USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 63
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September 24, license side-show
1.00
September 29, fine for drunkenness
3.00
December 30, fine for drunkenness
3.00
December 30, fine for drunkenness
3.00
January 30, auction license
2.00
From county judge.
56.66
Taxes
280.37
Total
$431.03
EXPENSES.
Aggregate expenses
$421.04
Leaving a balance in treasury of. 9.99
The meetings of the council were first held in E. K. Woodruff's shop.
At meeting of the council in August, 1857, the plan of building a prison or calaboose, as adopted at a previous meeting, was reconsidered. On mo- tion the building was changed to the following plan:
Twelve feet square, eight feet in the clear, bottom sills eight inches square, two center joists above and below, the plank to be oak, one and a half inches in thickness, the entire building to be double and nailed with eight-penny nails, five nails in every six inches, square roof, to be shingled, and building to be set and built on eight pillars of stone.
This motion was adopted.
The sum of $90 was allowed Furgason & Bro. for erecting the building, and the ground upon which prison was built was leased of O. G. Brobst, at five dollars per year.
500
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
The present officers of the city are as follows:
Mayor-B. W. Clark. Recorder-T. G. Gilson. Marshal-Charles Rinehart.
Aldermen-First ward, A. J. Briggs, A. J. Kerr; Second ward, J. ! Greenlee, Wm. McClure; Third ward, W. W. Looney, W. W. Belvilla Attorneys-Crozier & Young.
Street Commissioner-F. J. Brobst.
The population of Knoxville increased rapidly from 1854 to 1860; rapid increase which began in 1854 being the cause of the movement to corporate, and the fact is evidenced by the numerous additions which were laid out during the years mentioned. From 1860 till 1875 the growth d the city was slow, and we find that but few additions were laid out. I 1875 the first railroad entered the town, and its growth has been rapid ever since. As to the population in early times, we have already seen that is 1854 there were sixty-four votes cast at the election to determine on incor- poration. These sixty-four votes represent a population of from three to four hundred. The population in 1875 was 1,699, when there were dwell ing-houses to the number of 350. According to the census of 1880 then were in Knoxville on the first day of June. 2,577 inhabitants.
The period during which there was the most rapid growth in business and improvements, as well as in population, was the six months following the completion of the C., B. & Q. Railroad. During that period extending from January 1, 1876, to July 1, 1876, the sum of $130,000 was expendel in solid improvements. Among these improvements were the following. Addition to Tremont ฿ 2,900
I. H. Garretson, business house
1,750
Business houses by Weyers and Huffman 1,500
Business house by Welch, McMillan & Co
Addition to elevator 12,009
500
Business house, John Reaver.
6,000
Business house, Hayward & Underhill 750
Poor-house
2,500
Among the improvements which have been made since that time, the Opera House Block and the two school-houses, being public improvements, are most deserving of mention.
The Opera House Block was erected in the summer and fall of 1876 by Ruffner, Neifert & Co. The first story is occupied by store rooms, the opera hall being on the second floor. It is 40x80 feet and will comfort- ably seat five hundred persons. It has a large and well furnished stage, with first class modern scenery, painted by a distinguished artist from Quincy, Illinois. The hall is reached by a stairway of five feet width which affords ready means of ingress and egress.
SCHOOLS.
The public school buildings were erected in 1877. When the second survey of the town was made in 1849, block 35 was set aside for school pur- poses. On that lot a small log school-honse was erected, and this afforded all the school accommodations the town had till 1858, when a two-story
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531
KNOXVILLE.
ick school-house was erected on the same site. That building was snb- vided into four school-rooms and was a very creditable school-building r that time.
Opon the completion of two lines of railway to the town and the subso- ent rapid increase in population and wealth the people decided that they eded better school accommodations. The project of erecting new build- gs was thoroughly discussed on the street corners, in the store rooms and rough the city papers, and in March, 1877, a proposition to iesne bonds the amount of $25,000, for the purpose of erecting two school-houses, e in the east part of the city on the old school lot, and one in the west rt of town, was submitted to the qualified electors of the district.
