USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 9
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During this year an ordinance was passed granting the Manawa Street Railway Company a franchise for twenty-five years.
On July 2. 1887. an ordinanee was passed and approved granting an electric light and power company a franchise for twenty years.
Council Bluffs has become a great market for all kinds of agricultural machinery as well as wagons and carriages of every description. Among the first to engage largely in this business were Beresheim and Weis back in the early '60s. This was before the Union Pacific railroad was built, and freighting by wagon was the only means of transportation. The Schuttler wagon had achieved an enviable reputation for enduring the long, dry. hot trips without shrinking. For shrinkage to occur and wheels shed their tires a
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hundred miles from any repair shop was a serious proposition, and freight- ers were not slow to select the article that was proven to be the best, and for years their wagons had the preference. Beresheim and Weis secured the ex- clusive agency for that wagon for this point and extending to all points from Nebraska to Sioux, inclusive. and reaped a rich profit. On the coming of railroads others saw the advantage of this as a great, distributing point with the result many of the great manufacturers established houses here. Shugart and Lininger were among the earliest dealers and others fol- lowed rapidly, until the number of wholesale houses reached twelve. These are sales establishments, and not including manufactures, which are treated separately.
At the election November 3, 1885. John H. Keatley and R. S. Hart were elected representatives; auditor, John Clausen ; treasurer, John II. Plumer; sheriff, Perry Reel : school superintendent, J. W. W. Land; surveyor, J. F. Broadbeck : coroner, Dr. F. P. Billinger; supervisors, S. G. Underwood and James Boiler.
At the city election of 1887 the following officers were elected : Mayor, Wm. Groneweg; treasurer, F. W. Spetman ; auditor, L. Kinnehan ; engineer, Thos. Tostevin ; marshal, F. H. Guennella; judge of 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. John L. Temple- ton; chief of police. Jerry Mullen : street commissioner, A. E. Avery; alder- men-at-large. Lucius Wells and Josiah Danforth.
During this year I. M. Sigler, a prominent citizen of Boomer town- ship and an old pioneer, died while on business in Nebraska, and his remains were brought home for interment.
Among the prominent building- erected this year was the Eisman build- ing. the one now occupied by the Beno store.
A sad case of suicide occurred at the Transfer Hotel this summer. being that of a woman, apparently about forty years of age. She had a little son with her, and was on her way from San Francisco to Boston, where the little boy said they had relatives. The railroad men took up the case, paid for her funeral and got a home for the boy. The history of her troubles died with her, as the boy was too young to know. Everything indicated that she had been a lady of refinement.
THE COURTHOUSE AND JAIL.
As early as 1884 hints were cireulated that the old courthouse, although only sixteen years old, was unsafe. Be this as it may, the county had out- grown it, and the jail in the basement was not in sanitary condition, and at the regular meeting of the board of supervisors on February 4, 1885. a reso- Intion was passed submitting the proposition to borrow $150.000 for the pur- pose of building a courthouse and $30,000 for a jail, to be voted upon at a special election to be held March 10, 1885.
At that election 5232 votes were cast in favor. and 2933 against the prop-
ยท
I. O. O. F. CELEBRATION, APRIL 27, 1868. LOOKING UP BROADWAY.
MARY
PUBLIC
Y AND
TILD N F. UNDATIONS.
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osition. The bonds were issued and advertised, and taken by Messrs. Wood- bury and Moulton, of Portland, Maine, they being the highe-t bidders.
Plans and specifications by Eckle and Mann were approved, and bids ad- vertised for, and on August 12, 1885, the bids were opened, and that of Wiekham Brothers, for $136,800 being the lowest the contract was let to them, they giving $1.000 for the old building. The board leased the two lower stories of the Masonic Temple for county purposes during constrne- tion. the lower for offices and the main hall for court room with side rooms for juries and board room.
On excavating for foundation the architect decided that the ground was such that the concrete foundation provided for in contract wa- not sufficient, and piling under the entire structure was ordered. This was done by Stephen Robinson and involved an extra cost of $5,046.08. The decoration was by K. A. Norling.
The building speaks for itself, and for beauty, architecturally. convenience and durability, it is a success, and with proper care will serve the people for a century. Its construction lasted nearly three years, being accepted Febru- ary 15, 1888. Additional ground was required and purchased, affording room for the jail, which also is a substantial structure.
The first term of court to be held in the new building was by Judge Loofboro.
