USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 72
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President. Under these circumstances, what the House of Representatives should have done, was to have adopted a resolution setting forth the refusal of the tribunal to exercise all of the functions vested in it, and all of which were necessary in order to arrive at a just conclusion. The tribunal having failed to exercise these functions, the House was to determine, so far as it had the con- stitutional right so to do, who were legally appointed Presidential Electors in the States of Florida, Louisiana and Oregon. Such action would have set- tled the question adversely to Hayes and in favor of the constitutionally elected President.
As we write, the sudden announcement is made that Dennis A. Mahony is no more. At 2 o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, November 5, 1879, he breathed his last at his late residence on Seminary Hill, a delightful suburb of Dubuque. " His health," observed the. Telegraph in an obituary article pub- lished on that day, " had been failing for several years. In the autumn of 1877 he became so feeble that he was unable to visit his office, and, during the greater part of that winter, he was confined to his house. Still he continued his edi- torial work, writing for his paper even when unable to leave his bed. In the spring of 1878, his healthı improved somewhat, and for a time he visited the office nearly every day, but he soon grew so much weaker that his friends per- suaded him to give up all labor for a time and seek the rest and recreation he so much needed. In compliance with their wishes he went to St. Louis, where he spent some time visiting with his daughter, thence going to Perry Springs, Ill., and remaining a short time. Late in the summer lie returned to Dubuque, apparently but little improved in health. His disease was an affection of the digestive organs, for which there appeared to be no remedy. He was able to take but very little nourishment of any kind, and, although usually suffering but little pain, he gradually, almost imperceptibly, grew weaker. For a month or two preceding the election in the fall of 1878, he visited his office quite regu- larly, and did a large amount of editorial work, although this was done at inter- vals during the day. He felt, however, that the disease was gaining upon him, and frequently said, that, were it not for the excitement consequent upon the interest which he felt in the elections, he would be unable to do this. Early in October, 1878, he became too weak to leave the house, and never again entered his office. For two or three months longer he continued his editorial labors, contrary to the advice of his physician, and the earnest request of his friends. During the greater part of last winter he wrote but little for his paper, and for the last six months of his life not a single sentence, yet he still continued to take the same deep interest in everything that pertained to the public welfare. For the past month neither he nor his friends have had any hope of his recovery, and several weeks ago his death was thought so near that he made his will and received the last sacraments of the Catholic Church, of which he was an earnest and consist- ent member. He was conscious until the end, and able to talk intelligibly, his last a request words being that he be turned to the other side, asking at the same time that it should be done by another person, so that his wife, who was seated, almost overcome with weariness and grief, should not be disturbed. The quick ear of affec- tion caught the request, and the devoted wife, who, during his long sickness had ministered to his every want with a patient heroism and a spirit of self-sacrifice which none but a true woman can feel, was at his side in an instant. His request was complied with, and almost immediately he closed his eyes in death. His work on earth was finished. The labors and the pleasures of youth, the toils, the triumphs, the disappointments of manhood, and the weary months of sickness which preceded life's close, were all ended. The still, white face was
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emaciated by disease, yet showed no trace of care or pain. Upon the features rested a look of tranquil happiness and that perfect peace ‘ which passeth under- standing.'
" Mr. Mahony was born at Ross, County Cork, Ireland, January 20, 1821. When he was nine years of age, his parents removed to this country, where their son grew to man's estate, and where he was educated, principally in the public schools of Philadelphia. In the autumn of 1843, he came to Iowa, where he engaged in the work of teaching, in which occupation he continued for five years. Part of this time he was engaged as teacher in a Catholic school in this city, but the greater portion in the public schools in Jackson County. In the fall of 1848, the people of Jackson County elected him to represent them in the Iowa Legislature, where, as in every position of life, he made a reputation as an able, conscientious and assiduous worker. Mr. Mahony's first newspaper work was done in Philadelphia, where he was a contributor to the Ledger, and other papers published in that city. During the period when he was engaged in teaching, he frequently wrote for the Miner's Express, a Dubuque news- paper, which is remembered by all the early settlers. During his residence in Philadelphia, he also spent some time in the study of law, and, after his removal West, was admitted to the bar in Iowa City. He also studied for a while in the office of Davis & Crawford (Timothy Davis and James Crawford) in this city. After his return from the Legislature, Mr. Mahony accepted the position of editor of the Miner's Express. Later, in company with Messrs. Dorr, White and Adams, he established the Dubuque Herald, of which he became managing editor. The proprietors of the Herald soon after purchased the Express, and merged the two papers into one, which was called the Express and Herald. In the course of his early newspaper career, Mr. Mahony did much to draw emigration to Iowa. He encouraged the writing of, and pub- lished, a series of articles written with that object in view by Rev. J. C. Hol- brook, a Congregational minister, and in many other ways aided in building up the city and improving the surrounding country. In 1858, he was again elected to the State Legislature, this time as Representative from Dubuque County.