There was much opposition to the enterprise and great interest was man- sted by both the friends and opponents of the measure. The proposition is carried by a majority of some sixty votes.
This preliminary measure having been carried the school board carried t the enterprise with promptness. J. D. Fulton, an architect of the wo, was employed to draw plans and specifications, and another lot was irchased in Wright's Addition for the sum of $1,500. In June following e contract was awarded to Woodruff & Son and J. A. Welch, then a ember of the school board, was appointed superintendent of the building erations; and to this last named individual is the city indebted, in a large ensure, for the most elegant, commodious and economically constructed hool buildings in the State.
The buildings were to have been finished by November following, but ring to the bad condition of the weather for building purposes, they were t completed till January, 1878.
The two buildings were erected at the same time and are precisely alike. ley have a frontage of seventy-five feet, and extend back seventy feet and ght inches. The ceiling in the basement is eight feet eight inches from the or, those of first and second stories fourteen feet. The foundation is con- "acted of good quarry limestone, and the walls of the building are of ick. The outside walls are thirty-eight feet ten inches from water-table eaves, and the rise in the centre of gables is twelve feet-nine inches. The wers, porches and windows are finished with the best terra cotta.
Six rooms in each building, each 374x26 feet, have been fitted up and are w used for school-rooms. There are also, in each building, three rooms the basement adapted for school purposes should there be a demand for em; at present they are occupied by the janitors and their families, ich school-room is provided with a wardrobe, and the halls and stairways e commodious and conveniently arranged.
In the erection of the buildings provision was made for heating with hot r furnaces; these, however, have not yet been supplied, the buildings be- g heated by stoves.
The school-rooms are supplied with the best approved furniture and ap- ratus. The furnishing of the houses cost $3,200, which, together with ts and cost of buildings, makes the total expense $29,700.
The schools opened in the new buildings in January, 1878, under the man- ement of Prof. J. W. Johnson. Mr. Johnson had just closed a term in e office of county superintendent of Mahaska county, and came to Knox- lle under contract to organize and superintend the public schools of the ty. He occupied the position of superintendent from January, 1878, till
588
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
July, 1880, and under his supervision the schools were brought into a high state of efficiency.
The high school is located in the east building, and the grammar school in the west school-honse. There are four primary departments in each building, corresponding with one another.
The studies pursned in the primary and grammar departments are simi- lar to those taught in the best graded schools of the State. The high school course has been extended from time to time; the following is the courses at first adopted:
9TH GRADE.
10TH GRADE.
11TH GRADE
SUBJECTS.
C. CLASS.
B. CLASS.
A. CLASS.
Mathematics.
Algebra. 3.
Arithmetic. Book-Keeping.
Geometry, 3.
Science.
Physiology, 2. Botany, 1.
Natural Philosophy, Zoology, 1. 2. Zoology, 1.
Physical Geogra- phy, 2.
Language.
English Grammar English Composi- American Litera- and Analysis. tion and Rhetoric.
ture. English Litera- ture.
Miscellaneous.
Word Analysis. ¡Selections in Read- ing.
U. S. History and General History. Civil Govern- ment.
The enumeration for the past year was 868.
The actual enrollment for the school year, beginning in September, 1879, and closing in June, 1880, was 729; average attendance, 503; average cost of tuition per month, 95 cents.
At the time the schools were first opened in the new school-houses the following constituted the school-board and officers:
Board-F. M. Frush, Jona Ruffner, D. T. Coats, W. A. Moody, M. Mil. ler, John Reed.
Officers-Minos Miller, president; C. B. Boydston, secretary; Ed. Baker, treasurer; J. W. Johnson, superintendent.
The following rules, adopted by the board in 1878, are still in force:
1. The regular meetings of the board shall be held on the first Wednes- day of each month, except the regular meetings in March and September, which shall be held on the third Monday of said months. Special mest- ings may be called by the president; but no special meeting shall be held until all the members of the board have received notice.
538
KNOXVILLE.
8. Four members shall constitute a quorum.
3. The order of business in the regular meetings shall be as follows: Reading of minutes.
Communications and petitions. Reports of standing committees. Reports of special committees. Reports of officers.
