USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 26
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
The Woman's Suffrage Society dates its existence from the year 1886. Among its executive heads may be mentioned Mrs. Lizzie Millisack, deceased ; Mrs. Martin Peck and Mrs. Emily Phillips.
The Clio Club was organized at the home of Mrs. J. G. Meek in 1888. The other organizing members were Mrs. R. A. Watt, Mrs. Eudora Nos- ler and Mrs. W. E. Loomis.
In 1891 Miss Emma Nye, Mrs. Cora Vance, of Eddyville, Mrs. Charles Fisk, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Mrs. Will Fiedler and Miss Harriet Tis- dale organized the Tourist Club.
The Fortnightly Club came into being in the year 1894, and immediately affiliated with the state and general federation. Mrs. Catherine Taylor was the moving spirit of this club work. She was ably assisted by Mrs.
251
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
W. D. Elliott and Mrs. Charles Bachman. The first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Elliott on Court Street, and the first printed calendars were introduced in Ottumwa by this club.
Elizabeth Claypool Ross, Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized in 1896. The first commissioned regent was Mrs. Alice Mitchell.
The Art Club was formed in the spring of 1906, and the first meeting held at the home of Mrs. J. G. Hutchison.
Chapter G of the P. E. O., was organized a number of years ago by the Misses Hare and Spaulding of Chapter A, Mount Pleasant, assisted by Mrs. Ella Bartlett, Mrs. Maud Weaver Robinson, and Miss Marlo, of Ottumwa. On the evening of May 27, 1884, when the chapter was organized, the following became charter members: Mrs. Florence Ful- ton Lewis, Miss Lettie Porter, Mrs. Anna Cresswell, Miss Fannie Burton, Miss Emma Fiedler, Miss Allie Telfer, Mrs. Kittie Simmons Springer, Mrs. Carrie Cresswell, Mrs. Anna Israel Graham, Mrs. Lida Barnes Boude, Miss Tera Godley, Mrs. Belle Foster Springer, Mrs. Alice Sellers Spilman. When Company G, Fifty-fourth Regiment Iowa National Guards was organized, Chapter G presented the organization with a beautiful silken flag.
Cloutman Woman's Relief Corps, No. 134, was organized in Ottumwa in 1887, with Lauretta Cowles, now of Chariton, as president.
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION
An active and important organization of business men, is that of the Commercial Association of Ottumwa. It got its inception at a called meet- ing of citizens, September 16, 1902, which met at the Wapello Club, on the 19th of that month for the purpose of organization. There were forty- three of the leading business men of the city in attendance, who placed T. D. Foster in the chair. A committee to draft the form and details of organization was appointed, consisting of H. L. Waterman, T. H. Pickler, S. H. Harper, J. W. Neasham, G. C. Janney, Frank von Schrader and J. H. Mitchell. Later, on October 7, 1902, at a meeting held in the Wapello club rooms, T. D. Foster was elected temporary president, and J. H. Mitchell, temporary secretary. At this sitting President Foster was author- ized to appoint a committee of twelve to solicit signers for a permanent organization. The men composing that committee were as follows, namely : W. H. Cooper, T. H. Pickler, who was then mayor of the city; E. H. Emery, Calvin Manning, Leo Stevens, George Haw, Jr., S. L. McGavic, Ira A. Myers, J. H. Morrell, A. W. Lee and J. G. Hutchison. The embryo association of business men assembled in the council chamber of the city hall, November 6, 1902, and was called to order by President Foster, who stated that the meeting was held for the purpose of perfecting a permanent
1
252
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
organization and the adoption of a constitution and by-laws. Thereupon, these officers were elected : S. H. Harper, president ; T. D. Foster, vice pres- ident; Leo Stevens, treasurer; J. H. Mitchell, secretary; directors, W. A. McIntire, H. L. Waterman, Joseph Dain, T. H. Pickler, J. C. Manchester, W. T. Harper, Jr., A. W. Enoch, J. W. Neasham, W. S. Christie. The objects of the association were stated to be: "To aid in the promoting and fostering of the material, commercial and civic interest and welfare of the City of Ottumwa, Iowa."
