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 37
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
338
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
chairman stated that the object was to organize the Republican party in Dubuque county. He stated that the party opposed the Kansas-Nebraska act. The following citizens were appointed a committee on resolutions: C. G. Hawthorne, J. Bittman, L. A. Thomas, William Churchill, A. W. Hackley, C. Wullweber and F. DeBerard. The following committee was appointed to report names for delegates to the state and national conventions: W. M. McNall, H. A. Wiltse, Dr. Minges and Mordecai Mobley. While the committees were preparing their reports the meeting was ad- dressed by Dr. Hillgartner in the German language, a Mr. Jones from Maine, H. A. Wiltse. Dr. R. I. Thomas and others. Mr. Jones declared that the question of slavery was the most impor- tant of the times. Henry A. Wiltse made a very effective speech, enlivened with wit and softened with pathos. He declared that the government was mainly devoted to the support of slavery and that $50,000,000 was drawn from the treasury every year for the indirect aid of slavery schemes. The following were chosen for delegates to the state convention: G. Hillgartner, J. Bitman, C. C. Flint, W. Smith, D. U. Lee, C. Wullweber, T. H. Lambert, W. N. Hamilton, J. A. Chapline, L. A. Thomas, W. Vandever, T. J. Chew, G. L. Mathews, W. Rebman, Dr. W. John- son and C. G. Hawthorne, who was also a delegate to the national Republican convention. The resolutions were similar to those adopted by all Republican conventions of that date. The follow- ing were the Republican county central committee: C. C. Flint, A. W. Hackley, J. Bitman, William Churchill and F. E. Bissell, D. A. Mahony, who had left the Express and Herald a few months before, owing to differences as to its management and policy, be- came again connected with it in June, 1856; his ability was fully recognized by the Democracy, which had missed his logic and leadership and demanded his return. The Buchanan ratification in June, 1856, was one of the most enthusiastic ever held here. The Democrats were wide awake on national and local issues. The institution of slavery was thoroughly discussed in the newspapers in 1856 by D. A. Mahony and Rev. J. C. Holbrook ; both were logical, outspoken and severe, but courteous. D. N. Cooley be- came a Republican at this time. The Sunday law and the Maine law were denounced by the liquor interests of Dubuque at this date.
In 1856 the Democrats nominated for mayor David S. Wilson; the Republicans nominated Henry S. Littleton; Wilson received 1,242 votes and Littleton 532. The whole county and city Demo- cratic ticket were elected by about the same majority. Whitewater, Taylor and Jefferson townships went Republican. For sheriff. Hayden (D.) received 1,454, and Johnson (R.) 1,008; for the $40,000 loan 1,294, against the loan 558.
The presidential campaign of 1856 was spirited in the extreme.
339
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
"Free soil, free speech, free schools and Fremont" was the cry of the Republicans. Shiras, Davis, Gardner, Adams, Allison, Thomas, Harvey, Stapleton, Hawthorne, Mobley and others were among the Republican leaders. In August Snyder (D.) received 1,917 votes for Secretary of State, and Sells (R.), 1,146 in Du- buque county. There was war between the Express and Herald and the Chicago Times; the former supported the Buchanan wing of the Democracy and the latter the Douglas wing. National is- sues in 1856 were (1) Popular sovereignty; (2) territories to legislate for themselves; (3) repeal of the Missouri compromise ; (4) Kansas-Nebraska act ; (5) extension or non-extension of slav- ery. The Republican having called from the Express and Herald its opinion as to the repeal of the Missouri compromise, was an- swered by the latter thus: "We have said time and again that the repeal of that compromise was uncalled for, unnecessary and mischievous."
In October, 1856, the Tribune, edited by A. W. Hackley, op- posed with all the power of his argument the doctrine of "popu- lar sovereignty." The Express and Herald called him "the Sage of Bleeding Kansas," and combated his views with equal force and persistence. The Democratic victories in several of the eastern states was the occasion of great rejoicing and of an immense dem- onstration on October 21, 1856. The combined forces of Repub- licanism and Know-Nothingism, it was declared, had been signally defeated, with the outlook that Democracy would sweep Iowa as well. The meeting was called by the Democratic Club committee and the principal speakers were Colonel McHenry and Messrs. Griffith and Richards. The Iowa Democratic electors were J. C. Hall, James Grant, D. O. Finch and A. H. Palmer.
