USA > Iowa > Wapello County > The history of Wapello County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 57
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FALL OF A LANDMARK.
The Courier of July 26, 1876, contains an account of the falling of the first two-story brick building ever erected in Ottumwa. Saturday evening, July 22 of that year, the old Bonnifield Bank Building, as it was called, fell to the earth with a loud crash. The edifice was put up in 1849 by James McFarland, the only tailor at that time in Ottumwa. For years the building remained unfinished, and was used as a public hall, dancing-room, etc. The agricultural fair was held therein. The building was subsequently used as a bank by Tem- ple Bros., W. B. Bonnifield, and the First National Bank. Later it was used as a jewelry store, and lastly as a shoe store.
POSTMASTERS OF OTTUMWA.
Paul C. Jeffries, Richard H. Warden, Stephen Osborn, Thomas J. Holmes, J. W. Norris, J. M. Hedrick and A. H. Hamilton complete the list of Post- masters from the date of the institution of the office, in 1843, to the present time. This office was the first established in the county.
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.
In 1851, Ottumwa was organized as a town. The first election resulted as follows, according to the official publication of roster in 1871 :
George Gillaspy, President of the Board; Bertrand Jones, Clerk. Mr. Jones resigned October 24, and was succeeded by William H. Bonnifield. Duane F. Gaylord, Treasurer ; Joseph Leighton, Assessor; T. A. Taylor,
K
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
Marshal. The Marshal was removed June 14, and was succeeded by William L. Bastin. Trustees : J. W. Caldwell, A. Mudge, Silas Osborn, John Myers, Sr. The elections since that time, under the original system have been :
1852-Albert Mudge, President ; H. B. Hendershott, Clerk ; D. F. Gay- lord, Assessor ; J. Leighton, Treasurer ; James Hall, Marshal; Trustees : George Gillaspy, J. W. Caldwell, James Hawley, Erastus Washburn.
1853-Albert Mudge, President; H. B. Hendershott, Clerk; James Hall, Treasurer ; William J. Ross, Assessor; John A. Newman, Marshal; Trustees : George Gillaspy, J. W. Caldwell. James Hawley, Erastus Washburn.
1854-A. L. Graves, President; William L. Orr, Clerk; Thomas J. Holmes, Treasurer; C. Hickenlooper, Assessor ; John A. Newman. Marshal ; William Lewis, Collector; Trustees: C. C. Warden, Stephen Osborn, J. Leighton, Thomas G. Given.
1855-C. C. Warden, President; William L. Orr, Clerk; Josiah Myers, Assessor; John Graves, Treasurer. Mr. Graves resigned January 7, 1856, and was succeeded by N. C. Hill. H. B. Jones, Marshal ; J. W. Ireland, Col- lector ; Trustees: A. L. Graves, H. B. Hendershott, J. Leighton, David Gephart.
1856-James Hawley, President; Charles Lawrence, Clerk; Joseph Leigh- ton, Assessor; Charles F. Blake, