twenty-four members. The board of trustees met for the first time in Burlington in April, 1852, to consider a proposition of the people of Burlington for the establishment of the institution in this city; the principal inducement to its location in Burlington was the donation to it of certain lands then partly occupied as a burial place.
The corner stone of the institution was laid July 4, 1853, a young lawyer by the name of Clune making the principal address on the occasion.
I am unable to state when the building was completed, but probably not until 1855.
The first record we find concerning the Burlington University is in 1856, - wherein is stated :
"The terms of tuition as follows :
For Primary Studies for session. 5.00
Higher English and Classical Studies 7.00
Studies in Collegiate Course. 10.00
Private Instruction in Vocal Music (extra). 5.00
Instruction on Piano, Guitar, etc. (extra) 10.00
Instruction in Painting, Drawing, etc. 3.00
"The institution has in its possession a valuable library of about 12,000 vol- umes, and an extensive reading room and cabinet of curiosities. For full par- ticulars inquire of Rev. J. A. Nash, Fort Des Moines, Iowa, president of board of trustees ; Hon. Lyman Cook, Burlington, vice president ; Rev. G. J. Johnson, Burlington, secretary; Hon. T. W. Newman, Burlington, treasurer; Wm. B. Ewing, Burlington, chairman of executive committee, or Rev. Silas Tucker, Galesburg, Ill., chairman of examining committee."
The first teachers were Rev. G. W. Gunnison, A. M., principal and professor, Mrs. M. A. P. Darwin, preceptress. Rev. L. B. Allen, D. D., had charge of the institution for several years, commencing in 1857. Rev. J. T. Robert succeeded Reverend Allen.
An addition was added to the building in 1857, costing nearly ten thousand dollars.
From 1857 until after the close of the war, the institution had a hard time to keep open. The minds of the people were taken up with the great conflict then going on between the North and South. Young men who were in school went into the military service of the country. It had increased its indebtedness during
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
the hard times following 1857 to tide it over the financial depression then existing. The Baptist people, like many other denominations, had established too many institutions of learning in the state, thus limiting the field of each. The common school system was then advancing rapidly, seeking to furnish educational facili- ties, claiming them to be superior to those of denominational schools. The insti- tution at Burlington could not withstand this pressure and the result was the City Independent School District purchased at a low figure the grounds of the Burlington University on which it erected a splendid high school building.
The institution during its existence did a valuable work for many young men of Burlington and throughout the country. The benefits it conferred in the way of education more than compensated for its cost.
LADIES' SEMINARY
This institution was situated at the corner of Fifth and Court streets. Its instructors were :
Miss Josephine A. Cutter, principal and teacher of higher mathematics ; Miss Emma R. Brown, teacher of Latin and French languages; Miss Martha A. Robert, teacher of history and rhetoric; Miss Martha R. Cutter, teacher of nat- ural science and principal of preparatory department ; Mrs. Jane P. Hawley, teacher of instrumental music; Mrs. Augusta P. Willey, teacher of drawing and painting.
How long this institution continued we have no means of knowing. All we can find about it is the above taken from the Hawk-Eye of 1852. It is reasonable to suppose it had some connection with the Burlington University at this time, when the young men's department was being held in the basements of the Baptist and Congregational churches awaiting the completion of the university building, which was in 1854. We find the names of Miss Cutter and Miss Brown among the teachers in the university in 1857.
BURLINGTON COMMERCIAL COLLEGE
As far back as 1856 Burlington boasted of having one of the best business colleges in the West. L. II. Dallhoff at that time was the proprietor of the Bur- lington Commercial College.
All other institutions of like character in the city claim this institution as their origin.
The Burlington Commercial College was succeeded by the Burlington Business College in 1871. It was located upstairs in the building situated on the northwest corner of Main and Jefferson streets. Its proprietors were Bonsall, Lillibridge & Company. D. Brugess succeeded Bonsall, Lillibridge & Company as proprietors in 1875. Mrs. Bonsall succeeded Burgess in 1877, at which time she moved it to the southwest corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets, at which place it has been carried on ever since but under a different name. When the late G. W. Elliott became the owner and proprietor, the writer does not know; but it must be as much as thirty years or more. When Mr. Elliott assumed charge he changed its name to Elliott's Business College, and under this name the institution is being conducted at the present time.