At the November election the Democratic electors received in Dubuque county 2,427 votes ; Republicans, 1.322 votes; Fillmore, 256 votes. All the townships were Democratic except Taylor, which tied with seventy-four votes for each of the Democratic and Republican electors, and Dodge, which gave twenty for the Republicans and seventeen for the Democrats. The following townships polled more votes for the Fillmore candidates than for the Republican candidates: Prairie Creek, Center and Iowa.
"The great heart of the Democracy throbs in exultation over the glorious victory they have achieved over the most dangerous po- litical organization this country has ever seen. Dangerous-for the purpose plainly seen through all their professions was to get possession of the national government at whatever cost or sac- rifice-dangerous, because they contended for no principle-for no measure-for nothing but the spoils and power of office." (E. and H., November 26, 1856.)
"The great question contended for by the Republicans has been answered: Popular sovereignty has been endorsed and approved
340
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
by the people of the great Republic." (E. and H., November 26, 1856.)
In December, 1856, a bill was introduced into the state Senate giving Negroes, Indians and Mulattoes the right to testify in cases where white men were parties. It passed by nineteen to thirteen. The Express and Herald of December 24 said: "If the Repub- lican members of the general assembly are not proving good their title to be called 'black' Republicans, then we are mistaken. The next proposition will be to allow Negroes, Indians and Mulattoes to acquire citizenship with all the rights of the whites and the next to court white daughters and have white wives."
At the presidential election in 1856 Dubuque county polled a total of 4,005 votes. It was the second county in the state, Lee having polled 4,588. Dubuque city polled 2,239 the most of any city in Iowa.
A notable event in 1857 was the attack of the Times on Judge Wilson. The latter was compared to Jeffries, the most infamous of judges. The attack was purely political and was made upon Chief Justice Taney as well. The Democratic county convention was held at Centralia, July 11, 1857. John Stanton served as chairman. There was a goodly attendance.
Resolutions were adopted, endorsing the action of the national administration regarding Kansas and Utah, denounced the pro- posed new state constitution as "not worthy the assent of the in- telligent citizens of a free and enlightened commonwealth, propos- ing as it does to establish an equality of position between the white and the black races, a condition which if once adopted can never be annulled, except through bloodshed and revolution; that we view with utter abhorrence this scheme so traitorous to our race and the sure harbinger of a demoralized amalgamation of the white and black races." (E. and H., July 15, 1857.)
At the August election, 1857, the Democrats carried the county by a larger majority than ever before. For county judge Stephen Hempstead (D.) received 2,008 votes, and A. S. Chew (R.), 545; the balance of the ticket ran about the same. On the question of a new state constitution the vote was-for constitution, 2,023; against constitution. 539. On the question of the new constitu- tion with the word "white" stricken out the vote was-yes, 72; 110, 2,090 ; at this time Dodge was the only Republican township in the county. In 1857 there were the Jones and the Wilson fac- tions of the local Democracy. One faction bolted and held a con- vention at Centralia, charging that the regular convention held at Dyersville "was controlled by individual preferment ; that the dele- gates from the city exercised a proscriptive spirit and that certain townships had not been suitably recognized in the convention."
In 1857 the vote for governor in this county was as follows : Ben M. Samuels (D.), 2,482; Ralph P. Lowe (R.), 999. For
341
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
state senator, David S. Wilson (D.), 2,471; D. C. Sawyer (R.), I.OOI. For representatives, D. A. Mahony, Lincoln Clark, Theo- dore Crawford and W. S. Johnson (all D.), 2,422 to 2,450; A. S. Chew, R. C. Waples, Fred Weigel and J. T. Stoneman (all R.), 996 to 1,015.
Late in 1857 the President's message and the great speech of Senator Douglas concerning affairs in Kansas, particularly the Lecompton constitution, were critically commented upon by the press here.
In January, 1858, the majority against a new city charter for Dubuque was 426 votes. At this time there was much dissatis- faction over the management of city affairs. A change was de- mandcd and the "People's" party was formed, many Democrats joining the movement. D. A. Mahony was nominated for mayor by the Democrats, but declined on the ground that there were too many foreigners on the ticket, and Thomas Rogers was substi- tuted. In April, 1858, the vote for mayor and other city officials was as follows: Thomas Rogers (D.), 1,053; H. S. Hethering- ton (P.), 1,558. Mathews, the Democratic candidate for treas- urer, and Koch, the Democratic candidate for auditor, were en- dorsed and voted for by the People's party. Kelly (D.) and Markle (P.), candidates for recorder, received 1,036 and 1,561, respectively. Griffith (D.) and Harvey (P.), candidates for city attorney, received 1,197 and 1,403, respectively. These figures will show about the People's majority on the remainder of the ticket. The People's party elected their candidates for aldermen in the second, fourth and fifth wards. A total of 2,611 votes were polled in the city of Dubuque.
