USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 8
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AT THE CITY ELECTION OF '79.
Addison Cochran was elected mayor; R. C. Hubbard, recorder; O. M. Brown, treasurer, B. F. Baldwin, marshal: engineer. L. P. Judson ; attorney, G. A. Holmes.
For some time the question of establishing a system of waterworks had been agitated, and it entered largely into the spring campaign, also the ereat- ing of Union avenue.
During this spring Council Bluffs experienced the greatest temperance revival in its history. A man named Dart, a reformed drunkard, came among us and, although not a very good speaker, he had the faculty of drawing and enlisting talent. It was called the Blue Ribbon movement, and meetings were held nightly for several weeks. Nearly all the clergy and a host of ladies, as well as many of our best publie speakers, assisted, and for a time it seemed as though all were to be captured.
During this summer several good buildings were erected, among which
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was Weise & Clausen's block on the corner of Broadway and Pierce; also one by William Pyper on the corner of Broadway and Second streets.
Since the early settlement of the city its topography has been materially changed by cutting down the hills and filling the low ground. The sharp bluff at the southeast of Fifth avenue and Third street originally reached down to Fourth street and Willow avenue, and where the houses of Mr. Van Brunt and Mr. Bennett are now standing it wa- as high or higher than the top of their houses at present. The high bluff away above the Pierce street- school formerly extended clear down to Broadway, with Fort Crogan located near the present site of Mr -. Clausen's residence. Much of this was used in filling Broadway, which was some four feet below the present grade, and was corduroyed for some distance.
The bluff on the west side of Oakland avenne was from ten to fifteen feet higher than now, and the road to Fairview cemetery ran along the crest, the ascent commencing in front of the Washington avenue schoolhouse. What is now Oakland avenue was a gully some ten or fifteen feet deeper than now, with a trail up through Hazel brush and was dignified by the name of Valley street.
All the valley of Indian creek above the Masonic Temple and the Wash- ington avenne school was originally called Miller's hollow. The valley pene- trated by Park and Glen avenues was called Hang hollow, that by Benton and Harrison. Duck hollow. Broadway above Oak became Mud hollow, and Franklin avenue above Platner street became Irish hollow, the first settlers having been of that nationality.
Two square- of this hollow have probably turned out a larger number of men that have become prominent than any locality of like extent in the city or county.
To begin, at the entrance we encounter George Carson, who has held at different time, the offices of justice of the peace, judge of the circuit court, member of the legislature. mayor of the city and judge of the district court. On the opposite corner was H. 11. Field, who was for six terms alderman of the first ward, then deputy sheriff, next provost mar-hal during the war, then sheriff, three terms member of the broad of education. two terms chief of police and two terms justice of the peace. Just above on Grace >treet Nick O'Brien was born, who grew to manhood, and as deputy sheriff while arresting a desperado was shot through and through, but recovered, and is an active busi- ness man at this day. Ascending the hollow, next above Judge Carson we come to 'Squire E. B. Gardner, who has filled the role of printer, merchant. police sergeant and justice of the peace. A little farther up we come to the Wickhams. The Wickham brothers commenced at the bottom, with the hod. a half century ago, and by industry and strict integrity have risen to become the largest contractors in mason work in all its branches in the city. James. the senior partner, although seventy, and the father of twenty-two children, was never sick a day in his life, and does not appear over fifty. While the girls are accomplished ladies, the boys are rustlers. Bernard and E. A., the eldest. in addition to the miles of street and sidewalk paving. are large railroad contractors. At this writing they have just completed a one-hundred-mile contract from
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Chamberlain to Rapid City, in which four hundred teams and six hundred men were employed, at a cost of $1.000,000. And wherever you sce great piles of earth, rock, brick, sand and lime, you can be pretty sure of finding a Wickham close by.
But keeping along a little farther up the hollow, we come to Judge Scott, of the superior court, and a little farther up we come to the home of C. Hafer, the lumber king.
Mud hollow was for many years the home of L. W. Babbitt, a man prominent in all the affairs of early days, having been at different times register in the United States land office, a leading merchant, publisher and editor of the Bugle, the first Democratic paper, and. although on the wrong side during our great war, we must not judge him harshly. He believed what he said and wrote and his integrity was never doubted. Judge S. Il. Riddle was another of the same stamp, both of whom have passed away.
