USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 9
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D. A. LaForce, mayor; L. M. Godley, auditor and elerk: W. W. Epps, solicitor; F. Von Schrader, treasurer; W. 11. Lewis, as- sessor ; C. R. Allen, engineer : J. B. Gephart, marshal; F. G. Orelup, police judge; B. W. Van Der Veer, chief of police.
Aldermen-at-large -. A. C. Leighton, term expired March, 1895; A. P. Peterson, term ex- pired March, 1894.
Ward aldermen-First ward. Thomas Keefe. term expired March, 1895; second ward, George H. Sheffer, term expired March, 1894; third ward. Il. L. Waterman, term ex- pired March. 1894: fourth ward. A. W. Bu- chanan, term expired March, 1895; fifth ward, J. A. Ballard, term expired March, 1895; sixth ward. M. L. Kirk, term expired March, 1894.
1894.
D. A. LaForce, mayor ; L. M. Godley, aud- itor and elerk : W. W. Epps, solicitor; F. Von Schrader, treasurer; W. H. Lewis, assesor; C. R. Allen, engineer ; J. B. Gephart, marshal ; F. G. Orelup, police judge; B. W. Van Der Veer, chief of police.
.Aldermen-at-large -. A. C. Leighton, E. H. Thomas.
Ward aldermen-First ward, T. F. Keefe; second ward. S. D. Baker : third ward. W. H. H. Asbury: fourth ward, A. W. Buchanan ; fifth ward, J. A. Ballard: sixth ward, M. L. Kirk.
1895.
D. A. LaForce, mayor : L. M. Godley, aud- itor and clerk: W. W. Epps, solicitor; S. L. Vest, treasurer : Charles Hall, police judge ; C. R. Allen, engineer : C. E. Benson, assessor ; M. Morrissey, marshal ; B. W. Van Der Veer, chief of police.
Aldermen-at-large-E. II. Thomas, S. A. Spilman.
Ward allermen-First ward, T. F. Keefe; second ward, S. D. Baker ; third ward. W. H. H. Asbury; fourth ward, C. W. Major : fifth ward, II. D. Crawford; sixth ward, M. L. Kirk.
1896.
D. A. LaForce, mayor ; L. M. Godley, aud- itor and clerk; W. W. Epps, solicitor; S. L. Vest. treasurer : C. E. Benson, assessor ; C. R.
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Allen, engineer; Charles Hall, police judge ; M. Morrissey, marshal; B. W. Van Der Veer, lund. chief of police.
Aldermen-at-large-S. A. Spilman, L. E. Rogers.
Ward aldermen-First ward, T. F. Keefe ; second ward, S. D. Baker ; third ward, C. M. Myers ; fourth ward, C. W. Major; fifth ward, H. D. Crawford (removed from the city; J. W. Sampson elected to fill vacancy November, 1896) ; sixth ward, Sanford W. Withrow.
1897.
T. J. Phillips, mayor ; W. A. Stevens, and- itor and clerk: W. W. Epps, solicitor; L. E. Stevens, treasurer ; J. T. Brady, engineer ; II. I. McCarroll, assessor; Charles Hall, police judge: H. C. Williams, marshal and chief of police.
Aldermen-at-large-L. E. Rogers, E. Hog- lund.
Ward aldermen-First ward, T. F. Keefe: second ward, S. D. Baker ; third ward. C. M. Myers; fourth ward, Joseph Daniels; fifth ward, W. I. Peck; sixth ward, Sanford W. Withrow.
1899.
T. J. Phillips, mayor ; W. A. Stevens, andi- tor and clerk: W. H. C. Jaques, solicitor : L. E. Stevens, treasurer : J. T. Brady, engineer ; J. T. Smith, assessor: Charles Hall, police judge : H. C. Williams, chief of police.
