USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 60
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This community at Cedar Rapids remained subject to the mother house in Davenport until 1881, when the southern part of the state was cut off and made a new diocese. This new division of the Dubuque diocese necessitated the sub- jection of the Cedar Rapids community to the diocese of Dubuque and so the branch house became an independent community in November, 1881.
At this time the community at Cedar Rapids consisted of abont ten Sisters, and there were about twenty-five boarders at St. Joseph's Academy at the time.
Previous to the installation of Father Quinn as pastor of Immaculate Con- ception church the parish school was independent of the academy. After this they were united and the academic school became a free school for all those who were unable to pay for tuition.
QUAKER OATS TRAIN
SCENE ON CEDAR RIVER
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS
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CATHOLICISM IN LINN COUNTY
This arrangement continued till the spring of 1905, when the Sisters seeured the beautiful house and property known as Mound Farm, on which they now have a beautiful mother house and academy. Up to 1905 St. Joseph's was the mother house of the Cedar Rapids community. Now the mother house is at "the Mound. "
The new Sacred Heart Academy opened in September, 1905, with thirty boarders. It is situated on the same location as the mother house of the com- munity.
From the Cedar Rapids mother house of the Sisters of Merey the following braneh houses have been and are supplied : Decorah, Grand Junction, Anamosa, Manchester, De Witt, Charles City, Elma, Oelwein, Bernard, New Haven, Water- loo, Marion, St. Wenceslaus, St. Joseph's, Cedar Rapids, with Merey Hospital, and a new hospital at Kalispel, Montana.
In the community at present there are about one hundred and thirty members. In the novitiate or preparatory school for aspirants to the Sisterhood there are about forty young ladies laying the foundation for their future life work.
Any attempt at church history in a state or in a city would be incomplete without honorable mention of the Sisters. The history of the parish school is also the history of the Sisters, that glorious body of women who have given and who give their lives to the uplifting of the human race. That branch of the Sisterhood which devotes their lives to teaching is one of the most powerful allies the church has in keeping her members faithful. The teaching orders are not alone in the work of education. The Sisters have done a great work on the battle field and in hospitals in opening the eyes of the world to the great ends sought by the church.
MERCY HOSPITAL
There are many orders, each doing their own work in their own place. Wher- ever there is work to be done, or good deeds to be performed, there we find the Sisters with an eye single to their work and looking for their reward in the world to come. To come from general to partieulars, I would be untrue to my promise if 1 did not call particular attention to one institution in particular, namely, Mercy Hospital. There are few Catholies in Iowa who are not acquainted with Merey Hospital, Cedar Rapids, and the great work being done by the Sisters of Merey.
The absolute need for such an institution became so much a necessity in Cedar Rapids that on November 15, 1900, the Sisters for the first time began operations in an old residenee quite near their convent. For three years, under conditions entirely inadequate, they ministered to the needs of their constantly increasing patrons, till they were compelled by necessity and their rapidly inereasing work to build the present institution, which compares favorably with any similar insti- tution in the country and offers every facility to the medieal profession.
The corner stone of this beautiful building was laid on August 15, 1902, and the building was completed by December 1, 1903. It cost over $100,000. It is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy of Cedar Rapids community, who also have charge of Sacred Heart Academy on Mound Farm, and of St. Joseph's parochial school, with St. Wenceslaus' school and St. Berehman's Seminary, Marion, to- gether with several schools through Iowa, and of the Merey Hospital at Kalispel. Montana.
So great has been the success of this institution that there is need at present for an addition. There is a large training school for nurses in which at present there are twenty-five pupils. The management of the institution is accomplished by the Sisters, who at present number about fifteen, among whom there are seven qualified trained nurses.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Ability of more than ordinary character is required to manage successfully an institution like Mercy Hospital. And as the work increases the greater the strain on the management. This position of trust and responsibility has been capably filled for nearly ten years by Sister Mary Alphonsus. She it was who first assumed charge of the little hospital on Third avenue. She has seen that mustard seed grow into the present beautiful institution. Sister Alphonsus, always solicitous for the comfort of others, overtaxed her limited strength. Never physically strong, she has given herself most generously in constant care and vig- ilance to the duties of her responsible position. Forgetting herself to be of help to others, it is not surprising that her frail constitution should give way, when one considers the responsibility of her position. This fact, coupled with the recent death of her beloved mother, to whom she was much attached, almost completely undermined her physical condition, and aeting on the adivee of her medical adviser and that of her superior mother, N. Teresa. Sister Alphonsus retired from the hospital to recuperate her failing strength. During her years of office she made herself a general favorite with all with whom she had to do.
