USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 59
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
library duties. The former for almost forty years a trustee seldom absent from his place in the meetings. No day was cold or stormy enough to prevent his coming and when one might think that the weight of eighty years would urge him to remain in the quiet and comfort of his home on the hill, he was almost always in his accustomed seat in the trustees' room. The writer of this was associated with these gentlemen for many years in library work and knows the truth of what she writes.
The trustees appointed to take charge of the library under the new name and the new conditions were Wm. Salter, P. M. Crapo, Charles Wachsmuth, W. W. Baldwin, A. A. Perkins, Carl Vogt. Mr. Hageman, then a member of the city council, acting for Mayor Adams, administered the oath.
The first meeting of the new directory was held June 8, 1885. Doctor Salter was made president ; Carl Vogt, secretary ; A. A. Perkins, treasurer.
At the second meeting, June 22, 1885, Miss Mabel Gordon (now Mrs. F. A. Millard), was elected librarian.
In the meanwhile, the property of the library had been removed to Marion Hall, now the city hall. Among these belongings we find "6,087 books in very good repair."
In 1886 the trustees made liberal purchases of books, among these a large list of juvenile works.
In 1887, Miss Gordon resigned and Miss Clara Smith (now Mrs. James Wilson) was elected librarian.
Very soon the trustees were agitating the question of a permanent home for the library. Committees were appointed to write for the public press upon the subject showing how necessary this movement was becoming, owing to the then inconvenient, narrow and unsafe quarters.
In 1891 a committee was appointed to look after a suitable location.
In 1892, Mr. Crapo was authorized to purchase the ground upon which the library building now stands, later the lot across the alley on the west was acquired by purchase and after a year or two, ten feet on the north were added, being a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Crapo.
The original plot of ground cost $4,500, and was purchased from Mrs. M. A. Robertson. This purchase was made possible by a legacy of $2,000 from Mr. F. B. Jaggar.
In 1893, the last of the debt upon the ground was paid, and the board was discussing plans for a new building.
In 1894, the trustees were, Doctor Salter, Chas. Wachsmuth, W. C. Mc- Arthur, Carl Vogt, Ludwig Holmes, W. G. Mercer, P. M. Crapo, W. B. South- well, W. W. Baldwin.
In January, 1895, the custodians, C. M. Levy and Dr. J. J. Ransom, of $3,204 collected for a proposed monument for T. J. Potter, appeared before the board with the offer of this fund, the interest of which should be used for the purchase of books relating to railroad transportation, electricity, and kindred topics. After some legal preliminaries, the board accepted the trust and the income derived from this, supports the T. J. Potter memorial.
During this year, 1895, the trustees invited the submission of plans for the new library and offered $100 as a prize for the most satisfactory one.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
February 8, 1895, Burlington and the library sustained a great loss by the death of Mr. Chas. Wachsmuth, known among scientists the world over for his learning. One of the original stockholders, he was appointed a member of the first free public library board, and served ten years, Mr. Hageman was appointed to this vacant place.
At the meeting held June 10, 1895, Mr. Crapo announced to the board that he intended to make a personal contribution of $20,000 to aid in erection of the new building. This was but the beginning of Mr. Crapo's gifts to this institution, consisting of beautiful and costly furnishings, books, statuary, pic- tures, etc.
On June 29, 1898, the beautiful new home of the library was dedicated and the citizens came in throngs to inspect their newly acquired possessions.
The new building was erected at a cost of over sixty-five thousand dollars (this did not include furnishings), according to plans submitted by L. S. Hoyt, of Boston. These plans were somewhat modified by the supervising architect, J. C. Sunderland.
At the time of the opening, it was generally conceded to be the finest building of the kind in lowa. It stands "dedicated to learning," an outward sign of intellectual progress, an evidence of the grand results when the large hearted munificence of a private citizen joins advanced public interest.
In 1900, Miss Miriam Carey was engaged to catalogue and classify the books according to modern methods (Dewey), and in 1900 the board, seeing the necessity of a trained librarian for the head of the institution, elected Miss Carey as librarian and secretary.
In 1902, the efforts of Mr. Crapo and the Federation of Women's Clubs made possible an innovation in the election of a woman to the board of trustees. In her report of the meeting. April 29, 1902, Miss Carey says: "This being the first occasion of Mrs. Antrobus' presence at a meeting of the library board, felicitations were expressed and a hearty welcome was extended to the first lady member."