The Commercial Association was incorporated December 8, 1908, with the following signers of the incorporation papers, all of whom were direc- tors and officers at the time: D. F. Morey, H. S. Merrick, George Haw, Jr., W. J. Donelan, Thomas D. Foster, J. N. Weidenfeller, J. F. Powell, W. T. Harper, S. H. Harper, Henry Phillips, J. W. Neasham.
For some years the members of this organization were quite active in furthering the interests of the city and making good the purposes of the Commercial Association, but by the end of the year 1909, the membership had dwindled down to about sixty, which was an indication that the spirit of the body had waned. It was, therefore, determined that a cam- paign be inaugurated to reinforce its strength and the association's object was, in a measure, realized by the upbuilding of its membership to about five hundred, which called for a change in the number of directors. This was ac- complished in January, 1910, when the articles of incorporation were amended so as to increase the number of directors from nine to twenty-one, from which a president, two vice presidents and a treasurer might be elected.
The first annual meeting in January, 1910, following the increase in membership, elected a board of directors, namely: Joseph Dain, W. T. Harper, Frank McIntire, D. F. Morey, W. J. Donelan, T. H. Pickler, L. T. Crisman, M. B. Hutchison, J. K. Mahon, Henry Phillips, W. R. Daum, E. G. Moon, J. K. Dysart, J. W. Garner, T. D. Foster, J. F. Powell, N. F. Reed, F. A. Nimocks, John Wormhondt, J. B. Sax, C. A. Wellman. These directors, in turn, elected the following officials : President, W. T. Harper : first vice president, Joseph Dain ; second vice president, N. F. Reed : treas- urer, M. B. Hutchison ; secretary, J. N. Weidenfeller.
Standing committees were selected on association meetings, freight serv- ice, fire prevention, membership, freight rates, public improvement, house, public utilities, hotel, publicity, legislative, convention, industrial, passenger service, finance, good roads.
The work of the association is initiated from time to time by the secre- tary, by its committees, or through suggestions from individual members. Committees frequently initiate their own work, and then bring it up before the board of directors for approval; again matters are first taken up by the directors and referred to the proper standing committee or to a special committee for the working out of details. Open meetings for the entire
Photo by Shaw
COUNTRY CLUB. OTTUMWA
5
Photo by Shaw
DAM IN DES MOINES RIVER, OTTUMWA
253
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
membership of the association are held on the call of the chairman of the meetings committee, or by special order of the board of directors, when there is something of unusual importance on which it is desired to secure an expression of the membership.
The present officers and directors of the Commercial Association are: President, W. T. Hall; vice presidents, S. P. Hartman, M. C. Gilmore; treasurer, W. B. Bonnifield ; secretary, J. N. Weidenfeller ; traffic manager, C. O. Dawson ; directors, Chase Bannister, M. B. Hutchison, L. T. Crisman, J. H. Morrell, F. A. Tisdale, F. A. Nimocks, W. J. Donelan, W. T. Harper, J. F. Powell, W. H. Mynard, C. S. Harper, J. K. Dysart, D. F. Morey, J. K. Mahon, N. F. Reed, R. W. Funk, J. B. Sax.
WAPELLO CLUB
The most popular and leading social organization in Ottumwa is the Wapello Club, which was organized May 1, 1893, by J. C. Jordan, J. W. Garner, Frank MeIntire, Frank von Schrader, John H. Morrell, F. W. Grube, and about fifty others. The membership of the club was limited to 150, and the limit is now practically reached, as by the last report it is shown that there are now 148 active members. This club was organized purely for social purposes and from its birth has been incorporated and domiciled in the old Thomas Devin residence, on East Second Street, which for the first few years was rented, and later purchased by the club. The first president was A. W. Johnson. The Devin residence was the most pre- tentious and conspicuous home in Ottumwa, when built by the pioneer mer- chant, Thomas Devin. It was remodeled by the Wapello Club to suit the taste and convenience of its members.
The Wapello 'clubhouse has a fine bowling alley. There are also a card room, pool room, reading room, kitchen and banquet hall. Many persons of distinction have been entertained within its hospitable walls. Such notable men as ex-President William Howard Taft, while the chief executive of the nation, was a guest of the club. Governors of the state and others high in authority, have added to the distinction of the club by being its guests.
The present officials of the Wapello Club are: J. F. Herrick, president ; M. C. Gilmore, vice president; W. R. Daggett, second vice president ; F. A. Tisdale, third vice president ; C. F. Rauscher, secretary and treasurer.
