USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 10
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
May 1 occurred the funeral of Hon. J. P. Casady. The judge came to Council Bluffs in 1854. Was at one time county judge, was universally re- spected.
On the same day Mrs. W. H. Robertson was buried. She was Scotch by birth, was an excellent woman, was mother to Mrs. John Beno.
On June 5 Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Kohl, of Omaha, were instantly killed on the motor bridge by the car making a sudden start that pitched them against the iron failing.
July 27 Alderman Geo. Brown died, and immediately the city building was draped.
At the spring eleetion of 1893 for city officers the following persons were elected : Mayor, N. D. Lawrence; treasurer. L. Kinnehan; auditor, Geo. M. Gould; engineer, E. E. Cook; marshal, John L. Templeton ; judge of superior eourt, J. E. F. McGee : solicitor, A. S. Hazelton; assessor. W. D. Hardin ; weighmaster, A. B. Paris; clerk, L. Zurmuehlen ; chief of fire department, Chas. Nicholson; chief of police, J. M. Seanlan : street commissioner, A. E. Avery; aldermen-at-large, Victor Jennings and S. S. Keller; alderman first
88
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
ward, Fred Geise; second ward, C. 1. Tibbitts; third ward, F. O. Gleason; fourth ward, U. II. White; fifth ward, Peter Smith; sixth ward, C. R. Nichol- son.
On July 1 James Burdutha, an old and respected citizen died.
The Fourth of July was celebrated by the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation at the Driving park, where all kinds of athletic sports were engaged in. Ernest E. Hart, I. M. Treynor and J. C. De Haven were the judges. It was also celebrated at Manawa, Fairmount park and Courtland beach. Only one accident was reported, that being at Courtland beach, where there was a col- - lision of motor cars in which conductor John Patton sustained serious injury and all the passengers severely shaken up.
On July 8 Frank Saunders was caught in the Rock Island yard by a switch engine and both legs cut off, from the effects of which he died.
On July 3 Christian Bock, in Keg Creek township, suicided by shoot- ing; no cause was assigned.
On September 7 the body of F. E. Burdick was found at Courtland beach, supposed to have been robbed and thrown into the lake, as no money was found in his clothes.
September 8 Win. Mowhor, who was on trial at Avoca for the murder of his wife, was acquitted. John P. Organ assisted by W. E. Mitchell were for the state, and L. T. Genung and Attorney Keenan were for the defense.
September 12 J. W. Hemingway, of Clarinda, was held up and robbed of $50 on Main street, near Brown's drug store. It being dark he could give no description of the robbers.
September S the Old Settlers of Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont coun- ties had a rousing celebration in which oratory and good feeling abounded.
September 14 the longest draw span in the world was placed in position on the great Terminal bridge, which was opened for trafic on the 29th.
September 21 the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley convened and was largely attended and closed with a banquet at the Woman's Exchange on Pearl street.
October 31 A. B. Enderton suicided in Fairmount park by shooting. He left a statement providing for his family by commending them to the care of God.
November 11 Alex Olson suicided at saloon, No. 307 West Broadway by shooting. No cause was assigned.
November 26 Peter Johnson was found dead from suffocation in a trench, where he had been endeavoring to find and repair a leak in a gas main.
There had been a long contest between Mr. Hazen and Mr. Scanlon. The returning board declared Mr. Hazen elected by quite a large majority. but after a recount Mr. Hazen's majority was reduced to nine votes, while the costs amounted to $268.
After a lively contest between S. B. Wadsworth and Arthur Reikman neither one received the appointment.
Constable J. C. Buker was beaten by thugs he was trying to arrest and although $50 reward was offered for their arrest it failed to bring them in.
-
89
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
On January 25 Leon Lozier was arrested for criminal assault on a young girl. Leon was a foot-racer of unsavory reputation. It caused great excitement and an immense crowd assembled at the jail for the purpose of lynching him, but lacking a leader and the sheriff being prepared to resist the mob the necktie party failed.