SACRED HEART ACADEMY
This high grade school fills a long felt want in Cedar Rapids and Linn county. There is no more suitable location for a young ladies' academy than Cedar Rap- ids, and for its site there is not perhaps in the west a place more suited than where the Sacred Heart Academy stands. Situated on the highest elevation, perhaps, in the county, it is by nature and the skill and taste admirably fitted to generate both sound minds and healthy bodies. Recently a new addition has been built to the former academy.
The church realizes that true progress is the law which God has given to ITis creation. Any progress is ereation continued. The gospel of Christ is the gospel of progress. The mind to be progressive must seek Him and find Him, and finding Him, be of value to the child and the state.
This the church understands better than she gets eredit for, and this is the reason why her parish school is her first eare after her own existenee has been established. Hence any attempt at her history which would not include her schools would be incomplete and dwarfed. In the school is sown the seed which is afterwards nursed and eared for by the church, in its life-giving sacramental system.
One of the chief parish schools in Linn county is Sacred Heart Academy, at Green Mound Farm. It is a school for young ladies in which are taught all subjects which qualify candidates for the varied positions to which they may wish to aspire, such as teaching. bookkeeping, stenography. etc., etc.
St. Berchman's Seminary at Marion is a boarding school for boys who have not attained the age of fourteen. In this school, which is in charge of the Sisters of Merey of Cedar Rapids, the most approved methods are employed in impart- ing thorough and comprehensive instruction in all the elementary branches of an English education, together with a marked attention to the moral culture of the boys, which makes them an honor to their parents and society. Careful attention is given to their physical needs and bodily comfort, and diligent care is extended in seeing that their time in the seminary is put to the best advantage. Musie and elocution are among the subjects tanght.
The seminary is located on First avenue and Fifteenth street. It is situated on a twenty acre area, beautifully wooded, and affording excellent facilities for ontdoor games which boys usually indulge in.
The seminary has its own sources of supply in all edible stuffs. It has a beautiful orchard and vegetable gardens, and its needs in the way of dairy pro- duce and poultry are supplied from its own farm. While within the city limits,
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it is far removed from noise and all disturbing elements which may in any way militate against the best results.
The apartments are spacious and are furnished with every modern improve- ment conducive to health and comfort. The building is heated by steam, well ventilated, and lighted by electricity. Hot and cold water are in use for the bath system. At the present time a large addition is being built to meet the needs of the increasing patronage.
CHAPTER XXXIX ' Linn County Statistics
POPULATION
In 1840 the greatest number of people to the square mile was in the extreme southeastern part of the territory. This was but natural, as nearly all the settlers had come by river from St. Louis, only a few coming by wagons up to this time. The settlers had in part come up along the Red Cedar river, and Linn county elaimed a population of 1,373, few of whom had lived more than two years in the county. Settlers also aseended the Iowa and Des Moines rivers. By 1850 land seekers had followed the Des Moines river and had already found homes as far west as Boone county.
It was a severe blow to the agricultural interests of Linn eounty and the new- born state when news of the gold fever reached the borders. Not only the newspapers stirred up the people, but hundreds of parties erossed the state in wagons, stopped along the way and talked incessantly about the great diggings in California. The young men were fired with enthusiasm. Work on the farm was hard and the returns small.'Thus Linn county lost many of its best and most enterprising young men. Some, it is true, returned again after a stay of a few years in the gold fields, but a large number never came back, but either died or remained on the coast. While Linn eounty lost many settlers it also gained others, who started west expecting to join mining parties, but who settled down as farmers instead. From 1849 to 1857 was a restless era of migration in what we eall the middle west. In faet it extended over the entire country. There were many eauses for this. An era of prosperity sprang up after the Mexican war, the gold discoveries and the opening up of mueh fertile land by the government. All this, no doubt, stirred people to find new homes or seek new adventures. The panie of '57 of course for a time put a stop to all speeulations, especially in west- ern lands.
The greatest influx of people into the state was from 1850 to 1856. when the population inereased from 192,214 to 517,875, an inerease of 169.4 per eent. The population of the state for 1910 is 2,225,771. Linn eounty felt the samo influx, for the population increased from 5,444 in 1850 to 14.702 in 1856.
There seems to have been an inerease of abont 8,000 by the eensus of 1860, showing that while the panie may have kept some at home who might have gone west, few new settlers sought the west to make new homes. The population of the eonnty and the towns will give the reader an idea of the gradual growth in the population.