" Mr. Mahony all through life took great interest in the work of educating + the young. He was the first President of the Board of Education in this city, and it was under his direction that the public schools were graded, they being modeled after the excellent public schools of Philadelphia, in which Mr. Mahony had passed a number of years. With the exception of two or three intervals, when he engaged in other business for a short time, Mr. Mahony was editor of the Herald from the date of its establishment until 1862. Always a fearless advocate of what he believed to be right, he soon made for his paper a national reputation. The Dubuque Herald was widely read and quoted, and Mr. Mahony was regarded as the leading editor of the Northwest, and one of the ablest political writers of the time. After the outbreak of the war, public excitement reached such a pitch that a man could scarce say aught against any act of the Government without being denounced as a traitor. Mr. Mahony, as a true patriot, observed with sorrow violations of the Constitution of the United States by the military authorities, and denounced them with his customary fear- lessness and vigor. For this he was mercilessly slandered and abused by politi- cal opponents. Blinded by partisan prejudice, they failed to see the true nobility of soul which prompted Mr. Mahony unhesitatingly to sacrifice his opportunities for political advancement and his prospects for worldly gain to his devotion to principle. Knowing well that all his worldly possessions and even
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his life were in constant danger from the attacks of unreasoning mobs, he con- tinued day after day to fearlessly advocate sentiments which his adversaries were pleased to term treasonable, and for the utterance of which they finally procured his arrest. Before daylight on the morning of the 14th of August, 1862, he was kidnaped from his home in Dubuque, under the orders of the cowardly U. S. Marshal, Hoxie, of Iowa, who dared not attempt his arrest in the daytime. He was taken to the Old Capitol prison at Washington, where, deprived of all the comforts of life, and denied even a trial, he was confined for nearly three months. During this period, the Democratic party in this dis- trict nominated him for Congress, and he, while still confined in prison, received in his own county a majority of 1,457 over Mr. W. B. Allison, the opposing candidate. Indeed, it was claimed by his friends that he had a majority in the district, but was swindled out of the office by the returning-board system, which has since become the disgrace of the nation. After an imprisonment of nearly three months, during which he had repeatedly-but without avail- asked for a trial, or even a copy of the charges against him, Mr. Mahony was " honorably discharged " from custody on the 11th day of November, 1862. He returned to Dubuque ; his paper, the Herald, having during his imprison- ment been sold. The following year he was nominated for the office of Sheriff of Dubuque County, and, although the opposition party made a desperate effort and spent a large amount of money to compass his defeat, he was elected by a majority of 972. He served two years, and was then re-elected to the same office by a majority of 1,090. (At an earlier period he had been elected as Treasurer of this county.) These triumphs at his own home were a stinging rebuke to those who, led by partisan feeling, had so basely slandered and perse- cuted him. At some less exciting time, they perhaps would have seen more clearly, and admired, the high character of their opponent, even though dis- agreeing with the sentiments which he advocated.
" During Mr. Mahony's last term as Sheriff, he, in company with Messrs Stilson Hutchins and John Hodnett, established the St. Louis Daily Times, of which he was editor and one of the proprietors for about fifteen months, when he sold his interest to his partners and returned to Dubuque. In 1871, Mr. Mahony purchased the Dubuque Telegraph, of which he continued editor and proprietor up to the time of his decease.