Unfinished business. New business.
The rules of order shall be the same as those governing all deliberative bodies.
4. The officers of the board shall be president, secretary, treasurer and superintendent.
5. The standing committees of the board-finance, supplies, teachers, text-books, etc .- shall be appointed annually at the March meeting.
The officers and members of the board at present are: John Reed, presi- dent; C. B. Boydston, secretary; E. Baker, treasurer; board: O. B. Ayres, D. T. Coats, S. G. Cushing, E. R. Hayes and J. D. Gamble.
H. C. Hollingsworth is the present superintendent who has under bis care and direction ten teachers.
NEWSPAPERS.
It is generally considered that there is no education which surpasses in practical benefit the newspaper which visits the home, and dealing with home matters, home interests and local surroundings, appeals to the intel- lect and the pride of the family by making its readers acquainted with that which immediately surrounds them. The influence of the local newspaper is generally underrated. Its treatment of great questions may be weak, but its appeals in behalf of its county or city seldom fall unheeded, or are cast aside as useless. It is gratifying that we can enter upon the history of newspapers in this city, after a careful examination of them at every period in the history of the county since they were established, and see the good they have done, and find that they have been so strong and influential as they have. Few other towns have had a larger number of papers, and there has been no time in its history but its newspapers have compared most favorably with the best which surrounded them in other counties of greater popularity and pretentions. They have been found always on the right side of the great questions which affect the morals of a community; temper- ance, Sunday-schools, schools, and the higher education, and with every movement looking to progress.
The first newspaper established in Knoxville was the Journal, estab- lished by Wm. M. Stone in 1855. It was established a short time after the organization of the Republican party and it and its immediate successors have been always regarded as the most able and fearless exponents of Re- publicanism in the State. We are enabled to trace out the career of the Journal and its successors of different names until the Journal again appeared but are not able to give the names of all the proprietors and editors nor the dates when these changes in ownership took place. We give the facts so far as we have been able to get at them. The Journal which was established by Stone was published in 1857 by W. J. Bigelow, who in October of the same year took in as partner J. C. Baird.
584
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
Sometime prior to 1865, B. F. Williams purchased the paper which is the meantime was changed to the Republican.
During the year 1865, Williams took in a partner named H. W. Robin- son. In August, 1866, Williams & Robinson sold the Republican to W.G. Cambridge, who in turn sold the paper to A. F. Sperry and Francis C. Bur- ker, in March, 1867. Upon taking possession of the paper Sperry & Bur- ker changed the name to The Voter.
In August, 1872, Sperry sold out his interest to Mr. Barker, who pub- lished the paper alone until June 4, 1876, when Mr. T. C. Masteller became associated with him. The firm name was Barker & Masteller, and with the first issue by the new proprietors the name was changed to Knowvill Journal, the original name of the paper.
In the issue dated June 11, 1874, appears the following editorial giving reasons for changing the name:
"Knoxville Journal will surprise all of our readers, of course; but to many-those who in the early days of the Republican party and the latter days of its illustrious Whig predecessor, the familiar name will be an agree able surprise, reminding them of the pioneer days of 1855, of 1856 and the rallying cry of ' Freemen, Free soil and Fremont'; of the birth of the party which has made free men of millions of slaves, which gave free soil to Kansas, and in its youthful struggle to elect Fremont; 'Made way for Liberty'-here the quotation must end, it did not die. But we have almost lost our text.
" The name is not new. During all the years you have been reading the Marion County Republican and the Iowa Voter, the same types-in part- have been doing you service which under the name of Knoxville Journal exhorted the people of Marion county and the Hawkeye State to vote for John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln. During all these years you have really been reading the Knoxville Journal in disguise. The old name is really more euphoneous than either of its substitutes; it is more in keeping with the character of the paper; does not presume to occupy a field too broad, as did the name just laid aside -- it is much more modest. The Journal is proud of its home, and proud of the name of one of the most moral, peaceful and prosperous, and consequently happiest cities in Iowa; not ashamed of the name Knoxville as part of its own and indulges the hope that Knoxville may never be ashamed of the Journal.