January 31 Mrs. William Seidentopf suicided. Poor health and des- pondency in consequence of the death of her husband was the cause. She effected it by taking poison at night. She was highly respected and its occurrence gave a shock to the community.
February 18 Christian Schroder fatally shot himself while hunting. He was but fifteen years of age. When brought home the doctors pronounced his case hopeless and in a few hours he died after intense suffering.
At the regular city election the following persons were elected to fill the several offices, were declared elected: Mayor, J. Il. Cleaver, republican ; alderman-at-large, F. W. Spetman, democrat ; judge of superior court, J. E. F. McGee, democrat ; solicitor, A. S. Hazelton, republican ; treasurer, L. Kinnehan, labor; auditor, George M. Gould, democrat; assessor, William D. Hardin ; engineer, S. L. Etnyer, democrat ; marshal, Ed Canning, republi- can; park commissioner, William Arnd, republican; weighmaster, Thomas Johnson, republican.
At the school election S. B. Snyder and E. R. Fonda were elected mem- bers of the board of education.
March 21 Samuel Theodore, manager of the Standard Oil Company for this place, suicided. Was defaulter to between $4.000 and $5,000. Had been drawing salary of $2.500.
In March, Judge Woolson opened term of United States district court.
April 11 at a meeting of the Pottawattamie County Bar Association a resolution was passed recommending Judge Deemer for appointment to the supreme bench.
Sunday, 12, Kelley's army entered the city. Some apprehension of trouble existed and the Light Guards were held in readiness, but all went along smoothly. Citizens turned out and gave them a lunch, and they went away and camped at the Chautauqua grounds.
April 18 John Frese, J. B. Allen, S. P. Vannetta and G. II. Gable were fined by Judge Woolson for being engaged in bond maturing companies, holding that they were lotteries.
On April 26 great excitement was caused by the coming of an im- mense crowd of men coming from Omaha and South Omaha, demanding justice in the name of God and humanity. What their real grievance was, if any, has been forgotten, but was probably only a manifestation of the unrest peculiar to hard times by the unemployed. No serious trouble oc- curred.
May 13 James Kelley, of Silver Creek, was killed and his wife seri- ously injured by a collision with train at the crossing of track and Eleventh street.
May 30 Decoration Day was observed by the largest attendance since the custom was established. E. L. Shugart presided at Fairview cemetery.
90
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
where an immense concourse assembled, and suitable exercises were con- ducted.
Almost as many assembled at the cemeteries on Walnut Hills, notwith- standing the distance, and fitting exercises were held here also. No accident occurred to mar the occasion.
Peter Stocksberry, a brakeman on the C., B. & Q. Railroad was shot and thrown from the cars a short distance below the city.
June 6 Mrs. George Smith, living near Underwood, was assaulted by a tramp finding her alone at her house. The citizens turned out with the " intention of having a necktie party if successful in finding him.
Mrs. Emma S. Bennett was burned to death by gasoline explosion at her home. She was a member of Trinity Methodist church and of Women's Relief Corps and lowa Legion of Honor.
June 28 Judge Lewis sentenced Adolph Rockweitz to penitentiary for three years for burglary at Ben Mark's house at Manawa.
July 5 C. F. Connolly. a farmer hermit, was found dead at his home in Boomer township. The coroner pronounced it heart failure.
A citizen of Silver Creek, while driving home from town with his little boy, was struck by lightning, killing him and the team. The little fellow got home erving and saying papa is dead. Neighbors found the body and brought it home.
A woman named Sarah Ikes, who had been at St. Bernard's Hospital for some time nnder an assumed name, committed suicide by hanging. She left a note stating her real name and gave the address of her father in Seward county. Nebraska. Despondeney was the canse she assigned.
July 18 at republican convention ninth congressional district Hager was nominated for a second term.