Here are some figures showing our development :
In May, 1838, the population of the county was 205. This had increased to 2,643 in 1844. In 1847 we had 3,954 people, 4,762 in 1849. 5,444 in 1850, 6,870 in 1852, 10,802 in 1856, 18,947 in 1860, 18,693 in 1863, showing the effects of the Civil war, this confliet not only taking many of our substantial eitizens to serve in the armies, but for the time impeding emigration.
In 1865 the figures had increased to 20,754. in 1867 to 24,549, in 1870 to 31,080, in 1875 to 31,875, in 1880 to 37,237. in 1885 to 40,720, in 1890 to 45,303. in 1895 to 49,905, in 1900 to 55,392, and in 1905 to 57.362.
IF FE
11
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GYLIS
MERCY HOSPITAL, CEDAR RAPIDS
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LINN COUNTY STATISTICS
At the time this is being written the population for the county for 1910 has not been announced.
The eities and the towns of the county have grown with it.
Cedar Rapids in 1885 had 15,426 people; in 1890, 18,020; in 1895, 21,555; in 1900, 25,656 ; in 1905, 28,759; and in 1910, 32.870.
Marion in 1885 had a population of 2,673; in 1890, 3,094; in 1895, 3,766; in 1900, 4,102; in 1905, 4,112.
Mt. Vernon boasted of 859 people in 1885, 1,259 in 1890, 1,178 in 1895, 1,629 in 1900, and 1,664 in 1905.
Lisbon's population in 1885 was 703. No statistics are available for 1890, but in 1895 the town had 817 people, 956 in 1900, and 948 in 1905.
The population of Center Point in 1885 was 565; in 1890, 615; in 1895, 595; in 1900, 674; and in 1905, 823.
Springville in 1885 was credited with 561; in 1890, 518; in 1895, 562; in 1900, 509; and in 1905, 582.
In 1890 the population of Central City was given as 467; in 1895, 594; in 1900, 623; and in 1905, 607.
Walker in 1895 had 485 people, 505 in 1900, and 571 in 1905.
In this connection it is of interest to note that in 1836 the population of Wiseonsin Territory, of which Iowa was then a part, west of the Mississippi river was, Dubuque county 4,274, Des Moines eounty 6,257, or a total of 10,531.
A second eensus was taken in 1838, which showed that there were in sixteen counties organized from the original two counties a population of 22,859. Jones eonnty had 241 people at this time, Cedar 557, Johnson 237, and Linn 205.
In the first constitutional convention, which met at Iowa City October 7, 1844, and adjourned November 1, 1844, this county was represented by Thomas J. MeKean, Samuel W. Durham, L. M. Strong.
The constitution adopted by this convention was rejected by the people at an election held August 4, 1845, the vote being, for 7,235, against 7,656.
In the second constitutional convention, which met at Iowa City May 4, 1846, and adjourned May 19, the county was represented by Socrates II. Tryon.
At the election on August 3, 1846, this constitution was adopted by the people by a small majority. It was presented to eongress in December, 1846, and on the 28th of the same month an act was passed for the admission of Iowa into the Union.
The third constitutional convention sat in Iowa City from January 19 to Mareh 3, 1857, and adopted a constitution which was ratified by the people on August 3 following. In this eonvention Linn's representative was HIosea W. Gray.
In this eounty the vote on the constitution was 1,307 yes, 955 no. In the state the vote was, yes 40,000, no 38,681. The result shows the first sign of a change in the political sentiment in state and county. The republicans favored the constitution, and the democrats opposed it.
Following are the members of the General Assembly from Linn county from 1846 to date. In the Territorial Legislature, 1843-4, Robert Smythe was on representative in the House of Representatives, and William Abbe in the Senate.
J. S. Alexander, Marion, senator 26th, 26th extra session, 27th, 28th and 29th.
H. G. Angle, Cedar Rapids, senator 8th, 8th extra session, 9th, 9th extra session.
Ellsworth N. Bates, Cedar Rapids, representative 7th.
E. J. C. Bealer, Cedar Rapids, representative 29th, 30th, 31st.
A. Sidney Belt, Cedar Rapids, representative 11th.
.J. W. Bowman, Marion, representative 33d, 34th.
I. P. Bowdish, Wanbeek, representative 17th, 19th.
David Brant. Cedar Rapids, representative 26th, 26th extra session.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
W. R. Brown, Viola, representative 18th.
J. 1'. Carbee, Springville, representative 10th, 11th.
J. P. Conkey, representative 5th, 5th extra session.
Jennings Crawford, Wapsie, representative 8th, 8th extra session.
Joshua Doran, Mt. Vernon, representative 22d.
