USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > The history of Des Moines county, Iowa, containing a history of the country, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
1876-A. W. Parsons, Mayor; J. S. Halliday, Auditor; W. W. Wight- man, Treasurer ; E. Hofer, Marshal ; Samuel K. Tracy, Solicitor; C. P. DeHass, Engineer : A. H. Stutsman, Police Judge : J. S. Halliday. City Clerk ; Alexander Hannum, Assessor ; Adam Lamon, Superintendent Mar- kets ; J. E. Lalor, Street Commissioner. Aldermen: First Ward, L. Ziegel- muler, John Lemberger : Second Ward, Charles O'Brien, Charles Starr; Third Ward, L. Krieg, S. J. Eads ; Fourth Ward, C. Geyer, John Dickie; Fifth Ward, A. W. Manning, George Kriechbaum; Sixth Ward, A. Q. Smith, Rob- ert Spencer ; Seventh Ward, Adolph Schrei, J. W. Jenkins.
1877-A. W. Parsons, resigned, W. E. Woodward, elected to fill vacancy, Mayor; W. W. Wightman, Treasurer ; J. S. Halliday, Auditor, resigned June 15, 1877-J. W. Burdette, appointed June 18, 1877; T. G. Catlett, Clerk ; E. J. Hofer, Marshal ; S. K. Tracy, Solicitor ; C. P. DeHass, Engineer ; George Merritt, Street Commissioner ; W. F. McCash, Chief Engineer of Fire Depart- ment ; William Franken, Assistant Engineer of Fire Department; William Yeo, Engineer of Steamers; Charles Sponholtz, Market-master; George Hardegan, Wharfmaster-J. W. Cadwallader to fill vacancy ; A. H. Stuts- man, Police Judge. resigned-O. H. Browning appointed to fill vacancy ; W. H. Root, Police Court Clerk. Aldermen : First Ward, John Niewoehner, John L. Lemberger ; Second Ward, H. Bailey, George Kriechbaum ; Third Ward, H. H. Scott, John Zaiser; Fourth Ward, John Darling, George Orm ; Fifth Ward, Robert Donahue, I. M. Christy ; Sixth Ward, John Dickie, John Bonnell-A. H. Kuhlemeier, vice John Dickie, resigned : Seventh Ward, D. Burgess. H. N. Howe-W. G. Cummings, vice D. Burgess, resigned.
1878-A. G. Adams, Mayor ; O. H. Schenck, Treasurer ; J. W. Burdette, Auditor : J. W. Burdette, Clerk ; J. N. Martin, Marshal ; C. L. Poor, Solic- itor; C. P. DeHass, Engineer ; George Merritt, Street Commissioner ; W. F. McCash, Chief Engineer of Fire Department ; William Franken, Assistant
504
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
Engineer of Fire Department ; Charles Sponholtz, Market Master; J. W. Cadwallader, Wharfmaster ; T. J. Raper, Chief of Police : H. O. Browning, Police Judge ; W. H. Root, Police Court Clerk ; at large, L. Krieg and F. T. Parsons ; First Ward, John Greiner; Second Ward, Charles Ende; Third Ward, A. Hemphill ; Fourth Ward, W. F. Hayden ; Fifth Ward, F. Wagner ; Sixth Ward, A. II. Kuhlemeier; Seventh Ward, W. G. Cummings.
The last-named officers were elected for two years from March, 1878. Under the existing law, but one member of the Common Council is chosen from each ward.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
On the night of Saturday, July 6, 1839, a fire destroyed a cabinet-shop belonging to Pierce & Prine, and threatened the National Hotel. The event is chronicled because that. disaster appears to have been the starting-point of the Fire Department of Burlington. A public meeting was held at the old Zion Methodist Church, for the purpose of inaugurating some system to prevent further depredations by fire. J. W. Grimes offered the following resolutions :
Resolved, That we consider it necessary for the prosperity of our city, and the preservation of the property and lives of our citizens, that immediate steps be taken for the organization of fire companies, and the procurement of hooks, ladders and other implements used in suppress- ing fires.
