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 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
In 1867 there were erected 121 buildings; in 1868, 135, and in 1869, 176. The largest improvements in 1869 were Ryan's packing house, $100,000; gas works, $16,000; Methodist church, $22,000 ; Second Presbyterian church, $50,000 ; Manson block, $23,000; Levi block, $12,000; Ogelsby block, $12,000; thirty buildings cost over $5,000 each.
Late in 1869 a big meeting was held to consider the question of
I66
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
discriminating tariffs. B. B. Richards was the principal speaker. About this time the mayor and aldermen were served with a man- damus to levy a special tax to pay the recent Corcoran judgment of $76,716.05. This was for unpaid interest on the Corcoran loan. In 1869 and early in 1870 the council paid $117,500 of the city debt. The old cemetery occupied by the Catholics near the cathedral was adjudged the property of the city early in 1870; it had been patented to no one.
CITY OF DUBUQUE, 1870 TO 1893.
D URING the fiscal year 1869-70 city debt to the amount of $142,846.33 was paid. Edward Langworthy gratuitously surrendered to the city his claim of $9,750, making the total amount of debt settled $152,596.33. Of this amount $123,846.36 was settled for less than 27 cents on the dollar. This settlement was an extra good one, in view of the fact that the courts had already decided that the city debt was valid. This council deserves special credit, because many of the best men of the city, not wishing to take hold of the complicated and vexatious debt question, had refused to become candidates for aldermen. The city receipts for the year 1869-70 were $94,638.52, out of which the mayor and council managed to save to be applied on the debt the sum of $51,881. In January, 1870, bondsmen of City Treasurer Quigley paid $5,000 in past due interest coupons as a full settlement of his defalcation.
The total city debt on March I, 1870, was $882,745.42. The actual debt was not known, because it had not yet been learned which of the creditors would be willing to settle for less than 100 cents on the dollar. The city began in earnest early in 1870 to consider a system of water works; other cities were visited by the council committees and the various water systems were inspected ; the Holly system was popular. Kiene and Jaeger were active in this movement. Early in 1870 the members of St. Raphael's, St. Mary's and St. Patrick's churches and of St. Raphael's Cemetery Association petitioned the council to surrender to them the cemetery on Third street in view of their right to the same under the claim of Patrick Quigley. After consideration the council stated that the title to the cemetery was in the city, but the graves would not be disturbed unless satisfactory to the Catholics. Miners endeavored to secure the right to dig under the cemetery for mineral.
Andrew Keesecker, "Nestor of the Iowa press," died in Dubuque in April, 1870. He was born in Virginia in 1810 and in early life was a sailor, visiting many lands. He served in the Greek revolu- tion of 1822-27. He early learned the printing business at Balti- more and New Orleans. In 1832 or 1833 he came to the lead mines and was first connected with the Galenian under Dr. Phileo. He often composed his editorials at the case. In 1836 he joined Judge King in establishing the Dubuque Visitor, the first newspaper in Iowa, and set up "The Linwoods," a story, the first copy given out
167
168
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
in the state. He was the first pressman with an old Smith Cin- cinnati press. In 1842 he was associated with D. S. Wilson in founding the Miners' Express. Ever afterward until his death he was connected with the press of Dubuque. He had spent thirty- seven years in Dubuque. His wife was formerly Clara Roberg, of Dubuque. Suitable resolutions were passed by the printers and early settlers at his deatlı.
A change of city administration caused the city printing in 1870 to pass to the Times and the National Demokrat, thus rousing the ire of the Herald and F. A. Gniffke. Edwin Forrest appeared here in 1870 as Richelieu and other plays. In April, 1870, the council levied a special tax to pay off the Corcoran interest judgment of $76,716.05. A general system to improve cross streets was adopted at this time. Fourteenth street to the bluff was opened in 1870. On June 29, 1870, it was 102 degrees in the shade here. In 1870 authority to lay water pipes in the streets was granted; the city agreed to take 100 hydrants. Of the water company John Thomp- son was president ; the company had a capital of $300,000. The war between France and Germany stirred up the foreigners here from those countries.
It was noted in the Herald August 18, 1870, that after a fire alarm had been sounded, it took from one-half to three-quarters of an hour before the engines were ready for work; the horses were kept out on the levee, far away from the engines. "It is sickening to hear the bell ring 'ding dong' for half an hour while valuable property is being destroyed."
