USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > The History of Muscatine county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 63
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Excelsior Hose Company No. 3 was organized in June, 1876, with twenty- four members. Its motto is, "Always reliable." Herewith is given the official roll: 1876-Foreman, F. Moran ; First Assistant, P. Ryan ; Second Assistant, D. Burke; Secretary, J. H. Cosgrove; Treasurer, F. P. Anson ; 1877-Foreman, P. Toohey ; First Assistant, D. Burke; Second Assistant,
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
M. J. Fahey ; Secretary, J. H. Cosgrove ; Treasurer F. P. Anson; 1878- Foreman, P. Murphy ; First Assistant, D. Burke; Second Assistant, M. J. Fahey ; Secretary, C. P. Neff ; Treasurer, F. P. Anson; 1879-Foreman, P. Murphy ; First Assistant, D. Burke; Second Assistant, J. Pfeiffer ; Secre- tary, C. P. Neff ; Treasurer, J. W. O'Brien. Present membership, forty- two.
Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 .- This Company was organized April 12, 1877, with a membership of twenty-eight, and went into active service on the arrival of their truck, the 1st of May. The officers of the Com- pany, to April 1, 1878, were : Foreman, Lyman Banks ; Assistant Foreman, W. S. Halstead ; Recording Secretary, A. N. Garlock ; Financial Secretary, W. C. Kegel ; Treasurer, J. E. Coe ; Steward, R. C. Williams; Standing Com- mittee, James Mayes, F. W. Swan and Julius Molis. Officers to April 1, 1879 : Foreman, Lyman Banks, First Assistant Foreman, H. W. Hanson ; Second Assistant Foreman, F. W. Swan ; Recording Secretary, A. N. Garlock ; Financial Secretary, W. L. Mull ; Treasurer, J. E. Coe; Steward, C. C. Smith ; Standing Committee, H. J. Lauder, F. W. Swan, J. H. St. John. The mem- bership at present is forty-five. Company quarters, rear room, under City Hall. Truck first-class ; made by G. W. Hannis, Chicago.
Muscatine has, happily, escaped, thus far, from serious loss by fire. The most extensive one which has occurred was August 23, 1851, at which time Joseph Bennett's sash and blind factory was destroyed, with several adjoining cheaper buildings. The loss was estimated at about $40,000. Other minor fires have occurred, as might naturally be expected.
WATER-WORKS.
The admirable system of water-works now in operation in this city was first suggested by Mr. William C. Wier, now deceased. That gentleman vis- ited Muscatine, in the summer of 1875, with the view of enlisting the capitalists in such an enterprise. In the fall of that year, a stock company was organized, and in December the Muscatine Water Works Company was authorized by the City Council to become incorporated under the laws of the State. The lead- ing men in the undertaking were J. A. Bishop, G. W. Dillaway, S. and L. Cohn, W. W. Webster, W. S. Robertson, R. M. Burnett, W. C. Wier, R. Musser, R. M. Baker, J. T. Kreke, S. G. Stein, L. W. Olds, H. Funck, J. Rubelmann, and P. Stein. The charter was for twenty-five years, and covered all points essential to the completion of the works. On the 6th day of Novem- ber, 1875, the Company was organized, and, on the 12th of that month, the following provisional Board of Directors was chosen : G. W. Dillaway, R. Musser, J. A. Bishop, A. Jackson, H. W. Moore, R. M. Burnett, J. Carskad- den, G. A. Garrettson and W. S. Robertson. In 1876, the Board chose G. W. Dillaway, President : R. Musser, Vice President ; H. W. Moore, Treasurer ; J. Carskadden, Secretary.
In order to give a sketch of the detailed progress of the work. we here insert the Secretary's report to the corporation, submitted May 2, 1876. Mr. Carskadden said :
" To the Stockholders of the Muscatine Water Works Company :
" The Provisional Board of Directors of said company respectfully submit the following report : On the 3d of December, 1875, and shortly after the organization of this company, an ordinance was passed by the City Council of Muscatine, granting to this company the exclusive right to construct and main- tain water works for protection from fire, and domestic use, and containing
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guards, provisions and restrictions, which were deemed necessary for the preser- vation alike of the rights of the city and company. The ordinance was formally accepted by the company on the 6th of December, 1875, and by its terms became a contract between the parties.