Resolved, That the Mayor and Aldermen of the city be respectfully requested to subdivide the same into fire-wards, and appoint a suitable person in each ward, Fire Warden, and. by ordinance, to prescribe their powers and duties.
Mr. MeCarver offered another resolution :
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed for the purpose, to receive contributions from the citizens of Burlington, in order to raise a sufficient sum for the proenring of hooks, Indders, etc.
Messrs. Dolan, J. Lamson and C. J. Starr were appointed a Committee to organize a company of firemen. A Hook and Ladder Company was organized in July of that year, with George Partridge, Foreman, and William Dolan and Charles Madera, Assistant Foremen. This was called the "Burlington Hook and Ladder Company," and was the first. The first service done by the newly- organized company was on the 19th of August, 1839, when the dwelling-house of Jeremiah Lamson was saved from destruction through their agency.
On the 5th of January, 1841, an ordinance was passed by the City Council, establishing a Fire Department. The first officers were named Chief and First and Second Assistant Engineers. The head was required, when on duty, to wear a white frock or hunting-coat, and have a white trumpet, on which his title was plainly inscribed. The assistants were required to be clothed in similar manner, excepting the color, which was dark. Their trumpets, also, were to be of dark color, with their respective names inscribed on them in white. Fire Wardens were appointed for each ward, whose duty it was to form lines of bucket- men in case of fire. While on duty, they were required to carry a staff, six feet long, with a white ball on the end. The owners of buildings were required to keep leather buckets, and, if the building had more than four chimneys, addi- tional buckets were essential. Permission was given in this ordinance for the formation of three volunteer fire companies, and elaborate rules for their gov- ernment were enacted.
On the 27th of April, 1845, Shackford & Co.'s flouring-mill was burned, and Henry Hilton perished in the fire. He was asleep in the building where the fire was discovered, and could not be rescued. The pecuniary loss was about $1,700. In March, 1850, Des Moines Fire Company No. 1, was organized, and the Telegraph of August 22, 1850, editorially mentions the fact
505
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
that a petition was presented to the City Council of Burlington, praying for the purchase of a fire-engine. Up to that date no engine was owned by the city, and the people were getting anxious about the matter. The candle and lard- oil factory belonging to Victor Metz, adjoining the Main Street House, was destroyed January 30, 1851. In noticing the fire, the Telegraph took occasion to warn the people of the necessity of purchasing an engine. An ordinance, passed February 7, 1852, provided for the organization of Des Moines Company No. 1, and the purchase of an engine. To this end, the Mayor was instructed and required to issue city bonds in amount not to exceed $1,000, to Des Moines Fire Company No. 1. In addition to this, the sum of $550 was appropriated and the City Recorder was authorized to issue scrip for above sum, to the order and disposal of said fire company. On January 16, 1853, the hardware. store of A. Moore, on Main street, took fire. Dr. Lowe owned the building. A. D. Green occupied the second story. The Historical and Geological Institute in the third story was burned out. The Fire Department was well spoken of, and Thomas Burns especially mentioned. On February 6, 1853, a meeting of citizens was held, with Henry W. Starr in the chair, and O. C. Wightman as Secretary, for the purpose of effecting the organization of a Fire Department. The Council was recommended to purchase two good and substantial fire- engines, with necessary hose and fixtures. At the same meeting, it was resolved to organize an efficient Hook and Ladder Company, thereby implying that the original company had grown weaker than was consistent with public safety. A company was formed, with J. H. McKenny, Captain ; J. J. Childs, William Harris and William Wright, Lieutenants; George Frazee, Secretary and Treasurer.