William G. Dows, Cedar Rapids, representative 27th, 28th.
Stephen L. Dows, Cedar Rapids, senator 16th, 17th.
Charles G. Gitchell, Walker, representative 23d, 24th.
Jolın T. Hamilton, Cedar Rapids, representative 2Ist. 22d, 23d.
John W. Henderson, Cedar Rapids, senator 18th, 19th. 20th, 21st.
Robert Holmes, Cedar Rapids, representative 5th, 5th extra session.
Moses C. Jordan, Central City, representative 16th.
Ezekiel B. Kephart, Western, senator 14th, 15th.
John E. Kurtz, Lisbon, representative 6th.
William B. Leach, Cedar Rapids, representative 12th. William D. Linzenberg, Wanbeek, representative 14th, 15th.
Dan Lothian, Marion, representative 6th.
John MeAllister, Cedar Rapids, representative 30th, 31st. 32d.
F. MeClelland, Cedar Rapids, representative 26th.
Arthur M. MeKeel, Fairfax, representative 15th.
Isaae Milburn, Cedar Rapids, representative 9th extra session.
Ernest R. Moore, Cedar Rapids, representative 32d, 33d. 34th.
IT. J. Neitert, Walker, representative 25th, 26th, 26th extra session, 27th.
Jonathan J. Nugent, Nugent, representative 20th.
Adam Perry, Western, representative 12th.
Isaac M. Preston, Marion, representative 3d, senator 4th, 5th, 5th extra session.
A. St. Clair Smith, Cedar Rapids, representative 25th.
J. H. Smith, Cedar Rapids, senator 22d, 23d.
Robert Smythe, Mt. Vernon, representative 1st, Ist extra session, senator 12th, 13th, representative 20th.
Oliver O. Stanchfield, Cedar Rapids, representative 13th.
Redman D. Stephens, Marion, representative 18th.
W. C. Stuckslager, Lisbon, representative 28th, 29th, senator 30th, 31st, 32d.
John M. Terry, Cedar Rapids, senator 24th, 25th.
W. G. Thompson, Marion, senator 6th, 7th, representative 21st.
William Ure, Fairfax, representative 16th, 17th.
E. D. Waln, Mt. Vernon, representative 7th.
Edgar A. Warner, Waubeek, representative 13th.
Charles Weare, Cedar Rapids, representative 10th.
Amos Witter, Mt. Vernon, representative 8th, 8th extra session.
Joseph B. Young, Marion, representative 9th, 9th extra session, senator 10th, 11th.
Linn county has never had a governor, lieutenant governor, a secretary of state, state anditor, state treasurer, or member of railroad commission.
John W. Atkins served as superintendent of public instrnetion from 1882- 1888. John T. Hamilton served as speaker of the house during the session of 1890. S. N. Parsons served as secretary of the senate in the 24th General As- sembly. George Greene, Jr., served as adjutant general from 1890-1894. L. S. Merchant was state binder during the years 1885-88. George A. Lincoln has been fish commissioner continuously since April 1, 1901. James HI. Trewin is serving as a member of the state board of education. J. T. Hamilton was a member of the state board of control from 1906-1909. Johnson Brigham, a former resident of Linn county, has been state librarian since 1898. On the supreme bench of this state sat George Greene, Norman W. Isbell, and J. HI. Rothrock. L. S. Mer-
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LINN COUNTY STATISTICS
chant was state oil inspeetor for a few months in 1893. He was succeeded by Luther A. Brewer, who served from 1893-1897.
In congress we have had the following representatives: Win. Smythe, and Win. G. Thompson, Marion ; J. T. Hamilton, and James W. Good, Cedar Rapids.
CHAPTER XL
The Bridges Across the Cedar at Cedar Rapids and Early Steamboat- ing on the Cedar River
One of the most enterprising men who devoted all his time to the upbuilding of Kingston, which later became part of Cedar Rapids, was David W. King, who ar- rived a short time after Robert Ellis. Mr. King and the settlers on the west side of the river early devised schemes by which to get in touch with the east side and the county seat. True, it was all right when the river was frozen over and in summer when the river was down so that it was safe to ford the stream, but there were times when it was impossible to ford the river on account of high water.
D. W. King obtained a license to operate a ferry across the river, which he continued to run up to the time of his death in 1854. This ferry was operated till about 1857 when the bridges were opened. Even for some time after the first bridge was put in operation did the ferry do much business, as the first bridge soon after it had been completed went out with the flood in the spring of '57, and the second bridge, finished that fall, also went ont by an ice gorge in January the next year. Then for a time the ferry was used from and to May's Island as the bridge from the east side to May's Island had been properly erected so as to stand the floods.