OTTUMWA COUNTRY CLUB
The Ottumwa Country Club was organized in 1906, and now has about two hundred and fifty members. Some time after its formation the club purchased about forty-five acres of land north of and near the corporation line of the city, where the grounds were fashioned into golf links, and
254
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
beautiful lawns, and adorned with substantial buildings of appropriate de- sign and convenience. Here already have been held two state golf tourna- ments, which have attracted the best talent in the commonwealth.
The late A. W. Lee was the first president. G. F. Spry is the present head official; W. O. Hand is vice president ; J. N. Weidenfeller, secretary ; C. F. Rauscher, treasurer.
OTTUMWA OARSMEN'S CLUB
The dams of the Des Moines River at Ottumwa make a fine sheet of water, nearly four miles in length, which attracts many kinds of pleasure craft. This led a number of young men, in 1882, to organize the Ottumwa Oarsmen's Club. They were Arthur Gephart, W. C. Dana, J. Zellner, F. B. Thrall, Charles A. Walsh, L. Cloutman, W. Israel, F. R. Sleeper, T. D. Foster, Herm W. Merrill, Ed T. Kilby, Justus Hamilton, J. Johnson, and C. Millard. The organization was incorporated, with F. R. Sleeper, presi- dent; W. C. Dana, secretary-treasurer ; and F. B. Thrall, chairman of the committee on building and grounds. The first eight mentioned members, previous to the formation of the club, bought a four-oared racing shell. Since then other craft have been added to the fleet.
A plot of ground was leased, and in the spring of 1883, a clubhouse was erected thereon, at a cost of about $1,200. In 1907, the club was reorganized and made a social organization. It has become one of the popular insti- tutions of this description in the county. A fine new clubhouse in mission style of architecture, was erected at a cost of $7,000, and the membership was increased to 150. Canoes, rowboats and power boats have super- seded the racing shell, and regattas have been held. In July, 1909, the Central State Amateur Rowing Association regatta was held here, thousands witnessing the event. The racing course is conceded by oarsmen to be one of the best in the Middle West and the natural beauty unsurpassed.
The present officials are: Otto Armstrong, president ; Otto F. Saul, vice president ; Emil Fecht, secretary-treasurer ; Jesse F. Canfield, commodore.
CHAPTER XXIII
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT THAT FAILED
The Des Moines River is one of Ottumwa's assets. It belongs to the city and its people, insofar as its uses are concerned and its natural beauties are enjoyed by all, free of cost. But for any or all practical purposes the river, up to the present time, has not been navigable, in a maritime sense. The General Government, however, has sought upon occasion to make it so, but labor and expense have been lost in the effort. The improvement of the Des Moines was abortive, but the movement in this direction by Government and its failure to realize the aims and wishes of its projectors, is best told in the words of Hon. Charles Negus, in the following sketch on the improvement of the Des Moines River, written by him :
The river, Des Moines, has connected with its history many things of interest. It is purposed at this time to notice some of the historical events connected with this river since the land through which it passes was pur- chased by the Government from the Indians.
By the Treaty of 1842, by which the Sacs and Foxes sold all their lands in Iowa, they were permitted to retain possession of that portion which lay west of Red Rock for three years, and the Indians moved up the river, and located themselves near the Raccoon Fork, and the Government thought proper to locate a body of troops at that point; and for the conveyance of soldiers and their equipage to that place, the little steamer Ione was em- ployed, and laden with stores and a detachment of troops, landed on the site where is now the City of Des Moines, on the 9th of May, 1843. This is the first steamboat that ever ventured to disturb the waters of this river so far from its mouth. The Ione having made a successful trip added greatly to the expectation of the estimated importance and value of this thoroughfare, which was brought to the attention of Congress, and on the 8th of August, 1846, a law was enacted, giving to Iowa, for the purpose of aiding to improve the navigation of the River Des Moines from its mouth to the Raccoon Fork, an equal moiety in alternate sections of the public lands remaining unsold, in a strip five miles wide on each side of the river, to be selected within the territory of Iowa by an agent, or agents, who should be appointed by the governor of the territory, subject to the approval of the United States Treasury.