"October 1, 1855, the Journal was established, and hence is now almost nineteen years old. It will attain its majority in 1876, the centennial year of our national independence, although it has been a Voter seven years."
This management continued about two years, when Mr. Barker became and has since been publisher and proprietor.
The second newspaper enterprise in Knoxville was started by J. L. Mc- Cormack in September, 1865.
Although Mr. McCormack served two terms in the State Senate after that, he continued the publication of the Democrat until February, 1879, when he sold the paper and the commodious brick building which he had erected for an office, to D. Overton, Esq.
Upon purchasing the paper and material Mr. Overton leased it to Minos Miller and J. D. Gamble, who changed it from a Democrat to a Greenback paper.
In January, 1880, Messrs. Miller & Gamble retired and since then it has
586
KNOXVILLE.
: been published by S. van der Meulen and F. Florey, the former being edi- tor and the latter manager of the mechanical department of the office.
In February, 1880, the name of the paper was changed from that of the Democrat to that of the Express. Since assuming control of the paper Florey & van der Meulen have met with good success, they having doubled their circulation in a little over one year.
Mr. van der Meulen, the editor, is a native of Germany, he having been a citizen of the United States but a few years, and prior to assuming edi- torial charge of the paper had but little newspaper experience. He is a man, however, of good education, having graduated from the Eberfeldt Seminary, one of the best schools in Germany. After coming to this coun- try he corresponded with several journals in Holland and Hanover and dur .. ing the last few months prior to the retirement of Miller & Gamble from the Democrat, was assistant editor.
Upon assuming editorial management of the paper Mr. van der Menlen. published the following salutatory:
" In taking charge of the Democrat we feel it due the friends and pat- rons of this paper to say a few words as explanation in regard to the edi- torial and business management of this paper, and also to let the public know the course we expect to pursue. Having leased the Democrat office from Mr. Drewry Overton, we shall employ our best talent, energy and pluck to make it a welcome visitor to every household in Marion county, a pride to the city of Knoxville and a credit to ourselves. We are well aware that we are entering a new field, one which requires talent not alone, but also experience in order to assure a large measure of success. Yet we. believe ourselves to be able to amend what we lack by paying strict atten -. tion to business, and thus command the patronage and good-will, of not alone the old patrons, but of a good many more.
" We suppose it is hardly necessary to say that we will most heartily ad- vocate the principles of the National Greenback party, upon the merits of the same, believing that only by the means of them this nation can once more be prosperous and happy.
"And now, with good-will to all, and malice to none, we roll up our sleeves, go to work, and try to merit the good-will and patronage of the public so freely given to this paper in the past."
In less than one year after disposing of the Democrat, Mr. McCormack determined to re-embark in the newspaper business, and in January, 1879, started a paper called the Reporter. He has just completed a very conve- nient two-story brick building twenty by forty-six feet, on Third Street, north of public square. The first story is fitted up for editor's office and press-room; the second story is used for composing rooms.
Mr. McCormack has a genius for the editorial profession and is regarded as one of the best newspaper men in the State.
Upon establishing the Democrat in 1865, Mr. McCormack published the following salutatory :
" It has always been the custom, we believe, in bringing a newspaper before the people for their patronage and support, to set forth the object that caused its advent, if any particular object exists; and to lay down rules by which it, in its intercourse with its readers, will be controlled.
" Since the organization of parties, newspapers have generally advocated the principles and policy of one or the other political parties, and it is ex- pected that an editor on assuming the chair should inform those who are
586
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
expected to be his readers to what party he acknowledges allegiance, and what organization will be supported in his columns.
" We acknowledge the justness of these customs, and in as plain and brief a manner as is possible, will endeavor to meet their demands.
" It has long been obvions to every one, that there was greatly needed in this county, a newspaper differing greatly from the one heretofore in exist once in this city, both as a medium for the circulation of news, as well as in the position it occupied upon political questions.
" We have undertaken, and will endeavor to supply the deficiency which has heretofore existed.