On October 27, 1855, a new fire company was organized, and a constitu- tion and by-laws were adopted by the organizing committee, David Parker, Austin Kendell, Samuel Allen and Lewis Nevers. The officers elected were: David Parker, Foreman ; Samuel Allen, Assistant Foreman; Joseph Moronel, Foreman of Hose; Austin Kendell, Secretary ; John Code, Treasurer. The number of original members was twenty-five, as follows: David Parker, A. J. Kendell, Samuel Allen, John Code, Joseph Howard, E. M. Chipman, J. A. Patten, M. Cole, A. McDonald, A. Potter, Joseph Barker, Aaron Stout, Rob- ert Heisey, P. Sigler, Chancy Root, A. Root, David Jones, Lewis Nevers, L. Surger, F. Glasgow, Henry Yanoway, Thomas Booster, George Kriechbaum, John Cole, E. Cole.
At an adjourned meeting, held November 8, 1855, a committee was ap- pointed to select names for the company and the Agnew hand-engines, two of which had been purchased in the mean time. Samuel Allen, Austin Kendell and Lewis Nevers were the committee. They submitted the names Reliance, Eagle, Relief, Cataract, Niagara and Phoenix. After a vote for one of the above names, "Eagle No. 2," was declared the name of the company and engine by virtue of election. A committee from the City Council was present at said meeting, and instructed by that body to give all the property of Des Moines Company No. 1, now disbanded, to Eagle Company No. 2, so long as they existed as a fire company. The motto for the new company was brought up and considered. Among eight proposed by the company, the chairman of the committee declared "Ever Ready" to be the motto of the company by virtue of adoption. On the 19th of November, 1866, a steam-engine was pur- chased by the city, of S. Silsby & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y., at a cost of $4,750, and named Dickie. Upon its arrival, Oliver Howard was elected as Engineer, at a salary of $700 per year, by a vote of the City Council. He
506
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
was, therefore, the first paid engineer in the Department. During the winter of 1868-69, the tobacco-factory owned by Smith, Scott & Co. on the east side of Main street, between Valley and Market streets, was destroyed. In this year the disbanded Des Moines Company No. 1 was succeeded by a new com- pany styling itself Black Hawk No. 1. In this year, also, Ira A. Holly got up a petition signed by about one hundred and fifty leading business men of Burlington, asking the City Council to purchase another steamer. Nine of four- teen members of the City Council favored the request and a second steamer was contracted for with the Silsby Manufacturing Company, at a cost of $5,- 500. and which was named "Steamer Burlington." Ira A. Holly was elected engineer of said steamer, at a salary of $700 per annum, by a vote of the City Council.
Steamer Dickie was stationed in the engine-house on Columbia street, be- tween Fourth and Fifth streets. The steamer Burlington, in charge of Eagle Company No. 2, was located in the west end of the market-house, where is now the City Council-chamber. Owing to a complication of circumstances, which led to investigation by the City Council, and resulted in the disband- ment as heretofore recorded, of Des Moines Company No. 1, the City Council instructed Major William Bell to have steamer Dickie removed to the market- house and placed in charge of Ira A. Holly. These instructions were executed by City Marshal William Endsley. At this time S. Parker Edger, a young man of marked ability, noble character and generous impulses, was Chief En- gineer and Isaac Prugh, Assistant Chief. Upon the death of Mr. Edger, who is still remembered and spoken of only in terms of affection and admiration by the firemen and others, Mr. Isaac Prugh became Chief. A fine, large oil- painting of the departed Chief adorns the wall of the present firemen's private room. After the removal of steamer Dickie, the engine-house on Columbia street was burned down. Chief Engineer Isaac Prugh's report, dated February 14, 1871. for the year 1870, shows the existence of the following companies :
Black Hawk Company No. 1, with Jessie Hedges, Foreman; William Smith. Assistant Foreman ; Mike Stanton, Hose Foreman ; James O'Reiley, Assistant Hose Foreman: Humphrey Crawford. Treasurer; Sheldon Hawley, Secretary.
Eagle Company No. 22, with H. Leneweaver, Foreman ; William Franken, Assistant Foreman ; H. Rasnack, Hose Foreman ; F. S. Browning, Assistant Hose Foreman ; Joseph Kuser, Treasurer.