" It was considered advisable by the directors, and by the stockholders, and the public generally, that the works should be commenced and pushed to com- pletion as soon as possible, and in order to gain some practical knowledge of the subject, a committee of the Board visited the works at Davenport, Rock Island, Lyons and Clinton. This committee was very favorably impressed with the style and operation of the works at Clinton, and especially with the merits of the pumping machinery there used ; and it was finally determined to model our own on a similar though greatly cheaper plan.
"On the 22d of December, 1875. a meeting of the Board was held for the purpose of considering bids and propositions for the construction of the works. Several propositions were submitted and considered, but that of William C. Wier, the engineer who had drawn various plans and speculations for the works, was deemed the best, and it was also the lowest bid submitted for the construc- tion of the entire works without the reservoir ; and the contract was awarded to him, the contract price being $31.138, provided piston-pumps were used, and $32,138, if plunger-pumps were selected. The plunger-pump was decided to be preferable, and the latter adopted at the contract price. Subsequently, the contract was executed between the company and Messrs. William C. Wier and T. Cowell, as contractors, the latter-named gentleman being associated with Mr. Wier, and joining in the contract subsequent to the letting. The contract bears date, December 29, 1875, and the contractors executed a bond for the faithful performance of their contract, in the penal sum of $5,000, with Mr. J. R. Maxwell, of the Cope & Maxwell Manufacturing Company, of Hamilton. Ohio, as surety.
" The contract provides, in brief, for the sinking and anchoring in the bed of the Mississippi River, for a distance of 700 feet from the shore between the elevator and Northern Line warehouse, of a wooden conduit similar to that adopted at Clinton, to convey the water from the channel of the river, and where, it is believed, the water will be free from the impurities of the shore, to the works-the construction of a water-tight well directly at the shore, in which a filter is to be placed, and into which water will be drawn from the conduit, and from which the water will be drawn to the pumps-the construction of a pumping-house and smoke-stack on the levee about eighty feet from the shore with the necessary pumps, boilers and machinery therein, and the lay- ing of a twelve-inch street-main or water-pipe from the pumping-house across the levee and up Chestnut to Second street, and there connecting with the circuit of street-mains which extends from Broadway on the west to Oak street on the east, and includes main lines on Second and Fifth streets, and the necessary connections by eross streets, and the setting of a hydrant for fire purposes at each street-crossing, with several valves or gates by means of which the water can be shut off from any given section of the pipe for pur- pose of tapping, repairs, etc. ; in short, the contract covers and includes all the main work and material necessary for furnishing water by direct pressure, and by its terms the contractors undertook to furnish all the material and do the work.
" The work of trenching and laying the pipe was begun immediately after the execution of the contract and was pushed forward as fast as the frequent rains and storms of the past winter would permit. Some delay in that respect,
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
and also in setting hydrants, was caused by the non-arrival of material at as early a date as it was expected.
" The open winter, which in some respects interfered with the progress of the work, enabled the contractors to build the brick pumping-house and smoke- stack sooner than was anticipated.
" The continuous high water prevented the placing of the filter in the pump well, and the same cause, with the additional fact that the river was not frozen over during the winter, made it impossible to lay a great part of the conduit ; neither of these things could be properly done until low water in the river.
" The street mains and special castings were furnished by the celebrated iron house of Dennis Long & Co., of Louisville, Ky., and are believed to be of excellent quality. The fire hydrants and valves are from the house of S. Cummings & Son, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who have a well established reputation as manufacturers of these articles. The boilers were made by John Baker & Co., of Muscatine, and that is believed to be a sufficient guaranty of their quality.
" The pumping machinery was built, placed in position and connected with the pipes, ready for use, by the Cope & Maxwell Manufacturing Company, of Hamilton, Ohio. The pumps are similar to those of the Clinton Water Works, and are beautiful specimens of that class of machinery. Having a capacity of 1,500,000 gallons in twenty-four hours.
