USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 77
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 77
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On the stage and in the center was the Press table, arranged by Mr. C. W. Hufschmidt. The newspaper men who enjoyed its many luxuries reported at the time that "it presented a more tempting sight than editor, reporter or printer had ever seen. That it was a 'fat take' all around." Just below the footlights was the Railroad table presided over by Hon. S. H. Kinne, then State Senator from Allamakee county, and his accomplished wife. Everything connected with this table was fully in accord with the Senator's known reputation for hospitality. At the right of the stage the mayor and council of Dubuque occupied table No. 3, arranged by mayor Nielander, of Lansing, and arranged with entire satisfaction to the tastes and capacities of the parties occupying it. Table No. 5, was nicely arranged by Mr. R. P. Spencer for citizens of Dubuque, next to this was table No. 7, arranged by George H. Bryant for Dubuque guests. Then came table No. 9, arranged by Theo. Nachtwey for guests from Guttenburg. Table No. 11, was arranged for guests from Clayton by Mr. W. A. Travis. Next to this was table No. 13, arranged by J. W. Thomas for guests from Waukon. The guests from Decorah were seated at table No. 15 presided over by Mrs. S. H. Hazleton. No. 17, next to the door was arranged by Mrs. Purdy for the guests from Harper's Ferry, De Soto and Dorchester. The first table on the right as you enter
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
the hall, was No, 14, arranged by Mr. Pearson for the county of- ficials. Next came No. 12, arranged by Capt. E. B. Bascom for general guests. Then came No. 10, where citizens of McGregor and Dubuque were seated, arranged by Mr. N. A. Nelson. Next to this was No. 8, arranged by Mr. Wenst for guests from Mc- Gregor. And then came No. 6, for the use of Dubuque officials, arranged by Mr. Shaw. At the end of the stage on this side, table No. 4, was arranged for the use of the mayor and council of Ga- lena by Dr. J. W. Davis. Two hundred and fifty-six guests were seated at a time, and five sittings were given.
Dinner over, the meeting was called to order by his honor Mayor Nielander, who spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen: The citizens of Lansing, through me, tender you a hearty and sincere welcome, in which I cordially join them. I hope that the union of our cities and towns by this iron chain may be also the means of uniting and binding more firmly our personal and business relations. Those whom I have the honor to represent have used their utmost exertions to make your visit pleasant and agreeable, and we sincerely hope that you will enjoy our hospitality with the liberality with which we offer it to you. Citizens of Lansing-I have the honor of introducing to you these distinguished visitors, with their accompanying friends, who have honored our city with their presence.
These remarks were responded to by Mavor Turk, of D ubuque, in a few well chosen words, when Hon. L. E. Fellowsw as intro- duced, who delivered the following
RECEPTION SPEECH.
Fellow Citizens: The citizens of Lansing, through their offi- cials, the Mayor and Council, bid me extend a formal wel- come in their behalf to you who are here to-day. We cordially greet you as representatives of great railroad aud commercial interests, alike important to our citizens and the citizens of our sister cities and towns so well represented on this occasion. To the officers and members of the Chicago, Dubuque, and Minne- sota Railroad Company, who had the nerve, courage and energy to inaugurate and carry forward the great railroad enterprise that has to-day placed our young city in close connection with the com -. mercial metropolis of our grand and beautiful Iowa-who have with oaken ties and iron bands linked together in close business and social relations, all the thriving Mississippi river cities and towns of Northern Iowa, and made them tributary to that thriv- ing city, Dubuque, of which we feel justly proud-we extend our hearty congratulations that so great a measure of success has crowned your efforts, and while we rejoice to-day over the com- pletion of the railroad to Lansing, in view of the benefits we expect to derive from it, in view of the great benefit it will surely be to all Northwestern Iowa, we do not forget that it is a work of more
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than local importance. It is a most importantlink in that great line of railway that will shortly follow the banks of the Missis- sippi river from where it is spanned by the Northern Pacific Rail- road down toits delta-a railway second in importance to none in America, traversing a country unrivalled for its natural advan- tages, its agricultural, mineral and manufacturing resources, the salubrity and healthfulness of its climate, its varied and mag- nificent scenery, alike inviting to the farmer. the miner, the mechanic, the merchant, the manufacturer and the tourist.
