USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 63
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
dispose of his worldly effects, but must move out as speedily as possible. The band of disguised men then left Fogg to find his way home as best he might, and ran off in various directions. .
The following morning, Fogg appeared in the little town, as clean as thor- ough scrubbings by his devoted admirer could make him, and vowed vengeance on his persecutors. He visited a lawyer in Marion, intent on taking legal redress, but was sent by the facetious attorney to a lawyer in Iowa City, with a pretended letter of introduction, but really a letter explaining and justifying the course of the people. From there, Fogg went to Muscatine, and while in that place became aware that he was a double victim. Although he made some violent demonstrations, he really did no harm to any of the suspected persons, and, shortly after the tarring adventure, left the country in company with his companion.
In the Winter of 1841, Robert Ellis built three flat-boats for the trans- portation of wheat to the Mississippi. He bought on commission, and secured some 4,000 bushels. In the Spring, he drifted down to the river, but was unable to get ready money for his wheat. He loaded his boats with flour and started for New Orleans, which city he reached in July. After a wearying effort, he managed to sell on a low market and returned home.
Flat-boats of produce may have gone down the Cedar before '41, but this was probably the first load of wheat that was taken to the river.
The title to the lands upon which the city stands passed, in 1841, from Osgood Shepard to N. B. Brown, George Greene, A. L. Roach, Mr. Carson, H. W. Gray and Addison Daniels, S. H. Tryon, J. E. Sanford and Osgood Shepard. The latter retained a one-fourth interest.
In the year 1841, the first dam was begun. The day of national independ- ence was chosen as an appropriate time for the observance of this ceremony. N. B. Brown was the first to move in this important matter, and under his supervision the development of the water-power was initiated.
The village was laid out during the year 1841. There were then three log cabins on the site, and the census was easily taken. One man might have mus- tered the entire population without overtaxing his strength. Including the " oldest inhabitant," there were not more than six or eight persons within the limits of the surveyed plat.
W. J. Carson and Dr. J. K. Rickey purchased Young's claim, adjoining Shepard's, in 1841. Mr. Brown bought out these men in 1842.
The original company soon dissolved, and the property of Cedar Rapids passed into the possession of N. B. Brown and George Greene.
ยท The first saw-mill on the magnificent water power was erected in 1842-3, and the first grist-mill in 1843-4. Subsequently, Mr. Brown enlarged the mill, completing the repairs in 1855.
Shepard removed from the county in 1842.
John Vardee erected the first frame dwelling, in 1842-3. This structure is still standing, on the north corner of Adams and Brown streets.
Harrison Campbell built the first blacksmith shop, in 1843. It is claimed that Stephen Pollock was the first blacksmith, however.
Isaac Cook was the pioneer lawyer; John Shearer the first Justice of the Peace, and James Lewis the original Constable.
In regard to the first physician, there are no reliable records. The name has passed from the memory of the pioneers. Of his peculiarities, there remain several stories. From a series of papers on the early settlement of this city,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
prepared by James L. Enos, and published in the Cedar Valley Times, several years ago, the following is taken :
66 * The first physician, whose name is forgotten, was disposed to blow his own trumpet. Once, when he had returned from Muscatine, he claimed to have lost forty pounds of quinine in one of the streams below the Cedar. * * * Constable Lewis once called on him with an execution to secure a judgment. The Doctor threw off his coat and prepared for a fight. The Constable, seeing his opportunity, seized the coat and made away with it, and found therein sufficient money to satisfy the debt."
Dr. S. M. Price was the second physician at the Rapids, but he soon removed to Center Point.
The first doctor to locate permanently was Dr. E. L. Mansfield. He came in 1847, and built up a lucrative practice.
The first merchandise ever sold in Cedar Rapids was offered by Samuel Hook, in 1842. The stock consisted of one wagon-load of miscellaneous goods, and was owned by Mr. Cleveland, a non-resident.
The pioneer stores were opened by George and Joseph Green and Charles Mulford, the latter of New York, in the same year. The first "store" was in one part of a log building located on the north corner of Commercial and Sugar streets. The rest of the building was used as a dwelling, where boarders were accommodated.