Mechanics' Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, with John Schafer, Fore- man ; Daniel Haskell, First Assistant Foreman ; William H. Dempey, Sec- ond Assistant Foreman ; Robert McCoy. Tillerman ; Frank Kupper, Steward ; George Hoerr, Treasurer ; William Hoerr, Secretary. The Department at this date consisted of seventy-five good. active members, with headquarters at what was called the Engine-house. The number of fires was sixteen, and five false alarms were given ; the loss was estimated at $70.625 ; the insurance was $29.850. leaving an actual loss above insurance of $40,775. In 1869, there were six fires and four false alarms, incurring a loss of $100,000, showing a large saving over the previous year.
On March 1, 1871, an annual meeting of the Burlington Fire Department was held at Firemen's Hall for the purpose of electing a Chief and Assistant Chief : the latter office was at the time filled by Henry Meyers. The meeting was called to order by Chief Engineer Isaac Prugh, and Ira A. Holly was elected Secretary pro tem. ; Isaac Prugh was nominated for Chief; Henry Meyers and George Eads were nominated for Assistant Chief. It was moved
507
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
and carried to elect the Chief by acclamation, Isaac Prugh being elected by a unanimous vote. Henry Meyers, candidate for Assistant Chief, received 42 votes and George Eads 33; Henry Meyers was declared elected, which election was made unanimous. Ira A. Holly was nominated and elected by acclamation as Secretary. Jessie Hedges and A. J. Winders were nominated as candidates for Treasurer; Jessie Hedges, having received a majority of votes cast, was declared elected. Nathan Rasnack was elected watchman of Engine- house.
It being customary in those days for the firemen to refresh themselves with hot coffee after working at a fire, a barrel of coffee was always kept on hand and annually a bellringer and coffee-carrier was elected, whose duty it was in case of fire to first ring the alarm-bell, which was also a signal to his wife that hot coffee would soon be in demand, which she prepared and he carried to the members of the Department.
At a meeting of the Fire Department March 21, 1871, Chief Isaac Prugh stated its object to be the consideration of the amended ordinance and the com- pensation of the firemen. This ordinance provided $60 per month for the whole Department, and, on motion, it was decided by the Fire Department not to accept less than $25 per month for each company. It was settled to pay Black Hawk Company No. 1 $25, Eagle Company No. 2 $25, and Mechanics Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 $20.
On September 13, 1871, Eagle Company No. 2 and Black Hawk Company No. 1 disbanded.
November 20, 1871. Isaac Prugh was succeeded by Thomas Duncan, appointed by City Council as Chief Engineer, with W. F. McCash as Assistant Chief. The City Council also passed an ordinance re-organizing the Fire Depart- ment and making it a paid institution. Six men were appointed to act as Station- men and Policemen. Their names were as follows : Horace Reber, Robert Huffman, William H. Yoe, William H. Cunningham, A. M. Ingersol and one other, whose name does not appear in the records. These men were paid $45 per month. The Council also appointed six minute-men, who received $10 per month each, and who were only on duty in time of fire.
Since the establishment of the "Burlington Paid Fire Department " fires worthy of mention have taken place as follows: Thursday morning, June 19, 1873, a fire was discovered in Luke Palmer's Opera-house, on Main street, between Washington and Columbia streets. Owing to the strong wind prevail- ing and a lack of good hose, the fire got the advantage of the Fire Department and burnt four solid blocks of buildings, which were bounded as follows : By Washington street on the south, Front street on the east, High street on the north, and Third street on the west. The number of buildings destroyed was forty-nine, and the total loss was estimated at $400,000. On the 19th of September, 1873, a fire broke out in a saloon on Jefferson street, burning about four blocks, at which time Gilbert, Hedge & Co.'s lumber-yard was destroyed ; the total loss was estimated at $250,000. The aid of the Burlington Fire Department has twice been sought for by the Fort Madison Penitentiary authori- ties. In one instance it was responded to, when splendid service was done.