"The public test and trial of the works had on the 12th of April, demon- strated the entire efficiency of the pumping machinery, the strength of the pipes and the thoroughness of the manner in which all the work has been done. Upon the strength of that test, the pumping machinery was formally accepted by the Directors.
" In order that the city might be ready to avail itself of the benefit of the Water Works at as early a moment as possible, the City Council has provided hose and carts, and at the public test before mentioned, a powerful stream of water, sufficient for all ordinary fire purposes, was thrown through 1,050 feet of hose affixed to a hydrant on the east end of Fifth street, being the hydrant far- thest from the pumping-house. This stream was played on the roof and tower of Schoolhouse No. 1, on the west side of Seventh street, and on a high eleva- tion of ground. This severe test convinced all who witnessed it that the terri- torial extent of the protection afforded by the works is limited only by the length and strength of the hose in nse.
" The throwing of two, three and four streams simultaneously, at the same ' trial, proved the ability of the works to concentrate a great mass of water at the same time upon any one point, and that the protection from fire which our citizens have been so anxious to obtain for years, has at last been accomplished.
" At a special meeting of the City Council, held on the 15th of April, the Council was formally notified by the Board that the Water Works were so far completed as to enable the company to afford the necessary fire protection, and that the rental of fire hydrants, as provided by the city ordinance should begin at that date. This communication was referred to the Council as a committee of the whole, and at a subsequent meeting was approved and assented to. The rental here referred to is the sum of $4,000 per year for the hydrants on the present line of pipe, being thirty in all.
" The works have not yet been accepted from the contractors, for the con- tract is still unfinished. About five hundred feet of the conduit is yet to be laid in the river ; the filter is to be made and placed in the well, and some work remains to be done on the streets in back-filling the trenches and repla-
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cing the macadam along the line in Second street. With these exceptions, the work of the contractors is substantially performed.
" In the progress of work, some additions have been made to the original plan, and these have, of course, increased the cost of construction. Two hydrants have been set in addition to the number called for by the contract ; the addition of a mud-settler was made to the boilers, and an arrangement of pipes, by which the water can be forced back in order to scour the conduit, in case it should be obstructed by sand ; the size and capacity of the smoke-stack were increased, and various minor changes and modifications of the original plans.
" The subscriptions to the capital stock of this company amount, in round numbers, to $44,000. The Directors have made four calls or assessments upon the stock-one of 10 per cent and three of 20 per cent, making 70 per cent called for in all.
" With but few exceptions, the calls have been met by the stockholders with commendable promptness, as appears by the report of H. W. Moore, Esq., Treasurer of the company, made to the Board April 29, 1876, there had been collected in cash on the stock subscriptions to that date the sum of $24,504.75, and expended in cash the sum of $24,493.01.
" The system of water works contemplated by this organization includes the construction of a reservoir capable of holding 1,000,000 gallons, npon the west- erly hill of the city-either on the public square or on property to be purchased or condemned for that purpose-the pressure from which shall be sufficient to afford fire protection and supply for domestic use to all lower parts of the town without the aid of direct pressure from the pumps, and, when this is done, the cost of maintaining and running the works will be greatly lessened, as it will not then be necessary to keep up steam constantly.
" In conclusion, the Board beg leave to congratulate you and your fellow- citizens generally upon the fact that this important enterprise has been carried so far toward completion, and with so little delay and loss. When you called upon us to do this work, we knew absolutely nothing about it, and were com- pelled to rely upon conclusions drawn by hasty observation of other works, and upon such information as we could gather from outside sources. We had to depend, in a great measure, upon the advice and suggestions of the contractors, and especially of Mr. Wier, at and before the commencement of the work, and it is but justice to them to say that they have (as we believe) fairly and honor- ably given us and you and the city the benefit of their knowledge and experi- ence. We should also remind you that this is a work that cannot be built and then let alone, like a house, until time and the elements make repairs necessary. It will not run itself. It requires now, and always will require, constant and careful supervision, and economy and thoroughness in its management and future extension to make it either creditable or profitable to the Company. But we feel confident that the same liberality and enterprise which led to the con- struction of our Water Works, will sustain and extend them in the future."