The rapid settlement of the Mississippi valley, marvelous as it has been, is due to its wonderful natural advantages, the building of railroads and the power of the newspaper press. I see before me citizens yet in the vigor of manhood who were pioneers here when the most populous of our cities and towns had scarcely ceased to be rude Indian villages; when the present State of Iowa, with a population of a million and a half, and more than three thousand miles of railroad, had not a mile of railroad nor even a territorial government. Iowa, but a quarter of a century old, is the eighth in population of the States of our Union-what will be her rank at the end of another quarter of a century? Who will attempt to designate the States that will then surpass her in wealth and population ? But the time and occasion admonish me not to dwell upon this inviting theme. The occasion is one of greeting to the citizens of Dubuque, Guttenburg, Clayton City, McGregor, Har- per's Ferry, and our friends from off the immediate line of the railroad-from Galena, Waukon, Decorah, and other points, to join you in awarding honor to the active promoters of this rail- road enterprise. We desire you not only to accept our hospitality but to become acquainted with our citizens. We wish to con- vince your business men that it is for their interest to become ac- quainted with our business men. We desire to show you that our citizens are not only hospitable, but that we have a business here worthy of the attention not only of our railroad friends, but of the business men of Dubuque; that we can and do here gather up and ship to eastern and southern markets an immense amount of produce; that with the facilities for shipment at all seasons afford- ed by railroad, our advantages as a market will be greatly in- creased; that we have a large and fertile territory tributary to Lansing, enabling our merchants to sustain a very large retail trade; that we have good manufacturing establishments and ex- cellent openings for more of them; in a word, that we have the material and advantages for a respectable and thriving city, and the will and determination to make one. We want the business men of Dubuque and McGregor to show our business men that it is for their interest to visit you and trade with you; that it is possible for the great distributing point of the Northwest to be located on the western bank of the Mississippi river, rather than upon the shores of Lake Michigan. And why should it not be so? With
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
our network of railroads, a water line to the Gulf of Mexico, and prospective water lines to the Atlantic seaboard, why should there not be earnest and united action by ns as Iowa men to build up and promote Iowa interests by concentrating the business of Iowa in Iowa, rather than in an eastern city.
I know that I speak the sentiments of my fellow-citizens of Lansing, when I say that we rejoice at the growth and prosperity of the cities and towns on this line of road, and of all the coun- try around us; and especially do we rejoice that we have here in northern Iowa the leading city in the state. We watch with in- terest the efforts of the citizens of Dubuque to reach out in all di- rections for the commerce and trade of northern Iowa and to open new outlets to the east and south. We scan the columns of your able and enterprising newspapers for notes of private and public improvements. We hail each new enterprise of your citizens with pride. We rejoice to-day that we are brought in such close com- munication with you, and believe this connection will be of benefit to all. We thank you for visiting us on this occasion. We thank the railroad company most heartily for bringing you here. We trust your visit will be as pleasant as our desire is sincere that it shall be so. Believe me when I say the citizens of Lansing, one and all, bid you all welcome -- thrice welcome !
Addresses were delivered by Gen. Wm. Vandever, Hon. Wm. B. Allison, Judge T. S. Wilson, J. O. Crosby, J. K. Graves, and others. Several letters from distinguished guests who had been prevented from attending were read. The ceremonies at the hall concluded with the presentation by the young ladies of Lansing to Engineer Brough of two beautiful cushions for his iron horse, the "Lansing." These were presented to Mr. Brough by Miss Frankie Shaw, now Mrs. George H. Markley, with the following remarks:
" In behalf of the young ladies of Lansing I present you these cushions as a slight token of their regard for the honor conferred upon our city in naming one of the locomotives, the " Lansing." I trust, sir, that no accident may ever happen to you or to your locomotive, and that these cushions may ever remind you of the happy event of to-day, and of the kindly feeling of our citizens, and particularly of those in whose behalf [ make this presentation for yourself and the noble and powerful engine now under your control."
Thus ended a red-letter day in the history of Lansing. At this time the town was very prosperous. Real estate sold readily at high prices, and the town seemed destined to enjoy a future of unexampled prosperity.
