USA > Iowa > Jones County > The history of Jones County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 52
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The total membership at this time (August. 1879), is eighty. Since the organization of the Lodge, seventy-nine members have been admitted, and seven have withdrawn. " Death loves a shining mark," and has taken three of the best of the members of Stella Lodge, namely, F. C. Mckean, O. B. Crane and G. B. Gavitt.
The present elective officers are as follows : T. M. Belknap, N. G. ; J. B. McQueen, V. G. ; I. H. Brasted, Secretary ; A. V. Eaton, Permanent Secre- tary; S. Needham, Treasurer.
A. O. U. W., Anumosa Lodge, No. 56, was organized March 14, 1876, by Distriet Deputy Heywood. The following were charter members: C. W. Coe. E. B. Alderman, R. A. Abell, William Stoddart, C. Hazlett, C. H. Bingham, J. W. Miller, J. S. Carter, R. L. Duer, J. V. Lewis, G. L. Yount.
Number of members September 1, 1879, sixty-two.
The Lodge is in a prosperous condition. There have been no deaths in this lodge.
Anamosa Lodge, No. 217, I. O. G. T .- This Lodge was instituted October 24, 1865, W. S. Peters, of Dubuque, officiating, and included the following charter members : J. D. Walworth, IL. T. Curry, II. L. Pahner, John MeKean. J. A. Palmer, L. T. Wilcox, E. W. Jeffries. E. M. Littlefield and G. L. Yount. H. T. Curry was chosen the first W. C. T.
At the end of the first year, the Lodge included 143 members-ladies and gentlemen.
At a meeting held in the court room February 15, 1870, it was resolved to surrender the charter of the Lodge. The Order then adjourned sine die. to
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come together on the call of seven members. The cause of Good Templars was neglected in Anamosa for several years.
The Order, however, was revived in May, 1876, at which time meetings were commenced in Shaw's Block. There were present at the meeting for re-organization, J. H. Barnard, Mrs. S. Needham, Mrs. M. T. Higgins, I. M. Remley and T. E. Booth. The Lodge was soon fully equipped and placed in good running order. It has enjoyed a prosperous condition ever since its resuscitation, and is now composed of eighty-nine members in good standing. The temperate condition of the city of Anamosa speaks favorably of the intlu- ence of this organization, which we believe is the only temperance society in the place. A Blue Ribbon Club was organized a year or two since, but proved short lived. The Order meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall.
The present officers include T. E. Booth, W. C. T .: Miss Josie Chapman, W. V. T. : G. A. Eldridge. Sec'y ; Miss Laura Monroe, W. F. S .; Mrs. R. B. Condit, W. T .; Mrs. C. W. Coe, W. C .; Frank Buxton, W. M.
ANAMOSA DRIVING-PARK ASSOCIATION.
The above Association was organized under the Corporation Laws of the State, on the 5th of August, 1879.
The following is the published notice of incorporation :
" First. The name of the corporation is the "Anamosa Driving Park Asso- ciation.'
" Second. The general nature of the business of said Association is as fol- lows : The purchase, improvement and fitting up of grounds to be used for fairs, agricultural exhibitions, for the training of horses, and for the purpose of a driving-park generally, with power to lease said grounds for the above said pur- poses and such other uses as the Executive Committee may determine.
"Third. The authorized capital stock of this Association is $3,000, with power to increase the same to $5,000, in shares of $25 each, payable on the call of the President.
" Fourth. The time of commencement of said corporation is August 5, 1879, and the same is to continue for twenty years.
"Fifth. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by one President, one Vice President, one Secretary, one Treasurer and five Directors, which five Directors, together with President and Secretary, shall constitute an Executive Committee. All of said officers shall be elected by the stockholders of said Association on the first Monday in January of each year.
"Sixth. The highest amount of indebtedness to which the corporation is at any one time to subject itself, is $500.
"Seventh. The private property of the stockholders shall be exempt from the payment of corporation debts.'
The following are the officers : N. S. Noble. President; J. P. Scroggs. Vice President; William McIntyre, Seeretary ; L. Schoonover, Treasurer.
Directors : George Watters, L. N. Pitcher, Patrick Washington, John Foley and Samuel Tucker.
WATER-WORKS.