At the regular city election of 1880 W. C. James was elected mayor; F. A. Burke, recorder; L. W. Babbitt, city marshal; attorney, E. E. Aylesworth; treasurer, O. M. Brown; engineer, L. P. Judson; assessor, J. W. Crossland. The following persons were elected aldermen: John A. Churchill, W. S. Mayne, G. H. Jackson, W. C. Unthank, Henry Dawson, A. C. Graham, N. C. Phillips and Jaeob Williams.
During this year the Bloomer schoolhouse was erected. being by far the largest of any except the high school building.
About this time the roller skate craze struck this city as well as the smaller ones of the county. The building now used by the Dodge Light Guards as their armory was built and used as a rink. For a time it seemed as though it would supersede dancing as an amusement. It was apparently a harmless and graceful exercise and became very popular; but for some unknown cause it stopped suddenly all over the country, bankrupting those that had gone into the manufacture of the skates and leaving hundreds of vacant rinks and a year later a roller skate could not be found anywhere.
At the regular election held October 11, 1881. H. O. Seiffert and J. C. Morgan were elected representatives ; auditor, T. A. Kirkland ; treasurer, John Bennett; sheriff. Theodore Guittar; surveyor, Sanmel Denton ; county super- intendent, J. K. Cooper ; coroner, Henry Faul ; supervisor, S. G. Underwood.
At the spring election, 1881, W. R. Vaughan was elected mayor; F. A. Burke, recorder; . 1. T. Elwell, treasurer; C. E. Stone, assessor; G. A. Holmes, attorney; L. P. Judson, engineer; M. D. Hardin, street commissioner; P. Lacy, chief engineer of fire department, and II. II. Field. chief of police.
John A. Churchill, S. S. Keller, F. W. Spetman, Nathan Phillips, E. R. Fonda, W. C. Unthank, T. E. Cavin and Henry Dawson were elected aldermen.
For two or three years the question of establishing city waterworks had been agitated. As early as 1879 this became the "paramount issue," and Colonel Cochran was elected mayor largely on account of his favoring the enterprise. It took practical shape when, on January 24, 1881, the council passed an ordinance granting to the American Construction Company, of
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New York, a pretty well guarded franchise extending for twenty-five years, and under which our water supply has been furnished up to the present time, viz., 1907.
FLOOD OF 1881.
The spring of 1881 was remarkable on account of a flood, the most remarkable ever experienced here. Unusually warm weather in Montana during the month of March caused the Missouri to open up at the head before the ice had gone out below. This gave us a double portion. Fortu- nately, we had warning from points above so that most persons then living on the low ground could prepare. Some by moving to higher ground, while the courthouse, halls, schoolhouses and even churches were thrown open for the refugees, and everything in the shape of a boat was put in requisi- tion to relieve such as were unable to move. After a few days the water began to subside and people began to return to their homes, when word came of still higher water above, which proved to be true. This time it came to Eighth street on Broadway and from the south it came up to Seventh avenue. It came even with the platforms at the Northwestern depot, and boats could run from there to Omaha. A part of Street's addition and Cen- tral sub, also a small section where the subsiding reservoir now is, were not covered. Fortunately the current outside the river proper was not swift and but few houses were moved from their foundations, and no loss of life was reported. By the first of June normal conditions were restored.
During the summer the state firemen's tournament was held here, com- meneing June 7 and ending on the 10th. The fire department of Council Bluffs, under the management of Thomas Bowman. B. Newman. P. Lacy, J. N. Beckley, G. A. Holmes, and others, made ample preparation for the event. A splendid track sixty feet wide by three hundred yards long was prepared on which speed trials were had and were enclosed. The entire city blossomed with flag -.
The meeting of the state association was held at Burhop's hall on the 7th, and on the 8th ocenrred the grand parade, in which forty-six fire organi- zations participated. The column was more than a mile long. with John H. Keattey as chief marshal. The afternoons of each day were given up to trials of speed by hose companies, trials of engines. At night the city was illuminated and Governor John HI. Gear addressed the firemen in the park. grand ball was given by the Council Bluffs firemen to their comrades from abroad.
Among the victors were the Reseues of the Bluffs and Bluff City, both taking first prizes.
At the election of state officers General Lyman Banks, of Muscatine, was elected president, and that city was selected as the place for meeting in 1882. The event closed without an accident or an unpleasant incident to mar its pleasures.