Aldermen-at-large-T. E. Boggs, 1. Hog-
Ward aldermen-First ward, T. E. Keefe; second ward, E. 11. Mather ; third ward. W. H. 11. AAsbury; fourth ward, B. F. Hyatt; fifth ward. N. Poling; sixth ward, Stephen Barnes ; seventh ward. J. E. Hull.
T. If. Pickler, mayor ; W. . \. Lewis, andi- tor and clerk: W. 11. C. Jaques, solicitor ; James V. Curran, treasurer : J. T. Brady, en- gineer; J. T. Smith, assessor; E. G. Moon, police judge : John Gray, chief of police.
Aldermen-at-large-E. Hoglund and T. E. Gibbons.
Ward aldermen-First ward, T. F. Keefe : second ward, E. II. Mather; third ward, Claude M. Myers; fourth ward. B. F. Hyatt; fifth ward. Charles Deeds; sixth ward, Stephen Barnes ; seventh ward. W. W. Rankin.
(Note :- Dr. B. F. Hyatt died in July, 1901. He was succeeded by his son, Dr. F. B. Ilyatt. )
POSTMASTERS OF OTTUMWA.
Paul C. Jeffries, Richard 11. Warden, Stephen Osborn, John C. Fisher. Thomas J. Holmes, J. W. Norris. J. M. Hedrick, A. 11. Hamilton, S. B. Evans, R. L. Tilton, J. R. Burgess, .A. W. Lee.
CHAPTER XI
OTTUMWA WATER WORKS AND WATER POWER.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF WATER POWER AND WATER WORKS-CONCISE STATEMENT RELATING TO THE ENTERPRISE.
The origin and development of the Ot- tumwa Water Power and Water Works in and connected with the city of Ottumwa form an important, checkered and interesting chapter in the development and growth of the city.
In 1876 certain surveys were made of the fall of water in the Des Moines River from Chillicothe to the point of the present dam, in the western part of the city, and a number of Ottumwa's enterprising citizens conceived the idea that a valuable water power could be secured by building a dam and utilizing this power for manufacturing and other purposes. A corporation, entitled the Ottumwa Water Power Company, was organized in that year, and a contract to put in the dam over the Des Moines River in the vicinity of Turkey Island, and to construct the head and tail races and other necessary improvements for utilizing water power. The company was capitalized for $100,000 and the stock subscribed for by numerous citizens of Ottumwa. The contract
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was let and the work begun in 1876, and the work of construction was completed during the year 1877. The year 1876 turned out to be a very rainy year. The river was fre- quently high, and from time to time great dam- age was done by the floods to the improve- ment, and it proved to be much more expen- sive than was figured upon. About $80,000 was collected from the stockholders and put into the works, but they were then in such condition that the company was obliged to go into debt in large sums to complete the im- provement and save what had already been expended. To this end S. L. Wiley & Com- pany, contractors, were employed, and from 1877 to 1879 put in additional work upon these improvements to the amount of about $80,000, so that when completed the plant had cost about $160,000; but the value and revenues derived from it were scarcely sufficient to pay for the contract work done from 1877 to 1879, and, as a result. the original stockholders sunk
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their entire investment of $80,000, and the stock of that company became worthless.
In 1882, Mr. Wiley, to whom the old com- pany was largely indebted, together with a few associates, organized and incorporated the Ot- tumwa Hydraulic Power Company. The wa- ter power plant was conveyed to this com- pany and the original company disbanded. Its fate and destiny are almost pathetic. Well does the writer remember the high hopes which were entertained of it when the result of the survey of the river and the golden promises of an extensive water power in our midst were made known. When the company was or- ganized, and had gone through the ordinary stages of public meetings and much speech making, and importunity to subscribe, and the amount was finally subscribed, great enthusi- asm prevailed in Ottumwa. A brass band was called into requisition, and the promoters and friends of the enterprise marched through the streets to the joyous and exhilarating music. Finally, the lawyers administered upon the company, and for several years our dockets were crowded with numerous suits for and against the Ottumwa Water Power Company. The Hydraulic Power Company, in order to raise the money to pay what was due to the contractors, gave a bond and mortgage, and this remained until 1887, when the company conveyed its properties to a new company then organized, and which will be spoken of pres- ently.