At the time Anamosa was equipped with a system of water-works (1875), it is said to have been the smallest city in the United States thus furnished. Pre- vious to the year mentioned, the city had no satisfactory protection against fires. Insurance rates were high in consequence, and a feeling of insecurity pervaded
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the ranks of the property-holders. It was the opinion of various enterprising spirits that it would be cheaper in the long run to have ample protection at once. The Anamosa Water-Works Company was accordingly incorporated February 20. 1875, by J. C. Dietz, C. II. Lull, N. S. Noble, B. F. Shaw, MI. Heisey, T. W. Shapley, J. G. McGuire, T. Il. Ercanbrack, E. B. Alderun. H. C. Metcalf, J. II. Williams. Geo. Watters, E. Blakeslee and John Watters.
The capital stock of the Company was fixed at $10,000, with the privilege of increasing to 820,000. April 26, 1875, was passed an ordinance by the City Council of Anamosa which was in substance a contract with the Water-Works Company granting to the latter the " exclusive privilege for twenty years, and an equal right with all others thereafter, of supplying the city of Anamosa with water to be taken from the Wapsipinicon River. The company was to put in three hydrants on Main street. at the corner of Garnavillo. Booth and Ford, and at any other points deemed advisable by the Company-there were to be five hydrants for the exclusive use of the city. In consideration thereof the city agreed. during the life of the franchise granted the Water-Works Company. to levy a tax of one-half of one per cent per annum upon all property located within 800 feet of the public hydrants of said company, and also to supply sufficient hose to throw water 800 feet. The contract also specifies that the minimum amount of water which shall be in the reservoir is 20,000 gallons. The paid-up capital stock of the Company is 86,500. The Company has an indebtedness of 88,500. of which 86,000 is in ten-year bonds, drawing 10 per cent interest, and due in 1885. The Company have preferred to incur this indebtedness rather than increase the capital stock, confident in their ability to pay off the indebtedness, and then have stock that is really valuable. The officers are: M. Heisey. President ; E. Blakeslee, Vice President ; J. C. Dietz, Secretary, and G. W. Russell, Treasurer. Directors-E. Blakeslee, H. C. Metcalf, E. C. Holt, M. Heisey, B. Huggins, J. C. Dietz and D. A. Peet.
The works are built upon the Holly system with reservoir. The pumping engine is a thirty-six horse-power engine, and has a pumping capacity of 720 gallons per minute. The engine room is located upon the Wapsipinicon. The reservoir is upon the hill between the main part of town and the river. It is built of briek. and has a capacity of 100,000 gallons. The engine is ordina- rily in use about three times per week, and is not kept in motion more than three or four hours at a time. The reservoir being seventy-five feet above Main street, the pressure is sufficient in case of fire to throw a stream of water over the highest building. The most inflammable fuel is kept at the engine-house, and the engine can be put in operation in eighteen minutes after an alarm of fire oceurs. The pressure is then increased, and may be carried to 210 pounds to the square inch.
The Company have laid one and three-fourth miles of street mains, and have seven fire-plugs or hydrants. In addition to those on Main street already men- tioned, others are located on the corners of Ford and First streets, Garnavillo and Carroll, and at Doan's Mills. The Company supply water to the State Peni- tentiary, one of the railroads, and to some forty-five private consumers.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Few cities of the size can boast of a more thoroughly equipped organization for protection against the ravages of fire than can the city of Anamosa.
The great conflagration on the 14th of February. 1875, convinced the citi- zens of the necessity of some provisions to protect themselves against a
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repetition of such a sad catastrophe. Accordingly, on the 21st of July of that year the City Council passed an ordinance authorizing the formation of a fire department.
A meeting of citizens on the &d of August, 1875, resulted in the organiza- tion of three fire companies under the provisions of the ordinance.
At present, the equipments of the different companies are furnished at the expense of the city, although it required some time to convince the Council of the wisdom of such a provision.
The present officers of the Fire Department are: J. H. Williams, Chief Engineer ; E. M. Harvey, First Assistant ; George L. Yount, Second Assistant.
Hose Company, No. 1-John G. Cudworth, Foreman ; L. G. Clark and G. S. Peet, Assistants ; S. I. Williams, Secretary ; Charles Carter, Treasurer ; number of members, twenty-two.
Hose Company, No. 2-John I. Van Ness, Foreman : W. J. Pavey, Assistant ; E. M. Stickney, Secretary and Treasurer; number of members, twenty-two.
Hook and Ladder Company-L. C. Aldrich, Foreman ; Frank Fisher, Assistant ; B. Dott, Secretary and Treasurer; number of members, thirty-five.