For some time there had been a disposition on the part of many to change the form of the city government by abandoning its special charter and coming in under the general incorporation law. A petition signed by
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the requisite number of voters was presented to the council, and they ap- pointed the third day of October on which the abandonment should be decided, and the proposition carried by a handsome majority.
The 26th of September was an eventful day in Council Bluffs, being set apart for suitable memorial services on the day of the funeral of President Garfield. At noon a salute was fired, but during one of the discharges Joseph Spaulding, an ex-soldier, who was serving the gun, had an arm shattered so that amputation at the shoulder became necessary. Fortunately he recor- ered, was appointed by Postmaster Armour in the mail service, where he served several years, and later held the office of constable, and at this writ- ing is an inmate of the soldiers' home at Leavenworth.
In the afternoon the Grand Army post and civic societies assembled in Bayless' park, where appropriate, services were held, among them being an eloquent enlogy by John N. Baldwin. Scarcely had the people left the park when the entire city was startled by a most terrific explosion and, on looking in the direction of the sound, a dense cloud was rising. The cause proved to be burning of a car loaded with giant powder standing in the Rock Island yard. How it caught has ever been a mystery, but fortunately it was seen by one who knew the contents of the car and gave the alarm. enabling all to flee and escape before the fire reached the powder. The explosion was so terrifie that whole trains of cars standing near were reduced to kindling, windows a half mile away were broken. and teamsters blown off from their wagons. Where the car stood was a pit as large as a circus ring and twelve feet deep, but not a vestige of the car, either wood or iron, was to be seen. A pair of trucks came crashing through a house a square away. in which was an invalid in bed, but fright from which she soon recovered, was the only injury received by anyone.
The spring election of '82 was a most spirited one. Mayor Vaughan was a candidate for re-election. N. D. Lawrence was the republican candi- date for mayor, and Thomas Bowman the democratic candidate. Politics did not appear to cut much figure in this election, the result turning on the personal preference of the voters. The result was the election of Thomas Bowman, mayor; auditor, F. A. Burke; treasurer. John Clausen ; marshal, E. W. Jackson; engineer, Thomas Tostevin; weighmaster, J. P. Williams; aldermen-at-large, William Seidentopf, long term. J. P. Goulden, short term; ward aldermen, F. C. Nuel, D. F. Eicher, Alex Wood, E. L. Shugart, one year; for two years. W. C. James and M. Keating : judge of superior court, E. E. Aylesworth : assessor, Hiram Shoemaker; street commissioner, A. E. Avery; city elerk, A. C. Savacool; chief engineer of the fire department, C. D. Walters.
During the summer of 1882 the Driving Park Association made especial efforts for its fall meeting, to begin on the 18th of September. In addition to the mile track made the year before, the association constructed a half-mile track inside of the other, and made the grounds attractive in every respect.
Arrangements were made for holding of a county fair at the date of the fall meeting, and this was conducted successfully owing to the admirable management of Dr. A. B. McCune, W. S. Pettibone, N. M. Pusey, L. C.
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Baldwin and J. W. Peregoy, directors of the association. The fair was a success, not only in numbers but in display, and financially, the daily attendance during four days of fair and races being over ten thousand.
VETERANS' REUNION.
Following the fair and beginning on the 28th of September, was the reunion of the Veteran Association of Southwestern Iowa and Northwestern Missouri. The Driving Park Association gave the use of the fair grounds to the reunion. Through the aid of Congressman Hepburn the war depart- ment loaned the association one hundred and fifty hospital tents. The first morning was clear and cool, and the first trains brought veterans by the hundred, and by night three thousand of them were comfortably quartered in camp.
Colonel John II. Keatley was commandant, aided by Colonel D. B. Dailey, chief of staff. General G. M. Dodge. former commander of Six- teenth Army Corps and first colonel of the Fourth Iowa, was on a visit home from New York to meet the old regiment and take part in the reunion. On the afternoon of the first day the veterans were organized into two battalions, the one called the Wabash battalion, under command of Colonel Ellis, of Villisca, and the other, the Northwestern battalion, commanded by Colonel J. C. Cook, of Carroll. Both battalions gave dress parades at five o'clock that evening, witnessed by thousands of spectators.