The Dubuque County Woman's Suffrage Association was in existence in 1870 and met regularly in Good Templars' hall. The old Lorimier house down the river was burned in 1870. In October, 1870, the total city debt was estimated at $1,095,077.89, of which $226.019.27 was in judgments and $38.357.28 in interest on judg- ments. The population of the city in 1870 was 18,432. of which 12,07I were natives and 6,361 foreigners ; there were 3.619 dwell- ings and 3,506 families. In 1860 the city population was 12.926. In October, 1870, the water company was disbanded-had made a failure. Almost immediately afterward another water company was organized, with Mr. Chamberlain among its officials.
The Julien theater, built in 1856 by Mckinley & Poor at a cost of $17,000, stood at Locust and Fifth. In 1858 the People's theater was built, but did not pay and was occupied as lawyers' offices. Later the Young Men's Association used it. In November, 1870, a prize fight between Mike O'Connor and J. C. Clark was fought across the river at Boat Yard Hollow. Clark was whipped in four rounds.
It was charged by the press late in 1870 that a conspiracy existed to buy up the city debt from creditors at a great reduction and
169
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
then force the city to pay par; it was charged that the bondholders here were connected with this intrigue.
Baseball flourished in 1870. The "Key City" was the name chosen. Charles Hathaway was president; N. A. Mills, secretary ; H. M. Kingman, treasurer. The leading nine were Parker, Rob- ison, Gibbs, Seaman, A. Clark, Leach, Jaeger, Gregoire and How- ard. Games were played on the old fair grounds. In August the Key Citys defeated the Baltics of Chicago, 39 to 23, but in a return game they lost, 18 to 4. They defeated the Excelsiors of Man- chester, 18 to 8, but were defeated in the return game, 60 to 43. In September they defeated the Crescents of Galena, 44 to 24, and again 50 to 15. They were defeated by the Actives of Clinton, 26 to 18. They also defeated the Forest City club of Rockford by 79 to 1 ; they made thirty scores in the first inning. Late in 1870 they made a tour of the state and won nearly every game; they were almost up to the standard of professionals. The Excel- siors were another club hiere.
During 1870 business in Dubuque was unusually prosperous. There were sold here 2.500 sewing machines ; sales of sash, doors and blinds, $518,000; brewery products, $201,600; wagons, etc., $285,615 ; bricks, $125,000; engines, $220,000. Already the city was celebrated for its manufactures. Total fire loss was $274,250; insurance, $171,950. The thirteen lumber firms sold 60,564,056 feet of lumber.
In a prize figlit at Boat Yard Hollow, January 20, 1871, Mike O'Connor defeated E. St. Clair in twenty rounds. There was trouble over eity bonds between the council and Mr. Thompson and others. It was at this date, at last, that the local bondholders united and demanded 100 cents on the dollar. The city refused temporarily to pay anything. It had become so firmly fixed in the minds of the city fathers that they could get a great reduction from ereditors, that this action took them by surprise, dumfounded them, and they required time to collect their scattered senses. It was claimed that bondholders had bought the bonds at 25 cents on the dollar and now demanded 100 cents. Among thie city bondholders here were P. A. Lorimier, Richard Bronson, J. T. Hancock, J. S. Randall, H. L. Stout, W. L. Bradley, R. A. Babbage, John Hodg- don, L. D. Randall & Co., Edward Langworthy, Alexander Levi and W. G. Stewart. These mien in mass meeting announced their intentions to have 100 eents on the dollar. A resolution of Mr. Thompson was finally adopted by the mass meeting, viz. : To accept in lieu of their city bonds new 6 per cent twenty-five year bonds on the same conditions granted to outside creditors. The eouneil refused to accept, and ordered suit brought for the recovery of the Thompson bonds, which, it was alleged, had been fraudulently transferred. In January, 1871, the old Corcoran debt was merged into new 7 per cent twenty-five year bonds. East Dubuque was
170
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
between Fourteenth and Seventeenth streets. By the middle of February, 1871, the new water works company was in full opera- tion, taking subscriptions and preparing plans. When their new hall in the Julien theater building was ready, the Masons held memorable ceremonies and festivities in February, 1871. On Feb- ruary 14, 1871, Anna Dickinson lectured here on "Jeanne d'Arc." Her powerful appeals for the uplifting of women were not lost upon the packed house which heard her. During the Civil war the Herald had denounced her in scathing terms for favoring abolition- ism and woman suffrage.
PORK PACKING IN 1870-71.
Ryan
30,000
Strobel
2,800
Walters & Co.
2,700
Zumhoff
2,334
Brinkman
2,015
Ratlı
2,000
C. Schloth
1,500
F. Schloth
1,000
Total.
44,349
Butchers and private parties cuts were not included ; fully 45,000 in all.
The annual report of the Young Men's Library Association in March, 1871, showed 7,426 books on hand. They received from the Anna Dickinson lecture $258.25 ; but the expenses were $250.40. The expenses of the city for the fiscal year 1870-71 were $93.947.21, of which $37.332.38 was an old debt and interest ; $16,007.49 on roads and bridges, $7.580.93, fire department ; $3.329.80, poor relief ; $10,785. 18, officers' salaries.
On March 13, 1871, Mike O'Connor and Danny Carr fought a prize fight near Dubuque for $500 a side, under London prize ring rules. Carr trained here. The packet Claudie Rogers conveyed the crowd for $2 each to the ground on the Wisconsin shore, a little above Eagle Point. The location was purposely kept secret until the last minute, and when the steamer started the river was alive with small boats of all descriptions loaded with men determined to see the "mill." Carr was the favorite at odds of 50 to 40 and later 2 to I. Carr got the worst of it, but managed to win a draw. O'Connor surprised all by his gameness, wind and staying qualities.
The Commercial National Bank was organized early in 1871 with ten original subscribers. The first officers were R. E. Graves, president ; H. L. Stout, vice president ; H. M. Kingman, cashier.
WV. J. Knight, mayor, was succeeded by James Burt in 1871; lie was credited with having given the city an excellent administra-
I7I
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
tion. In his valedictory he said (1) that the police force was under a man unfit for the place and had been removed; (2) the city treasurer was a defaulter; (3) the recorder used the name of the city without authority ; (4) a definite method to settle the city debt had been adopted. The ordinary city expenses in 1869-70 were $36,167.87, and in 1870-71 were $38,572.79 ; all this was paid in two years and in addition $107,389.58 in city debt was paid at reduced rates, settling $231,505.19 claims against the city; also $198,047.II of debt had been refunded in twenty-five year bonds, "making the aggregate between indebtedness paid by us and thus discharged and that funded as explained a total of $431,064.05, which cannot by any possibility trouble us," said Mr. Knight. As a recognition of his honesty the council unanimously passed the fol- lowing resolution :
"Resolved, That Mayor W. J. Knight alone has had the courage, the will and ability, in grasping with this vexed question of indebt- edness and by his energy and untiring industry he has succeeded in the retirement of a large portion of our public debt, and his untiring energy and zeal for the public welfare in preservation of order by a faithful execution of laws entitle him to the lasting gratitude of the citizens of Dubuque."
The spring of 1871 was unusually bright here; improved freight facilities on the railways; new waterworks; great development of wholesaling and manufacturing; and the adoption of a definite method to pay the city debt filled the hearts of all with anticipation and hope. Selah Chamberlain was president of the new water company.
Mrs. Livermore lectured here in 1871. Her first lecture here was in 1861-62. She had been south with sanitary stores for the soldiers and upon her return was invited to relate her experiences. One earnest invitation came from Dubuque. She came here expect- ing to meet about 200 ladies in a quiet hall. She reached the other side of the river when that stream was thick with running ice and the ferry had stopped for the winter. She tried to hire two men to bring her over in a skiff, but they at first demurred because the trip was dangerous, but they finally consented. She was astonished and frightened to learn that she was expected to lecture to a large audience in the Congregational church. She wavered and refused, but finally consented to go on. Governor Kirkwood was present. She said that for the first fifteen minutes she could see nothing and could hear only her own voice. She was so filled with her sub- ject that she spoke over two hours, which seemed not over twenty minutes. She credited this event as her start as a lecturer. At the conclusion of her address she had $1,200 for the soldiers, with much more promised.
In March, 1871, the water company agreed to have six miles of pipes laid in thirty days and the whole system in working order
172
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
in ninety days; their contract did not reach the bluffs. In May, 1871, T. S. Hinds, his wife Emma and son Robert were drowned while crossing the Maquoketa near Thompson's Mill. In the spring and summer of 1871 the council was served with mandamus to levy tax to pay judgments against the city. In a suit the city lost in its contention with the Central Island Company. Wash- ington square was neglected and in very bad condition. On July 31, 1871, the first water pipe in Iowa was laid between Main and Iowa on Seventh. Weston, the walker, was here in 1871. In August the German citizens planned a new opera house to cost $25,000. In October the grand encampment of Odd Fellows assembled here.
The great fire at Chicago in October called out a big mass meet- ing here; a thorough organization for relief was effected through- out the whole county. Mayor Mason, of Chicago, wired here: "Can you send us some bread and cheese for 100,000 people?" The council appropriated $2,500 relief. By October 23 there had been shipped from Dubuque 471 boxes and barrels, mostly clothing and provisions. The new waterworks were fully completed in October, 1871, and tested ; the capacity of the reservoir was 250,000 gallons ; its height above low water was 12912 feet. It was seen that a new reservoir would be necessary and one holding 2,000,000 gallons was planned. Early in November, 1871, the mayor and aldermen. who had failed to levy the tax ordered by mandamus, were sum- moned to appear at Des Moines to answer for their neglect. In October, S. J. Arnot received judgment against the city for $86,379. About 80,000,000 feet of lumber of all kinds were handled here in 1871. An annual levy paid the Corcoran debt from 1871 to 1874, inclusive. Among the important improvements in 1871 were the following :
(I) Railroad additions; (2) waterworks, eight miles of 8-, 10- and 12-inch mains; (3) Fourth street improvement costing $16,- 184.37; (4) numerous fine residences and commodious business blocks; (5) iron bridges over the inner slough, six spans of ninety- six feet each.
It was about this time that steps to build a suitable monument to Julien Dubuque were taken; this had been talked of for many years, but nothing definite was done until this time. Funds were raised by subscription, but the monument was not yet erected.
By March 1, 1872, there had been issued $163,889.97 of the new 6 per cent twenty-five year bonds in exchange for old bonds. When the council of 1871 began their duties mandamus suits to the amount of $175,000 and small judgments aggregating $100,000 more hung over them, the treasury was empty, but the citizens were not without confidence. The sharply defined differences between the bondholders and a large element of taxpayers was sufficient to check permanent improvements. But during the year 1871-72 all urgent demands were met and there was in the treasury at the close
173
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
$34,386.09. The town clock building collapsed in May, 1872, killing Emma, wife of Herman Ellwanger; the clock and tower had cost $3,000 ; the town clock movement was started by Dr. Asa Horr in 1864. He had found the longitude of Jackson square to be 6 degrees, 2 minutes and 39.38 seconds west ; and the latitude 42 degrees and 30 minutes north. In 1872 the city secured the few re- maining lots necessary to complete Jackson square. A violent storm on September 24 did $10,000 damage in Dubuque. In the fall of 1872 A. F. Jaeger succeeded Sol. Turck, resigned, as mayor. By the fall of 1872 there had been refunded of the old city debt $606,- 177.04 in new 6 per cent twenty-five year bonds; of this $113,- 887.29 was refunded in four months, beginning late in May ; there was yet owed to home creditors $90,000.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science met here in August, 1872, in the Congregational church. Dr. Asa Grey, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was elected chairman. Wil- liam B. Allison welcomed the scientists; he was answered by Dr. Asa Grey. Prof. J. Lawrence Smith was elected president of the association. "The delta of the Mississippi" was considered in detail. George C. Dean was chairman of the finance committee that raised $2,297 to defray local expenses.
In 1872 Graves and Rhomberg assumed charge of the street railway and under their management "it became useful and orna- mental to the city instead of being a nuisance and a disgrace as it formerly was." The lumber sold here in 1872 was 51.707,195 feet.
The new water reservoir, completed in the spring of 1873, was 230x56 feet ; walls, 18 feet high; walls, 6 feet at the base and 3 feet at the top; capacity, 2,000,000 gallons; cost, $22,000. The epizootic, a horse disease, swept the city and county in 1872-73. The aggregate building in 1872 was about $800,000. The city spent in 1872 $13,270 for sidewalk construction. In 1873 the town clock cost $1,686.50; the bells were raised in the tower in March. In 1873 boys had several baseball clubs here-"Live Oaks," "Modocs," "Lone Stars" and "Actives." In May, 1873, Joe Jefferson rendered "Rip Van Winkle" at the Atheneum. In 1873 for the first time a signal station was established and regular meteorological reports were made here. In 1873 the school census showed 22,002 whites and 149 colored population in Dubuque. Grand View avenue was opened in 1873, after almost open war between land owners and the city authorities. Of about eighty residents on the proposed avenue, only five or six objected to the damage awarded by the appraisers.