Owing to the provisions for the use of hydrants of the Water-Works Com- pany, an engine company is unnecessary. No fire has occurred since the organization of the Fire Department, within the reach of water, but that the same has been under control in a very short time. The entire business portion of the city is in comparative safety.
FIRES.
With one exception, Anamosa has been fortunate in not being seriously affected as the result of the ravages of the fire fiend.
On Saturday morning, March 27, 1869, a fire broke out in the blacksmith and wagon shop of Cook & Ragan, and the building was entirely destroyed. The loss was about $1,200. partly insured.
On Friday night, April 26, 1872, the barn of Mrs. Isabella Hollenbeck, built at a cost of $4,000, was destroyed by fire. The barn was insured for $2,000. In the barn were three horses and a sewing machine wagon belong- ing to J. P. Craig. They were burned with the barn ; no insurance.
On the 9th of June, 1872, fire did some damage to the residence of Mr. I. C. Lusk, injuring the building to the amount of about $100, and also damag- ing the library of MIr. L. considerably.
Again on the 13th of the same month, fire destroyed the blacksmith-shop and storeroom of D. C. Tiee. A. S. Atkinson's shop adjoining was also destroyed. Some damage was done to another building of Mr. Tice and its contents. The following were the losses : D. C. Tiee, loss 82,000, insured for $700; A. S. Atkinson, $3,000, insured for $1,500; Fred Simons, $150, no insurance : other parties, $200, no insurance.
Again, July 10, 1872, the barn of Samuel Brunskill was burned. There was an insurance of 8200. The frame of this barn was built by G. H. Ford, in 1841, and was probably the first frame barn built in the county.
A number of small fires occurred between the above date and the 14th of February, 1875, when the " big fire of Anamosa " destroyed about $12,000 worth of property.
The 14th of February, 1875, was Sunday. In the morning, at half-past 1, wild eries of "Fire! fire!" broke upon the stillness of the' night, the
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Congregational bell re-echoed the dreadful alarm, and in a few minutes hundreds of citizens were rushing in the direction of the lurid light of roaring and crack- ling flames bursting out of what was formerly known as the old " Court House building," occupied by A. N. Dennison. dealer in boots and shoes, and Emory Perfect, grocery dealer. There was only a slight breeze from the northwest, but the headway which the fire had attained and the combustible nature of the wooden buildings filling the space between the Union Block, corner of Main and Ford streets, on the west, and Frank Fisher's Block, at the foot of Booth street, on the east, rendered it almost impossible for the citizens to avail any- thing against the devouring flames. Not a dollar's worth of Dennison's stock of boots and shoes was saved.
A few tools were snatched from the work-shop. by the way of the back door. Loss on the building, $1,000, insured for $500 : loss on stock, 83,000, insured for $1,000. Mr. Dennison had added stock to the amount of $800. only the week before. A new safe, containing about $500 in greenbaeks and Mr. Dennison's account-books, was badly damaged, but the money and books were found all right the next day. A fine line of samples belonging to W. E. Moss, of Balch & Co., boot and shoe dealers, Lyons, valued at $400, had been left in Mr. Dennison's store and was destroyed. W. L. Story also lost tools to the amount of $10.
Four barrels of kerosene oil and a lot of boxes were hurriedly removed from the back room of Emory Perfect's grocery, but nothing else was saved. Loss on stock, $1,400, insured for 81.000. The building was the property of Col. W. T. Shaw, was valued at $1,200 and was an entire loss.
The next building on the east belonged to C. L. Holcomb, and was occupied by A. E. Parady, boot and shoe maker. Mr. Parady lost nearly everything. Value of building. 8500. Mr. Parady's loss was 8300.
Mr. Holcomb was also the owner of the adjoining building, occupied by D. H. Kelly as a barber-shop. Loss on building, $300. MIr. Kelly's fixtures were nearly all saved, and his loss was but small.
Next came the post-office building, owned by B. L. Matson. Lew Kinert, the clerk, was sleeping in the office, and by reason of this fact the valuables were saved. Mr. Coe, the Postmaster, lost about $50. The building was val- ued at $600, and insured for $400. Messrs. G. W. Strode & Son, jewelers, in post-office building, lost 8125, mostly in tools.
Still the flames swept onward, and A. II. Sherman's harness-shop went next. His stock and tools were saved with a loss of about $75. The building was owned by H. C. Metealf. and valued at 8800; no insurance.