In the summer of 1876, the reservoir was completed, with a capacity of 1,500,000 gallons. It is located on the public square on the southeast part of town. From 1876 to 1879, there were several extensions to main pipe laid, making in all three and a half miles of pipe now in use. Other improvements were made, including the grading, fencing, sodding and planting of trees and shrubbery on the public square. making it one of the finest pleasure resorts in the city. The reservoir is situated about three-fourths of a mile. from the pumping works and at a height of 185 feet from pumps, giving the city a
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pressure of sixty-five to eighty pounds, which is used for all domestic and fire purposes. The company has located on the line forty double-discharge hydrants for fire purposes. The supply of water is obtained from the Missis- sippi River through an eighteen-inch cast iron pipe, running into the river 700 feet. The quality of water is as good as any in the State. The engine-house has been inclosed within a yard 130x75 feet, trees and shrubbery planted, and a beautiful fountain in the center.
The present Directors of the company, elected in May, 1878, consist of G. W. Dillaway, J. A. Bishop, H. W. Moore, A. Jackson. J. Carskadden, R. Musser, G. A. Garrettson, Samuel Cohn and L. W. Olds, with the following officers : G. W. Dillaway, President; J. A. Bishop, Vice President; H. W. Moore, Treasurer ; J. Carskadden, Secretary; William Molis, Engineer and General Superintendent; Charles Molis, Assistant.
THE POST OFFICE.
The first post office in the limits of Muscatine County was established in 1836, with Arthur Washburn as Postmaster. The office was called Iowa. The second post office was at Geneva, in 1838. The name then used was Vander- pool and S. C. Comstock, father of Mrs. W. A. Drury, was the official in charge. Amos Walton, father of J. P. Walton, was Deputy, and, subsequently, Postmaster. The name was then changed to Geneva.
Although Bloomington claimed to be a town in 1836, no post office was established until 1839 at this point. The settlers of "town " and " county " were compelled to go to Geneva for their mail. The first commission was issued to a Postmaster at Bloomington, in 1839, but a most unaccountable spirit animated the man who was honored by the appointment, Mr. Stowell, for, before the commission arrived, he left the village for parts unknown. He may have been appalled at the thought of acquiring wealth so suddenly, for, at that time, the office was worth about $4 a year. At all events, he retired from view, and the citizens discussed the merits of those who were more staid, with a view to selecting an officer. Finally, Edward E. Fay was induced to accept the trust, and his name was duly enrolled on the list of appointments. Mr. Fay was not trammeled with any of the modern ideas of a Postmaster's duties. The citizens did not wait about the general delivery and clamor for their mail, or grumble when he was five minutes too long in distributing the same. The reason was obvious : Mr. Fay carried his office in his hat ! It was not an extraordinary hat, either. It had no lock-boxes or numbered drawers ; but it created a system which has since been abandoned in this city-the carrier system.
Mr. Fay died in 1840, and was succeeded in office by his brother, Pliny Fay, who removed to California. The latter held office under the Harrison regime. During most of that time, the office was in a small frame building on Second street, where Union Block stands. The business had so increased as to require a local office.
When Polk's administration came in, the policy of the Government was one of change, and, in 1844, George Earll became Postmaster. He established his office in a small frame building, on the site of the old Tremont Hall. Mr. Earll soon died of consumption, and his daughter Lucy became first the Dep- uty and then the appointed officer in charge. Miss Earll became a general favorite, through her efficient and agreeable management. She subsequently married Mr. O. H. Kelly, of National Grange fame, and died in 1850, in Min- nesota.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Taylor's election to the Presidency again worked change. In 1849, Nathan L. Stout was appointed Postmaster. At that thime, he was editor of the Bloomington Herald. He removed the office to a new frame building which stood on the site of A. M. Winn's store. The quarters were more commodious than ever before : but Mr. Stout was, unfortunately, a poor business manager, and, in less than a year, his affairs became so complicated that a change was made by the Department, and Richard Cadle took the office. He served acceptably during the remainder of the term, moving the office to the lower room in Freeman's Block, at Pappoose Creek Bridge, on Second street.