At the election November 8, 1887, Win. Groneweg was elected state sena- tor; R. S. Hart and Wm. Wyman representatives: sheriff. Jas. O'Neil; audi- tor, Ira Hendricks; county superintendent. J. K. Cooper; surveyor, J. F. Broadbeck : coroner, Dr. J. C. Waterman : treasurer. John HI. Plumer.
At the city election, spring of 1888, the following named persons were elected: Mayor. M. F. Rohrer; treasurer, F. W. Spetman; auditor, C. A. Hammer; engineer, F. Stimson ; marshal, F. Il. Gnennella; judge of superior court, E. E. Aylesworth; solieitor, G. A. Holmes; assessor. W. L. Patton; weighmaster. W. S. Amy; clerk, F. A. Burke; chief of fire department, C. D. Walters; chief of police, O. H. Encas: street commissioner. A. E. Avery; aldermen-at-large. W. II. Knepher and John Weaver; alderman first ward, E. T. Waterman : second ward. E. P. Billinger; third ward, Patrick Lacy; fourth ward. Geo. Metcalf.
During the year 18SS the new Washington Avenue schoolhouse was built, with a seating capacity of 950 pupils.
This being the year for holding presidential election a lively campaign followed and the republicans adopted to a limited extent the methods re- sorted to by the whigs during the campaign of 1840, by reviving the log cabin idea, that proved so effective in electing the grandfather of their can- didate, while the democrats stood pat for Cleveland. It was conducted with less mud slinging than the one that preceded it. Locally the following per- sons were elected: Clerk of the court, H. J. Chambers; recorder, W. H. Thomas; attorney, John P. Organ ; supervisors, Alex Osler and Charles Alex- ander.
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ELECTRIC STREET RAILWAY.
An event of much importance this year was that of the completion of the Omaha and Council Bluffs bridge and electric street railway line. Two years before, T. J. Evans, who had been east and witnessed the operation of the first electric line in the United States, became enthusiastic on the sub- ject of connecting the two cities by a toll bridge and electric line, and on ar- riving at home proceeded to enlist capitalists in the enterprise. The two cities granted the franchise and the work was rushed to completion, and during the fall of 1888 the first car was run over the new track, and the event was celebrated by a grand trade di-play in which the business men of all trades and professions joined.
For years the getting back and forward between the two cities was quite a serious proposition and up to this time not much advance had been made since Harl's 'bus line used to take you across and to any part of the city for fifty cents either way. With the electric line taking them over in half an hour for ten cents was a great change, and still they are not happy, but for two years have been clamoring for a five cent fare, with partial success.
During this year we also had a severe attack of the cedar block pave- ment mania and for five years we had some elegant drives. only to come to an untimely end after about that length of time.
The city granted the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company the right of way along First avenue to the river.
Also to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, on and along Fourteenth street from Twelfth to First avenue, and on First avenue from there to the river.
AAs early as 1880 the people of Council Bluffs believed themselves en- titled to a postoffice building, but not until 1883 was there an appropriation of $100,000 secured. The usual strife then commenced over its location The old strife between up town and down town was revived, up town. with the Ogden House and Neumayer Hotel influence wanted it on the Platner property on the corner of Glen avenue and Broadway, while the Nonpareil influence contended for the present site, and the latter was successful. Work was not commenced until 1886. On testing the ground it was demonstrated that piling would be necessary for the foundation, and further, that the plan submitted by the architect could not be built within the appropriation. At the next session of congress an additional appropriation of $50,000 was made, the corner stone was laid and work commenced under Supervising Architect M. E. Bell of the treasury department and prosecuted to comple- tion. It was occupied during the summer of 1888, but not completed until a few months later. The building, though massive. is not a thing of beauty. In fact from an artistic standpoint it is a failure. Hon. Thomas Bowman was the first postmaster to occupy it, and the late Jndge J. M. Love was the first to hold a term of the United States district court in the building.
The court room is not what it should be. Already an addition is con- templated. but whether it can be made in a way to redeem the appearance of the building as well as to add to its convenience, remains to be seen.
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At the city election for 1889 the following persons were elected: Mayor, F. M. Rohrer; treasurer, F. W. Spetman; auditor, C. A. Hammer; engineer, F. Stimson; marshal, F. II. Guennella; judge of superior court, E. E. Ayles- worth; solicitor, G. A. Holmes; assessor, W. L. Patton; weighmaster, W. S. Amy; clerk, R. S. Huntington ; chief of fire department, C. D. Walters ; chief of police, O. H. Lucas; street commissioner, A. E. Avery; aldermen-at-large, John Weaver and W. II. Knepher; alderman of first ward, E. T. Water- man; second ward, F. P. Billinger; third ward, Patrick Lacy; fourth ward, Leonard Everett. The result being intensely democratic.