To check this state of affairs the taxpayers, without distinction of party, banded together and originated the reformers' move- ment. "The people have decided that they want practical business men, who are honest and capable, without any reference to their political associations, to manage the city business. They have de- cided that when men of a certain class squander the taxpayers' money, neither they nor their kind shall be re-elected." (Mayor Harrington, April, 1858.)
"Who defeated the Democratic party in Dubuque? An inter- esting question touching this matter will be discussed-when we get ready." (E. and H., April 8, 1858.) "The election is over and although there is in the result much to displease and chagin Democrats, we will not add to the bitterness of feeling already existing by unfavorable comments. We trust that the measures of retrenchiment and reform called for so loudly by the popular voice will be carried out." (E. and H., April 7, 1858. )
"Aldermen Hugh Treanor, J. B. Lane and George McHenry. three of the most useful, industrious and capable members of the city council, have resigned their seats because a corrupt and un-
1
342
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
scrupulous majority are determined to utterly disregard the wishes and expectations of the people whom they represent." (E. and H., July 29, 1858.) In their resignation these men said: "We can 110 longer consent to act in a capacity which makes us to any de- gree responsible for the acts of a body which has proved to be in the power of one individual-a half-way reformer, who, when it may suit his private ends, is not restrained by the magnitude or injustice of any scheme of corruption or favoritism and does not even profess to be governed by the wishes of his constituents. We are fully determined that the charge 'bogus retrenchment' shall rest where it belongs." (E. and H., July 29, 1858.)
So great was the feeling against the city council that a mass meeting of indignation was held at the courthouse July 31, 1858. Speeches were made by C. C. Hewitt, J. Burt, J. B. Dorr, Dr. Thomas, J. J. E. Norman and several others. The committee on resolutions was composed of Burt, Hewitt and Bradley. Thomas and Norman sustained the course of the council, but the other speakers were bitter with facts and figures to prove the untruth- fulness of the majority. Among the reforms demanded were the following: Present city improvement work should be abandoned ; house of refuge should be closed ; its keeper should be discharged ; market master's duties should be assumed by the police; police force should be reduced ; a reorganization of the city government should be submitted to the people.
Mitton was the boss of the city council. John B. Richman un- der oath stated that on election day, 1858, Robert Mitton took him into a beer saloon on Eighth street and privately told him that "I do not want the office of alderman for the $52 a year ; that would not keep me in cigars and flour. It is the side cuts I am after." After this he became known as, and so long as he remained before the public was called. "Side Cut" or "Side Cut Mitton."
The Democratic citizens of Dubuque held a mass meeting here on August 23, 1858. to make arrangements to hear Stephen A. Douglas at Galena on the 25th. A committee was appointed to make full arrangements. A large delegation attended, accompa- nied by the Dubuque artillery, which while there fired twenty shots in thirty minutes, "causing the ancient hills to quake."
It was agreed early in October, 1858, that the Democratic and Republican clubs of Dubuque should hold joint debates on the issues of the day, and accordingly on October 9 the first was held at the Julien theater. Ben M. Samuels opened and was followed by Timothy Davis (R.), J. B. Dorr (D.), D. N. Cooley (R.), William Mills (D.), S. P. Adams (R.). Each spoke half an hour and a large crowd was present. Ex-Governor Hempstead (D.) and John W. Taylor (R.) presided.
Late in 1858 the newspapers were filled with accounts of the
343
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
contest in Illinois, where the Republicans were doing their utmost to elect Abraham Lincoln to the United States Senate to succeed Stephen A. Douglas, the author of the Nebraska bill. A delegation of Democrats from Dubuque attended the celebrations in Chicago of the re-election of Douglas to the United States Senate over Lincoln; the prominence and importance of the Douglas-Lincoln joint debate in 1858 was fully recognized here.
The Democratic city convention in March, 1859, passed among others the following resolutions: "Resolved, That this convention representing a large majority of the people of Dubuque, view with alarm and indignation the recklessness and extravagance and the total disregard of the interests of the taxpayers and citizens gen- erally of this city manifested by the present council.