When this grant was first made, it was not supposed by any one that it extended above Raccoon Fork, and Governor Clark, in communicating
255
256
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
the intelligence to the Legislature, estimated the grant to amount to about three hundred thousand acres. This part of the governor's message was referred to a select committee, for them to take into consideration whether it was advisable for the state to accept the grant, and if so, to devise the method of disposing of the lands and the mode of improving the river.
The committee, after having the matter under consideration several weeks, through their chairman, Dr. James Davis, of Wapello County, made a very lengthy report, in which they took the ground that the grant was not limited to lands below the Raccoon Fork, but extended to every alternate section for five miles on each side of the river to the northwestern boundary of the state, if not to the source of the river. They estimated the grant to contain 400,000 acres below the Raccoon Fork, and 560,000 above, making 960,000 acres of land. The report of the committee at first was looked upon as visionary, and but very little calculation was made on getting any land above the fork of the river; but a matter of so much importance was not passed over without examination and full discussion.
From this time on, for several years, the improvement of the River Des Moines entered largely into the politics of the state. Politicians became interested in it; the construction put upon the grant by the committee was the popular side, and found many advocates, and scarcely any one opposed it. The committee reported in favor of receiving the grant, with provisos, and a bill for creating a board of public works. On this report the Legis- lature passed an act accepting the grant, with the proviso that it was not to form a part of the 500,000 acres which the state was entitled to by an act of Congress of 1841, giving to each new state that amount of land for internal improvements. This was conceded by the General Government, and it also permitted the state to divert 500,000 acres from works of internal improvement to the purpose of education. The Legislature, on the 5th of February, 1847, also passed an act creating a board of public works and providing for the improvement of the river. The board consisted of a president, secretary and treasurer, who were to be elected by the qualified electors of the state on the first Monday of the following August. The president was to be the active agent of the work and was required to make monthly reports of his doings and of the progress of his work to the board; the secretary was to record the proceedings of the board and to sell the lands; the treasurer was to receive and disburse the moneys. The officers were required to commence the work on the Mississippi, near Keokuk, at the mouth of Dead Slough, or of the Nassaw Slough, and then up the slough to the river. And subsequently the work was commenced by undertaking to dig a canal from the mouth of the Nassaw Slough to St. Francisville, the first place on the river where it was thought practicable to build a dam.
About $150,000 were expended in the effort, but the attempt proved to be an impracticable undertaking, and after expending this large amount of
257
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
money, the work of digging a canal was abandoned. At the August elec- tion, Hugh W. Sample, of Jefferson County, was elected president ; Charles Corckery, of Dubuque County, secretary ; and Paul Bratton, of Van Buren County, treasurer. The officers elected were qualified, and at first opened their offices at Fairfield. Col. Samuel Curtis, from Ohio, was selected by the board as chief engineer, but there was very little done this season to- ward improving the river, further than making surveys. The necessary surveys having been completed, early in the spring of 1848, the work was commenced. The canal and three dams were put under contract, and about five hundred hands were put at work. On the 21st of August, the building of ten more dams was contracted for, and there seemed to be a fair pros- pect for the speedy completion of the entire improvement.
Glowing reports of the country and the advantages to be derived from the improvement of the river excited the public mind to the highest ex- pectations, and the people became very anxious to secure as much of the public lands as possible, that this great undertaking might be speedily com- pleted, and to ascertain the construction put upon the grant by the General Government, application was made to the land department for a decision. Richard M. Young, the commissioner of the general land office, on the 23d day of February, 1848, in a letter addressed to the board of public works, gave it as his opinion that the state was entitled to alternate sections within five miles of the Des Moines River, through the whole extent of Iowa. This decision gave assurance that the amount of land claimed would be re- ceived. The board of improvement made great preparation for rapidly pushing on the work, and the public mind was exhilarated with the greatest hopes of speedily realizing the great advantages represented to be derived from this undertaking.