J. Rhodes, the confectioner, was the next victim. He had recently repaired his building and placed therein a new stock of confectionery, canned goods, gro- ceries, etc. The goods were removed. but not without damage. Mr. Rhodes' loss on building and contents reached $1,000. In the second story lived Mrs. Ganse and daughter. A piano, in being carried down, fell and was badly damaged. Loss on piano and household effects estimated at $1,000. Mr. Rhodes' build- ing was razed to the ground. in the hope of stopping the course of the scorching tongues of flame : but this seemed hopeless, and it was finally decided that the next building, belonging to Joseph Moore, must also come down, as it abutted against Frank Fisher's brick block, and there was danger anticipated from the heat and flames breaking and entering the glass front. But the fire had been raging two hours or more, and the masses of snow in the rear and in the adjacent gutter on Main street were rapidly melting and afforded consider- able water. Water was dashed on by lines of men in front and rear, and finally the flames were under control. Mr. Moore's building was scorched
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some, and otherwise damaged to the amount of 8400, before the onward march of the flames could be checked. In this building was the law office of King & Dietz, but their books, etc., were removed with but small damage. In the second story resided Mrs. S. Thomas and a little daughter, the former being confined to her room by sickness. They were safely transferred to other quar- ters, and their household goods saved with but little damage. Slingerland & Son, painters, occupied a room in this building, and suffered a small loss.
R. A. Markham, dealer in sewing machines, and Markham & Burgess. dealers in organs, etc., suffered a small loss by the fire. Mr. A. Heitchen also suffered a loss of about $75. The total loss by the conflagration was $12,000. Total insurance. $2,900. The origin of the fire was unknown.
The people had been discussing the propriety of organizing a Fire Depart- ment, and the fire gave an impetus to that subject which that resulted in the formation of three Fire Companies.
STONE QUARRIES NEAR ANAMOSA.
The great economic value of these quarries deserves special mention. Those first opened to any considerable extent are upon the Buffalo, about two miles from Anamosa. They were first opened about twenty-five years ago, or in 1853, when stone was taken out to build what has been known ever since as Fisher's Mill, a grist-mill on the Buffalo, about a mile from the town. About that time, John Burheim, familiarly known as " Dutch John," bought a tract of land of 120 acres, and soon after commenced quarrying stone upon it, and this has been his chief employment ever since. During the time that has elapsed, he has taken out thousands of wagon loads of stone, furnishing for railroads, building purposes in Anamosa and surrounding country. Ile has also fur- nished large quantities of lime from this quarry. Eighty acres of this tract have recently been purchased by the State, and the Chicago and North-Western Railway Company have just completed an extension of their road to these quarries ; and the State is now at work, with conviets, taking out stone for the Penitentiary. In the month of September and fourteen days in October 1879), Mr. A. E. Martin, the Warden. informs the writer, there were taken out sixty-seven 'car-loads, at a valuation of $2,023.40, more than twice paying for the eighty acres purchased by the State, in forty-four days. The stone for the completion of the Penitentiary will be largely taken from these quarries.
J. A. Green. Dr. Clark Joslin and others own land in this locality, that is underlaid by stone presumably as good as any ; and, now that railroad facilities are furnished. will most likely be developed at no distant day.
On the Wapsipinieon River, about two miles west from Anamosa. on the old Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad, is a quarry that was operated some years ago by Krause. Shaw, Weaver & Co. They took out a large amount of stone and shipped to different parts of the State. They also manufactured a considerable quantity of lime; but stone found elsewhere proved to make a better article, and it was discontinued. This quarry is the first one bought by the State, and the State commenced taking out stone in 1872. From Mr. A. E. Martin, we obtained the following figures. The number of car loads of tone taken out from 1872 to 1879. is as follows: 1872, 218 car loads; 1573. 226; car loads; 1874, 337 car loads; 1875, 221 car loads; 1876, 304 ear loads ; 1877, 130 ear loads ; 1878, 384 car loads ; 1879 to May. 224 car loads ; total, 2,044 ear loads ; average value per car load, $16.28, making a total value f 833,376.32; total from both quarries, 2,111 car loads, with an aggregate
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value of $35,297.72. Besides this, the State has sold quite a large quantity of stone, but we were unable to secure the exact figures. The stone of this quarry is not exhausted by any means ; but it requires so much more stripping that, for the present, other places furnish stone with less expense in this respect. With the above figures, it will be seen that the State has some sub- stantial advantages in having the Penitentiary located so near this building material.
