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 20
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By ordinance of September, 1883, the United States Electric Light and Power Company was granted the right to erect poles, wires and other fixtures in the streets, alleys and public parks of the city for illuminating and other purposes for twenty years. Suitable regulations accompanied the ordinance.
An ordinance of March, 1883, gave the Dubuque Butchers' Asso- ciation the right to erect a general slaughter house within the city limits at East Dubuque and imposed specific conditions of cleanli- ness, sanitation, etc.
The famous orchestra of Theodore Thomas opened here in April. General Siegel called Dubuque "the Heidelberg of America."
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Thomas W. Keene, tragedian, was here in May. Double street railway tracks were built this year for the first time. On May 15 there were in the Young Men's Library 15,200 bound books. An artesian well at White and Sixth street, 804 feet deep, flowed 150 gallons a minute late in June, 1883. Beecher lectured herc July 27 on "The Reign of the Common People." On August 13, Mrs. WV. B. Allison while temporarily insane drowned herself in the river. Bayless College celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in October, 1883. The Home for the Friendless reported $7,551.04 in loans and cash on hand in October, 1883. Its object was "to provide for homeless and destitute women and children;" seventy- five were cared for in 1883. Among the improvements in 1883 were the following: New schoolhouse, St. Raphael's school, Brad- ley's brick warehouse, Booth's front fillings, Bentley's grain ele- vator, Academy of Visitation, ice harbor, St. Joseph's Academy, Sisters of Visitation, academy, city improvements ($153,000), streets and engine houses, railways, lumber companies and many expensive residences.
On December 31, 1883, the Dubuque Traveling Men's Associa- tion was organized. M. R. Dewstoe was chosen president ; L. M. Langstaff, secretary and treasurer; the association started with a goodly membership. which has steadily increased to the present. Late in 1883 Jolin L. Sullivan, Slade, McCoy, Taylor, Gillespie and other sporting men gave a sparring exhibition at the opera house. In November, 1883, a hunting party consisting of Frederick Jenkel, Emil Jenkel, Frederick Jenkel, Jr., and Richard T. Hartig were drowned in the river just above the city ; several of the bodies were not recovered for three or four montlis. The Dubuque National bank opened its doors in April, 1884, with a capital of $100,000, and with B. B. Richards, president ; W. J. Knight, vice president ; James Harragan, cashier. The Iowa Trust and Savings Bank began operations in February, 1884, with a capital of $50,000 paid up; G. L. Torbert was president, F. D. Stout vice president, and J. E. Allison cashier. A bill in the Legislature to repeal the law exempt- ing school and church property from taxation encountered strenuous opposition here in March, 1884; the churches memorialized the Legislature to defeat the bill. Bishop Hennessy delivered a power- ful address against the bill on March 23. In 1883-84 the fire depart- ment was fully established on a paid and permanent basis ; the police system was reorganized; the project of funding the floating debt was defeated; gas, electric light and strect car ordinances were passed; the city was already the manufacturing center of this sec- tion, but more concerns should be secured ; the Dubuque & North- Western, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Chicago & North- Western Railways were approaching connection with Dubuque ; and slight reductions were made in the city debt. Also lots were filled, railways extended, the useless motor was stopped on the hill, a new
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engine house was built, a new system of sewerage was considered. new streets were opened, and the Stocking claim was settled.
In 1883 there were half a dozen baseball clubs; one was called "Blue Stockings": they defeated the Galena Greys 17 to 5 and the Clintons 6 to 4, and the St. Louis club 7 to 4, but in a return game were defeated by the latter 9 to 5 ; they were defeated by the Port Hurons in two games 15 to o and 9 to o.
In August, 1883, the council granted to John Reugamer, John Trexler, J. P. Schroeder, John Klein, Frank Schroeder and George Fengler, for a period of twenty-five years, free license and full right to operate a ferry to be known as "Eagle Point Ferry," from a place near Eagle Point, at Division street, across the river to the Wisconsin shore. The necessary safeguards were required.