But the farming community upon which the town had to de- pend largely for its support had, up to this time, relied almost en- tirely upon raising wheat. When, soon after 1872, the wheat crops began to fail and continued to be failures year after year, the
-
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
effect began to be observed in Lansing. Year after year the farm- ers clung to the delusive hope that the next year would surely be a good year for wheat, until many of them were bankrupted and compelled to lose their farms and begin life again farther west with nothing. During these same years came the contrac- tion in values incident to the resumption of specie payments, and many who had contracted debts supposing the fictitious values following the war period would always continue, found themselves wholly unable to pay the mortgages on their land; especially as they had lost the art or power of raising wheat. This unhappy state of affairs, of course, operated to injure Lansing, and for some years the town lost its usual business activity and prosperity. But in the last few years the farmers in the territory contributory to the town have turned their attention more to stock raising, dairy- ing, and other crops than wheat, and this year (1882) finds them unusually prosperous and contented, and the business prospects of Lansing brighter than they have been before for ten years.
The population of Lansing according to the U. S. census of 1880 was 1,811. This enumeration was taken during the crisis of business depression in the town and vicinity, and does not fully represent the present population of the place, which is certainly over two thousand.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Lansing was incorporated as a town in 1864, and organized under the general State laws as a city of the second class by de- cree of the Allamakee county court July 1st, 1867.
The first municipal election was held in "Hays Hall" Septem- ber 17th, 1867, and resulted in the election of the following offi- cers: Mayor, S. V. Shaw; solicitor, John S. Monk; treasurer, G. Kerndt; marshal, Thomas Spurrior; trustees, G. Kerndt, S. H. Kinne, Geo. Hewit, C. C. Bates, James Coard, S. B. Johnstone, Jacob Haas, and A. H. Woodruff.
The present city officers are: Robert Hufschmidt mayor; J. W. Thomas treasurer; John S. Mobley assessor; James Clancey marshal; and John Dunlevy clerk.
The following named gentlemen have held the office of mayor; S. V. Shaw, from September, 1867, to March, 1869; Samuel H. Kinne, from March, 1869, to March, 1872; Henry Nielander, from March, 1872, to March, 1873; William H. Burford from March, 1873, to March, 1874; Theodore Nachtwey, from March, 1874, to March, 1876; Samuel W. Hemenway, from March, 1876, to time of his death, May 6th, 1877. (From May 7th, 1877, until May 9th, 1877, Philip Bockfinger held the position of mayor pro tem, when E. A. Blum was appointed mayor pro tem. by the council and retained the position until the special election of July 2d, 1877, when he was chosen mayor and continued in office until March, 1878.) John M. Hancock from March, 1878, to March, 1880.
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
(Mr. Hancock resigned March 24th, and Mr. S. H. Kinne was ap- pointed mayor pro tem, until the election of Mr. Hufschmidt, April 26th.) Robert Hufschmidt from April 26th. 1880 to the present time. His term of office will expire March 1883.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A meeting was held at the office of Mayor W. H. Burford Feb- ruary 25th, 1871, for the purpose of organizing a fire company. Mayor Burford presided and S. P. Darling acted as secretary. Proper committees were appointed and the meeting adjourned to meet at the same place on the evening of March 2d, 1871. At the adjourned meeting Mayor Burford presided and Mr. S. P. Darling acted as secretary. This meeting and several adjourned meetings immediately following it, resulted in the organization of a fire company, known as "Hope Fire Company No. 1," with the follow- ing officers:
R. V. Shurley, foreman; P. H. Pierson, first assistant foreman; Sam'l W. Hemenway, second assistant foreman: W. H. Burford, secretary; Herman Schurholtz, treasurer; W. J. Bort, first pipe- man, and Phil. Degnan second pipeman. December 3d, 1873, the department was thoroughly reorganized, the name of the com- pany changed to "Rescue Fire Company No. 1," and the follow- ing officers were elected: Capt. E. B. Bascom, foreman; Jacob Schaach first assistant foreman; John Correll, second assistant foreman; T. C. Medary, secretary; J. B. Thorp, treasurer, and J. G. Orr, steward. Since that time the organization has been main- tained. In July, 1874, John Correll was elected foreman, and re- tained the position for one year. Jacob Schaach was chosen fore- man in July, 1875, and held the position continuously until July, 1881, when the present foreman, John Dunlevy, was elected. At this time, 1882, the company consisted of thirty-two active mem- bers. The officers were: S. H. Hazleton, president; John J. Dun- levy, foreman; John Delacy, first assistant foreman; Jerry Dun- levy, second assistant foreman; Cyrus Gorgus, first pipeman; Michael Dougherty, second pipeman; Edward Boechk, steward; Julius Reith, secretary, and Philip Bockfinger, treasurer.