There were religious services held under the direction of Rev. Mr. Hodges, the father of Methodism in this county, as early as 1840. The other denom- inations followed with work after their kinds in rapid succession. The Advent- ists held service in 1842.
The first school was taught by Miss Emily Coffman, but the first school house was not built in the town until 1846-7, when a company, consisting of N. B. Brown, George Greene, Alexander Ely and others, erected a building, which they subsequently sold to the district.
Porter W. Earl erected the first brick building, in 1844, on the northwest corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street. Mr. Earl still lives to behold the wonders of modern developement.
The first tailor was D. Fidler. The first carpenter was Abel Eddy. Mr. Rock, brother of R. C. Rock, was the first tinner. George Westlake made the pioneer harnesses. Porter W. Earl wielded the first paint brush. The first jeweler was a Mr. Walker.
Alexander Ely erected the second saw-mill, in 1844; and in 1844-5, put up a grist-mill. Mr. Ely died of consumption shortly after this work was done.
The first hotel-if one is permitted to speak disrespectfully of the Shepard mansion, which was used as a " tavern "-was built in 1847, by Wm. Dwyer. James Gunning was the first landlord. This building was burned in 1865. It was called the Union House, and was located on the west corner of Market and Adams streets.
The post office at Cedar Rapids was established in 1847, and Joseph Greene appointed Postmaster. L. Daniels succeeded him, and Homer Bishop, in turn, was commissioned. Mr. Bishop held office under Lincoln's administration, when J. G. Davenport became the officer in charge. Davenport became a defaulter, to the amount of $1,500, and left the country. G. M. Howlett suc- ceeded him in office. Mr. Weare is the present Postmaster.
The first express office was established in 1856, between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, with semi-weekly trips. J. L. Enos was Agent at the Rapids.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
FIRST MARKETS-NAVIGATING CEDAR RIVER.
The early settlers of Linn County expected that Cedar River would prove navigable for steam-boats of sufficient capacity to carry to market the surplus productions of the country. Railroads were not then thought of as likely to penetrate this part of the world for a lifetime or two. There was not a mile of road in operation in all that vast region lying west of New York and Pennsyl- vania. The primeval solitudes of the great empire embraced in the limits of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, had not then been disturbed by the whistle of the locomotive or the clatter of the rush- . ing train. The Ohio and Mississippi Rivers constituted the great artery of communication between the East and the West. The only artificial means of communication expected to become of general use was the slow-moving canal boats, supplemented by turnpikes and plank roads, where they were practicable.
The first settlers of Linn were poor, and for a while but little more produce was raised than sufficed to support themselves and supply the few emi- grants that arrived. When these fields became larger and more numerous, and the rich soil of our prairies began to yield its generous and prolific crops, the farmers began to realize that they were indeed a long distance from a mar- ket. But few boats had ever ascended the Cedar River. Wheat and pork were the only articles of production that would command any price in the nearest markets, which were Dubuque and Muscatine (then called Bloomington), and to these points everything had to be transported by teams. Ox teams were then more common than horse teams, and a trip of sixty miles to Musca- tine, or of seventy miles to Dubuque, with oxen, consumed about as much time and was much more laborious than a trip now to New York City and back by railroad. No money could be had for produce in those days by the farmer. When he reached the Mississippi River, a small per cent. of groceries could be had in exchange, but dry goods at good round prices had to be taken for the most of the load. As a special favor, a jug of whisky could sometimes be procured, or money enough to buy it, for whisky was a cash article in those days. Every well-regulated household was expected to have a supply on hand, it being considered a very handy thing to have about the house in case of snake bites or fever and ague.
As an illustration of how far a certain class of farmers always are from mar- ket, a little incident may here be mentioned. In the year 1848, an emigrant with his family arrived in Marion. Entering a store, he got into conversation with a farmer who happened to be there. He made many inquiries about the country, the climate, and its desirability as a place to locate, etc. The farmer gave a good report of the country generally, but said it was "too far from mar- ket," claiming that it cost as much to market the produce after it was raised as it would bring. Before parting, the emigrant asked the farmer if he had any corn to sell. He answered in the negative. Any oats? No. Any hay ? No. Any meat of any kind? No. The emigrant started off in disgust, remarking to the farmer that he "was farther from market than any man he ever got acquainted with." The incident was talked of a great deal at the time, and many a man found his credit poor because he was "too far from mar- ket," or in other words, because he had nothing to sell.