During this summer the state firemen's tournament was held at the Trotting park and was largely attended and some fine work done. The res- que steamer of Council Bluffs won on first water.
In the hose race the Alert of Marshalltown took first prize. Hook and Ladder Co. of Atlantic won first in that contest, and in that of hand engine Liberty No. 1 of Crestonville, Iowa, was the champion.
The attendance was the largest ever held in the state and the proceed- ings were all harmonious.
During 1889 the venerable old Pacific House that previous to the erec- tion of the Ogden. Ilouse had been the leading hotel in western lowa was doomed to give way to a more modern structure, and the Eisman building was erected in its place.
Another prominent building erected this year is the Sapp block on the corner of Broadway and Scott streets. This is a modern office building of five stories.
Here again another venerable old land mark had to give way. It had onee been used as the dry goods store of B. B. Brown, and later as a hotel ealled the Napoleon House, and for some years was kept by the late Peter Bechtel. But such is the fate of all. Two of the large implement houses were built during the year.
At the election held November 5 of this year R. W. Briggs and W. H. Ware were elected to the legislature; county treasurer, J. H. PIumer: auditor, I. F. Hendricks; school superintendent. J. K. Cooper; coroner, J. C. Water- man; surveyor, H. F. Broadbeek; supervisors. A. C. Graham and August Bostedt.
Again the spirit of rivalry between up town and down town flared up. The Ogden House being located up town, and its proprietor. also owner of the old street ear line, it was elaimed that the latter was run in the interest of the former, and on the opening of the eleetrie line it was determined to have a hotel down town to eclipse the Ogden and the preliminary steps were taken by calling a meeting at which arrangements were made with Kimball and Champ. bankers, who agreed to erect the building, providing the citizens would donate a suitable site. That where the Grand Hotel now stands was agreed upon, and was purchased of Dr. E. I. Woodbury and the purchase money raised by subscription. A more desirable location could not have been made, facing as it does on Bayliss park and on direct car line running to all the railroad depots as well as to Omaha.
Kimball and Champ commenced by putting in piling for the entire
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foundation at a cost of $5,000. The main building was erected at a cost of $183,000, and the annex, including lot, at a cost of $50.000.
Later a company was organized and incorporated by Council Bluffs eiti- zens as the Grand Hotel Company, which purchased the property of Messrs. Kimball and Champ, and in whose interest it has been conducted. Edward W. Ilart is the present manager, and there is no better hotel west of Chicago than the Grand.
At the city election 1890 Dr. Donald Macrae was elected mayor; auditor, J. C. Lange ; treasurer, L. Kinnehan ; engineer, Thos: Tostevin ; marshal, John - Templeton : judge of superior court, J. E. F. McGee; solicitor, J. J. Stewart ; assessor. W. D. Hardin; weighmaster, \. B. Paris; clerk. 1. J. Stephenson; chief of fire department. F. R. Levin; chief of police, Wade Carey; street commissioner, A. E. Avery : aldermen-at-large. Alex Wood and W. H. Knep- her; alderman first ward. L. A. Casper: second ward, Peter Wind; third ward, Patrick Lacy: fourth ward, Leonard Everett; fifth ward, Peter Smith; sixth ward. J. W. Mikesell.
At the regular election for county and state officers held November 4, 1891, the following persons were elected: Clerk of district court, T. S. Camp- bell; recorder, W'm. HI. Thomas: attorney, John P. Organ; supervisor. F. G. Iletzel: representatives. W. H. Ware and R. W. Briggs; treasurer, W. B. Reed; sheriff, Thos. Hazen; coroner, Dr. F. T. Seybert ; surveyor, L. P. Jud- son; senator. Win. Groneweg; supervisors. J. R. Black and Win. Gronoweg.
During this season quite a number of important buildings were erceted, among which was the Baldwin six story block, corner of Broadway and Pearl street. John N. Baldwin, from whom it derives its name. commenced it in 1890 and completed it in 1891, at a cost of $50.000. In 1895, it was purchased by the stockholders of the Council Bluffs Savings Bank. The Second Avenne school was built this year at a cost of $20,000, also the Har- rison Street public schoolhouse was also built this year, at a cost of $12.000.