In 1882 the farmers living along the river between the dam and for a mile or two above the Des Moines River bridge conceived the
idea that their farms were greatly injured by water back-set from the dam and by percola- tion through the banks and under their soil. This belief and conviction, though possibly a mistaken one, was honestly entertained, and the theory was greatly sustained by a series of failure to crops. The company contended that this was not due to back-set water from the dam nor to percolation, but to a series of wet and rainy seasons, which prevailed for most of the years between 1876 and 1883, and in support of this claim pointed to the fact that from the same cause the flat lands upon the prairies were also unproductive,-raised more weeds than corn.
Finally, 15 or 20 suits for damages were brought by the river-bottom farmers, aggre- gating in their claims perhaps $30.000 or $40,000. One of these suits was brought by O. P. Bizer in 1882 against the Hydraulic Power Company and the Ottumwa Water Power Company, which gave rise to one of the most hotly contested, interesting, lengthy and expensive law suits in the history of the coun- ty. Judge Traverse presided, assisted by a jury, and the trial lasted from the 22d day of October to the 14th day of November. Over a hundred witnesses were examined, pro and con, and every interesting history of the Des Moines River, beginning with the flood in 1851 and coming down to the trial, was given by the various oldl settlers who had lived along the river. The tables of these high water marks and the information contributed by these old settlers make a very interesting page in the history of this county and of the Des
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Moines River. The trial resulted in a verdict and judgment in favor of Mr. Bizer and against the Hydraulic Power Company. It was appealed to the Supreme Court, and in 1886, in October, that court reversed the judg- ment of the court below and sent the case back for a new trial. However, a law point made in the decision was so dangerous to the plain- tiffs that the cases were abandoned and dis- missed. Dry seasons then set in, and after a year or two these lands all got back to their original fertility, and after a time thus demon- strated that the theory, honestly entertained by the farmers, was a mistaken one, and that the dam had done their farms no injury. The expense of these litigations and the lack of revenues, together with the expense of keep- ing the property up, deprived the Hydraulic Power Company of the prosperity for which it had hoped, and, after mortgaging the plant, it finally deeded the same in 1887 to a new company. This traces, in brief, the history of the water power improvement enterprise from its beginning in 1876 to 1887.
The movements which resulted in the build- ing of water works to supply the city and its citizens with water was inaugurated in 1877. In . August of that year the city council granted to S. L. Wiley & Company a charter or fran- clise to build a system of water works within the city. This franchise was to extend for twenty-five years, and will, consequently, ex- pire in September, 1902. This is the fran- chise under which the water works have ever since been operated. In the same year a cor- poration was organized by Mr. Wiley, named
the Ottumwa Water Works, and this franchise was transferred to that company by the concur- rence and consent of the city council. The construction of the water works was soon en- tered upon : though the time fixed for com- pletion was January, 1879, yet from various causes the time was extended to July. 1880. for final completion, though the works had been used to some extent prior. Since their origi- nal construction the works have been extended from time to time until they now embrace about 24 miles of main pipe, and furnish for consumption about 60,000.000 gallons of water per month. The works were largely con- structed with borrowed capital, and in 1887 this company then had a mortgage on its plant of about $120,000. In that year a new cor- poration was formed under the name and style of the lowa Water Company, with an author- ized capital of $750,000. It purchased the plant of the Hydraulic Power Company and , of the Ottumwa Water Works and assumed the mortgages upon both. It then gave upon these combined plants a mortgage securing $400,000 of bonds. Of these bonds $100,000 were paid to retire a like amount of Hydraulic Power Company bonds. $120,000 to take up that quantity of bonds of the Ottumwa Water Works Company, and $130,000 to pay the floating debts. This left $50,000 in the treas- ury, which was subsequently expended in the improvement of the plant.