"Mr. Mahony retained possession of all his faculties until the last moment of his life. Up to the last month of his sickness he was able to receive his friends, and used to converse with them for hours at a time upon the current topics of the day. All his life he was a close student and an almost unceasing worker, and the disease which terminated his existence was probably brought on by too intense and long-continued labor in the editorial chair. Although delighting in the society of his friends, and always glad to receive them at his own home, he seldom took time to make visits and was very rarely seen at any place of amusement. Though firm as adamant in his devotion to his political and religious principles, he was no blind follower of either party or creed. No narrow-minded bigotry prevented his seeing and acknowledging good traits in those opposed to him, neither did he ever fear to use his pen and voice against whatever he believed to be wrong among those who professed the same political and religious faith as himself.
"Mr. Mahony leaves a family consisting of a widow, three sons, and four daughters. Three sons have preceded him to the better world. Their remains are buried in the Catholic cemetery at Garry Owen, and there on Friday next, all that is mortal of the fond husband and father will be laid to rest at their
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side. It would be useless, in conclusion, to attempt to write a proper tribute to the memory of one of the truest and kindest of men. Only those intimately acquainted with the deceased could appreciate it, and to these the mere announcement of his death will be sufficient to call to mind his many noble traits of character. His work on earth is finished, but the memory of his vir- tues will live in the hearts of those with whom he was intimately associated."
Deceased was in many respects a remarkable man. As a journalist he ·enjoyed a reputation that was national; as a friend, he attracted the love and veneration of thousands, who to-day mourn his seemingly untimely taking-off. The Telegraph has since been conducted by decedent's heirs with John S. Murphy as Managing, M. C. Spear, City, and George Bechtel, Commercial, Editor. It enjoys a circulation of 2,500 daily and weekly, and is valued at $15,000.
The Dubuque Daily Despatch .- This latest addition to the journalistic fold of Dubuque made its first appearance on Monday, March 8, 1880. It is a folio, containing five columns to the page, printed in brevier and nonpareil, and prom- ises to assume a position with age and experience. The Dispatch is independent in politics, published by the Dispatch Company, and edited by B. W. Blanchard, late city editor of the Telegraph.
THE GERMAN PRESS.
Previous to 1856 the Iowa Staats Zeitung, a successor of the first German publication in Dubuque, had the field entirely to itself, Mr. John Bittmann, who now resides in St. Louis, being the publisher, and Dr. George Hillgaertner, subsequently connected with the St. Louis press, the editor. When the tide of Republican popularity rolled over Iowa, the Staats Zeitung identified itself with the principles of that party, notwithstanding the majority of Ger- man citizens were of the Democratic faith. With this new departure it was determined to establish a new paper which should more perfectly echo the sen- timents of the Democracy and advocate the indorsement and support of its principles. The paper was accordingly organized, christened the Dubuque National Demokrat, and issued in August, 1856, the greater portion of the first numbers being edited and " set up " by the present editor and proprietor, Frederick A. Gniffke, the proprietary interest being held by an association of Democrats who projected the enterprise. It was not thought that the paper would survive the Presidential campaign, but some time before the conclusion of that eventful period, the association transferred its interest to Mr. Gniffke, who determined to make the venture a success, in which he has been attended with the most gratifying results. He has made a permanent institution of the National Demokrat and concluded the twenty-third volume of the weekly issue on the 11th of December, 1879.
In the spring of 1857, Mr. Gniffke began the publication of a daily, which inspired the German element to procure the issue of another daily paper, put forth by the Iowa Staats Zeitung, under the name of the Volks Tribun. In the spring of 1858, the daily was discontinued and tri-weekly substituted, which was continued for a few weeks, when the Volks Tribun stepped down and out, but the Demokrat kept on until the spring of 1861. By this time the editor became convinced that a German daily or semi-weekly would not pay, and he abandoned their publication and confined his labors to the weekly, which now enjoys a large and reliable circulation.
About this date the Iowa Staats Zeitung was suspended, and, after enjoy- ing a checkered existence, finally expired entirely about the 17th of May, 1873.