On the 20th of September, 1903, occurred the death of President P. M. Crapo. Those who were intimately associated with him in library work felt keenly the loss they and that institution had sustained in his passing away. For they knew better than others, how largely his guiding and helping hand had con- tributed to its advancement. How his lofty public spirit, his love for books, his taste for art and beauty had enriched it. The man who had done more for Burlington than any other citizen, the man who was maligned while living and for whom when dead, we hung the flags at half mast and closed the business houses during the funeral.
September, 1904. Mr. Southwell resigned to become manager of the Register and Leader of Des Moines. Mrs. Weinstein was appointed to the vacancy and it is the boast of the two lady members of the board, that for the next six years they were never absent from board meetings.
It had been the dream of Miss Carey and Mrs. Antrobus that some time a juvenile department might be established, but the indifference of one or two trustees, and the opposition of a few others, had delayed its fulfilment.
In 1905, Mrs. Antrobus, Mr. Hagemann and Mr. Mercer, were appointed a committee to inquire into the expediency of establishing a children's room,
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where the little ones might be guided in the selection of good literature and where books, their very own, might be placed. The committee reported favor- ably and this department, the most valuable and interesting in the whole insti- tution, was the result.
After almost five years of intelligent, efficient service as librarian, Miss Carey presented her resignation to accept the position as librarian of state institutions under the Board of Control. Miss Daisy B. Sabin of Chicago, was chosen to fill the vacancy.
During Miss Sabin's administration, there was a wonderful growth in the influence of the library. A growth not only in the circulation, but in the use of the reference books, not by the students and study clubs in the city alone, but by out of town residents as well. An effort was made as never before to establish closer relations between the library and the public schools by teaching large classes of children how to find material for themselves while duplicate book lists were sent to the schools.
In 1908, Doctor Salter resigned from the board after forty years of faith- ful service as a trustee and officer. Mr. Baldwin was elected president in his place.
In 1910, the board was composed of the following: W. W. Baldwin, J. J. Fleming, F. S. Churchill, Mrs. Loui Weinstein, Mrs. Arpin Antrobus, Rev. Robt. Neumann, Dr. H. A. Liepziger, W. E. Blake, G. H. Higbee.
In March, 1910, the people of the city voted to adopt the commission form of government. The law at that time contained the following provisions for the government of libraries: "The council shall at their first meeting, elect by a majority vote three library trustees." The effect of this was to terminate the duties of the above board and devolve these duties upon the three whom the council might select. Dr. N. McKitterick, Rev. R. Neumann, and Mrs. A. M. Antrobus were made trustees for the coming two years.
In 1911, Miss Sabin resigned, and Miss Miriam Wharton of New York City was made librarian. Miss Wharton came to us enthusiastic as to the work and what the library should be in the life of the community, the place it should occupy in the educational system of our little town, and she has ever striven to realize these ideals. The institution is growing each year in popularity and influence. The people are more and more realizing that the library is the only real democratic institution we possess because before the loan desk all are upon an equality.
The council in 1912 elected the following trustees for the coming two years : Rev. Robt. Neumann, J. J. Fleming, Mrs. A. M. Antrobus.
There had been different interpretations as to the number of trustees which the law provided, and to quiet the controversy, the Legislature in 1912, decided that the number hereafter should be five.
In 1914, the above board was succeeded by: J. J. Fleming, Rev. Naboth Osborne, Miss Rachel Baldwin, John Zuraski, Mrs. Loui Weinstein.
