USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest settlement to the present time > Part 11
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"In whatever part of the city you visit you will discover the preparations for extensive building this spring and summer. We understand that contracts for the erection of some twenty new business houses on Main street are already let. There never has been a spring within the history of Dubuque when such an activity prevailed in the building line."-(Express, March II, 1854.)
"All know our city has suffered greatly for the last fifteen years, in her business and reputation, at home and abroad, in consequence of the extreme difficulty of getting to and from the river in low water. Strangers destined for Dubuque (ladies not infrequently ) have been landed from steamboats at night upon the outer island and were compelled to grope their way by land and slough to the city, benumbed and saturated with rain. Our own merchants, busi- ness men and hotel keepers can attest the hardships they have been subjected to, in getting to and from the river a great portion of the year."-(John King, in Express, March 14, 1854. )
"From present unmistakable indications Dubuque in 1855 will be a city of ten if not twelve thousand inhabitants. Scarcely a day goes by that it does not bring new acquisitions to the city. The streets are crowded with strangers, new signs are going up in every direc- tion and strangers daily inquire in vain for dwellings and business houses. Business men predict that three times the number of build- ings will go up this season than have ever gone up in any one season before."-(E.vpress, March 14, 1854. )
"A perfect army of emigrants passed up Main street about one
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o'clock in regular military order with rifles on their shoulders."- (Express, March 15, 1854. )
"Visitors and emigrants are flocking to the city by scores. Never before was this city so crowded with strangers."-(Express, March 28, 1854. )
An immense meeting of the citizens to consider the propriety and utility of building one or more causeways from the main land to the river was held early in 1854 and resolutions favoring that project were passed and referred to the city council. Before this date a bill in Congress relinquished to the city the old cemetery at the "north end of Main street" (Jackson Park). Rev. Henry Clay Dean lec- tured on "Temperance" at Globe hall in February, 1854. The Express had opposed his views and was caustically criticised by Mr. Dean. In February, 1854, the first number of the Dubuque Observer was issued by C. J. Chapline & Co. It was a Whig sheet and from the start savagely assailed the Catholic church. In February, 1854, the Erpress claimed 7,000 population for Dubuque. The city was growing beyond all expectations and to the delight and astonishment of the older residents. The outlook was bright in the extreme. Within one year real estate had doubled and tripled and rents had gone up correspondingly and were soaring to still higher altitudes. There was great demand for a steamboat landing where boats could come to the main land at the lowest stages of water.
In March, 1854, W. A. Adams succeeded A. P. Wood as pro- prietor of the Tribune. The long expected new fire engine arrived April 3, 1854, and the same day the Washington Company appeared in uniform and gave it a trial. The Baubiens were patrons of the turf, ran daily stages westward and had a large livery stable and a number of fast horses, among them being the famous "John," a trotter with time of about 2:40. J. B. Dorr was with the Herald in 1854. The newly submerged insulated gutta percha telegraph wire or cable was in operation in March, 1854; Mr. Linnell, operator. At this time two rooms in the market house were fitted up for the new fire engine. In April, 1854, there were four daily newspapers -Express, Herald, Tribune and Observer. At this time the hotels were turning away hundreds of guests-were filled to overflowing; citizens proposed to erect a new and gigantic hotel. The rent of Waples' storeroom at Main and Fifth was fixed at $1,200, an un- heard of price here. The total receipts of the city for the fiscal year 1853-4 were $38,952.96 and the total expenses, $41,415. The Lorimier hollow improvement alone cost $7,000. The city council occupied Globe hall at an annual rental of $175.
The Philharmonic Society was organized in May, 1854, the object being "to cultivate a knowledge of music." It was noted May 30, 1854, by the Express that in six squares on Main street alone twenty-two buildings were in progress of erection. In May, 1854,
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Mr. Anderson, who had just taken the census of the city, reported a population of 6,715 of actual residents and between 600 and 700 non-residents.
"Advance in Property .- One year ago last January the Waples' House was bought for $12,500. Recently the Messrs. Gages, pro- prietors of the Tremont House, Chicago, offered $25,000 for it, all cash up. The offer was refused and the property was held at $35,000. This is a sufficient commentary upon the growth and prosperity of Dubuque."-(Express, May 23, 1854. )
Two-thirds of the citizens petitioned the council to pave Main street from First to Eighth streets, the citizens and the city each to bear one-half of the expense. Lots here were valued at $100 a front foot. The new fire engine proved to be poor and unsatisfactory ; the company in disgust disbanded.
In lieu of the old plan of a long canal, the causeway plan proposed to build a plank road bed supported on piles at an elevation above that stage of water affording free ingress and egress to boats of the largest class, of not less width than Main street and with a landing 300 feet long and about 150 feet wide sloping toward the water. Two causeways were planned-one just south of Waples' cut and one just north of Barney's cut, both to extend out to the main river channel, the two cuts and the canal to remain open. The gas company announced that as soon as they received 200 steady customers they would begin to supply gas. In August, 1854, the council planned to buy the Plank road, providing the company would accept city bonds in payment. F. E. Bissell was sent to Milwaukee to settle with Abel Hawley. The latter gave up the dredge boat and $1,000 to be released. In September, 1854, the council voted four to three in favor of submitting to the voters the question of a $50,000 loan to be used in building causeways to the river.
The Dubuque Gas Light and Coke Company was incorporated in September, 1854, with a capital of $150,000. On September 28, 1854, a public meeting to organize a board of trade was held at Globe hall. The meeting was adjourned and at the second meeting few were present and not a miller. Later the organization was effected with F. V. Goodrich, president ; Edwin James, Jr., secre- tary, and M. Mobley, treasurer. Early in October, 1854, a Mrs. Jones delivered to the ladies of Dubuque a course of lectures on anatomy and physiology. The big cistern for the gasometer was down fifteen feet by the middle of October, 1854. "Verily, this is an age of progress-Dubuque and gaslight," said the Observer. The attempt in October to forni a temperance league did not receive much encouragement.
The Methodist conference was held in this city in October, 1854. Rev. Henry Clay Dean was present and delivered from the pulpit an address attacking in severe terms Knownothingism, which
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address was canstically commented upon by the Observer. His utterances concerning Catholicism particularly unbottled the wrath, criticism and denunciation of that paper.
"We learn that the cholera is prevailing at Dubuque to such an extent that many people have left the city in consequence thereof." -St. Paul Express. "There have been a few cases of cholera in Dubuque, confined principally to the floating population, and some few have died. To our knowledge there has been no panic or excitement whatever in regard to it, and we have not heard of any of our citizens flying from it."-( Observer, August 18, 1854.)
In October, 1854, J. B. Dorr withdrew from the Herald ; where- upon that sheet and the Miners' Express united under the name Express and Herald.
"The Daily Miners' Express is dead, buried and resurrected-its death was sudden, decomposition rapid and fusion with neutral elements instantaneous. Out of this fused union of apparently incongruous elements springs into the glorious life and liberty of democratic existence a journal to be entitled the Express and Herald, to be enlarged and issued from the Herald office. Who fathers this new production, or who will nurse its infancy and guide it to manhood doth not yet appear. The union is wonderful -chemical synthesis is at fault for Merritt and Mahony are one." -(Said the Observer, October 27, 1854.)
During 1854 Main street was macadamized and guttered, its pavements were improved and sheds and awnings in front were done away with. "When all are removed, the streets lighted with gas and the many splendid blocks of buildings now in process of erection are completed, Dubuquers may well be proud of the main street of their growing city."-( Observer, November 3, 1854. )
"Among the few things yet necessary to make Dubuque a city of conveniences may be enumerated water works, gaslight, a few more hundreds of dwellings, harbor improvements completed, reliable connection with the railroad at Galena and a line of steam- boats to secure the Minnesota trade." The board of trade promised to accomplish these improvements.
In September, 1854, there was paid at one time for improve- ments on the Lorimier hollow road the sum of $14,375-56. The estimated cost of the lower causeway was $39,353. In November, 1854, the city secured a deed to that portion of the Plank road within the city limits. By November, 1854, several four-story brick buildings were standing on Main or cross streets. It was in 1854, at the time the board of trade was organized, that herculean efforts to extend the wholesale trade were made with much success. Dr. Thomas was connected with the Dubuque Observer, which was the enemy of Catholicism and an advocate of Knownothingism. At this time a wave against Catholicism swept the whole country; in fact, Knownothingism was a manifestation of this wave. A
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typographical union was organized in November, 1854, with Andrew Keesecker president. Money was very tight at this time. The Female Benevolent Society, a Protestant organization, did much good during the winter of 1854-5. City water works were demanded in November, 1854, to take the place of the water ped- dlers. On November 21 the first gas pipes were laid on Main strect. The Dubuque Teachers' Institute opened December 10. Robert C. Waples founded Key West in 1854.
In December, 1854, Merritt, Mahony and Dorr were publishers and proprietors of the Express and Herald. In December, 1854, there was not a pork packing house in the city. Why not? was asked by the press.
During the year 1854 the tonnage of imports to Dubuque amounted to 97,633, the largest items being, square timber, 40,580 ; pine lumber and shingles, 14,972; cordwood, 11,400; groceries, 9,052 ; emigrants' fixtures, 7,320; dry goods, 5,226; iron, steel and nails, 3,600. The total value was $4,933,208. The tonnage of exports from Dubuque amounted to 11,736, the principal items being, lead, 4,385 ; iron, steel and nails, 1,200; groceries, 780; flour, 880; cattle, 650; household furniture, 720; potatoes, 480; wheat, 540; dry goods, 265. All were valued at $1,573.408. The total number of tons exported from Dubuque on the Mississippi river for 1853 was 7,482 ; value, $1,006,710. The same tonnage for 1854 was as above, 11,736, value, $1.573,408. In 1854, 38,400 men, women and children crossed the ferry at Dubuque ; wagons, 4,300; carriages, 2,100 ; cattle, 9,518 ; sheep, 2,708 ; hogs, 6,630. In 1853 the number of persons who crossed the river was 6,200; wagons, 2,404 ; carriages, 3,or0; horses, 6,821 ; cattle, 5,506; sheep, 300; hogs, 520. In 1854 about 9,000 of the persons erossing were Iowa emigrants. The steamer arrivals in 1854 were 672; departures, 670, an increase of about 175 over 1853. Navigator, Hamburgh, United States dredge boat G. W. Jones, ferry boats A. L. Gregoire, Utah, Dora and Eagle wintered at Dubuque 1854-5 ; also several flats and barges. In 1854 the steamboat lines had all done a good business. The remarkable number of 333 new buildings were erected in Dubuque in 1854, of which 37 were stores, 107 dwellings, 3 churches, 12 schoolhouses, I market house, 3 hotels, 3 wagon shops, 2 breweries, 2 warehouses, etc. At the close of 1854 the city had 11 churches, I female college, I college, 5 select or summer schools, 28 dry goods stores, 22 groceries, 5 hardware stores, 7 drug stores, 14 clothing stores, 7 boot and shoe stores, 8 hotels, 5 warehouses, 10 millinery shops, 18 land agency offices, 24 law offices, 14 medical offices, 13 beer houses and all other branches of business ; 1,520 mechanics, 38 lawyers, 23 doctors. Nine stages left Dubuque daily. Total value of Dubuque county property for taxa- tion, $5,390,230; city tax, $17,000; total county tax, $57,000 .- (Statistics furnished the papers by G. R. West, January 8, 1855.)
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During the winter of 1854-5 business men suffered great incon- venience and loss at Dunleith by freight handlers who purposely delayed goods in order to obtain freight charges and who when they advanced the freight to the railway charged 5 per cent for such service. These and the ferry and dray charges were too heavy to be borne with patience and the business men justly held indigna- tion meetings.
There were several business failures early in 1855. In February the city was almost wholly without fire fighting apparatus. Efforts to form a new company were made. In the spring of 1855 the Sisters' hospital was used by the city. In 1855 W. Langworthy sold fruit trees at Pleasant Hill nursery back of the city. In January, 1855, H. L. Stout and sixteen others, upon petition, were granted the exclusive privilege of supplying the city with water by water works. Seventy-five citizens petitioned to have Sixth street extended to the river, but this was evaded or refused and the council called for proposals to extend First and Seventh streets to the river. The council offered a reward of $500 for information leading to the conviction of any person guilty of arson within the city limits. A bill for the suppression of intemperance was opposed in the legisla- ture by Representative Samuels on constitutional grounds; this prohibitory law was passed in February, 1855. City scrip at this date was worth 90 cents on the dollar. In January, 1855, the proposition of a company of citizens to fill in lands on the front upon certain conditions was refused by the council. As public sen- timent and judgment favored some such plan at this time, the council finally called for plans to extend Seventh street to the river. The city received four proposals to extend Seventh street to the river : 1. J. H. Emerson and others; 2. John D. Bush & Co .; 3. Alfred McDaniel, and 4. M. Mobley and others.
The Mobley proposal, which was substantially accepted, planned to fill up Seventh street extension and bridge the sloughs with double track bridges in three months or fifteen months at the most ; fill up Seventh street forty feet on top in twenty months ; build a levee 320 feet long and sixty-four feet wide. Consideration was to be a strip of ground one block wide out to the river on one side of Seventh street extended, blocks to be 206 feet deep, as soon as the work was half done ; also alternate blocks on the other side; also the right to use the dredge boat for three years. This organization was known as the Harbor Improvement Company. In it were M. Mobley, Lincoln Clark, L. H. Langworthy, J. L. Langworthy, T. S. Wilson and James Ogilby. Another company, called Dubuque Harbor Company, composed of Charles Gregoire, H. L. Stout and eight others, agreed to build a similar causeway south of Waples' cut, the consideration to be all the city land south of the cut except enough for streets, alleys, etc. They agreed to extend Jones or Dodge street to the river. Both of the above propositions were
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accepted by the city council, and thus Second and Seventh streets were to be extended to the river. In short, the Gregoire Company was to build 800 feet of levee to be used as a public highway. They completed their contract withiin one year, and were incorporated in February, 1856, as the Dubuque Harbor Company; their land extended from the Waples' cut southward about 3,400 feet. The city reserved the frontage on the river and on Waples' cut. The railroad owned a small tract below the cut ; they exchanged this for ten acres farther south and extending from the river to Main street. The Dubuque Harbor Company sold many lots at good prices to private individuals.
Any bridges between Barney's cut and Waples' cut were to be draw bridges ; all bridges above Barney's cut and below Waples' cut were to be fixtures. Thus boats passing in at either cut could go on through the canal and out at the other cut. From time to time changes were made in the original contracts with these companies. The lower company built a railroad from the bluffs to the sloughs to convey earth, stone, etc.
In the spring of 1855 Washington Fire Company No. I raised the means to buy a new fire engine and 500 feet of hose. In March, 1855, when the Bishop of Dubuque issued a communication to his clergymen favoring the passage of the Iowa Prohibition law, the Tribune, really a Knownothing sheet, commended the act in warm terms, while the Herald laughed at the incongruity ; the latter pub- lished twenty-five objections to the law. Immense temperance meetings were held here while the bill was pending. One of the big meetings of Protestants thanked Bishop Loras for his letter to the Catholics of Iowa. Rev. W. Guernsey, a fiery Congregational minister, called Ben. M. Samuels, who had opposed the prohibitory law in the legislature, the "gutter champion." The Bishop later said he favored no political party-was simply in favor of tem- perance and against the liquor interests. The Germans of Dubuque did all they could to defeat the prohibitory law. They held mass meetings and passed resolutions denouncing the bill.
In March, 1855, Horace Greeley lectured at the Congregational church on "Henry Clay." In April, 1855, A. W. Hackley was editor and proprietor of the Daily Tribune. General Jesup wrote for local newspapers his memoirs of forty-five years in the army. April 10, 1855, there was about $20,000 city scrip in circulation and not a dollar in the city treasury with which to redeem it.
"It Opens Well .- The spring business never before opened with such flattering prospects as it does this season. Dubuque is unmis- takably going ahead. It is as much as we can do to keep posted on the progress of the place."-(Express and Herald, April 12, 1855. )
The first city gas lamps were erected April 23, 1855, one at the corner of Main and Fifth streets being the first ; it stood in front of the Globe building. The posts were of cast iron and were made by
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Farley & Rouse. For the fiscal year 1854-5 the total receipts were $35,162, and the total expenses $35.923 : the total city debt in April, 1855, was $51, 167.40. Of this sum the two items of $10,000 and $20,000 were bonded and were taken by Jesup & Co. and sold in the East. Alderman Bissell gave his legal advice to the council in 1854-5, refused compensation therefor and was thanked by the council. Several mad dogs and madder citizens were seen upon the streets in 1855. C. C. Childs issued a city directory this year. In 1855-6 the council paid $200 for the use of Globe hall. George W. Jones asked to have Lorimier hollow road widened and the name changed to Appian Way. Alderman Samuels objected and had the street named Julien avenue. The buildings on Main street were numbered in April. Theatrical performances were rendered in Globe hall. In May a joint stock company was formed to build a theater. Allen Leathers was granted exclusive omnibus privileges ; he ran a bus every thirty minutes the whole length of Main street.
In 1855 the city council passed an ordinance against steamboats receiving or discharging freight here on Sundays : many objected to this ordinance and asked, "Why not stop ferry whistles and close all shops ?"
"Yesterday morning about half past seven o'clock the construc- tion train of the Illinois Central railroad came through to the terminus of the road opposite this city. Passenger trains will com- mence running regularly to and from Dubuque and Dunleith on Monday next. This event should be commemorated by our citi- zens."-(Express and Herald, June 2, 1855. )
"There is now a bridge across the slough and connecting thic main island with the business part of the city. Boats are now landing on the outer island and hacks and carts are running to and from Main street to the deep water of the Mississippi. This is an important fact for Dubuque. Seventh street also will soon be com- pleted to the deep water of the main river."-( Express and Herald, June 13, 1855. )
At Globe hall in 1855 were presented Othello, Lady of Lyons, Merchant of Venice, Richard III., The Drunkard, King of the People, The Wife, etc.
In June, 1855, the council appropriated $500 to celebrate the completion of the railroad to Dunleith and the introduction of gas in the city. On June 22, eleven steamboats arrived here; there were from four to six arrivals every day. Mrs. McCready, dramatic reader, was here and was assisted by Miss Nellie Bishop. Mahony and Dorr were state printers from 1853 to 1855 inclusive. In 1855 the bodies in the old cemetery were removed by H. Krohl to the new cemetery. In 1855 the mayor who had no veto power was granted the right to file his objections to any act he was compelled to sign. The liquor license was $150. Caroline Lee Phelps was secretary of the Female Union Benevolent Society in 1854; Mrs.
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J. C. Higginson succeeded her in 1855, at which time Mrs. F. V. Goodrich was president. The first train arrived at Dunleith June 26, 1855, and on July 18 the event was celebrated here. General Tripp was marshal of the day. At sunrise a salute was fired from the bluff, during which the right arm and left hand of a James Best were badly mangled ; this frightful accident marred the whole day. A subscription was raised for him; he had four little children. Many prominent men were invited to be present. Delegations came from Cleveland, Chicago and other cities. The Masons, Odd Fel- lows, city and county officials, workingmen and others paraded. Lincoln Clark welcomed the guests. Stephen A. Douglas, Mayor Cook of Buffalo, Ben M. Samuels, George L. Nightingale, Judge T. S. Wilson and others addressed the audience at Washington Park. There was much complaint in 1855 because the council did not take definite action concerning the public schools. Action against liquor dealers who violated the Iowa prohibitory law was taken in July, 1855, by the seizure of liquors. On August 23 Brooks ascended in the balloon Comet from the hill near General Jones'; crossed the river into Illinois and landed safely far down the stream. A large crowd saw the ascension. An old lady present exclaimed, "What a happy man he is to get so near heaven ; bless the Lord!" By the last of August, 1855, the bridges over the sloughs on Jones and Seventh streets were almost completed. Jones street was hurriedly graded at both ends so that teams could reach the levee. The north half of the island between the river and outer slough and above Barney's cut went to the Dubuque & Pacific rail- road.
After September 23, 1855, passenger trains over the Illinois Central railway ran regularly to and from Dunleith; the ferry ran in connection with the trains, but there was much complaint over delays and unfair tactics. A general plan to widen and improve all the streets and adjacent roads was set in operation late in 1855. The leading hotels were: City Hotel, by C. C. Hewitt & Co .; Julien House, by Kingman & Rhodes; Peaslee House, by A. H. Peaslee; Key City House, by Q. H. Lockwood, and Washington House, by Lee and Gray.
"Indian trails and miners' paths there were through Dirty hollow, over Whisky and Hamilton hills, through the tortuous windings of Madden hollow, over the rugged ascent of Lorimier hollow, now Julien avenue, and through several other wild ravines and over the craggy steeps of the bluffs around the city. The only unobstructed approach to the city was by way of what is called the Couler at the upper end of town. Farmers, of course, complained, but their com- plaints were for some time unheeded. They had to watch the opportunity of fair weather to come to town and wait for each other at the foot of the hills to double and sometimes treble teams to help each other through. This process went on for years until other
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