Madame Modjeska was here in May; she was the guest of Edward W. Duncan and wife; she received Dubuque ladies. In May five persons were killed in the explosion at the planing mill of Carr, Ryder & Wheeler. On July 3, 1884, the new prohibition law went into effect ; saloons here did business about as usual, though apprehensively. The Personal Liberty Society held regular meetings to consider the situation. Informers were led to under- stand that they would get into serious trouble if they interfered. Secret anti-prohibition meetings were held; J. P. Farley was one of the leaders of the movement for the enforcement of the law. Seven acres of lumber were burned in September. Late in 1884 the Fourth street elevator was built. On September 19 all Dubuque was shaken by an earthquake ; it was particularly observed in high buildings. The old Carter and Cheney farms, three miles from Dubuque, were bought by Mr. Stout and converted into a fine, fast stock farm that soon became famous; twenty to thirty fine horses were there at all times except during the racing season ; a half mile track was there and trainers constantly at work.
The Dubuque baseball club in 1884 had the following leading players : Ahern, first ; Crawford, second ; Brown, third; Morgan, catcher ; Lear, pitcher ; Burns, shortstop; Keas, left ; Taylor, center, and McCarten, right. The Dubuque Natatorium, containing 100,- 000 gallons, was opened in August at 1033 Main street ; it was very popular from the start.
Dubuque's trade for 1884 was very large and satisfactory: Gro- ceries and provisions, $1,500,000; dry goods and notions, $1,500,- 000 ; hardware, $1,000,000 ; grain, etc., $1,650,000; William Ryan & Sons, packing, $2,125,000 (this was the largest single industry here). The jobbing trade was estimated at $12,000,000. Among the improvements were those by Bishop Hennessy, Ryan, fire engine house, Waples block, new schoolhouse, St. Joseph's Academy com- pleted, Lorimier House improved, Eagle Point ferry, street railway extension. Dubuque Bridge Company, Booth's improvements, city
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improvements, Linwood cemetery, etc. In 1884 there were in use here twenty-six arc lights; they were not satisfactory under all circumstances ; incandescent lights were demanded. The Dubuque Electric Light and Power Company, organized in 1883, expired in 1884.
Madame Janauschek was here in January, 1885. Horses were raced on Lake Peosta in January. In this month the Fourth street hill elevator carried over 7,000 passengers ; at first there was only one carriage; J. K. Graves was connected with this service. Street expenses in 1884-85 were $16,831. The contemplated sewer system was estimated to cost $39,985.72. Several business failures occurred early in 1885. In February, George R. Wendling lectured here on "Is Death the End of All?" There was great sport at the roller skating rinks. In the fall of 1885 Dubuque had 130 mani- facturing establishments ; 86 jobbers, 5,261 employes, horsepower 4,464. Among the really large advances here were Central market, water power, steam supply, Mercy hospital, custom house, opera, public library, fine art gallery, art and science institute, twenty-four churches, hill elevator, forty-five miles of paved streets, etc.
In August, 1885, Edward Langworthy and wife celebrated their golden wedding: she was formerly Pauline Reeder. In the spring of 1885 the city bonded debt was $777,084.74. The city expenses in 1884-85 were $173,367.66 ; the floating debt was $66,787; total debt of city, $843,871.74. In March the Supreme court decided in favor of the constitutionality of the prohibitory law. In the spring of 1885 the city considered (1) how to pay the enormous debt ; (2) how to economize ; (3) to reduce street expense and float- ing debt ; (4) must cease borrowing; (5) new railways were desir- able ; (6) manufacturing must still further be increased ; (7) an iron bridge was needed at Eagle Point, etc. There were forty liquor cases in the federal court in September, brought by the Citizens' League. The special delivery mail service was adopted here Octo- ber 1, 1885, for the first time. Previous to 1885 the year 1882 was the most prosperous here since 1856.
In January, 1886, there were put up here 46,700 tons of ice ; the packers alone put up 12,200 tons ; the leading packers were William Ryan, George Rath, Strobel & Son, and Zumhoff & Son. In Janu- ary three kinds of crossings were considered for the river: (I) A pontoon bridge ; (2) planks on the existing railroad bridge; (3) a free ferry summer and winter by cable line. In 1885-86 the fire department cost $15,811.51 ; police, $15,102.30; gas, $11,241.68; street, $23,706.14 ; total city debt, $827,887.28.
A fine arts gallery was opened in March, 1886; forty-two artists and amateurs were represented ; 10 cents admission was charged. In June there were 12,396 bound volumes in the Young Men's Library.
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PORK PACKING IN DUBUQUE.
1882-83 97,500 1884-85 90,000
1 883-84 121,000 1885-86. 108,500
SUMMER PACKING ADDITIONAL.
1882.
I 5,000
1884.
22,557
1883.