As before remarked, but few boats came up the Cedar River, and those that did come were not loud in its praises as a navigable stream. One or two would come up during the first high water in the Spring, and there would be no more during that year. Artificial improvement, in shape of dams at proper intervals,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
was often talked of to enable boats to traverse it at all seasons, but the county was too poor to undertake it. The date of the arrival of the first steamboat at Cedar Rapids is probably 1842, although opinions conflict in regard to it. The majority, however, seem to agree that this was the date of the first arrival. The boat was called the "Maid of Iowa." It arrived on Saturday evening, and on Sunday the officers invited the people hereabouts and at Marion to take an excursion down the river fifteen miles and back. Nearly all the young people went, and although the boat was small, it was not overloaded.
In the Spring of the year 1841, Robert Ellis built three flat-boats at this point, and loading them with wheat, set sail for "St. Louis and a market." This was the first venture on a large scale toward navigating the Cedar with flat- boats, although it is probable that some small boats had run out of the river previous to that date. Mr. Ellis sold his wheat at St. Louis, and there took on flour with which he went on to New Orleans, thus floating with the current a total distance of about 1,600 miles. Henry Thompson also ran flatboats to St. Louis at an early day. In 1844, Robert Holmes built a flatboat and took wheat to St. Louis. In 1846, he took out two boats, and in 1851 two more. Other parties built boats and took out produce, whose names it is not possible to ascertain at this time. In the vicinity of Custer Point a number of boats were built, and floated to St. Louis; but all this boating had to be done within a few weeks' time in each year, in high water, and consequently the most of the produce had to be wagoned to the Mississippi River. In 1848, Greene & Brothers built a keel-boat which made a good many trips to the Mississippi River and St. Louis.
In 1858, a stock company was formed in Cedar Rapids to build a steamboat suited to the river, and which could pass over its shifting sand bars and thread the tortuous channel at an ordinary stage of water. The contract for building it was given to a Pittsburgh firm. Judge Greene and daughter (now Mrs. Belt) came all the way from Pittsburgh to Cedar Rapids on the first trip of the boat. It was called the " Cedar Rapids," and was a well built, stanch craft, of large tonnage, and did a successful business on the river for about two years. The
boat cost $20,000. The stockholders were Judge Greene, William Greene, John F. Ely, H. G. Angle, L. Daniels & Co. and W. W. Smith. The boat made money for its owners for about two years, when it unfortunately came into collision with another boat, the Lucy Tracy, near Burlington, and sank it. The Cedar Rapids was tied up by the United States Marshal, and the owners sued for damage in sinking the other boat. They succeeded in beating the other party in the courts, but the delay and expenses ate up the profits they had made.
In 1858, W. D. Watrous, J. J. Snoffner, W. W. Smith and Mr. Stanley built the steamer "Black Hawk," at this place, for the purpose of navigating the Upper Cedar River. The work was done by Freeman Smith, at that time a well-known mechanic of the city. During the years 1859-60, the boat made regular trips between Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. The railroad from Clinton was finished to Cedar Rapids the first-named year, and all the merchandise for Vinton, Waterloo and the towns beyond was carried by this boat and much produce brought down in return. The boat made money for its owners during these two years. In 1861, it was sold to the Government and taken South, and was used as a Government supply boat during the war, on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.
The advent of railroads has practically destroyed the usefulness of Cedar River for the purposes of navigation. Four or five railroad bridges span it and
493
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
the lowa River between this point and the Mississippi River. In all human probability its placid current will hereafter flow to the Father of Waters unvexed by the keel of a steamer till the end of time.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Cedar Rapids was incorporated July 22, 1856. Previous to that period, the city was controlled under the general laws of the State. The officers of the city, from the date of its incorporation, are appended. The first charter elec- tion was held August 7, 1856.
For 1856-Mayor, Isaac N. Whittam'; Recorder, D. M. McIntosh ; Treas- urer, S. C. Koontz ; Marshal, Charles Weare. Aldermen-First Ward, J. T. Walker, J. J. Snouffer ; Second Ward, J. F. Charles, A. Hager ; Third Ward, H. S. Ward, W. D. Watrous.