On the second morning at nine o'clock the column formed at the fair grounds and marched into the city for parade and review. Old tattered and torn battle flags were borne by the column as it marched up Broadway by platoons to First street, and counter-marching. General Dodge took position at the intersection of Fourth street while the column passed in review and retiring when the last veteran had passed. The scene was affecting, not only to the participants, but to the thousands of spectators that lined the street. The afternoon was occupied by speeches by Colonel Hepburn, Major Ander- son and others to their comrades, and at evening, when on dress parade, congratulatory dispatches were read from Generals Grant. Sherman, Sheri- dan and Howard. At night the city was illuminated in honor of the veterans and General Dodge threw his house and grounds open, giving a reception to the veterans and public generally.
The reunion closed on Saturday after election of officers for the ensuing year, with farewell greetings, and fixing the next place of meeting at Marys- ville, Mo.
At the election held November 7. 1882, S. D. Street was elected clerk; J. F. Broadbeck, county surveyor; S. B. Frum and R. Kirkwood, super- visors.
During the years 1881-2-3 a large amount of building was done. Among these was the Mueller Music Hall.
For this he had labored for a quarter of a century. It was complete in its appointments, the first story being the sale room for all supplies be- longing to the trade, with repair room and elevator in the rear. While the
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second story, reached by both elevator and stairway. was used as a store-room for pianos, and the third was a concert hall.
In 1882 the four-story building of the Empkie Shugart Hardware Com- pany was built, as was also the Shugart block and the Twentieth avenue schoolhouse.
During September, 1883. the people were startled by the report that Dr. A. B. MeCune had been killed by Dr. Cross.
The former was a very popular physician with an extensive practice. There had been ill feeling for some time between them, each accusing the other of unprofessional conduct.
Finally Cross was instrumental in getting MeCune indieted for criminal practice. Unfortunately both lived on the same street, Cross where the Elks' club house now stands and MoCune one square west. and meeting just at dark, the tragedy occurred. McCune died before his statement could be taken. The theory of the prosecution was that Cross was lying in wait for his victim near the front of his dwelling. while Cross declared that McCune overtook him and struck him from behind a terrible blow, remark- ing at the same time, "I've got you now." They evidently bad a struggle. as Cross had shot through his own left hand in the fray. On hearing the report, Chief Field started for the place and overtaking Sheriff Guittar both went to the house, where they found Cross already in custody of Policemen Brooks and Cusie. He was bathing his wounded hand. A great crowd had gathered around the house, but Cross was not in the least excited. After bathing his hand he directed his wife where to get the proper dres-ing and assisted in applying the bandage.
Chief Field then asked him if be understood that he was under arrest. He replied, "Yes. I will be ready in a minute." A friend who was in the house suggested that as there was a great crowd in front, that we go out the back way. He replied that he had done nothing of which he was ashamed and would go the front way. Kissing his wife and telling her not to worry, he said he was ready and walked down to the jail.
When the grand jury met he was indicted and heid without bail, took a change of venue to Mills county. was convicted and sentenced to death. but on appeal to the supreme court. the decision was reversed on error in instruc- tion and admission of evidence, and when cause was set for hearing. a change of venue was again taken to Montgomery county, where he was finally acquitted. It has been reported that Dr. Cross has recently died.
During this year another tragedy occurred of a darker color than the one related above. It appeared that a colored man named McGee. an em- ployee of the Pacific House, and George Washington, also colored. of the Ogden, were rivals for the affections of a very dark colored woman of about two hundred pounds weight. There was also rivalry between the two hotels, and at the time it was hinted that some of the other employees and even guests took sides in encouraging the rivalry. Be this as it may. Washington was of lighter color than McGee. and with the prestige of his name added. he seemed to be getting the best of McGee, who, becoming desperate. made a raid upon the Ogden.
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Washington, seeing him approaching. suspected danger, retreated, but was followed into the house and shot down. McGee was tried, convicted and sent up for ten years.
The Dohany theater was built during this year. On November 12 the city council granted the Edison Electric Light Company the right to install their system.
At the city election in -pring of 1884 W. R. Vaughan was elected mayor; treasurer, John Clausen : auditor. F. A. Burke; engineer. J. F. Broadbeck ; marshal, F. H. Guennella; judge of the superior court. E. E. Aylesworth ;. solicitor, G. A. Holmes; assessor, Iliram Shoemaker; weighmaster, William Galvin ; elerk, E. A. Troutman: chief of the fire department. C. D. Walters; chief of police, Thomas Skinner; - treet commissioner, A. E. Avery; alder- men-at-large, P. J. McMahon and William Seidentopf: ward aldermen. first ward, Conrad Geise; second. William Mynster: third. M. Keating: fourth. W. C. James.