August 2 a terrible fire destroyed A. Melcher's barn on Broadway be- tween Ninth and Tenth. Fourteen horses perished and their cries were most pitiful. Everything was burned but a few buggies.
W. C. Wakley, son of Judge Wakley, of Omaha, was at Manawa accom- panied by a lady. They crossed over to the beach and while there he con- cluded to take a bath. Before going into the water he handed his watch to the lady and also a half dollar, which he told her would pay her fare to Omaha, then went into the water and shot himself dead. He left no clue to the canse.
Angust 9 Frank Roper was killed trying to board a moving train. His foot slipped and he was horribly mangled.
August 16 the entire community was shocked by the awful death of three of our citizens near Lincoln, Nebraska, by the burning of cars in a smash-up on the Rock Island road. Henry Stannard, conductor, Ike De- Puis, engineer, and Doctor Pinney. all of this city, were among the killed. Doctor Pinney's body was so burned that only some papers on his under side enabled friends to recognize his remains.
At the election held November 6, 1894, the following persons were elected: Clerk. F. L. Reed: auditor, J. M. Mathews : recorder. W. M. Shep- herd; attorney. C. G. Saunders: supervisors. B. G. AAuld and Perry Kearney.
91
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
January 6, 1895, Thomas Jeffries, an old pioneer, died. Ile was a char- acter. He came from Delaware. He and his brother started a steam mill on their land near the Missouri river. In process of time the brother, Ed- mund, settled on land just east of the city, but Thomas retained that near the Missouri. During one of its freaks the Missouri cut a new channel, leaving it on the west side, but the state line between Iowa and Nebraska had been fixed by act of congress at the channel of the river as it then was. Omaha real estate men were quick to jump on to this new land, and imme- diately laid it off and platted it as an addition to Omaha. Jeffries followed his land, squatted on it, and as fast as they would evict him, return, and commenced proceedings in the United States court and at last won out, and that piece of land with the resort of Portland Beach forms a precinct of the sixth ward of Council Bluffs, although on the west side of the river and almost surrounded by Nebraska. In later years he settled and built an ele- gant home in the Bluffs. Discovered an ahnost infallible cure for diphtheria, added M. D. to his name. He was also a great spiritualist, a most agreeable man socially and liked by everybody.
On the 18th of January Mrs. A. B. MeCune was attacked at her home on First avenue by burglars, who knocked her senseless, secured some jew- elry and nineteen dollars in money and jumped out the back window and escaped in the darkness.
On the 25th Bobby Burns' birthday was celebrated in good style with a banquet and ball, with toasts, Scotch ballads and dancing in costume.
January 30 Conductor Creel was held up on the motor line between Thirty-sixth street and the bridge. The robber got but $3 however.
February 25 Deputy Sheriff's Nick O'Brien and Hooker located two burg- lars, who had robbed the Griswold bank. at a room in the Keil Hotel and arrested them without any trouble, they submitting gracefully, and each one with his man started over to the courthouse.
When at the steps at south front O'Brien's man shot him and then both ran. The officers returning shots and hitting one. O'Brien was so badly hurt that his recovery was doubtful. The alarm was given and the robbers were run down, tried, convicted and landed in Fort Madison. O'Brien re- covered and is all right to-day.
At the city election March 4. 1895, the following officers were elected : Mayor, J. H. Cleaver; treasurer, J. A. Gorham; auditor, G. M. Gould; engineer, S. L. Etnyer; marshal, Ed Canning; judge of superior court, J. E. F. McGee; solicitor, A. S. Hazelton ; assessor, W. D. Hardin; weighmaster, Thos. Johnson: clerk, N. C. Phillips; chief of fire department, John L. Templeton ; chief of police, J. M. Scanlan ; street commissioner, W. J. Sneethen.
Aldermen-at-large, F. W. Spetman, J. P. Greenshields; alderman first ward, Henry Rishton; second, B. Grahl; third, W. R. Brown; fourth, J. M. Barstow; fifth, T. A. Brewick; sixth, L. M. Shubert.