In 1853, President Pierce appointed Henry Reece Postmaster. A portion of the time, Mr. Reece retained the rooms in which he found the office, but finally moved to the Boston House (now Scott House), on Iowa avenue. Mr. Reece opposed the Nebraska bill, and was removed from office after three years of service.
John A. McCormick succeeded to the place, and removed the office to the east end of Second street.
In 1860, Robert Williams was appointed by President Buchanan; but the change in administration, one year later, caused a change also in office.
John Mahin became Postmaster in 1861. In the spring of that year, he removed the office to lowa avenue.
In 1869, R. W. H. Brent was appointed to the office by President Grant. The office was removed to Butler's Block, Iowa avenue.
In 1873, John Mahin was re-appointed, and, under his administration, the office was established in the spacious quarters still occupied on Second street, between Iowa avenue and Chestnut street, called Stein's Building, or, more latterly, the Post-Office Building. It is one of the finest offices in the State.
In 1878, B. Beach was appointed Postmaster, and is still serving in that capacity.
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
Both the city and county of Muscatine have played a conspicuous part in the great railroad drama of the West. Liberality on the part of the people was not met by a commensurate degree of success during the years of fierce scramble for power which preceded the war. Muscatine ought to have been the leading railroad town on the Mississippi; and it was through no fault of the citizens that such a grand accomplishment did not result from the efforts put forth. The county voted a large sum of money in aid of railroads, and the city was equally public-spirited. Fate conspired to defeat the measures intro- duced, however, and to-day the county has but just freed itself of a large debt,
while the city has still a burden to carry, growing out of the issuance of rail- road bonds to an unsuccessful and now exttinc corporation. Whatever may have been the past, however, the future is more encouraging. Muscatine is now open to the markets of the North, South, East and West, by the lines running to the city ; while the county is peculiarly fortunate in the numerous- ness of its roads. The city is now one of the most important points upon the great Southwestern Branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road, which uuites the city of Chicago with the city of Leavenworth, Kan., and connects Atchison, by means of a branch, with those centers of trade. The entire sys- tem of railways throughout the Southwest is thus opened up and brought into close relationship with the line upon which Muscatine stands. Texas and the Gulf the border regions, by the Southern Pacific, and the vast treasure of mine and field there lying undeveloped, will some day find an outlet through the connections of which the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific is a part.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Although the city of Muscatine is upon the branch, the main line runs through the northern tier of townships in the county, by which means this section can boast of two trunk lines within its limits, for the Southwestern is practically a main line. The east and west road passes through Stockton, Wilton, Moscow, Atalissa and West Liberty, and calls to those several towns the trade of con- tiguous territory in adjoining counties. At Wilton the Southwestern intersects the main line, and runs nearly south until it reaches Muscatine, thence it diverges to the southwest. Muscatine is the only town, except a mere station called Summit, on this branch, within the county.
The western tier of townships find markets upon the great north and south thoroughfare-the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. While the corporation so named controls the road no further south than Burlington, that road and its connections unite St. Paul with St. Louis. West Liberty profits by being located at the junction of the northern with eastern roads, and is a favor- able marketing point for all staples produced in the magnificent region which surrounds it on all sides. The stations on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern road are Nichols, Conesville and Port Allen.
But these roads are not the only ones. A line extends westward from Muscatine, which is called the Muscatine Western, tapping the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern road at Nichols, and pushing onward toward the coal-fields. During the coming summer, this road will be built several miles beyond its present temporary terminus, in Johnson County. Ultimately this road will become a great through line to Council Bluffs.
It is always better to consider the good that may be realized, than to repine over the results of past mistakes. If the city of Muscatine failed to secure one of the main trunk lines at any early day, there is no reason for despairing of her being more fortunate in the future. The growing demands of rapid transit, between sea-board and sea-board will, sooner or later, compel the construction of a road to the Missouri River upon as nearly an air line as is practicable. Such a road would have to cross the Mississippi at Muscatine. The completion of the Western would serve as a stimulant to such an enterprise, as its route con- templates just such a project. It would become a mighty link in the chain, and the freights of the Pacific would find cheap passage-way through this city.
It is also possible that a road may be built along the river, from Clinton to Burlington, and open up another north and south highway.
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