W. F. McCash was elected Chief Engineer of the Burlington Fire Depart- ment in March, 1875, and William Franken was appointed Assistant Chief at the same time, which positions these gentlemen still hold. The present Fire Department is composed of Hose Company No. 1, with a one-horse four-wheel hose-carriage, and 800 feet of hose. This company is located at the Central Station, and in charge of the following men: Gilbert Bliss, Superintendent
508
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
of Fire-Alarm and Pipemen ; C. E. Morgan, driver ; L. Dehner, C. W. Bird, Joseph Schwartz, pipemen ; Henry Hirt, Charles Wagner, minute-men. Also a one-horse hook and ladder truck. The two steamers, Dickie and Burlington, are kept here in reserve since the completion of the Water Works.
Hose Company No. 2 is located on the corner of Angular and Boundary streets, and is composed of a one-horse hose-carriage, 700 feet of hose, and L. N. Harris, Henry O'Keefe, T. Dodge, minute-men.
Hose Company No. 3 is located on Amelia street, and has a one-horse hose-carriage, with 700 feet of hose, and F. Hirt, Foreman ; James Kane and F. Reed, minute-men.
IIose Company No. 4, on North Hill, has a one-horse hose-carriage, 700 feet of hose; J. W. Smith, Foreman ; H. Bowers, minute-man.
Patterson Hose Company, located on Summer street, is a volunteer company, having charge of a hose-carriage and 500 feet of hose. It is proper here to state that the present Governor of the State of Iowa, J. H. Gear, was Chief of the Fire Department in 1862.
August 5, 1878, Alderman Kuhlmeier introduced the following resolution, which was read. and the motion adopted, to wit: Resolved, That the Fire Committee be, and are hereby, authorized to contract for the building of a telephone fire-alarm and the renting of telephones, as per report of the Special Committee on Fire-Alarm. The number of alarm-boxes and extent of lines to be discretionary with the Committee within that limit." The contract was awarded to George B. Engle, Jr., representative of the Bell Telephone Com- pany, of New York, who constructed six miles of line, running to five regular stations, including the Water Works, and eleven other points located in various parts of the city, casy of access to the general public. Each of these sixteen stations is supplied with a telephone, and all the circuits center at the Central Station of the Fire Department. The cost of this fire-alarm, including all necessary equipments, except the telephones, was about $900. The latter are rented at $10 each per annum. Thus has Burlington to-day a very efficient system for suppressing fires.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The police system of the city of Burlington had its birth in the year 1837, when the officiating men in this department of the town government were called Marshals. The following is a list of their names : 1837, James Cameron, John Harris, G. W. Kessler ; 1839, John Moore; 1840-43, W. M. Harris; 1843, Silas Ferry ; 1844, W. I. Cooper, John Martin ; 1845, H. G. Marlow ; 1846, Jerry White ; 1847, J. H. Jennings ; 1848-49, James Wells; 1850-55, Will- iam Endsley ; 1856, William Thompson; 1857, William Thompson, H. S. Bartruff; 1858-62, M. H. Winton; 1863-66, C. Wilken; 1866-67, J. C. Hoefer; 1868-69, Henry Van Beck ; 1870, William Endsley ; 1871-73, Alexander Hannum ; 1874-75, William Cox; 1876-77, E. Hoefer; 1878, J. N. Martin. In 1876, the State Legislature made the Marshal ex officio Chief of Police. In 1878, the code was changed, and required the appointment by the Mayor of a Chief of Police and a proper force of men. The Marshal is elected by the City Council for the term of two years, at a salary of $800 per year, while the Chief of Police's terin is at the pleasure of the Mayor. The salary of the Chief is $800 per annum. The present police force consists of T. J. Raper, Chief, and nine policemen, who receive for their services $50 per month.
509
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
POLICE COURT.
The Police Court was established March 4, 1875, when the city abandoned her special charter and became a city of the first class. The jurisdiction of this court embraces all misdemeanors of a criminal nature within the city limits. A. H. Stutsman, the first Judge of the Burlington Police Court, was succeeded January 9, 1878, by H. O. Browning, the present occupant of the Police Judge's chair.
CITY BUILDINGS.
The old Market-house, located on the corner of Fifth and Valley streets, is used by the city for its offices, and is occupied by Mayor A. G. Adams, Treasurer O. H. Schenck, Auditor and Clerk J. W. Burdette, Marshal J. N. Martin. Engineer C. P. De Haas, Chief of Police T. J. Raper, Police Court Clerk W. H. Root, Police Judge H. O. Browning. The City Council cham- ber, the Central Station of the Fire Department, the Police Court and Police Station are also located in this building. The Weighmaster occupies a small office built on the same lot as the City Building. The other city officials have their headquarters wherever it best suits their convenience. The annual finan- cial statement of the city for the fiscal year ending March, 1879, will be more favorable than the last one, and will show a decrease of the city debt as well as a reduction of expenses.
SEWERAGE.
The sewerage system proposed by the City Engineer, C. P. De Haas, for adoption by the City Council is as follows : One large sewer on South street to drain all of the city south of Pine street, and constitute District No. 1, Dis- trict No. 2 to ,be between Pine and Cedar streets. District No. 3 will be drained by sewers on Angular street, and will provide for all the water south of Maple street. District No. 4 to be laid on Division street, and will provide for water between Maple and Division streets. District No. 5 to have main sewer laid on Valley street, and to receive all water north of Valley street. No action was taken on the matter, except in two instances. One sewer was built on Val- ley and one on Market street. All sewers over two feet will be constructed of stone or brick ; all under that measure, will be made of tiling.
The ordinance providing for their construction will be that all sewers costing $3 or less per running foot, shall be paid for by the property-owners adjacent to the improvements; all sewers costing more shall be paid for from the general sewerage fund. All sewers will be laid low enough to drain all cellars, and catch basins will be placed at street-corners to receive surface-water from the street-gutters. The Valley street sewer built by contractors Swindler and Cain, under supervision of their foreman, E. D. Burke, was completed in 1878. It has a total length of 1,700 feet, is ten by eleven feet in the clear, constructed of stone laid in cement, and is located to receive all the water from Hawk-Eye Creek. Its cost was about $25,000, and it was built in six months. The dis- charging capacity of this sewer is 31,729,320 gallons per hour, and it empties in the Mississippi River at the foot of Valley street.
THE BURLINGTON WATER COMPANY.
Until the 1st of June, 1878, the city of Burlington was sorely perplexed over the problem of how to supply itself with water. The Mississippi River ran by its feet, but so far as the solution of the question went, it was of no more practical value than were the cool springs of New England. The dif- ficulty lay in the utilization of the good gifts which nature had so tantaliz-
M
510
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
ingly placed just out of reach. How the matter was regarded by the business men of Burlington, and how the vexing subject was finally disposed of with eminent success, was graphically told in the Hawk-Eye of June 1, 1878. With no further credit, we proceed to clip liberally from that extended account of the triumph over obstacles.
June 1, 1878, was a gala day in Burlington. It was the crowning triumph of an effort to obtain a water-supply for the city that dates back nearly a decade of years. The problem was not an easy one to solve. It is true, water in lavish abundance flows past the city. The supply is not only inexhaustible, but the quality is superior to that furnished many American cities. The great. river, with its rapid current and immense volume of water flowing down over the rock, gravel and sand that line its bed and send the water in eddying cur- rents over and about its sand-bars, is freed from organic impurities, and is surcharged with the oxygen that accomplishes its purification. There was the water in all its plenitude and purity, but it swept unheedingly onward, and left the ambitious " metropolis of Iowa " athirst and unprotected. For while it was possible for the crude water-cart to supply, in a small way, the domestic necessities of the people, and sprinkle a few streets at a disproportionate cost for the result obtained, these primeval appliances afforded no protection against that dreaded enemy of all ages-the devouring flames. Progress in building up the city was checked by this deficiency in the protection of property. Capital shrank from investment where so great risks were incurred. This environment of peril fed upon the commerce, trade and industry of the city, for it not only dis- couraged the improvement of property, but it taxed the property-owner with high rates of insurance.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.