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During the ensuing five years, the National Demokrat was, as it had been previously for some time, the only local and general German publication pro- mulgated in Dubuque County, the remainder being sectarian-one Catholic, another Presbyterian, etc.
The Demokrat is the oldest German paper in Northern Iowa, and the only one in Dubuque which for twenty-three years past has been owned and pub- lished by the same person, on the ground at all times, save a few months in 1860, when he was a member of the General Assembly, and, again in 1874, when he was absent in Europe.
The Iowa Staats Zeitung, another of the thirty newspapers published in Dubuque, yielded up the ghost on the 17th of May, 1873. This paper was manipulated by a baker's dozen of editors and consequently experienced a curious and eventful history. About 1855, it was known as the Northwest Democrat, edited by D. A. Mahony, and supported by German Democrats. After two years' training in Locofoco harness, John Bittmann purchased the sheet, changed its name to that engraved upon its tombstone, and promulgated Republican lucubrations through the columns. After Bittmann, Henry Richter took charge, directing the editorials through Frederick Dettmer. Mr. Richter conducted the paper until the spring of 1861, when it suspended, remaining in that quiescent and uninteresting condition until 1862, when Gustav Grahl, since deceased, infused the journalistic cadaver with a new life, and sustained its existence for two years. The material of the office was then sold to Adolph Schill, who in turn sold to Mr. Pingel, under whom it again-suspended. The next proprietor was William Meyer-the last was Arthur Schaeffer, who remained two and one-half years, when the returning and final attack of suspen- sion came on, and so pronounced were its effects, that the Staats was sold out and removed to Lansing, Iowa, to be renewed into life and re-christened the Nord Iowa Post.
The Nord Iowa Post was established in 1854. Its tendency is, and has always been, the promotion of liberty, justice and equality to all. In politics it is Republican. The Post was, as stated, formerly known as the Staats Zeitung, but, in 1873, Mr. Peter Karberg, the present publisher, purchased the materials and removed the office to Lansing, Allamakee County, where he- issued the paper under the new heading, Die Nord Iowa Post, a title the paper still retains.
Although the Post flourished under its new manager at Lansing, the publisher, in March, 1878, removed the type, presses and equipments of the office to Dubuque again, selecting the original house, corner of Sixth and. Main streets, as a better and more extensive field of operations. The Post is now an established fact, a German Republican newspaper, in Dubuque. It enjoys a liberal advertising patronage, and a large circulation in Northeastern Iowa.
A job department is connected with the printing office, competing in price and elegance of work with the largest offices in the West.
The editor is Peter Karberg, an accomplished journalist, and the amount invested is quoted at about $5,000.
The Luxemburger Gazette, a German religious weekly, representing the Catholic denomination, has been established for many years in Dubuque. It is owned by a corporation, and edited by Nicholas Gonner, whose indisposition to appear in print without the columns of his paper, deprives the public of a more intimate knowledge of its trials and triumphs than is hereinabove stated. He also issues the Iowa Der Presbyterianer, a religious weekly, in the interest.
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of the German Presbyterian Church, was first issued at Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1868, under the editorial management of the Rev. John Lannetz, who remained in charge for the space of about two years.
In October, 1870, the headquarters of the paper were removed to Dubuque, where the Revs. John Bantly, Jacob Conzett and G. Moery assumed its editor- ship and management. This arrangement continued until recently, when Mr. Bantly became sole editor, assisted by contributions from the Presbyterian clergy of Dubuque and the West.
The paper, which is a quarto, is published at the Herald office, is an uncompromising, dogmatic advocate of the principles of Calvinism, enjoying a circulation of about one thousand, and valued at $2,500.
In addition to the papers quoted which have survived the assaults of time and misfortune, the residents of Dubuque have witnessed the birth of many other journals and periodicals ; have witnessed their fall by the wayside, their sudden death and burial; and they are remembered to-day as among the multi- tude of failures which too often attend journalistic enterprise.