It will thus be seen that at the time the Iowa Water Company was formed, in 1887, and took these two properties, they had cost about $500,000.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
In 1890 and 1891, in obedience to the de- mand of the city and, particularly, of the peo- ple of South Ottumwa, it expended about $60,- 000 in new improvements, and then for the first time the water mains were taken over to South Ottumwa. These iaprovements re- sulted in adding about eight and a half miles of new mains.
The Iowa Water Company defaulted on the interest of its bonds in April, 1894, and foreclosure was begun in the United States Court at Keokuk in July of that year. Pend- ing the foreclosure, and at the urgent solicita- tion of the city of Ottumwa, the court ordered the receiver to construct a Jewell filter plant, at a cost of about $21,000, and provided for the means through the sale of receiver certifi- cates, which were made a lien upon the prop- erty ahead of all the mortgage bonds. In February, 1897, a general decree of foreclos- ure was rendered and the property sold to a bondholders' committee in July of that year. A new corporation was formed under the name of the City Water Supply Company, and the properties were conveyed to this company in September, 1897, and since that time have been owned and operated by the last named com- pany. Since the foreclosure suit was begun in 1894 there have been expended, in permanent improvements upon the water works and water power plants, including the filter, about $75 .- 000. The City Water Supply Company put two mortgages upon the plants, one for $150,- 000, to provide for certain outstanding bonds of the old Ottumwa Water Power Company. which were not exchanged for a like quantity
of $400,000 series; and improvement then made and to be made, including expenses of foreclosure. It also executed, subject to this mortgage, another called an income mortgage, to secure the old bondholders the amount found due under foreclosure of the old mortgage and to be accepted in lieu thereof,-this mortgage being for $325,000. Upon the first mort- gage, almove mentioned, the interest has been paid. None has been paid upon the second because the net earnings have been insufficient for that purpose and also because a certain portion thereof has been set aside for contem- plated improvements.
The gross annual earnings of the property are about $32,000. For the past two or three years differences have arisen between the water company and the city authorities in respect to the quantity and quality of the water being furnished, the pressure, etc., and finally the city authorities concluded to take steps to coll- mit the city to build and own a water plant of its own. Looking to this purpose and end. ordinances were passed, and on the 30th day of March, toot, a provisional contract, sub- jest to the ratification of the voters of the city. was entered into with the Fruin-Bambrick Construction Company, of St. L. Bis Mi- souri, to construct a system of water works for the city to cost about Sposoby, the arrange- ment being to issue band's or obligation, of the city to the amount of $400.000, soli the same, and with the proceeds of the sale to pay the contractors for constructing the works. After this was entered into a proclamation was issued for an election to be held on May
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
6, 1901, for the purpose of approving said con- tract.
At this juncture the City Water Supply Company filed its bill in chancery in the United States Circuit Court, for the Southern Dis- trict of Iowa, asking that court to restrain the city from holding the election, or from issuing any bonds, or from carrying out said contract. A temporary restraining order to prevent the election was made, and May 31 fixed for hear- ing at Council Bluffs as to whether the court would grant a temporary injunction. This matter was argued at Council Bluffs and taken under advisement.
On July 30. 1901, the court filed its opin- ion, and with it an order enjoining the city from carrying out the contract, or from issuing any bonds, upon the ground that to do so
would violate that provision in the constitu- tion of lowa limiting the right of cities to be- come indebted in an amount exceeding five per cent on the value of taxable property at the last assessment. The court declined to en- join the city from holding an election. A proclamation has since been issued to hold an election on the 7th day of September, 1901, and the city has taken steps to appeal from the decision of the court. The result of the election was in favor of approving the con- tract.