The failure of Jay Cooke & Co. in September, 1873, precipitated financial and business trouble here. About September 25 several Chicago banks suspended. Grain markets in Dubuque became demoralized ; wheat declining 10 cents. On September 25 Dubuque
I74
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
banks refused to discount all commercial paper except for small amounts. Wheat continued to drop here until it had fallen 25 cents. A meeting of the bankers was held on the 25th. Shall the banks here suspend? was the question discussed. The Merchants' National voted to suspend; the First National and the Commercial voted not to suspend. The next morning the Merchants' National closed its doors. A big crowd gathered, but no trouble occurred. All the banks sustained a heavy run. Gen. C. H. Booth was appointed custodian of the Merchants' National. At its last state- ment it had shown larger deposits than any other bank here- $298,239.49. An examination showed an enormous deficiency- $329,000. F. W. H. Sheffield and R. A. Babbage were short this amount ; the formed turned over his property and made good but the latter left the city and country. Their private property was sold at auction-buggies, sleighs, harness, blankets, horses, etc. Many business men lost heavily, and some failures resulted. In less than a week the other banks began to discount again on a small scale.
In December, 1873, there was organized an association for the encouragement of manufacturers, among the members being Lang- worthy, Ryder, Stout, Burt, Howard, Amsden, Christman, Robin- son, Kingman and others. Several meetings were held and great enthusiasm was shown. The city receipts for the fiscal year 1872-73 were $217,976.95 and the expenses $205.782.80. In 1873-4 the receipts were $229,968.06 and the expenses $216,850.05. In the latter year the street expenses were $16,109.46. Late in 1873 a wagon bridge was talked of.
In January, 1874, M. S. Robinson, president of the Manufactur- ers' Association, visited many Eastern cities in order to secure manufacturing concerns for Dubuque and to see if a wagon bridge could be financed. A large meeting assembled to hear from him upon his return; he recommended a donation of land to desirable manufacturers who should come here and announced that a wagon bridge could be financed in the East. In 1873 there was collected in the Dubuque revenue district $365,890.20. In February, 1874, there was held here a grand reunion of old settlers. Suits against the city in 1873-74 aggregated $185,000. A big temperance crusade was started here in March, 1874: the liquor people united in oppo- sition and demanded the license system. The crusaders demanded the enforcement of the existing prohibitory law. In 1873 the liquor trade here was about $500,000; should this be abolished Dubuque finances would receive a deadly blow, it was stated. Many of the best citizens resolved to back the liquor interests in their fight for existence under a license system. Immense meetings were held by both sides. The crusade did not succeed because it attacked liquor selling and not intemperance. It assumed that it was a crime to use intoxicating liquors. The law had the right to punish men for
175
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
becoming drunk, but not for drinking. Liquors were seized and nummerous suits resulted.
The Dubuque Art Gallery opened in June, 1874, with R. E. Graves president ; over one hundred good paintings were exhibited at the commencement. In 1874 the ball and chain gang could be seen on the Dubuque streets. In August, 1874, the Dubuque Cen- tral Improvement Company sued the city for $550,000. To obtain its land the company in 1857 had assumed the Corcoran and Jesup debts of about $200,000 ; later the city took back this debt providing the company would make certain specified improvements.
A pontoon bridge was considered in 1874. The Harbor Com- pany filled the slough at Jones and Iowa streets in 1874; W. G. Stewart superintended this work. The old Globe building, built in 1848, was torn down in August, 1874. The new Driving park up the Couler was opened in August ; the stalls sold for $1, 160. A new city charter was demanded at a large citizens' meeting, December 29, 1874; a reduction of taxes and new manufactures was demanded; too much money was spent on fancy streets, said Chair- man D. A. Wilson. A similar meeting had been held in Novem- ber. A. A. Cooper and D. A. Mahony were the principal speakers : the latter attacked the city, which was defended by Mr. Cooper. It was realized that taxation could not be reduced much if the city debt and the current expenses were to be paid. It was a mistake to abuse the council, because they were simply trying to meet neces- sary expenses. Undeserved charges of dishonesty were hurled against the city by Mahony and others. "Can any council do bet- ter?" was asked. Late in 1874 the city was paying at the rate of about $6,000 a year for its water, and now began to consider buy- ing the waterworks, but the big tax prevented. During 1874 a large amount of filling on the river front was done. There was talk of a union railway passenger station.
During 1874 there were many improvements. Railway branches were extended ; the Driving park was opened; sloughs on the front were filled; two new schoolhouses were built; $23,000 was spent on streets ; $700,000 was spent on buildings of all kinds; a new engine house was built at Locust and Fourth streets, etc. The fire- fighting apparatus consisted of the "J. K. Graves" and "Sol. Turck" engines, the hook and ladder truck and the Fifth ward hose com- pany. D. A. Mahony was editor of the Telegraph in 1874-75 ; he succeeded Michael Brady. In 1874 assessors began to pursue tax dodgers in earnest for almost the first time. In 1874-75 they col- lected $187,494 in delinquent tax. Engineers reported against a pontoon bridge.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.