Notably among these were the Daily Union, which survived five months' competition with its rivals, and was laid to rest in 1861; the Morning Sun, the Dubuque Transcript, the Dubuque Tribune, the Dubuque Republican, the Dubuque Northwest; the Democratic Telegraph, the Dubuque Observer, the Dubuque Commercial, the Chess Journal, the Spike, the American Flag, the Ledger, the News Letter, the Christian Witness, the Daily Inquisitor, Journal of Education, the Evergreen, the Press and the Temperance Platform.
It will thus be seen that but one paper survives three started about the same time, viz., the Tribune, Herald and Miner's Express, the others having become absorbed with other publications, or abandoned the field entirely. The Herald has been a continuous daily to the present time, and is conceded to be the oldest daily newspaper now being published in Iowa.
RELIGIOUS.
The cultivation of a religious system, and the worship of a living God. speak in emphatic voice of the advancement and assured prosperity of any community. It tells more. It is an evidence of the truth of that Christianity whose founda- tion was laid in the centuries almost lost in the dim past, and the grand beauty of which shall be concluded only when the mission of Him who came from the Father shall be perfected. Christianity stands before the world the binding link between men and their Creator, and is the Christ-like messenger of good will between man and man. Human nature, mellowed by the sweetening touch of Christianity, has sympathy for all men. Under its gentle teachings the wide door of charity is opened to the suffering and oppressed, who, before the daylight of redemption dawned, and the world was lighted and warmed by the Father's Son and man's Savior, were cast upon the earth and suffered to perish. When the heathen ruled the world, it was under the cloud of a false philosophy, that builded monuments to the vanity of man, and sculptured temples to imaginary gods, and the laborers became as a tale that is told when their useful- ness was past. Like a heavenly vision, the light of Christianity sheds its charitable rays upon the poor. Like music tones, its Divine Founder spoke, " blessed are the poor," and the echo of that melody will not die out forever. It is nearly nineteen centuries since these words were spoken, but they are as full of meaning to-day. Like a mother seeking her children, Christianity gathered the poor of all nations and climes. War 'may come, with pestilence in its wake; the earth may be scourged with fire and famine; death may walk barehanded with unsheathed
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sickle among the children of men, but the spirit of Christianity will shield and encourage them. Gold cannot purchase a gem so precious ; titles and honors confer upon the heart no such serene happiness. In man's darkest hours, when ingratitude and disappointment gather round with corroding hand, and the gaunt form of poverty menaces with his skeleton fingers, it lightens up the soul as with an angel's smile. Time cannot mar its brilliancy ; distance but strengthens its influence ; bolts and bars cannot limit its progress. It follows the prisoner into his dark cell, and in the silence of the night plays around his heart notes of exquisite melody, when the world has turned coldly from him, and builds up in his soul another Eden, where perennial flowers ever bloom, and crystal waters gush from exhaustless fountains.
Amid such a population as was first gathered in the territory that now con- stitutes Dubuque County, there was little of the religious element-almost no fear of God or regard for man. A more loose and godless community than this is described to have been, could scarcely be conceived of. There was no recognition of the Sabbath as a day of rest, and immorality in every form was both openly and secretly practiced. Street fights, and murders even, were not uncommon. A resident who arrived here about that time, wishing to use a Bible, searched the place thoroughly in vain, and was obliged to visit Galena to procure it. In 1834, several religious families were added to the popula- tion, and a weekly prayer-meeting was established. A Methodist circuit preacher also began that year to hold religious services once in four weeks in the place, and the Rev. Mr. Kent, a missionary of the A. H. M. Society, stationed at Galena, preached here occasionally. During the same year, a Methodist "class" was formed, consisting of four members, and this, it is claimed by some, was the commencement of the first religious organization in Dubuque. In the course of a year, a log building was erected on what is now Washington Square, which for some time served the double purpose of a court house and church. Two ladies, during the same year, established a Sabbath school over a grocery on Main street, where they taught about forty children, while the stores, drinking and gambling saloons were open, and business and amusements pursued with even greater zest than on other days. In 1835, a subscription paper was circulated among the citizens generally, to raise means for the erection of a Roman Catholic church, Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, who died in Wisconsin in 1864, having been stationed in Dubuque a short time previous. The corner-stone was laid August 15, 1835, and the building com- pleted during the following year.
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