15,500
In August, 1886, the Dubuque Pontoon Bridge Company was authorized to construct and maintain a bridge suitable for the cross- ing of vehicles, horsemen and animals and for the ordinary public uses and purposes of a highway bridge from at or near Pine street in Dubuque across the Mississippi to the town of East Dubuque, in Illinois. It was to be located below and as near as practicable to the railway bridge and the draw was to be of such dimensions and character as should be approved by the secretary of war, or if built without a draw it should be high enough at the right place to permit the free passage at all stages of water of craft navigating the Mis- sissippi. To assist the company in the construction of this bridge. the city appropriated $25,000, to be paid in two installments, and released it conditionally from taxation. The total cost was about $133,000. The city reserved the right to take possession and control of the bridge by paying annually to the company 8 per cent on the total cost less that paid by the city. The mayor was to be ex-officio a member of the board of directors. The toll was fixed by the coun- cil, December 14, 1887.
An immense firemen's tournament was held here in June, 1886. Clinton, Galena, Webster City, Chariton, Fort Dodge, Dyersville, Cedar Rapids, Maquoketa, Independence, Marshalltown and other cities were represented. It was held at the race track; it was the largest and best tournament ever held in Iowa. Dubuque oat meal inill burned in July. In 1886 the idea of a pontoon bridge was abandoned and a high bridge became very popular; this was after the city had passed an ordinance appropriating $25,000 for a pon- toon bridge. The Finleys having left to the city a large bequest for a hospital upon certain conditions ; the citizens took steps to comply with such conditions. The old Finley homestead on Julien avenue was finally devoted to this use; the bequest was about $80,000. Under the Clark liquor law sharp action against the saloons here was taken in the summer of 1886. At this time work on the new sewerage system was commenced. In August, 1886, the construc- tion of the high bridge was awarded to Horace E. Horton, of Roch- ester, Minnesota, at $122,994; his was the lowest bid by over $20,- 000; the bridge was to be completed by May 1, 1887. This sum included the iron approach on the east side. It was called a "higli level wagon bridge." Barnum's big show was here in September. The North American Telegraph Company was granted the right
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
to erect poles on certain streets. In September the newly organized Commercial Club had a membership of 140; they planned to build a $15,000 club house. At this time an engine and two cars plunged through the draw into the river. On August 31, 1886. three dis- tinet earthquake shocks of twenty-five seconds' duration were felt here. The city donated $25,000 toward the high bridge and the citizens raised the balance by subscription ; by the middle of October about $75,000 was subscribed. Important improvements in 1886 were: Academy of Visitation, Bell's store, Bradley's warehouses, Consolidated Tank Line house, Diamond Jo yards, high level bridge, etc.
It was noted in the spring of 1887, that real estate values liad taken a sudden "boom." In March, 1887, the boundaries of the Second, Third and Fourth wards were changed and enlarged fron the surplus growth of the Fifth ward. In the spring of 1887 the railways did an enormous amount of filling on the river front. In 1886-87 the hogs packed were 117,000. There was a great lack of dwellings and business rooms. The total debt March 1, 1887, was $833,542.85, of which $761,234.80 was bonded. On March 23. 1887, the first shipment of iron for the high bridge arrived. The water company was given the right in March, 1887, to put in pump- ing works at the Lorimier House artesian well and from it to fur- nish the hill its supply of water : this well was 1,050 feet deep and flowed 180 gallons to the minute. The entire police force was dis- charged in May and immediately reorganized. The Dubuque Job- bers and Manufacturers' Union was strong and doing good work in 1887. The Eleventh Street Elevator Company was incorporated in July.
In 1887 there was demanded improvement of the city gas ; con- struction of the high bridge approach ; continuance on the sewerage system ; a police patrol ; better results from the street commission- er's office ; abolishment of the contract system, etc. By the middle of July, 1887, the fourth span of the high bridge was in place. The United States Express Company established an office here. In August it was noted that twenty-four trains arrived and departed daily. On August 10 the river was the lowest it had been since 1864.
The year 1887 was very prosperous. The following made impor- tant improvements : (1) Northwestern Railway ; (2) high bridge; (3) new sewerage system; (4) Southwestern Railway ; (5) Fourth street elevator : (6) Eleventh street elevator; (7) street car to Eagle Point : (8) filling sloughs with land; (9) filling freight yards; (10) filling by lumber yards; ( 11) ice harbor; (12) new Illinois Central passenger station; (13) waterworks on the bluff; (14) police patrol; (15) electric fire alarm ; (16) new warehouses ; (17) new wholesale houses ; (18) new manufactures; (19) hundreds of new dwellings; (20) proposed electric street railway.