On March 19 Peter Fulfs. a farmer on the Macedonia road, suieided by hanging. Despondeney from drinking was the cause.
92
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
March 22 the residence of Lucius Wells on Oakland avenue was burg- larized and a gold watch and a pair of diamond car-rings stolen.
March 24 Seifert Reif, of Reel, secured $1.500 by forging and negotiat- ing notes, and was traced to Columbus, S. C .. arrested and brought back for trial.
May 24 great excitement was created by the finding of seven human bodies in a gully just north of the city, but on investigation they proved to be what was left of "subjects" from the medical college that a good-for-nothing janitor had dumped there.
May 24 the body of Mrs. Ida Remmington was found in the river with the bodies of her two children lashed to hers. They were taken to Estep's undertaking rooms, and friends came and took them to Omaha, that being her home. She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church and Women's Relief Corps. She had been promised a position and was disappointed. In debt, and became despondent was what her friends supposed led to the triple tragedy.
Geo. J. Stephans, in a drunken frenzy, was threatening to kill his wife, when his son. a lad, shot him in defending her. He was taken to the hospi- tal, where he died from the effects. Such boys should be encouraged.
June 14 Miss Maud Vearier, at the W. C. 1. Hospital, suicided by tak- ing morphine. She had evidently contemplated it for some time and made every preparation for it.
The graduation exercises of the high school class, numbering forty-five, were conducted at the Opera house, which was packed to its utmost capacity. The decorations were elaborate and the program very interesting.
At the state and county election held November 8. 1895, the following officers were elected: State senator, N. M. Pusey; representatives, L. F. Potter and G. M. Peterson: county treasurer. Win. Arnd; sheriff. John S. Morgan; surveyor. E. E. Cook: coroner, H. B. Jennings; supervisors, W. F. Baker and Jacob Hansen; county superintendent. W. S. Paulson.
At the city election in March. 1903, the following officers were elected: Mayor, Geo. Carson; treasurer, J. 1. Gorham; auditor. H. Stephenson ; engineer, Thos. Tostevin ; judge of superior court, J. E. F. McGee; solicitor, A. S. Hazelton ; assessor, W. D. Hardin ; clerk. N. C. Phillips; weighmaster, Wm. Higgison; chief of fire department, John L. Templeton; marshal. Ed Canning; street commissioner, W. G. Morris. Aldermen-at-large, J. P. Greenshields and O. W. Graham; alderman first ward, L. A. Casper, second, J. H. Pace; third, W. R. Brown; fourth, J. M. Barstow; fifth, John Brough; sixth. L. M. Shubert.
April 2 news was received of the death of Henry Metcalf in California. He was a prominent citizen here for years, a native of Chardon, Ohio, volun- teered in the Seventh Ohio, was in twenty battles, among which were Antic- tam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. was at Atlanta and marched with Sherman to the sea.
On April 9 a young woman named Amanda Bidler suicided by shoot- ing at the home of her sister, Mrs. Elsic Harris, at 143 Vine street. No cause assigned.
93
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
The Southwestern Teachers' Association met at Council Bluffs. The attendance was very large. Rev. Dr. Asken delivered the address of welcome and Dr. W. M. Brooks of Tabor responded. The meeting was a great success.
May 31 W. H. Deal. of Hazel Dell, became insane and was sent to the asylum at Clarinda. He was sixty-two years of age. His wife died some months previous and he had been despondent ever since.
June 20 a very destructive fire occurred at Walnut, involving a loss of $15,000 to $18,000, mostly insured.
At the congressional convention after a lively contest Mr. Hager received the nomination.
April 26 the seventy-eighth anniversary of founding the order of I. O. O. F. in America was celebrated. The occasion was the dedication of the new hall. Committees met the visiting delegates at the different trains and escorted them in. Mayor Carson delivered the address of welcome, to which Deputy Grand Master J. C. Koonz responded. One of the features was a parade, in which five hundred marched, after which the new hall was formally dedicated with appropriate ceremonies.