Vol. I-32
CHAPTER XXXIV
CRAPO AND OTHER PARKS OF BURLINGTON -
A more beautiful and picturesque place cannot be found than the one called Crapo Park. It lies on the southern boundary of Burlington, its eastern boundary being the Mississippi River. It consists of a plateau of about ninety acres of land, which has an elevation of at least one hundred and sixty feet above the waters of the Mississippi. At its eastern boundary is a limestone bluff, which for a short distance from its base slopes at an angle of about forty-five degrees until it reaches within twenty-five or thirty feet of the top of the plateau. At this point the rock above juts outward some five feet, forming a roof, over what is called "Lovers' Lane." At the northeast corner of the park a ravine extends to the Mississippi, through which rippling water flows, first over a cascade nearly twenty feet in height, thence onward to the river. On the plateau just south of the northeast corner of the park Lieutenant Pike unfolded the Stars and Stripes August 28, 1805. It is at this point the Stars and Stripes Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, erected the granite boulder, of which we have spoken in another chapter. From this place the view cast is magnificent. Immediately at the foot of the bluff the great river sparkling in the sunlight flows onward to the gulf. On the east is Big Island, covered with stately trees, whose foliage glistens when disturbed by the breeze, while far beyond lie the grassy plains of Illinois extending to the high bluffs, here and there appearing peaceful farms and villages. On the south side of the park is a ravine, which comes from the west for a short distance. This ravine is covered with a dense growth of vine and shrubs, intermingled with the sumac and red haw. Near the mouth of this ravine is located Black Hawk Springs, which are the springs spoken of by Lieutenant Pike in his report to the secretary of war, in which he says, "It will furnish sufficient water for a regiment of cavalry." At the south- west corner of the park are some six or seven acres of land covered with a beautiful growth of native trees, such as the hickory, ash, maple, elm. A curious topography exists where these trees grow. The ground is depressed in the shape of an inverted cone in many places. The under stratum of rock comes almost to the surface at the bottom of these depressions. The water from the surrounding surface ground finds its way into these depressions, from which it flows through underground passages and comes out at Black Hawk Springs. On the plate of the plateau has been constructed an artificial lake called "Lake Starker," after one of the first park commissioners. All we can do is to give a general outline of the park. The park has that which few parks possess, a beautiful location. There can be seen in this park a variety of tree growths, vines, rugged bluffs, with outcroppings of rock such as they existed in the long
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CORSE MONUMENT, CRAPO PARK
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
past, and will always be beautiful and grand, if some fool landscape artist will let them alone. Here on this level plateau is room for the real landscape artist to beautify and adorn so as to attract and give pleasure. The city caused a deep well to be sunk at a depth of over two thousand feet to supply water for Lake Starker. A full account of this well is given in these pages in the Chapter on the Geology of Des Moines County.' The people of Burlington felt the neces- sity of having a park of sufficient size for its population. For many years it had been the talk of many of the citizens; but no active steps had been taken until Hon. Phillip M. Crapo took the matter in hand. In such public enter- prises as that of establishing a free library for the public, and procuring a park, he knew how to go about the work. With him to secure them was not a matter of words, but of the pocketbook. He first contributed largely of his own means, to such an extent, if the city did not come to his assistance as well as those who were able to contribute, they would be charged with parsimony. Mr. Crapo contributed largely of his own funds, and worked with energy and zeal, until the money had been raised with which to purchase the ground necessary for park purposes. The first park commissioners were P. M. Crapo, Charles Starker and E. Hagemann. More able, self-sacrificing men for the public good could not be found. Mr. Starker was a landscape artist of the highest order. Mr. Hagemann was eminently qualified for the discharge of duties of the office in every respect, and never failed in performing any work which he undertook for the public. These three men, who had charge, entered on the work in a method- ical way. They employed to assist them a gentleman who had long experience as a landscape artist. They continued to hold the offices of park commissioners up to the year 1898. The city council on the 28th day of February, 1899, passed an ordinance naming the different parks of the city, which provided: The strip of ground laid out on the bluff east and north of Franklin Street shall be known as "North Park." The park located between Fourth and Fifth and Court and High streets shall be known as Burlington Park. The tract situated between Maiden Lane and Elm Street and Sixth and Seventh streets shall be known as "Central Park." That portion situated between Madison Street and the river on South Hill shall be known as "Crapo Park." At another place in these pages we have given the latitude and longitude of Central Park from Washington, D. C.
CHAPTER XXXV
POSTOFFICE AND POSTMASTERS AT BURLINGTON
The first mail delivered at Burlington was in 1834 through the instrumen- tality of Dr. William R. Ross, without any Government aid. A mail route had been established from Rock Island running south through the towns on the east side of the river. There was a postoffice at Reddings, some nine miles south- east of Burlington, and one at Sho-ko-kon, on the east bank of the river, five miles south of Burlington. The mail was carried in saddle bags on horseback from these places to Burlington.
A postoffice was not established in Burlington until 1835, of which Dr. William Ross was appointed postmaster. Sullifand S. Ross had a store on the corner of Water and Court streets, where the office was kept. Soon afterwards the office was moved to a log cabin which fronted east and situate on the lot on which stood the store of Sullifand S. Ross. The mail was put in a dry goods box on the top of which stood a desk as a place for directing letters.
In spring and summer time the mail was brought from Sho-ko-kon by skiff.
In addition to the mail route south from Rock Island, a route was established between Peoria and Sho-ko-kon and intermediate points.