In 1872 the city purchased, for the use of the fire department, one of Rumsey & Co's Village Double Brake Hand Fire Engines. To this has since been added two hose carts of the most improved pattern, and a Hook and Ladder wagon, with all the usual appli- ances for extinguishing fires in the smaller cities. A plentiful supply of the best kinds of hose completes the outfit. The engine and appliances of the department have always been properly cared for and kept ready for use. They are stored in a portion of the City Hall, designed for that purpose when the building was erected. While it may be said that the Lansing fire company has at most times during its existence been somewhat wanting in the matter of drill and dicipline, justice demands the statement that the boys
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
of Rescue No. 1, have always responded cheerfully when called upon to battle with the fire fiend; that they have often been called upon and have always conducted themselves in a mannar deserv- ing of the gratitude and praise of the people. The force includes some of the most expert and daring firemen who ever belonged to any organization of the kind.
THE WATER SUPPLY
In the spring of 1871, through the persistent efforts of Capt. Samuel W. Hemenway, whose life was sacrificed in the enterprise, a stock company was organized in Lansing, for the purpose of se- curing a water supply for the city and the citizens. The company was duly incorporated as the Lansing Artesian Well Company of Lansing. The Swan Brothers, of Boscobel, Wis., were employed to do the drilling, and operations were begun early in the spring by drilling a well on Main street, at the intersection of North Third.
Subsequently attempts were made to sink wells at the west end of Main street, and on Front street at the foot of Main. The west end well was a complete failure, owing to the alleged fact that the drillers struck granite before reaching any considerable amount of water. The well was abandoned, and soon afterward closed up by means of wooden plugs. The Front street well developed a fine flow of water, but because of a defect in piping it, or for some un- known cause, the company have been unable to prevent under- ground leakage. This well is still flowing under the surface, but is not used by the company, and is of no value.
The Third street well was, however, in all respects a perfect success. Its depth is 778 feet. At the time of its completion it was estimated to discharge 372 gallons per minute. The water is at all seasons of uniform temperature, agreeable to the taste, and considered to possess superior medicinal properties. It is supplied to citizens, and the city for fire purposes, by means of an exten- sive system of iron pipes laid in the streets in the most approved manner; and affords a most abundant supply of pure and cool wa- ter for all purposes, having sufficient head to force itself into the second story of buildings in the principal portion of town. Dur- ing the summer drinking fountains are maintained by the city on Main street, where this excellent water can be obtained by all, as " free as the air we breathe."
Beyond question the artesian well has proved itself to be one of the most important enterprises ever attempted by the citizens of Lansing. Its usefulness cannot be overestimated. As stated, its gratifying results were almost wholly due to the individual efforts of Capt. Samuel W. Hemenway, who first suggested the drilling of an artesian well; who demonstrated by means of his superior skill and knowledge of such subjects, the certainty of success, and who, when success had been attained, and the people were rejoicing in the splendid result, lost his life while superintending the comple-
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tion of the magnificent public work his ability, energy, and perse- verance had produced. So intimately is his memory interwoven with the history of this public work, that it seems impossible to leave the subject without a brief review of his life and the painful circumstances attending his tragic death.
On the afternoon of Thursday, May 3, 1877, the Third street well being then an assured success, Capt. Hemenway entered a deep cut on Main street to personally superintend the joining of sections of the main water pipe to be employed in supplying water from the new well. While thus engaged the embankment on the north side gave way, and the unfortunate man was literally buried alive. Assistance was instantly at hand, but some little time was required to remove the large quantity of earth and rocks that had fallen upon him. When rescued from his perilous position it was found that one limb was broken in several places, and that he had probably sustained severe internal injuries. The gravest appre- hension proved too true, and, notwithstanding the best medical skill and kindest attention of friends and neighbors were bestowed upon him, with a community's united prayers for his recovery, he died on the following Sunday, May 6th, 1877.