As we pass along the Wapsipinicon, about one-fourth of a mile, we come to the first quarry opened to any extent in this locality. It was opened by Henry Dearborn, he having taken out stone here to build himself a dwelling in Ana- mosa, also furnishing others for a like purpose. The quarry subsequently passed into the hands of IIaines & Lewis, who owned and operated it for many years, making improvements in the way of building, etc., out of the stone taken from the quarries. They opened at two or more localities, and took out vast quantities of stone that went to different parts of the State. The quarries are now owned and operated by Martin Heisey.
About a half-mile from these quarries, near the railroad bridge across the Wapsipinicon, are the quarries owned by HI. Dearborn, known as the " Stone City Quarry," opened in 1869. Mr. Dearborn owns 120 aeres, a large portion being quarry land. He has shipped 500 car loads in the past year, and an average of 250 car loads for the years previous. He has furnished stone for the State Blind Asylum at Vinton : Insane Asylum. at Independence ; Gov- ernment Works, at Rock Island, and many buildings in Cedar Rapids and other places in the State. Mr. Dearborn has erected for himself a fine residence at this place, and is the Postmaster of " Stone City " Post Office.
We now cross the railroad bridge over the Wapsipinicon, and a short walk brings us to the famous " Champion Quarries," owned and operated by J. A. Green, consisting of over thirty acres, more than two-thirds of it quarry. Mr. Green opened this quarry in 1868, and can furnish stone in any desired form or shape, either rough, or dressed and polished. In 1876, he put in a machine. run by an engine, called a rubber, for the purpose of polishing stone. The height of this quarry, from where he commenced to the top of where he is now at work, is some eighty or ninety feet. For the years 1878 and 1879, he has shipped 2,000 car loads per year ; the other nine years, the average production has been 800 ear loads. Mr. Green has furnished large quantities of stone for the Government Works at Rock Island ; Insane Asylum, Independence : Deaf and Dumb Asylum, at Council Bluff's ; Anamosa Penitentiary. railroad companies, etc. In fact, he has furnished stone at points from Chicago to Dakota, from Minnesota to Nebraska, and some to Wisconsin.
Mr. Webb has a quarry a little further west, that has been worked for many years and has furnished some very excellent stone.
The quarries mentioned are the principal ones worked. Many more may be developed in the near future, and the supply is considered by good judges absolutely inexhaustible.
THE PIONEER TOBACCO RAISER OF IOWA.
Mr. N. S. Noble. of Anamosa, may properly be styled the pioneer tobacco raiser of the State of Iowa. IIe is said to be the first to engage in the cultivation of the tobacco-plant to any considerable extent, and the first who has made a success in the business. Mr. Noble was born and raised in Massachusetts, and early taught how to cultivate the tobacco-plant. From there he emigrated to Jones
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County in 1855. In 1857 he was elected and served as Sheriff of the county one term. Soon after arriving in the county, he purchased some ground and began to raise tobacco. From that time to this, he has been engaged in the business. One of the greatest hindrances to a success in the business has been to overcome the prejudice against Western tobacco in the markets of the East. By a careful attention to securing quality and not quantity, Mr. Noble has succeeded in making his tobacco sell in their markets at the same prices as the products of the tobacco raisers of the East. In 1875 Mr. Noble associated with himself his nephew, Mr. George Noble, who was likewise educated to the business, and the two have continuel the business together since that time.
They have under cultivation twenty-nine acres of land, one-half only being in use at a time. After two, or at most three crops, the half in use is set aside and seeded to clover and timothy, and the other half brought into requi- sition for tobacco raising. The crop of grass, the last year before using for tobacco, is plowed under, and thus the land is kept in a good state of cultiva- tion. This is without doubt the cause of the success of Messrs. Noble. They do not exhaust the resources of their land and then expect to get good crops without restoring the fertility of the soil.
Their house for curing tobacco is a frame building 204x36 feet, with 14-foot posts, erected with special reference to good ventilation. The amount of the crop raised each year is about twelve tons.
They have devoted some attention to manufacturing here-at one time the whole crop, and more or less each year-but the major part is usually kept over one year and then sold in the Eastern markets.
Through the influence of the success of Messrs. Noble, others have been induced to cultivate the tobacco-plant, and its cultivation promises to make tobacco an important product of Jones County.
LIQUOR CONFISCATION.
As is well known, under the statutes of the State of Iowa, no license is granted to sell, as a beverage, any spirituous or fermented liquors, except native wines and lager beer. For a time, it was surmised by many that the statutes were being violated in this particular at Anamosa, as they knew they were in other parts of the State.
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