May 23 Wm. Burbridge, of Boomer, suicided by hanging. There was no known eanse. He had told his wife and parents of his intention to do it, but they paid little attention, not thinking him in earnest.
July 5 George Immerine was arrested for asault on thirteen-year-old daughter of S. W. Crabtree, and was committed to jail in default of $1,000 bail. There was strong talk of lynching, so strong that Sheriff Morgan re- quested Captain Pryor to hold his company in readiness in case of need, but the excitement subsided and the troops were not needed.
August 18 the Odd Fellows held a picnic at Manawa in which good music was discoursed and games of various kinds indulged in, and had a good time generally.
August 21 a wedding occurred at the Bluffs that had some peculiar features. The parties were H. E. Thomas and Mrs. J. D. Porter. The bride was the widow of Porter, who had suicided on account of jealousy of the groom, who was a nephew of Porter, and whatever their relations had been, now that Porter, who was much older, was out of the way. there was no obstacle in the way and they improved their opportunity.
August 28 was a great day at Oakland. There was a reunion of veterans and a crowd of ten thousand were in attendance. It commenced with a parade and after a day of enjoyment closed with a camp fire.
September 9 Rev. Theodore Lomack was arrested on a warrant issued by Justice Vein for defrauding Taylor Woolsey out of five cents, which the latter claimed was due on a meal.
The defendant had the nickel, but declined to pay. as he declared, on principle, contending he had fully paid. Justice Vein held him to bail in the sum of $25, which was furnished by N. M. Pusey signing the bond.
November 3 a stranger applied to Rev. Lemen at the Christian Home to see if he could get a child admitted. Rev. Lemen made inquiries as to
94
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
age, sex and health, would prefer seeing it. whereupon the man opened a grip he was holding and produced the child. Rev. Lemen received it.
At the state and county election held November, 1897. the following named officers were elected . Clerk. Freeman L. Reed : auditor, R. V. Innis; recorder, Elmer E. Smith ; coroner. V. L. Treynor : attorney, W. H. Killpack; treasurer, Wm. Arnd; sheriff, L. B. Cousins: supervisors. Jacob Hanson and J. W. Mathews.
December 31 while hauling earth from bluff a sudden cave killed J. B. Black and Frank B. Krones and severely injured C. P. Reed, who were shoveling.
January 6, 1898, the year just passed was reasonably prosperous, with no serious fire and considerable building was done. A large addition was made to the Neumayer Hotel at a cost of $8,000. four rooms added to Twentieth ave- nue school and four to the Bloomer, besides a number of good dwellings.
March 30 Col. D. B. Daily died. He was a lawyer of marked ability and :- a soldier had proved himself the bravest of the brave. having been shot through the body before surrendering.
At a meeting of the board of supervisors an appropriation of $2,000 was made for the purpose of building a wigwam for the Pottawattamies while at- tending the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha the coming summer.
One of the saddest accidents happened wherein a bright lad was killed and a family stricken with grief as Everett Patterson was shot by his younger brother while playing with a revolver.
April 25 Company L started to join its regiment preparatory to going to the Philippines. Throngs of friends assembled at their armory to wish then God-peed and safe return.
May 4 a tornado struck Macedonia about 5 p. m .. wrecked Odd Fellows Hall and many other buildings. Fortunately no lives were lost nor anyone seriously hurt.
At the city election for 1898-9 the following officers were elected: Mayor, Victor Jennings: clerk, N. C. Phillips: deputy clerk. J. R. Dictrich : special clerk, F. T. True: treasurer. W. B. Reed ; solicitor, S. B. Wadsworth : auditor, F. L. Evans; judge of superior court, E. E. Aylesworth : marsIal. F. A. Bixby; deputy marshals, Charles H. White and D. Denney ; street commissioner. A. E. Avery: city physician. T. B. Lacy: superintendent of markets, Wm. Hig- geson ; poll tax collector, John AAllwood; assessor. Wm. D. Hardin; chief of fire department, John W. Bates; capt. hose house No. 1, Miles Scofield: No. 2, C. 11. Matheson : No. 3. F. G. Hitchcock; No.4. Ch. W . s. G. Bradley: park commissioner -. Wm. Arnd. A. C. Harding and M. P. Schmidt.