His funeral, which occurred on Tuesday, May Sth, was attended by the municipal authorities, all the civie societies in the city, del- egates from neighboring Masonic organizations, and the largest concourse of people ever assembled in Lansing to perform the last sad rites for one of its citizens.
Mr. Hemenway was born on the 19th of February 1839, at Pots- dam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. His earlier years were spent in that vicinity. In 1855 he become a resident of Lansing, and was foreman in the agricultural implement factory of his brother, H. H. Hemenway, until the year 1862, when he entered the service of his country, as a member of Co. B, 27th Regt. Io. Vol. Inft. He was commissioned captain by Gov. Kirkwood, October 3, 1862. For faithful service he was promoted to the office of major, and was mustered out at Clinton, August 8th, 1865, having served three years without the loss of a single day by leave of absence. Mr. Hemenway was a republican in politics. As chairman of the re- publican county central committee in the campaign of 1876, he achieved a remarkable victory and had he lived would have re- ceived deserved recognition at the hands of his political associates. At the time of his death he was mayor of the city, superintendent of the well company, a leading member of the masonic organiza- tions of the city, and in all respects the most active, enterprising and useful citizen of Lansing.
On May 30th, 1877, Decoration Day was for the first time for- mally observed by the people of Lansing. Coming as it did so soon after the fateful death of Mr. Hemenway, who had himself been a faithful soldier, and whose new miade grave was then especially en- titled to receive an offering of flowers, the occasion was rendered pe-
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culiarly impressive. From the oration of Dick Harvey, Esq., who spoke with intense feeling upon the occasion, the following extract is subjoined:
"Of those upon whose graves will soon be strewn our floral of- ferings, I deem it adequate to say that when living they were soldiers, all of them brave boys, who, from time to time, have stacked their arms, done with life's relentless warfare, and now are peacefully reposing in the grand encampment of the dead.
'How sleep the brave who sink to ies:
By all their country's wishes blest! When spring with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallowed mould; She there shall dress a sweeter sod,
Than fancy's feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands their knell is rung;
By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There honor comes a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And freedom shall a while repair, To dwell a weeping hermit there.'
With the memory of one among these noble dead, because of long and near acquaintance my heart prompts me to linger. One so lately gone the closing scene still haunts us like some hateful vision. One who had survived the perils of three long years or the tented field, but to reach the meridian of a peerless manhood and then to perish in an hour of peaceful toil, where the possibility of danger was undreamed. Oh, strange and cruel fate! Dumb, in the shadow of this dark mystery, I stand with lifted hands, and vainly strive to comprehend its meaning.
Even had I power to free my prisoned thoughts, language to re- veal the sullen gloom which hangs over the troubled waters of my soul, it were better to be silent, for God knows I would not by the slightest imperfection of expression wound one poor aching heart within the hearing of my voice! Only this much then: He was my friend, strong in intellect and purpose, possessed of wondrous per- sonal power and faultless courage, an impetuous unflinching soldier. Self-taught in the severe school of disappointment and adversity he had developed a bold, decisive character, and had stored a most comprehensive mind with practical knowledge and useful facts. A clear head, large heart and untiring industry combined to render him recognized and respected among all with whom he mingled. Struggling upward against obstacles which baffle ordi- nary men, the dawn of a brighter day seemed breaking, the earn- est of a useful and success crowned career, when alas the ill-fated hour! That treacherous bank must fall and crush out the life of him whose efforts had upreared it!
Oh what a noble heart was here undone
When science's self destroyed her favorite son. Yes! She too much indulged thy fond pursuit She sow'd the seed but death has reap'd the fruit,
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
'Twas thine own genius gave the final blow, And help'd to plant the wound that laid thee low; So the struck eagle, stretched upon the plain, No more through rolling clouds to soar again, Viewed his own feather on the fatal dart,
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