For 1857-Mayor, Isaac N. Wittam ; Recorder, E. P. Huntington ; Treas- urer, S. C. Koontz ; Marshal, S. C. Lampson. Aldermen-First Ward, J. J. Snouffer ; Jno. C. Graves ; Second Ward, S. D. Carpenter, J. J. Child; Third Ward, Wm. Richmond, A. Whitenack.
For 1858-Mayor, R. C. Brock; Recorder, George Seymour ; Treasurer, S. C. Koontz ; Marshal, C. T. Kellogg. Aldermen-First Ward, J. J. Snouf- fer, John C. Graves; Second Ward, D. N. Sprague, R. R. Taylor ; Third Ward, Wm. Richmond, S. A. Shattuck.
For 1859-Mayor, D. N. Sprague; Recorder, George Seymour ; Treas- urer, S. C. Koontz ; Marshal, Wm. M. McMahone. Aldermen-First Ward, John C. Graves, T. Z. Cook; Second Ward, D. M. McIntosh, Chas. Weare ; Third Ward, S. A. Shattuck, G. Listebarger.
For 1860-Mayor, E. H. Stedman ; Recorder, George Seymour ; Treas- urer, J. S. Wattles ; Marshal, Benj. Darnell. Aldermen-First Ward, T. Z. Cook, A. Hager ; Second Ward, W. B. Mack, R. P. Kingman ; Third Ward, G. Listebarger, J. P. Coulter.
For 1861-Mayor, Homer Bishop; Recorder, M. A. Higley; Treasurer, J. S. Wattles ; Marshal, Benj. Darnell. Aldermen-First Ward, S. C. Bever, H. E. Higley ; Second Ward, R. P. Kingman, I. W. Carroll; Third Ward, J. C. Adams, Geo. Dewey.
For 1862-Mayor, T. Z. Cook ;* Recorder, S. C. Koontz ; Treasurer, J. S. Wattles; Marshal, J. Hogendobler. Aldermen-First Ward, S. C. Bever, H. E. Higley ; Second Ward, I. W. Carroll, H. B. Stibbs ; Third Ward, Geo. Dewey, S. G. McClelland.
For 1863 -- Mayor, Mowry Farnum; Recorder, Geo. C. Haman ; Treasurer, Benjamin Harrison ; Marshal, A. Laurance. Aldermen-First Ward, S. C. Bever, D. Denlinger; Second Ward, H. B. Stibbs, I. W. Carroll ; Third Ward, S. G. McClelland, Thos. Slonaker.
For 1864-Mayor, Mowry Farnum; Recorder, Geo. C. Haman ; Treasuer, Benjamin Harrison ; Marshal, A. Laurance. Aldermen-First Ward, S. C. Bever, E. H. Stedman ; Second Ward, D. Denlinger, Jos. Hollan ; Third Ward, S. G. McClelland, T. Slonaker.
For 1865-Mayor, H. Church; Recorder, Geo. C. Haman; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison ; Marshal, T. M. Parsons. Aldermen-First Ward, S. C. Bever, E. E. Leach; Second Ward, D. Denlinger, C. Weare; Third Ward, G. Listebarger, J. C. Adams.
* Resigned August 9, 1862, and entered the Eighteenth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry as Lieutenant Colonel, and was succeeded by Charles Weare.
Changes that have occurred among the other officers of the city, by resignation or otherwise, are not shown. M
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
For 1866-Mayor, A. R. West; Recorder, Geo. C. Haman; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison ; Marshal, J. O. Stewart. Aldermen-First Ward, J. J. Snouffer, J. Wetzel ; Second Ward, H. B. Stibbs, N. S. Mershon; Third Ward, J. C. Adams, J. A. Hart.
For 1867-Mayor, A. R. West; Recorder, D. A. Bradley; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison; Marshal, A. Laurance. Aldermen-First Ward, J. J. Snouf- fer, J. Wetzel; Second Ward, H. B. Stibbs, E. Robins; Third Ward, J. A. Hart, L. Wallace.