In the early part of 1836 the routes were changed so that East Burlington was made a point for the arrival and departure of the mails for the several routes named. About this time a route was established extending from Burlington to St. Louis through St. Francisville, a town on the Des Moines River, a short distance west of Keokuk.
In these early times means of transportation were slow and burdensome com- pared with the present. On the principal routes of travel the mail was carried by stage coach, while off such routes it was carried on horseback. Envelopes were then unknown, and the paper was folded so as to leave an unwritten place for its direction, while on the opposite side the ends of the letter were so folded as to permit being sealed with sealing wax. The postage was 25 cents for each letter. If the postage was not prepaid, then the postmaster refused to deliver unless on payment of the postage.
The second postmaster in Burlington was Dr. Enos Lowe, who was quite a prominent man in Des Moines County. He was president of the constitutional convention which framed the constitution under which Iowa was admitted as a state into the Union. During his administration the office was located on Main Street. Doctor Lowe continued to hold the office during Van Buren's adminis- tration.
Maj. George Temple was the third postmaster. Mr. Temple moved the office to the east side of Main Street into a small frame building.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
Mr. Temple's successor was Levi Hagar, who was appointed by President John Tyler. Mr. Hagar moved the office to a frame building situate on the southeast corner of Jefferson and Third streets, where is now located the Iowa State Savings Bank Building.
Oliver Cock succeeded Levi Hagar. On his appointment he removed the office to the northwest corner of Jefferson and Third streets. Mr. Cock held the office until the incoming of the administration of Franklin Pierce, when Mr. Tiz- zard, who had been editor of the Gazette, was appointed. Mr. Tizzard moved the office to the northwest corner of Washington and Third streets, where is now located the Elks Building. The office remained at this place only a short time when he removed it to the northeast corner of Washington and Third streets.
Mr. Tizzard was succeeded by J. Fox Abrahams, who was appointed when the republican party came into power under Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Abrahams held the office up to the time of the administration of Andrew Johnson, when Thomas French was appointed. The Senate refused to confirm the appointment of Mr. French, when Mr. Clark Dunham was appointed. Mr. Dunham in 1868 removed the office to a building which had been erected by Mr. Barhydt at the southeast corner of Main and Valley streets. This building is now occupied by the New Delano Hotel.
Mr. Dunham held the office until 1870, when President Grant appointed Hon. N. P. Sunderland to fill the office. Mr. Sunderland held the office for three terms. During his administration the office was removed to the southeast corner of Washington and Third streets into a building owned by Mr. Bodeman. While in this building Doctor Nassau constructed a building on the northwest corner of Washington and Third streets, the lower part of which was especially adapted to postoffice purposes, and to this place it was removed. The office remained at this place until the completion of the present building by the Gov- ernment. When Mr. Sunderland had charge of the office the free city carrier system was established. This was in 1873, and the following named persons were the first mail carriers in Burlington: C. W. Lemberger, J. S. Abercrombie, M. T. Ischope, B. F. Ayers, G. B. Pierson and C. H. Gardner.
Frank Hatton succeeded Mr. Sunderland. He was assistant postmaster- general for a time, when on the 14th of May, 1884, he was appointed postmaster- general and held that office until March 2, 1885.
Mr. Graeser was acting postmaster for a time, when Hon. J. L. Waite suc- ceeded Mr. Hatton. Mr. Waite held the office until the coming in of Mr. Cleve- land's first administration, when he was relieved from the duties of the office by Hon. A. C. Hutchinson.
Maj. James N. Martin succeeded Mr. Hutchinson at the close of the Cleve- land administration.
Hon. John Curran succeeded Mr. Martin and held the office during Mr. Cleve- land's second administration.
Hon. J. L. Waite succeeded Mr. Curran and continued to hold the office until the incoming of the administration of President Taft, when Hon. W. W. Copeland was appointed.
Ilon. John H. Pettibone was appointed by the present administration and is now in possession of the office.
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. HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
The whole of Des Moines County was ruralized with free delivery under Mr. Waite's administration of the office.
The parcel post system was established and put into operation in 1913.