But as it is the lot of man to meet with disappointments, such seems to have been the result in this case, for it was found that the lands could not be sold fast enough to meet the expenses of so expensive a work as had been undertaken. To remedy this difficulty, the board of public works recommended to the Legislature "that bonds, bearing the sanction of the supreme power of the state, should be issued by the board, and pledging the proceeds of the sales of the lands, as well as the tolls of the improve- ments, for their redemption." But this policy did not meet with the sanc- tion of some of the leading democrats of the state, who regarded such a measure as not being in accordance with democratic principles, among whom were Ver Plank Van Antwerp. Van Antwerp, having held the office of receiver in the first land office established is Southern Iowa, and then holding the same office at Fairfield, and also, for a while editor of a paper, was extensively known, and at that time exerted much influence among the people, and he took a very active part against the proposition recom- mended by the board. He claimed that the measure was not only anti- democratic, but impolitic, and went to Iowa City. as a lobby member, and Vol 1-17
258
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
made himself very busy with the members to defeat it; and the opposition with which it met from Van Antwerp, and other private individuals, had its effect with the members of the Legislature and the measure was defeated, much to the discomfiture of Sample. This interference of Van Antwerp with the recommendations of the board created a coolness between Sample and Van Antwerp, which caused some singular results in the future political matters of the state.
For the purpose of securing the full amount of land claimed, the Legis- lature passed a memorial asking Congress to enact an explanatory law con- firming to the state the quantity of land claimed. But Congress did not feel disposed to do this, and the extent of the grant was a disputed question for several years.
At the August election in 1849, the officers of the board of public works were to be again elected and the old officers were desirous of holding on to their offices, and Sample made great efforts to have the old officers re- nominated by the state convention for candidates before the people. Those who were in favor of issuing bonds for the speedy completion of the work were in favor of re-electing the old board; those who were against this measure were opposed to them. Among those who took an active part against the old board was Van Antwerp, and his opposition was particu- larly made against Sample, which got up much ill feeling between them. Van Antwerp, to accomplish his ends before the convening of the conven- tion, prepared a stricture on Sample's political acts, which "showed him up" in no very enviable light. Van Antwerp went to Iowa City, where the convention was to be held, a short time before it convened, and had his strictures printed in handbill form, and on the morning of the convention circulated copies all over the city, so that a copy found its way into the hands of every delegate. This had the effect to beat Sample, and the other officers of the old board, and William Patterson, of Lee County, was nom- inated for president ; Jesse Williams, of Johnson, for secretary ; and George Gillaspy, of Wapello, for treasurer.
These individuals were all elected, entered upon the duties of their trust, and with energy undertook to complete all the work which had been put under contract. But they soon found that they could not sell lands fast enough to meet their expenditures, and had to suspend a portion of the work. But they did not do this until they had contracted a large amount of debts, which they had not the means to pay. The new board, on making settlements with the contractors, not having the money to pay them, issued bonds, or certificates of indebtedness, pledging the lands for their payment, and binding the board to redeem them as soon as they had the means to do it. So the new board, without the sanction of the law, did what the old board tried to get the Legislature to authorize them to do by law, and for which policy they were turned out of office and others put in their place. Those contractors who were stopped from going on with their work claimed
259
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
damages. Legal proceedings were had and some of them recovered large amounts.
The course pursued by the new board met with much censure from the public and the newspapers. Particularly the whig press was very severe in its strictures. The course which had been pursued by the board of public works made the improvement of the River Des Moines a prominent matter before the Legislature, which convened in December, 1850. The issuing of bonds did not meet with the approval of that body, and a law was passed abolishing the offices of president, secretary and treasurer, and the offices of commissioner and register of the Des Moines River improvement were created, which, instead of being elected by the people, were appointed by the governor, by and with the consent of the Senate.
As soon as the law abolishing the board of public works went into effect, the governor appointed Ver Plank Van Antwerp commissioner, and George Gillaspy register of the improvement, who, on the 9th of June, 1851, entered into a contract with Bangs Brothers & Company, of New York, in which they stipulated to complete the whole work, from the mouth of the river to the Raccoon Fork, in four years from the time, when for the improvement of the river a confirmation should be secured of the extension of the grant of land above that point. When the contract was closed Bangs Brothers & Company and the officers of the improvement went to work and succeeded in getting the land department of the General Government to reconsider the decision in which it had been held that the grant of land only extended to the Raccoon Fork, and obtained a decision that it extended to the northern boundary of the state, which gave hopes that the river would soon be made navigable. On the first reception of the news there was much rejoicing, but when the details of the contract with Bangs Brothers & Company were made public, it was found that the contract provided that the lands below Raccoon Fork were not to be sold for less than two dollars per acre, and those above, for not less than five dollars.
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.