April 1, 1899, Judge W. C. James, who had been a prominent figure for nearly half a century, passed away. He was county judge from 1855 to 1858, twice mayor of the city, a leading democrat. a lawyer. but rarely practic d.
April 5 news was received of the wounding of three of Council Bluffs boys in battle with the Filipinos, and later that one of them (Robt. Daily) had died, thus following his father who had recently passed away from a similar
95
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
cause, for he never fully recovered from the terrible wound he had received in the Civil war.
FIRST AUTOMOBILES.
During this summer Mr. Maurice Woolman brought the first automobile to the city. He had previously made one himself, but as it was not a success he claimed nothing for it. L. A. Casper was the next to follow and they have continued to arrive until at the present writing they keep two repair estab- lislnnents constantly at work, and if they continue to multiply the prophecy made twenty-five centuries ago will soon be fulfilled, viz .: "The chariots shall rage in the streets. They shall jostle one against another in the broad ways; they shall seem like torches; they shall run like the lightning ;. " (Nahum, 20 chapter, 4th verse.)
Another prominent man passed away. Capt. D. F. Eicher was captain of Co. E. 7th Towa cavalry ; a good citizen as well as soldier.
At the election held November 7, 1899. the following state and county officers were elected: Senator, A. S. Hazelton ; representatives, John HI. Jinks and G. M. Putnam ; county treasurer. Wm. Arnd; sheriff. L. B. Cousins: coro- ner, V. L. Treynor; county superintendent of schools, O. G. McManns; sur- veyor. Erne-t E. Cook; supervisor, II. C. Brandes.
January 1. 1900. the new year was ushered in with blowing of whistles, ringing of bells and firing of cannon.
January 5 Frank F. Everest was appointed supervisor of census for the ninth district of Iowa, to commence June I.
January JO Mrs. Win. Geddes, daughter of H. H. Field, and sister of Mrs. T. E. Cavin and Mrs. II. H. Glover of Grand Island. Neb., died in Washing- ton City.
D. C. Bloomer, one of the most prominent men of western Iowa, died February 28 at his home on Fourth street.
At the school election held in March B. F. Sergant, republican, and Dr. D. Macrac. Jr .. democrat, were elected directors and W. E. Hooerstock treasurer of the board of education.
Dr. Chas. C. Plunket died at his home at 703 East Pierce street and on April 12 Norman Green, an old citizen, died at his home at 540 East Pierce street.
At the city election for 1900-1901, the following officers were elected : Mayor, Victor Jennings: clerk, N. C. Phillips: deputy clerk, H. M. Brown; treasurer. F. T. True; solicitor. S. B. Wadsworth : auditor, F. L. Evans; en- gineer, S. L. Etnyer; electrician, James G. Bradley; judge superior court, E. E. Aylesworth : marshal, S. I. Albro; deputy marshals, Chas. H. White and D. Denney : street commissioner, A. E. Avery; city physician. H. B. Jenning -; superintendent of markets, Win. Higgeson ; poll tax collector, A. Fellentreter; assessor. F. F. Everest. chief of fire department. John Templeton : assistant chief. F. II. Hitchcock: captain hose house, No. 1. A. H. Telfer; No. 2, C. H. Matheson: No. 3. F. G. Hitchcock; No. 4. Charles Watts; park com- missioners, M. P. Schmidt, C. A. Tibbits and Frank Peterson.
96
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
March 15 a $7,000 fire occurred in Jacob Zoller's store, corner of First and Broadway. Covered by insurance.
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.