CHAPTER XVII
WAR WITH MISSOURI
The act of Congress of March 6, 1820, under which Missouri was admitted into the Union, defined the northern boundary of that state: "The parallel of latitude which passes through the rapids of the River Des Moines-thence east along the parallel of latitude to the middle of the channel of the main fork of said River Des Moines to the mouth of the same where it empties into the Missis- sippi." J. C. Sullivan, who was properly authorized, had in 1816 surveyed a line establishing the northern boundary of the Territory of Missouri. This line was designated by stakes and mounds. It will be observed that the act above defines the parallel of latitude to determine the northern boundary of the State of Mis- souri as the one which passed through the "rapids of the River Des Moines." In 1837, the State of Missouri appointed commissioners to make survey in accord with the act of Congress to which reference has been made. These commis- sioners discovered some ripples in the Des Moines River near Keosaqua, and claimed these were the rapids in the River Des Moines referred to in the act of Congress. Taking these ripples as a starting point and surveying the line as pro- vided in the act, added near ten miles to the territory of Missouri ; and extended ten miles further north than the northern boundary of the Half Breed tract. Van Buren County in Iowa Territory joined Clark County, Missouri, on the north. The authorities of Clark County claiming the jurisdiction of that county extended to the line as run by the commissioners of Missouri, levied taxes on the inhabitants of Van Buren County living in this ten mile strip, which they refused to pay. To enforce payment, the sheriff of Clark County with a posse undertook to distrain some cattle of the Van Buren County Hawkeyes, when the sheriff of Van Buren County wtih a posse arrested the sheriff of Clark County and his men and sent them to Burlington. Governor Lucas then at Burlington, for fear of a raid from Missouri to release the captives, sent them to Muscatine. This act was precautionary, for Governor Boggs of Missouri had ordered out the militia of his state. Governor Lucas to counter this menace, ordered out the militia of lowa Territory, and soon had camped on the south boundary line of Van Buren County 500 troops to repel any invasion of that county by the "Pukes." Burlington was the rallying place for the Iowa militia and Old Zion Church the officers' headquarters. Drums rattled, fifes whistled and bugles blowed. Janes WV. Grimes of Burlington was captain of a company called the "Grays." The militia rallied from all sections, Burlington being their place of rendezvous. Suel Foster, of Muscatine, thus describes the event: "I was an invalid at the time, just recovering from a bilious attack, and was boarding at the house of Mr. Josiah Parvin, father of Prof. T. S. Parvin, and at the same place was boarding
181
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
the sheriff prisoner from Missouri, who had his liberty on parole of honor. Mr. and Mrs. Parvin remonstrated strongly against my going, said it would be my death, but my country called me and I was determined to go. It was in Decem- ber and very cold, the snow about six inches deep. I found a nice little black pony and a good messmate in the person of D. R. Wakefield, who had a splendid coon robe, and I furnished the blankets. We mounted and formed into the line of Captain Hasting's company of dragoons, and I was immediately made second corporal. This raised me above the privates, and raised my ambition some, and improved my health. Firearms were scarce, and if we stopped to look them up, it would delay us in getting to the seat of war. I got hold of a little crooked sword, about the shape of a half of a barrel hoop, and buckled it on to support the dignity of my office. The infantry, baggage wagons, and military stores, with a barrel marked "vinegar" started on some two hours ahead of the dragoons, for we had considerable delay in consequence of some of our drafted men deserting, and we had considerable trouble to get our company out of town. Captain Hasting had a long Indian spear, with a few red ribbons tied to it, a formidable looking weapon. He succeeded in getting his company out of town, and took the road in the rear, and swore he would run the first man through who attempted to desert. We rode briskly on for about twenty miles to the Iowa River below Wapello, when a halt was called to camp for the night. The infantry, baggage wagons and dragoons all came up in good order, supper was got, consisting of fried pork and short cakes ; the snow was scraped away, and the blankets and robes spread down ready for camping. We had a little drum major who had for some time been honored with the title of 'The Duke.' Well, that evening, by some unaccountable mistake, the duke's drum-head was broken in, and the drum used as a vessel of dishonor. After breakfast, the camp was raised, the river crossed in safety by dragging the loaded wagons over by hand, and we resumed our line of march. This night we halted at Flint Creek bottoms. We were building fires and pre- paring for camping, when a drum and fife were heard coming over Flint Hills, and saw the Iowa Grays under Capt. James W. Grimes, who bore the sad news that peace had been declared. But our ambition and courage was raised even higher at the news of peace, and we were ordered to unload our wagons and take up our line of march to Burlington, about three miles. I believe I never saw a wilder set of men and a greater carousal than there was in the City of Burlington that night. It was then the capital of the territory. The Legislature was then in session, occupying the new brick Methodist Church for the House of Representa- tives, on the floor of which most of our soldiers were permitted to camp that night."
HOW PEACE WAS BROUGHT ABOUT
Governor Boggs of Missouri had sent General Allen with 1,000 men to collect the taxes from the denizens of Van Buren County, Governor Lucas had 1,200 men under the command of Gen. B. Brown to see they should not be collected. Before proceeding to an actual conflict, General Brown selected A. C. Dodge of Burlington, General Cherbrim of Dubuque and Doctor Clarke of Fort Madison to act as envoys on the part of Iowa Territory to arrange a settlement and avoid the shedding of blood. The sheriff of Clark County had been directed to desist from any further action while these warlike preparations were going on and had
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
sent Governor Lucas a proposition for an amicable settlement of the question. General Allen had withdrawn his warriors and awaited negotiations. Colonel McDonald and Doctor Wayland of Missouri, commissioners, went to Burlington and held a conference with Governor Lucas and the members of the Legislature in session, and it was agreed that the war be declared off and the dispute referred to Congress for settlement. The Congress of the United States passed an act directing the President to cause the boundary line to be surveyed and marked. Lieut. Albert M. Lea was appointed commissioner of the United States for this purpose, and Dr. James Davis of Keokuk was appointed commissioner for Iowa Territory by Governor Lucas. The governor of Missouri failed to make an appointment. The two appointed entered upon the discharge of their duties and examined the boundary lines surveyed. Lieutenant Lea made his report to the commissioner of the general land office in July, 1839. The question was not settled till 1848, when it was decided by the Supreme Court of the United States, holding the Sullivan line was the correct boundary line, sustaining the Iowa contention, which was that the Rapids Des Moines to which reference is made in the act of Congress defining the northern boundary of Missouri are in the Mississippi just above the mouth of the Des Moines River. That these rapids were first made known by Lieutenant Pike on his voyage of exploration in 1805. He reported that "on Tuesday, the 20th of August, we arrived at the foot of the Rapids Des Moines, which are immediately above the confluence of that river with the Mississippi." He so marked these on a map. The rapids in the Missis- sippi from that date had been designated as the Rapids of the Des Moines, and no other rapids bore that name at that time or since.
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