The city having moved into new quarters on Bryant street, the old building which had done duty for many years, first as bank, then as county recorder and treasurer's offices. and finally as city building, together with the engine house and stable on the rear, fronting on Pierce street. were ordered sold and the ground on which they stood was used to widen Glenn avenue.
This spring the city also added a long step to its progress in paving Broadway with gravite blocks from First to Twelfth streets and Main from Broadway to Sixteenth avenue. Many new buildings were added this year. among which was the Cre-ton House by Max Mohn, being the first stome front in the city.
This year electric lights were introduced and the high towers adopted for street lighting.
This being presidential election year. the campaign opened early and proved to be the liveliest for many years. W. H. M. Pusey had been elected to congress two years before owing to disagreement among the republicans. and was up for a second term, and it was generally understood that he had a barrel to be kept on tap, while his opponent Major Lyman was backed by the soldiers. Blaine was the idol of the republicans, even as was Bryan after his eross of gold speech, and the democrats, remembering the jugglery, by which Tilden was counted out, were determined to retrieve that disaster. So that our local affairs were overshadowed by the national and congressional campaign. As election day approached the excitement increased and brass bands, torches and transparencies became the order of the night and stump speaking by day, with the result that Cleveland was barely elected. Pusey de- feated, and in our county affairs J. J. Shea was elected clerk. H. J. Chambers recorder, and Robt. F. Jones supervisor.
The city schools were flourishing under the superintendence of Prof. McNaughton and two new schoolhouses were added to the district, the Pierce Street, with six rooms, afterward enlarged to twelve, and the Third Street of four, and later enlarged to eight.
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Quite an amount of building was done this year, among which were the Marcus block, next to the opera house, the Straub block on Main, the Sanborn on Broadway and Bryant, two churches, and a number of first class dwellings.
At the regular spring election of 1886 John W. Chapman was elected mayor: treasurer, F. W. Spetman ; auditor, L. Kinnehan ; engineer, Thos. Tos- tevin; marshal, F. H. Guennella: judge superior court, E. E. Aylesworth : solicitor, G. A. Holmes; assessor, W. L. Patton; weighmaster, W. S. Amy; clerk, F. A. Burke; chief of fire department, J. L. Templeton ; chief of police, J. M. Mathews; street commissioner, E. S. Barnett ; aldermen at large, John Bennet and Josiah Danforth : first ward. L. Hammer; second ward, S. S. Kol- ler ; third ward. Chris Straub; fourth ward, E. L. Shugart.
On June 10 of this year the most exciting race was pulled off at a fire- man's tournament at Dubuque, wherein the Council Bluffs Hose Team No. 3, a like team from Pierre, South Dakota, and one from Waterloo, Iowa, were contestants. It appearing that most of the, men were professional foot racers, a protest was made to the board of control. This beng the case. they re- fused to act as judges, and turned it over to the citizens' committee of ar- rangements. These chose their judges and timekeepers, and the race was called. The Bluffs team made the run and coupling in forty-one and one- half seconds. The Pierre gained a second in run, but lost two in coupling. The Waterloo tied the Pierre team, leaving the Bluffs team winners of the greatest race of Iowa, and on which thousands of dollars changed hands.
Mayor Chapman died before he had served his first year, and J. F. Evans was made mayor pro tem. This was the first time that a mayor of the city had died while in office.
Mr. Evans served until the spring election of 1887. when Win. Grone- weg was elected mayor; treasurer. F. W. Spetman; auditor. L. Kinnehan ; engineer. Thos. Tostevin; marshal, F. H. Guennella: judge superior court, E. E. Aylesworth : solicitor, G. A. Holmes; assessor, W. L. Patton: weigh- master, W. S. Amy; clerk, F. A. Burke; chief of fire department, J. L. Tem- pleton; chief of police. Jerry Mullen; street commissioner. A. E. Avery; aldermen-at-large, Josiah Danforth and Lucius Wells: first ward. Louis Ham- mer; second ward, S. S. Keller; third ward, Patrick Lacy; fourth ward, Geo. Metcalf.
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