Such, in brief, is the history of the com- panies which have constructed and carried on the water power and water works improve- ments, beginning in 1876, and such is the status of the water works matter in the City of Ot- tumwa at the time this volume goes to press :
*** LOAL PALACE
OTTUMWA COAL PALACE.
CHAPTER XII
THE COAL PALACE PERIOD
THE GREAT COAL PALACE ADVERTISING OTTUMWA AS THE CENTER OF A VAST COAL REGION -VISITED BY THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED MEN OF THE REPUBLIC- ITS SUCCESS FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE-LIST OF SHAREHOLDERS.
Ottumwa is situated so as to command the distribution of a vast tonnage of coal; it is the headquarters of the great White Breast Com- pany and of various other corporations that furnish coal to the multitude. During the two years ending June 30, 1900. the output of coal in the territory in the vicinity of Ottumwa and tributary to this city was 6,230.750 tons. The prices of coal are as follows: Lump. $2.50 per ton : mine run, $1.25 : steam, $1.00. . These prices are low as compared to those in other cities, and afford manufacturers cheap fuel, which is a most important item for the factory as well as for the ordinary consumer. In consequence of this and other natural ad- vantages presented. Ottumwa is becoming a factory town, giving employment to a large number of operatives. The products of the factories are steam hoisting machines for mines, steam engines, boilers and all kinds of iron and steel work, material for bridges, agri-
cultural implements, etc. The Morrell Pack- ing House employs 1,000 men and ships its products all over the United States and to many parts of Europe. These industries are in a thriving condition, growing in importance year by year and increasing their business.
The coal interests of this and adjacent counties and the vast deposits that were known to exist prompted the far-seeing business men of Ottumwa, in 1800, to advertise facts to the world, which they did in this manner : They secured by subscriptions from Ottumwa peo- ple a sum amounting to over twenty thousand dollars, with which they built a palace of coal. This does not imply that the structure was made of such a frail building material as bi- tuminous coal, but the product was used in a judicious and artistic manner, so that coal seemed to be the predominating feature. It was built on the ground immediately north and west of the Union Depot, the property then of
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Col. P. G. Ballingall, and at last the palace was ready for the opening. The dimensions of the palace were as follows: 230 by 130 feet, two stories in height, with a tower 200 feet in height. The stories above ground were used for exhibits of various products, agri- cultural and mechanical. There was a mu- seum attached that was of great interest. In the basement of the structure there was the representation of a coal mine, which was quite realistic. The palace was opened to the pub- lic September 16, 1890, and was not closed until October 11 of the same year. Multi- tudes of people from Southern lowa were present at the opening, and nearly every day thereafter the palace was crowded. There were days especially set apart for counties in Southern lowa, as for example: There was Van Buren County Day, Jefferson County Day, Monroe County Day. Davis County Day, Lucas County Day, and so on until each county manifesting an interest had its special day and' special programme.
Calvin Manning generally acted as man- ager, and made the announcements in a sonor- ous voice that reached to every part of the . building. The Ottumwa Coal Palace Com- pany was incorporated with the following- named gentlemen as incorporators: P. G. Ballingall, Charles F. Blake. W. T. Harper, J. W. Garner, A. G. Harrow, R. H. Moore, W. R. Damm, J. C. Manchester. Henry Phil- lips, A. W. Johnson, Calvin Manning. W. B. Bonnifield, John C. Jordan. Samuel Mahon, F. W. Simmons, J. W. Edgerly, John S. Wolf, .A. II. Hamilton, George Riley, A. W. Lee,
J. G. Meek, W. B. Smith, Samuel .\. Flagler, .1. C. Leighton, J. E. Hawkins, W. T. Fen- ton, Frank Fiedler and Thomas D. Foster. The articles provided that the company should begin business on the first Monday in April, 1890, and should endure twenty years from said date.
The following were the officers and direc- tors of the Coal Palace Company :
P. G. Ballingall, president ; Sammel .1. Flagler, vice-president ; Calvin Manning, sec- retary; W. T. Fenton, treasurer.
DIRECTORS.