EARLY CHARACTERS.
During the good old day -. several per-on- appeared. each of whom in his favorite role became con-pienous. Among them were Henry DeLong. Sport. Miller and Jim Snodderly.
The exact time when these men commenced their activities is involved in uncertainty. but tradition points back to the palmy days of the Ocean Wave saloon. Their roles were somewhat dissimilar. Henry's long suit was praying, that of Sport was absorbing Derby & Day's thirteen cent whiskey, and Jim's was being arrested. During the long years when Bump. Burkhart, and "Old Jack" were city marshals it became a common saying that no mat -. ter what crime had been committed. Jim was arrested for it. dragged before old Squire Burke, only to walk forth "clothed in the spotless robes of inno- cence." Most persons would have resented such treatment, but not so with Jim. Ile seemed to accept the situation just as the stage villain accepts the part assigned him by the manager. He was in the habit of experiencing re- ligion in the winter but would invariably back-lide with the opening of
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spring, when his arrests would be resumed. For some reason he changed his abode to a home in Nebraska. After years of self imposed exile, he pined to review the scenes of his early triumphs, but how changed! The good old squire had gone to a higher court than any here, as well as those marshals. He visited some of his old haunts, but they too had changed. An occasional tall man in blue with brass buttons would pass without noticing him, and he returned sorrowfully, without seeing the inside of our city bastile or behold- ing the majesty of our superior court.
As for Sport, he could carry a pretty heavy load of bad whiskey and still have a pretty clear conception of the relative value of two pairs, threes, four flush, or a full hand, etc. But as time went on the whiskey seemed to be getting the best of hin, to the extent that an enterprising temperance lec- turer took him around to exhibit as a horrible example. Finally, he having been a soldier, his friends prevailed upon him to retire to the Soldiers' Home. After years he too, longed to revisit the old scenes. He came but no one rec- ognized him. In this instance it was he that was changed. The regulations of the Home had done its work, but he saw the point. He proceeded to take on one of his old-fashioned jags when the mask fell, and all his old friends gathered around and congratulated him, and after a pleasant visit he re- turned with the good wishes of all.
As for Henry he kept on praying and occasionally digging a well for a resting spell and added preaching to his labors, and at last his labors re- ceived recognition. He received the appointment of probation officer. The county authorities fitted him up a chapel in the courthouse handy by the clerk's office where, as licenses are issued he is ready to perform the marriage ceremony, and it is a poor day on which he fails to unite two or three willing couples in the holy bonds of wedlock. This, with his pay as probation officer, makes a pretty good thing for Unele Henry, and some think of having him open the courts with prayer. Having observed the salutary effect upon our legislative bodies, they see no reason why it should not prove equally beneficial to the judiciary. It has also been suggested that he be employed to preach to the "Spirits in prison" on Sundays. This has been objected to as being in conflict with the provision in the Constitution which declares that "Cruel and unusual punishment shall not be inflicted."
But seriously, neither of these were bad men, but had their peculiarities, and all have a host of friends that are glad to see them at any time:
Another interesting character that the old-timers. will remember was Major Bayliss. He was a brother to S. S. Bayliss, proprietor of the Pacifie House, and became a part of the assets. His long snit was entertaining the stranger guests of that hostelry, and it was a very unappreciative stranger that failed to invite him to the bar. He was a picturesque figure, perhaps sixty-five, a little lame, wore a somewhat damaged plug hat slightly cocked to one side, and when he assured a stranger that he was a high toned Virginia gentleman by G- sir, few would question its truthful- ness His dignity received a pretty severe shoek away back in the 60's. after a large committee of the young men prevailed upon him to run for mayor on an independent ticket, assuring him of their active support, when the
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returns showed that he had received eight votes. It resulted in a coolness towards some of his most ardent admirers. No one ever knew how he came by the title of Major. but after forming the acquaintance of Major Bagstock, in Dombey & Son we see the point. They were twins, but he too is gone. He will not return like the others.
John and Hannah Ford held the front of the stage for year -. He was an Irishman of the ould stock, small in stature but long on courage, con- sequently was frequently getting into trouble. While Hannah, who was twice his size, usually acted as his attorney. In a civil suit before Justice Treynor in which Hannah was an important witness, and during a rigid cross exami- nation, in which she would baffle the attorney by witty answers, John would manifest his approval by a cheerful yelp. The court administered a severe reprimand, admonishing him that a repetition would result in his expulsion from the court room. The offense was soon repeated, and the constable not being present, the court proceeded to perform the office personally. He de- liberately opened the door and seizing John, attempted to eject him, but John turned and would have ejected the court, but for help of some of the spectators.