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
Notwithstanding its great debt the city did not flinch from such proposed expenses as $250,000 to the Dubuque & Northwestern Railway ; $130,000 for the new sewerage system; $125,000 for the high bridge ; and $150,000 to the Southwestern Railway. On Sep- tember 19, 1887, a terrible railway accident near Eagle Point caused the loss of four or five lives and the injury of about a dozen others. On September 30 the city voted as follows: For the sewerage sys- tein, 317; against the sewerage system, 1,341. In 1887 there was strong talk of holding in 1888 a centennial celebration of the settle- ment here of Julian Dubuque in 1788. Early in November the high bridge was joined from shore to shore; a celebration for the opening was planned. On November 25 teams began to cross the high bridge ; two carriages containing bridge and city officials made the first trip. On the 29th the event was celebrated; an immense procession passed through the streets and over the bridge; there were floats, banners, mottoes, bands and societies in line, all escorted by the Governor's Greys and accompanied by bands and drum corps. Every business in the city was represented in the line. This was one of the most notable celebrations ever held in Dubuque. The main portion of the bridge is 2,000 feet in length and the East Dubuque approach 800 feet : the roadway is eighteen feet wide, with a foot path on each side. J. K. Graves was president of the day. O'Neill, McDonald, Lyon and others delivered addresses ; a dispatch from Senator Allison was read.
In 1886 the assessed valuation of the city was $1 5,021,390, and the revenue $177,095.60; in 1887 the assessed valuation was $18,- 143,114, and the revenue $196,656.19. The saloon cases were in the courts in 1887; when injunctions were served against them they usually filed supersedeas bonds and continued operations. City expenses in 1887 were $264,275.41, and receipts $228.351.94.
The Commercial National Bank closed its doors March 20, 1888: the majority of the directors were men of wealth. There was due depositors $444,059. E. P. Welles, of Clinton, was appointed receiver. The total liabilities were $518,310. The Iowa Iron Works owed the bank $145,000. Certain members of the bank had withdrawn large sums. The receiver charged violations of the law by the bank officials and on that ground asked for the forfeiture of its charter ; he also charged that false statements had been made. In the end the bank paid about 70 cents on the dollar.
All the trade and labor organizations united in an immense mass meeting July 23, 1888 : it was a general movement for publicity and relief ; a permanent union of labor was effected, with James White president, T. J. Donahue secretary, and C. B. Keesecker treasurer. Booth and Barrett, actors, were here in April, 1888. Judge Lenehan ordered forty-seven permanent injunctions against saloon keepers in August. The sewer project having been revived, bids were called for and the contract was awarded to J. C. Murray at $21,767 in Sep-
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
tember. The butchers entered strong protests at this time against the encroachments of Armour's "embalmed beef" upon their alleged preserves ; the butchers and drovers' union passed resolutions against the Armour products. Plans to celebrate on a large scale the Dubuque centennial were prepared early in 1888. The Wycoff Commercial school was in operation this year. The grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias assembled here in October. An electric street car line on Eighth street was proposed at this date. Work on the new sewer rapidly progressed late in ISSS. There were ninety-nine indictments against saloon keepers late this year.
Among the improvements of 1888 were the following: Catholic church at Sherrill's Mount, Diamond Jo yards, Iowa Iron Works, Linehan Ferry Company, Morrison Bros., Novelty Works, Sacred Heart church, private investments by Byrne, Bradley, Booth and Cooper, city street improvements, Waller's building, the railways, filling in front, etc.
The Key City Electric Street Railway Company, with a capital of $100,000, began business late in 1888 by securing the right of way; it planned to follow the old hill motor route. The city demanded its share of the bridge fund from the county in January. 1889. The new Julien House was built by stock subscriptions in 1889: the old house was torn down early in the year. A railway wreck near the fair grounds in July killed one and injured several. Work on a new Grand Opera house was commenced early in 1889. A street railway line down Seventh or Eighth to connect with the high bridge was planned in 1889. The grand lodge of the Legion of Honor met here in March. The total city debt March 1, 1889, was $834.777.64. Over thirty societies took part in the Washington centennial celebration this year ; over 3,000 outsiders were present. One of the largest processions ever on the streets paraded in grand style. Colonel Lyon was the principal speaker at Schuetzen park. Fred O'Donnell addressed the Irish-American club. Services in all the churches were held.