POSTMASTERS
First postmaster, Dr. William R. Ross ; second postmaster, Dr. Enos Lowe; third postmaster, Maj. George Temple; fourth postmaster, Hon. Levi Hagar ; fifth postmaster, Hon. Oliver Cock; sixth postmaster, Hon. James Tizzard ; seventh postmaster, Hon. J. Fox Abrahams; eighth postmaster, Hon. Clark Dunham; ninth postmaster, Hon. N. P. Sunderland ; tenth postmaster, Hon. J. L. Waite; eleventh postmaster, Hon. A. C. Hutchinson; twelfth postmaster, Maj. James N. Martin ; thirteenth postmaster, Hon. John Curran; fourteenth post- master, Hon. J. L. Waite ; fifteenth postmaster, Hon. W. W. Copeland ; sixteenth postmaster, Hon. John H. Pettibone.
CHAPTER XXXVI
COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE
The first organization whose purpose was the advancement of the material interest of Burlington was the Burlington Board of Trade, incorporated on December 18, 1855. At that date J. P. Sunderland, Thomas Hedge, John S. David, A. J. Borroughs, Moses Foote and others became incorporated. The articles of incorporation states the general nature of the business to be trans- acted by the company is to "facilitate, extend and protect the commercial and manufacturing interests of the city of Burlington." The men thus incorporated and those associated with them were enterprising business men of the city. This institution continued to exist for many years and added greatly to the advance- ment of the material interests of the city. During the last thirty years other organizations came into existence and took the place of the Board of Trade, established in 1855. At no time in the history of the city of Burlington has there existed so powerful an organization to aid in the advancement of the interests of the city as the Commercial Exchange, which had its beginning in 1899. On the 6th of March of that year N. R. Derby, Carl H. Schlapp, B. F. Kuhen, Charles Armkneht and J. S. Edwards became incorporated under the name of Commercial Exchange. The articles of the corporation state: "the nature and purpose of the corporation shall be to promote the business interests of Burlington and to adopt such means as will best secure this result. The asso- ciation shall be composed of persons engaged in professional and business pur- suits in Burlington, the officers of the association to consist of a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, its officers to be managed by a board of five directors." The association has had a wonderful growth since its organization. Its membership at the present time is over two hundred of the most active busi- ness and professional men of the city. Through its influence many enterprises have been established and many worthy causes assisted.
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CHAPTER XXXVII
BURLINGTON, AUGUSTA, UNION, BENTON, FLINT RIVER, JACK- SON, TAMA AND CONCORDIA TOWNSHIPS
The board of commissioners of Des Moines County at a meeting held April 3, 1838, present Francis Redding, Alvin Hacklemon and James Davidson, caused to be entered of record the following order: "Ordered that Des Moines County, Iowa, be and is hereby divided into the following precincts, to-wit: Townships Sixty-nine and Seventy north ; Range Two west, 5 P. M., shall constitute the First or Burlington Precinct, and that the place of holding elections in said precinct shall be at Burlington, and Henry Moore, Barrett D. Pollock and Daniel Strang are hereby appointed judges of election for said precinct." For some reason the county commissioners on January 7, 1841, caused to be made of record the fol- lowing order: "Ordered that fractional Townships Sixty-nine and Seventy north, Range Two west, including the city of Burlington, be and are hereby organized into one township under the name of Burlington Township, and that an election be held on the first Monday of April, next, in said Burlington Town- ship, for the election of township officers, in the clerk's office in the city of Bur- lington." Prior to the township organization the county was the governmental unit. All justices of the peace were appointed by the governor of the territory and their jurisdiction was coextensive with the county. All roads were estab- lished by acts of the territorial legislature. The several townships of the county with one exception were settled as early as that of Burlington. Judge Mason, the Piersons, Smiths, the Lefflers, Harrison H. Shaw, Royal and Oliver Cottle, Joab Hinson, William and Jonathan Morgan, Alexander Hilleary, Jesse Hunt, Thornton Baylis and others settled in Burlington Township beyond the limits of Burlington. Enoch Wade laid out what is called Wade's Subdivision to Bur- lington. He built and occupied as a home the building which he subsequently sold the United States for a marine hospital. John Curts purchased the same from the Government and lived in it until the time of his death. Among the prominent men of this township was John Patterson, who came to Iowa in 1840. Mr. Patterson represented the county in the State Senate during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth General Assemblies. No man in the county was more highly respected than Hon. John Patterson. He was a just man and loved mercy. Was fair in all his dealings. Was ready at all times to help those who were entitled to it. Was the owner of nearly one thousand acres of the best land in the county. He took an active interest in all those things whose tendency was to the betterment of his fellow men. One particular trait of his character was his generosity. Whether rich or poor, all received the same consideration if entitled to it. Solomon Sherfey settled north of Burlington on the road to
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