The establishment of a ferry at this point brought trade to Cedar Rapids and accomplished much in making Cedar Rapids a business center. to which place trav- elers and others came. It was not till many years later that free bridges could be offered to the citizens of the town. But in this respect the city was ahead of other cities of the state.
It was David W. King who early began a toll bridge, and it is said that "when the boulder in the river near the Watrous mill was visible the early pioneer could with safety drive across the river." If it was not they had to pay for crossing on the toll bridge. David King's ferry was the first step in the direction of progress in Cedar Rapids. By virtue of a law which went into effect December 22, 1848, Mr. King was authorized to establish and keep a ferry across Cedar river at a point in Linn county opposite Cedar Rapids for a term of ten years with exclusive privilege for the space of one mile on either side. Here King for a number of years did a thriving business, and Cedar Rapids received the benefits of the trade which extended west into Benton county.
THE FIRST BRIDGE
In an old paper, being part of the records of the house passed January 23. 1853, the following may be found: "An Act to create a Board of Commissioners with authority to ereet a free bridge across the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids in Linn County.
"SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of lowa that John M. May, Frederick A. Williams and Gabriel Carpenter be and are hereby appointed and constituted a Board of Commissioners to receive voluntary subscriptions in trust for the erection of a free bridge across the Cedar river at Cedar Rapids in Rapids Township, Lin County, with a draw of not less than
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BRIDGES ACROSS THE CEDAR AT CEDAR RAPIDS
forty feet in said bridge for the free passage of boats and other eraft navigating said river.
"SEC. 2. Provided, that the Board should furnish Bonds in the sum of $20,000.00 to be approved by the County Judge of Linn County.
"SEC. 4. Providing, that the construction of the bridge should be begun within ninety days from the time of the beginning to collect subseriptions and that the bridge should be completed within two years from the time that aetive work was begun.'
This bridge was begun in the fall of 1856 and completed during the winter of 1856 and 1857. It was located below May's Island at the foot of Daniels street, now Seventh avenue. This bridge was really gotten up to spring a real estate boom in property owned by Carpenter, Major May and others on the west side of the river. It is said Major May himself subscribed $1,000. However, the location of the bridge was ideal. It was needed and was something the people of the town took a great pride in ; in the early day toll bridges were the rule and not the exception. During the early spring of 1857 this bridge in a high flood was carried away and two sisters by the name of Black, living on the west side and who were crossing the bridge at the time, lost their lives.
During the following summer there was mmneh agitation for a bridge, espec- ially by the people having real estate and residing on the west side of the river and farmers who had located in the western part of the county as well as in south- east Benton county. During the summer a floating bridge was built across the river at what is known now as First avenue. This was also a short lived bridge, having been carried away by the ice gorge in the spring of 1858.
During the same summer materials were secured and some was saved from the old bridge and a temporary bridge was erected across May's Island, between May's Island and east Cedar Rapids, while on the west side a ferry boat was used. In February, 1855, the county court granted a license for twenty-five years to II. G. Angle for the ereetion and maintenance of a toll bridge at First avenne. It provided that no other toll bridge should be erected on the river for two years within two miles on either side of this contemplated toll bridge. In the deerce of the court it was also mentioned that in case a free bridge was constrneted within two miles a reasonable sum of money should be paid to the person or company owning the toll bridge. This toll privilege was transferred in the following year to George Greene. John Weare, William Greene, P. W. Earle, A. F. Steadman. II. E. Higley, N. B. Brown, Lowell and Lawson Daniels. E. HI. Dobbs, J. J. Child, and J. P. Rogers. This bridge, however, was not opened for traffic until the winter of 1859-60. The stockholders were made up of Cedar Rapids people, and at one time the stock was above par. The prices charged were as follows: 25 cents for a double team and wagon ; for driving cattle 5 cents a head ; for driving sheep 3 cents a head; and for pedestrians 1 cent each. Some time later reduction was made by the management for round trip ticket holders. Many squabbles were had over these tickets. It is said that an Irishman came to T. J. Dudley, Jr., wanting to start suit for preventing him returning, he having lost his round trip ticket, and offering him $10.00. Mr. Dudley quietly went down to the office of the company and told the man to cross. Hle was permitted to do so and willingly parted with his $10.00 to Dudley, the latter paying the customary price to the gatekeeper. This story of Dudley's wit, showing how a lawyer got the best of it, was repeated in many families in Cedar Rapids, and as a consequence a number of young men took up the study of law for a profession.
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