J. W. Garner, J. E. Hawkins, George Withall, J. G. Meek, Henry Phillips, W. T. Harper, Dr. W. B. Smith, A. W. Johnson, J. C. Manchester.
A list of the various committees, with their personnel, follows :
Executive-Henry Phillips, George With- all, J. W. Garner.
Exhibits-Samuel A. Flagler, C. O. Tay- lor, F. Von Schrader, Il. C. Nosler. F. W. Simmons.
Finance-J. G. Meek. A. W. Johnson. J. : E. Hawkins.
Decorations-J. W. Garner, W. T. Har- rer, George Withall.
Building-George Withall, Henry Phil- hips, Dr. W. B. Smith.
Privileges-A. W. Johnson, J. W. Garner, J. G. Meck.
Printing-J. C. Manchester, Dr. W. B. Smith, A. W. Johnson.
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Entertainment-Dr. W. B. Smith, J. C. Manchester, Henry Phillips.
Reception-W. T. Harper, J. E. Hawkins. J. C. Manchester.
Police-J. E. Hawkins, J. G. Meck. W. T. Harper.
Committee on Counties-Marion county. Sammel A. Flagler : Monroe county, W. T. Fenton ; AAppanoose county, J. E. Hawkins : Davis county, J. W. Garner ; Mahaska county. P. G. Ballingall and Calvin Manning: Keo- kuk county, Henry Phillips; Lucas county. J. G. Meek. F. W. Simmons and W. T. Harper; Jefferson county, A. W. Johnson and J. C. Manchester : Van Buren county, Calvin Man- ning.
Many distinguished men of the nation werG brought here as guests and speakers during the exhibition. Judge George G. Wright spoke on September 18. Governor Boies was present October 9, and met President Benja- min Harrison ; the Governor and the President each addressed the vast assemblage. This was the big day of the exhibition. Visitors were present from all parts of the state. Wa- pello County Day was conspicuous in the cal- endar; on that occasion 1,000 school children were in line. The fraternal organizations had a day set apart, as did also the traveling men.
The exhibition of the first year was not only successful in drawing large numbers of visitors and gratifying them with the enter- tainments that were offered, but it was a busi- ness success and paid dividends to the stock- holders, but nearly all these profits were do- nated for the next year's exhibition, hekdl in 6
1891. Calvin Manning was made president of the association, H. S. Kneedler, secretary. and J. G. Meek, treasurer. Carter Harrison, the elder, made the opening address on Sep- tember 15; Gen. Russell .A. Alger was here on the 17th; William Mckinley addressed an immense assemblage on September 23,-in company with Mckinley were Senators James F. Wilson and Allison, John 11. Gear, Con- gressman Lacey and other distinguished men. The vast crowds could not all be seated in the palace and Mr. MeKinley spoke in the open air from a stand erected at the corner of Court and Third streets, near the public "park," or court-house lawn.
LIST OF SHAREHOLDERS IN THE OTTUMWA COAL PALACE COMPANY.
The following is as complete a transcript of the list of shareholders in the coal palace company as is available. The author adver tised and requested all who contributed to re- port their names, and the list that appears be- low was all that could be found in the records, and the result is believed to cover about all that can be found. The names of all that can be found are printed: from those who gave hun dreds to the poor man who took one share. All these are entitled to honor. The value of each share was $5.00. These are the men and women who made the coal palace possible :
T. D. Foster. $1,000 00
P. G. Ballingall 700 00
J. C. Manchester 500 00
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
W. B. Bonnifield.
500 00
Dial & Foland.
100 00
Ottumwa Iron Works
500 00
Charles Bachman. 100 00
Phillips Coal Company
500 0G
J. A. Phillips. 100 00
Samuel Mahon & Merrill
500 00
F. S. Worcester. 100 00
J. W. Edgerly & Co.
500 00
C. Sax & Son 100 00
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