CONSECUTIVE EVENTS.
At the city election of 1891 the following persons were elected: Mayor, Dr. Donald Macrae, Sr .: treasurer. L. Kiunehan; auditor, J. C. Lange; engi- neer, Thos. Tostevin; marshal, John L. Templeton ; judge superior court. J. E. F. McGee; solicitor, J. J. Stewart : asesor, W. D. Hardin; weighmaster. A. B. Paris; clerk, A. J. Stephenson: chief of fire department, Frank Levin; chief of police, Wade Carey; street commissioner. A. E. Avery ; aldermen-at- large, Alex Wood and J. II. Pace; alderman first ward. L. A. Casper: second ward. Peter Wind; third ward, H. Il. Van Brunt: fourth ward, Geo. D. Brown; fifth ward, Peter Smith; sixth ward, Geo. Graves.
At the county and state election held November 4. 1891. the following persons were elceted: Representatives. W. S. Ware and R. W. Briggs; treas- urer, W. B. Reed; sheriff, Thos. Hazen ; school superintendent, J. K. Cooper; coroner, Dr. F. T. Seybert : surveyor. L. P. Judson; state senator, Wm. Groneweg: supervisors. J. R. Black and Win. Groneweg.
January 13, 1892, Pottawattamie county lost one of her most promi- nent citizens in the death of Mr. Thomas P. Treynor. For years he had been in service of the public, as city recorder, postmaster, manager of Nonpareil, as an Odd Fellow had been honored with the highest position within the gift of the state, and politically a leader of men.
At the city election of 1892 the following officers were elected: Mayor, N. D. Lawrence; treasurer. L. Kiunehan : auditor, Geo. M. Gould: engineer, E. E. Cook : marshal. John L. Templeton : judge of superior court, J. E. F. McGee : solicitor. A. S. Ilazelton; assessor, W. D. Hardin ; weighmaster, A. B. Paris; clerk. A. J. Stephenson ; chief of fire department, Charles Nichol- son; chief of police. J. M. Scanlan : street commissioner, A. E. Avery ; alder- men-at-large, J. H. Pace and Victor Jennings; alderman first ward. Fred Geise: second ward. C. A. Tibbitts; third ward, H. H. Van Brunt; fourth ward. Geo. D. Brown : fifth ward, Peter Smith; sixth ward, George Graves.
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During this year the city hall was built, as well as several bridges over Indian ereek, and the Madison Avenue schoolhouse, and a large addition to the Avenue B school, and quite a number of fine residences. Also a large amount of work was done on the great Terminal bridge.
At the county and state election held November 8, 1892, the following officers were elected: Clerk of district court, T. S. Campbell; auditor, J. B. Mathews; recorder, W. M. Shepherd; supervisors, S. B. Wadsworth and John Currie. November 11, 1893, the following were elected: Representatives, J. K. Cooper and G. Diedrich; treasurer, W. B. Reed; sheriff, John T. Hazen; school superintendent, A. J. Benton; coroner, Dr. H. B. Jennings; surveyor, L. P. Judson.
In January, 1892, there was a jail delivery in which Harvey Moore, Jack O'Donnel, Wm. Stewart. E. Ward, Ed. Fegley and a man named Doug- las escaped by sawing off iron bars.
On February 17 occurred the funeral of Patric McCan. He had been a soldier, and was a Catholic. The body was to be shipped, and was taken to the church for funeral service. The casket was draped with the national colors, and when about to enter. they were met by Father O'Rourk, who for- bade them to enter unless the flag was removed. This his comrades refused to do, and went to the train with the body. The incident raised a howl of indignation, and Father O'Rourk apologized, admitted that he was in error.
At the school election March 17 H. H. Field and L. E. Bridenstein were elected members of the board of education.
On April 27 Geo. Stevens, ticket agent for the motor company, was held up and robbed near the east end of the bridge by two foot-pads who took what money he had, and also his watch and revolver. They then started for Omaha. Stevens followed them, put the Omaha poliee on, and they were arrested, brought here and held for trial.
May 15 the new Broadway M. E. Church was dedicated with impressive exercises, the great house being crowded and standing room was at a premium.
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