For 1868-Mayor, J. P. Coulter; Recorder, D. A. Bradley ; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison ; Marshal, A. Laurance. Aldermen-First Ward, J. Wetzel, A. C. Churchill; Second Ward, E. Robins, E. E. Leach; Third Ward, Wm. Stewart, Jas. Albright.
For 1869-Mayor, A. R. West; Recorder, Geo. C. Haman; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison; Marshal, A. Laurance. Aldermen-First Ward, A. C. Churchill, E. S. Hill; Second Ward, E. E. Leach, D. Denlinger; Third Ward, Wm. Stewart, J. F. Charles.
For 1870-Mayor, Wm. B. Leach; Recorder, W. B. Stewart; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison; Marshal, A. Laurance. Aldermen-First Ward, E. S. Hill, J. J. Snouffer; Second Ward, E. E. Leach, E. Robins; Third Ward, Wm. Stewart, Elihu Baker.
For 1871-Mayor, T. Z. Cook; Police Judge, H. J. Harvey ; Recorder, J. C. Stoddard; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison; Marshal, A. Laurance. Alder- men-First Ward, J. J. Snouffer, J. L. Bever; Second Ward, E. E. Leach, I. H. Shaver; Third Ward, William Stewart, C. C. Cook; Fourth Ward, E. E. Leach, James Bell.
For 1872-Mayor, E. S. Hill ; Police Judge, A. St. Clair Smith ; Treas- urer, Benj. Harrison ; Recorder, J. C. Stoddard ; Marshal, Hiel Hale. Alder- men-First Ward, J. L. Bever, G. M. Howlett ; Second Ward, I. H. Shaver, C. H. Clark ; Third Ward, W. Stewart, C. C. Cook ; Fourth Ward, George Dale, E. E. Leach.
For 1873-Mayor, J. F. Charles ; Police Judge, A. St. Clair Smith ; Treas- urer, Benj. Harrison ; Recorder, J. C. Stoddard ; Marshal, Hiel Hale. Alder- men-First Ward, J. L. Bever, G. M. Howlett; Second Ward, C. H. Clark, C. C. Cook ; Third Ward, Henry Forsythe, W. S. Bradley ; Fourth Ward, Geo. Dale, S. T. Weir.
For 1874-Mayor, A. B. Hull ; Recorder, J. C. Stoddard ; Treasurer, Benj. Harrison ; Assessor, A. Laurance ; Marshal, Hiel Hale; Chief Engineer, E. S. Hewitt. Aldermen-First Ward, F. J. Upton, J. H. Smith ; Second Ward, Charles Clark, C. C. Cook ; Third Ward, George A. Lincoln ; Fourth Ward, E. S. Mansfield, S. T. Weir; Police Judge, H. J. Harvey.
For 1875-Mayor, Jesse H. Smith; Police Judge, I. N. Whittam ; Re- corder and Assessor, A. G. Plumb ; Marshal, Hiel Hale ; Treasurer, Benj. Har- rison ; Chief Engineer, Hiel Hale. Aldermen-First Ward, Richard Cornish, F. J. Upton ; Second Ward, A. T. Averill, V. C. Blake; Third Ward, W. S. Bradley, George Lincoln ; Fourth Ward, S. T. Weir, E. L. Mansfield ; Fifth Ward, M. P. Mills, C. A. Clark.
For 1876-Mayor, J. H. Smith ; Treasurer, B. Harrison ; Recorder and Assessor, A. G. Plumb ; Police Judge, I. N. Whittam ; Marshal, Hiel Hale ; Chief Engineer, George A. Lincoln. Aldermen-First Ward, J. J. Snouffer, Richard Cornish ; Second Ward, E. K. Larimer, V. C. Blake; Third Ward, O. C. L. Jones, W. S. Bradley ; Fourth Ward, D. H. Richards, E. L. Mans- field ; Fifth Ward, Amasa Mason, C. H. Clark.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
For 1877-Mayor, W. S. Bradley ; Mr. Bradley resigned and Mason .P Mills was elected by the Board; Treasurer, Ben. Harrison ; Recorder and Assessor, A. G. Plumb ; Marshal, H. E. Morehead; Chief Engineer, C. W. Eaton. Aldermen-First Ward, J. J. Snouffer, C. Magnus ; Second Ward, E. K. Larimer, V. C. Blake; Third Ward, O. C. L. Jones, Frank Witousek ; Fourth Ward, Daniel Richard, D. T. Brown; Fifth Ward, Amasa Mason, A. R. Foot.