"Resolved, That the majority of the council have acted in bad faith to their constituents and have violated their obligations as sworn officers of the city government.
"Resolved, That in assuming the debts of the Central Improve- ment Company to the amount of $120,000 and in entering into co- partnership with that company, the council have shown a total dis- regard of the interests of the city and have prostituted the trust reposed in their hands as guardians of the rights and interests of the people, to the selfish purposes of private speculation."
"Bottle Holder at a Cock Fight .- That upright dignitary known as Alderman Side Cut (Mitton) is said to have been bottle holder at the rooster fight on Julien avenue last Saturday. Well, he isn't so much to be blamed-a year among such men as compose the common council is sufficient to sink a man to almost any imaginable depth of degradation." (E. and H., March 23, 1859. )
At the mayoralty election in April, 1859, Hodgdon (D.) re- ceived 11, 151 and Hetherington (People's), 1,090 votes. The Democrats elected mayor, marshal, auditor, collector and treas- urer, city attorney, city judge, assessor and four aldermen. The "People" elected recorder, city clerk and two aldermen. "The contest for good government which commenced two years ago is now ended and henceforth the affairs of the city are in the hands of men who will take care of them. How arduous, thankless and at the same time how profitless personally this contest has been, let the constant and unlimited abuse which this paper has received testify. Motives, designs, character and name have been assailed, and yet the object in view has been estimated of too great a mo- ment to allow the paper to be turned aside one moment in the struggle." (E. and H., April 6, 1859.)
There was a split in the Democracy in August, 1859, led by O'Halloran and others, joined by Republicans. They issued the following statement to the public :
"Heretofore the balance of power has been in the hands of a city clique; on this occasion it is entrusted to those who are sup-
344
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
posed to be more free from undue influences. Hoping for your co-operation and through it at the next election that we will put down this system of barter and sale which exists on the part of those who have become the self-constituted heads and dictators of the Democratic party and leave to the entire party the right of selecting persons to such offices as may be in their gift and not to any clique or set of men. We have no object in view apart from the general good and intimately connected with that is the breaking up of a dangerous coalition of officials."
The Herald said the above statement was impudent and truth- less. Prominent in this movement were B. J. O'Halloran, A. Mc- Daniel, George O. Karrick, J. O'H. Cantillon, Dr. A. F. Hell- berg. S. M. Langworthy, J. J. E. Norman, William Y. Lovell and V. J. David. At this date Heath and David edited the Northwest; Samuel McNutt was connected with the Herald. Hempstead, Ma- hony, Crawford, Mason and others answered the above charge in a long circular. In the end the bolting Democrats united with the Republicans and nominated a strong ticket. A campaign of ex- treme personality and vilification followed. For governor, Dodge (D.) received 3,153 votes in Dubuque county and Kirkwood (R.), 1,751; for sheriff, Crawford (D.), 1,672; Cummins (R.), 1,821; for treasurer and recorder, Mahony (D.), 2,188; Stewart (Indp.), 2,695. The Democrats were slaughtered by themselves. Taylor. the only township to go Republican, gave Kirkwood a majority of thirty-seven ; Dodge township went Democratic by two majority.
"The election is over and so far as Dubuque county is con- cerned, combination money and misrepresentation have done their work. The extent of the damage to the Democratic ticket is not yet known, but there can be no doubt that the united strength of the bolters and Republicans has been able to defeat one of the pur- est and best men in the Democratic ranks. Dennis A. Mahony is known to the Democracy of the whole state and to the leading Republicans of the state as one of the most talented and at the same time honest and upright men in the West. During two ses- sions in the general assembly he established a high reputation and for twenty years has labored in the Democratic ranks, faithful to candidates and principles. He has ever been a consistent Demo- crat." (Herald, October 13, 1859.)
The Herald in November, 1859. announced Douglas as its choice for President in 1860. The "irrepressible conflict" was much dis- cussed in 1859; also the John Brown incident at Harper's Ferry and the Dred Scott case. Thomas S. Wilson was candidate for supreme judge in 1859. Rev. Mr. Collier, in his Thanksgiving sermon in 1859, denounced slavery as the greatest sin of the age and declared that fifty years hence John Brown would be re- gared as a martyr to liherty and Judge Taney a disgrace to the country. The Herald ridiculed these statements unsparingly.