By ordinance approved in August. 1882, the Western Telephone Company was granted permission to erect upon the public streets and alleys posts or poles, string wires thereon and operate and use a telephone exchange. Complete regulations were set forth. An ordinance of September, 1886, gave the North American Telegraph Company the right to erect poles, string wires and maintain a tele- graph system in certain specified streets. The act of July, 1887. permitted the Eleventh Street Elevator Company to construct and maintain a street railway on Eleventh street from Bluff street to Highland place. The act of January, 1900, permitted that company to operate its railroad by electricity. The ordinance of April, 1899. granted the Standard Telephone Company the right to erect and maintain its telephone system in Dubuque. This ordinance was long and covered all features of practical operation. In July. 1893,
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
the Fenelon Place Elevator Company was granted the right to oper- ate a public elevator at Fourth and Fenelon streets.
The ordinance of March, 1889, granted permission and authority to David H. Ogden and his successors to construct, maintain and operate a single track electric street railway with all the necessary accessories on certain designated streets, prescribed the mode of operation and fixed the term at twenty years.
An ordinance of November, 1889, gave William L. Allen and Thomas O. Swiney the right to maintain and operate an electric street railway upon certain streets and public places of the city. They were also authorized in December to erect an electric light and power station under certain provisions. In September, 1897, the Star Electric Company, successor to the United States Electric Light and Power Company, was granted extensions and continua- tions of duties and powers.
A furious storm July 2, 1889, did about $15,000 damage in the city. In August the Dubuque Street Railway Company was granted the right to use electricity, steam power, etc., and to go outside the city limits ; its capital was increased to $250,000. Efforts to secure the Industrial Home for the Blind were made in 1889. War between two electric light companies and two electric street railway systems was waged here in 1889-90.
At the close of 1889 there were in the city 205 manufactures ; hands in the same, 6,992 ; jobbing houses, 96; hands in the same, 1,967 ; traveling men from Dubuque, 313 : horsepower in the fac- tories, 10,890. Important improvements were Cooper's new resi- dence, butchers' association, driving park, Packing & Provision Company, linseed oil works, Diamond Jo line, the railways' immense improvements, Electric Company, opera house, Standard Lumber Company, Wartburg Seminary, Julien House, Hansen & Linehan, Lesure's mill, etc. The year witnessed great advances.
It was duly noted in 1890 that in 1896 $201,926.63 of the old debt would become due ; also $356.956.55 in 1897, $107,161.43 in 1899, and $26,500 in 1904, and that now ( 1890) there was only $42,000 in the city treasury. On March 1, 1890, the bonded debt was $728,279.47 and the floating debt $104,519.19. The city receipts in 1889-90 were $329,350.87, and the expenses $331,783.13. The revenue from saloons was $18, 158.50.
"On the 14th of last month the council adopted an ordinance giving the Rhomberg line the additional privileges for which it asked and carefully guarded public rights, imposing upon the com- pany the usual and ordinary restrictions and which were imposed upon the Dubuque Electric Railway, Light and Power Company. familiarly known as the Allen & Sweeney line, and these privileges the Dubuque Street Railway Company refused to accept because of the restrictions referred to. We must not ignore public rights to accommodate an individual and we cannot afford to retard the
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IN AND AROUND DUBUQUE
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
growth of a city to swell the coffers of private corporations. There exists no reason, so far as I am able to comprehend, why we should give advantage to one railway company over a competing line." --- (Mayor Stewart, April 10, 1890.)
The new Julien House was opened in July, 1890. In August the new opera house on Eighth street was opened. Comment was caused in 1890 by the resignation of several officials of the German Savings Bank. Keno F., a Dubuque horse, won the first purse of $5.000 at the races in Rochester, N. Y., in August ; his time was 2:19 in the trotting race; the horse won other big prizes. In October fifty arc lights were turned on the streets. The Iowa Trust and Savings Bank began business in 1890. A meat inspector began to condemn carcasses in 1890. Among the improvements in 1890 were those by the electric companies, Julien House, St. Joseph's convent, streets of Dubuque, new court house commenced, opera house, German orphan asylum, Turner hall, driving park, Academy of the Visitation, the railways, bucket factory, Finley hospital, gas company, board of trade building, Hodge brass foun- dry, Powers' store, oil mill elevator and several fine residences. The Citizens' State Bank was established in 1890; by July, 1892, its deposits were $306,828.88.
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