For 1878-Mayor, J. T. Hamilton ; Recorder, George A. Lincoln ; Treas- urer, A. G. Plumb; Marshal, H. E. Morehead ; Clerk Superior Court, George A. Lincoln ; Chief Engineer, C. W. Eaton. Aldermen-First Ward, J. J. Snouffer, C. Magnus ; Second Ward, N. C. Blake, W. W. Smith ; Third Ward, O. C. L. Jones, Frank Witouske ; Fourth Ward,E. L. Mansfield, D. T. Brown; Fifth Ward, A. R. Foot, James Morton; Sixth Ward, H. G. Bowman, E. R. Earl.
W. B. Leach was elected Judge of the Superior Court, under the law cre- ating Superior Courts in towns of a certain size, to continue in the judgeship for four years.
The City Hall, the place of meeting of the Council, also the Superior Court room, is a large two-story brick structure. The Steamer Company occupy the first floor; it is also the Police headquarters.
There was no regularly organized Police force in Cedar Rapids until a recent date. The force now consists of nine men, including the Chief.
THE CITY JAIL.
The City Jail is a two-story stone structure, situated on Lot 7, in Block 4, and attached to the City Hall. It contains six cells, three above and three below, with an entrance into the old jail, which contains three additional cells. The outside wall is of solid stone masonry, twenty inches thick ; the interior of the corridor and cells is lined with great blocks of flagstones, eight inches in thickness. The windows are lined with bars and plates of iron, to keep outside parties from passing anything in to the prisoners.
George Lincoln was the prime mover in building this jail. He let all the contracts and managed the entire affair. The iron work was obtained in Chi- cago. H. Dearborn did the stone work.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The permanent organization of a fire company was effected in 1869. The city purchased a Silsby steamer from Messrs. Silsby & Co., of Seneca Falls, N. Y., at a cost of $6,000. This steamer was the only one owned until 1871, when a hand engine was brought into service. Within the past few years, hose companies have been organized in the several wards. The present Department is as follows : C. W. Eaton, Chief Engineer ; L. M. Ayres and W. J. Chrisley, Assistant Engineers.
Steamer Hose Company .- Headquarters at City Hall; Hiram Darr, Fore- man ; 25 members. This company had charge of the steam fire engine previ- ous to the building of the water works. The steamer is still kept in condition to work at a moment's notice.
Independent Hose Co., No. 1 .- Headquarters foot of Iowa avenue; J. A. Hart, Foreman ; 37 members.
First Ward Hose Company .- Headquarters on Van Buren street ; L. Stark, Foreman ; 25 members.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Third Ward Hose Company .- Hose house on Adams street, near Carpen- ter; J. W. Kouba, Foreman ; 25 members.
Fourth Ward Hose Company .- Headquarters, West Side, on Front street, near Park avenue; John Dall, Foreman ; 20 members.
Fifth Ward Hose Company .- Headquarters on Van Buren street, near Franklin avenue ; Dan Anderson, Foreman ; 20 members.
Relief Hook and Ladder Company .- Headquarters at City Hall ; Willis Vance, Foreman ; 25 members.
Connected with the department is the fire alarm telegraph, the only one now operated in Iowa. It was introduced by Messrs. Firman & Chandler, of Chicago, Garner & Co., Western Agents. The telegraph consists of five miles of wire, one automatic bell striker, with the necessary battery for operating the line. Gongs are placed at the Water Works and in Chief Eaton's house. By its use, the location of a fire is easily determined, and the firemen are enabled to make good time in getting on streams. There are ten alarm boxes, located at convenient points. Its introduction is due to the untiring ef- forts of Chief C. W. Eaton. The department has 4,000 feet of rubber hose, besides 2,000 feet at the great packing house of T. M. Sinclair & Co., which is placed at the disposal of the city. The 160 men are all nicely uniformed, are brave, well-behaved and attentive to their duties. The department is, without doubt, one of the best in Iowa. Henry Mott, an old and experienced firemen, has charge of all the property, sleeps at the engine house, and is engineer of the steamer.
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