345
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
At the Democratic county convention, held in Epworth in Feb- ruary, 1860, the delegates to the state convention were instructed to vote for no man as a delegate to the Charleston convention 11n- less he was friendly to the nomination of Douglas for the presi- dency. Ben M. Samuels, of Dubuque, was a delegate to the fa- mous Charleston convention ; he addressed that body in a lengthy speech and presented the minority report of the committee on platform. Again in 1860 the Republicans tried the expedient of naming a People's ticket for city officers; they nominated H. L. Stout for mayor. The Democrats nominated Mr. Randall, who declined, whereupon they nominated E. Spotswood. The Repub- licans won the mayor and marshal and the Democrats won the city attorney, recorder, treasurer and collector, auditor and as- sessor. For mayor, Stout (R.) received 1,173; Spotswood (D.), 1,014: majorities were small.
In Mav, 1860, the Herald sharply denounced the seceders from the Charleston convention. Upon his return the Democracy was called May 16 to hear Mr. Samuels's version of the rupture at Charleston. At this meeting Mr. Samuels did not disappoint the citizens, for he gave a graphic and eloquent account of the intrigue which disrupted the convention. He ended with a brilliant eulogy of Senator Douglas.
"The Chicago Republican convention has nominated old Abe Lincoln, of Illinois, as their candidate for the presidency. This is really the most amusing and farcical nomination that the great sectional party can possibly have presented. Abe Lincoln for President of the United States! Ye gods! a miracle must have been performed since Douglas demolished him at Boonsboro in 1858 or his face would convict him of petit larceny or any other mean thing to which Republican politicians stoop." (D. in Herald, May 19, 1860. )
Many of the Republican delegates to the Chicago national Re- publican convention paid this city a visit on their return and were given a public reception by the citizens, irrespective of party. The committee of reception were: Mayor Stout, F. V. Goodrich, John W. Taylor. D. S. Wilson, William B. Allison, P. H. Conger, H. A. Littleton, William Mills, D. A. Mahony, F. Gottschalk, A. Green- wald and George McHenry. The visitors were met at Dunleith by a subcommittee and were also met at the levee, Dubuque, by the officials and the four companies-Governor's Greys, Washington Guards, Jackson Guards and Turner Rifles. The entire levee was covered with vehicles, pedestrians and equestrians ; many ladies were pres- ent. Colonel Wiltse on the part of the city welcomed them to Dubuque. They were royally entertained while here. Several of the delegates brought with them a rail chair which attracted the notice of everybody. The Chicago Light Guard band accompa- nied the delegates here. They serenaded Mayor Stout and Will-
346
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
iam B. Allison. John A. Kasson, of Iowa, wrote most of the national Republican platform.
The press of Dubuque sharply resented the criticism passed on this city by the editor of the Chicago Tribune, who was among the visitors. He published in his paper a statement to the effect that Dubuque was prostrated by the crash of 1857: had grown rapidly before that date; had run up a large debt for improve- ments; had left the work uncompleted after the crisis; could not or did not now pay the interest on its debt, would in the end no doubt repudiate the debt; would never pay and should now take the formal action of repudiation, and ended by adding: "The in- fluence of these misfortunes is very strikingly manifest in every part of the city. Grass may be said literally to be growing in the streets and everything looks neglected and dilapidated." (Herald, May 25, 1860. )
Upon the receipt in Dubuque of the news that Douglas had been nominated for the presidency by the Baltimore convention, the Democracy gave one of the wildest exhibitions of gratification and enthusiasm ever witnessed in this city. "The greatest enthusiasm prevailed and the city was everywhere ablaze with bonfires and the fierce glare of rockets. On the corner of Fifth and Main streets an immense crowd gathered and were addressed by Colonel McHenry, Samuel McNutt, D. S. Wilson and others. The Herald and National Democrat offices and private buildings were magnificently illumi- nated. The roar of a hundred guns given by Captain Hayden added a powerful voice to the jubilation. Hurrah for the Little Giant, our next President." (Herald, June 24, 1860. )
Among the Democrats and doubtful Republicans of Dubuque who did not accept the nomination of Douglas and Johnson, but instead favored that of Breckenridge and Lane, were Judge Cor- kery, Samuel Duncan, J. J. E. Norman, Patrick Quigley, H. H. Heath, James Williams, James Lovell and John D. Jennings. They and others held a public meeting July 7 and stated why they could not and would not support Douglas. All shades of opinion were shown at this meeting, which was made up of Douglas Democrats, Breckenridge Democrats, ultra-Republicans and others with un- certain politics, opinions and principles.
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.