" It is the intention to make this sheet a welcome visitor to the firesides of every household; to give instruction, afford pleasure and enjoyment in the perusal of its columns, and if possible to bring about a little better un- derstanding in the minds of the people, as to the true duties of neighborly citizenship.
" To the farmer, we will weekly devote a reasonable portion of our space -selecting from the best authority within our reach such matter as will be interesting, instructive and profitable.
"To the merchant and consumer, we will pay attention in our selections -endeavoring to keep him posted in the markets in our cities, and also will pay strict attention to our home sales-giving weekly the prices of all articles of produce sold in our market.
"To the interest of the general reader we will not be neglectful. Every week will be found upon our pages selections of literary worth. Poetry, historical incidents, clippings that please the mind; and to those that love to spend an idle moment in romance, onr paper will be a welcome guest.
"As a newspaper, we intend that the Democrat shall rank among the first in the list of county papers.
" In politics this paper will support the principles and stand by the or- gauization of the Democratic party. It acknowledges allegiance to none other, and will pay fealty to the behests of its regular organization alone.
" Believing that the safety of our republican institutions require a re- turn to the principles of the party that established the Union, we shall la- bor for the overthrow of the party now in power; and insist upon a return to the condition of things that existed before traitors endeavored to destroy the goverment. Having always opposed treason, there will no pleas or excuses for those who have been guilty appear in these columns; but be- lieving that section alone does not furnish the badge, we shall arraign those whom we believe to be guilty, no matter to what party or section they be- long.
" As an advertising medium we expect from the extent of onr circula- tion to make our pages sought after by business men of all kinds.
" Asking of all a candid consideration, we submit ourselves to you."
CHURCHES.
The first meeting called for the purpose of erecting a church was the Methodist Episcopals on October 25, 1852. The meeting was held at the house of E. G. Stanfield. The following persons were present: Rev. A. W Johnson, John Butcher, Conrad Walters, Luke McKern, John R. Palmer, James Cunningham, Levi Clearwater and A. W. Collins.
Prior to that time, and probably as early as 1845, a Methodist minister
597
KNOXVILLE.
by the name of Neur, visited Knoxville and formed an organization of this denomination.
At the date first referred to; viz., October 25, 1852, the first definite measures were taken for the erection of a building. A. W. Collins was ap- pointed secretary of the meeting, and preparations were made to secure from the county the donation of a building. A church building organ- ization was formed, and trustees were elected, as it was necessary for the church to have trustees before the organization could receive or hold prop- erty.
Among the records of the county judge we find the following, dated Jan- nary 21, 1853:
" On this day a petition of E. G. Stanfield and forty others, is presented, praying of the county judge to grant to the trustees of the Methodist Epis- copal Church two lots lying in the city of Knoxville, in this county, said lots being the property of this county. After hearing said petition, and having examined the said matter, and being fully advised in the premises, it is ordered that said petition be granted; and it is further ordered by the county judge that the following named lots be donated to the Methodist Episcopal Church; provided the said church will build a church in the said town of Knoxville; to-wit., lots 6 and 7 in block 28, in the said town of Knoxville.
"JOSEPH BROBST, "County Judge."
The church building was accordingly erected on the lots before men- tioned, and the house was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God on the 28th day of May, 1856, by the Rev. John Jay. This building was a small brick, which was sold to the United Presbyterians in 1858, and a large two story brick church was erected on a lot one block east and one block south of the public square. This building is still used by the denom- ination as a place of worship.
The building is two stories high, 40x60 feet, and cost about 86,000. At the time this building was erected the organization had a membership of over 300.
Owing to the division and subdivisions of the membership by the form- ation of other organizations of the same denomination through the sur- rounding country, and the erection of numerous other church buildings in the county, the membership at present is not as great as it was in 1858. The members at present number 210.
In connection with the church there is a flourishing Sunday-school with an enrollment of abont 175 pupils.
The church and Sunday-school contributed during the last conference year over $1,000 for the various benevolent purposes.
W. G. Wilson is the presiding elder, and J. W. Robinson is the pastor, he being now in his second year as pastor of the church. R. Baxter is superintendent of the Sunday-school.
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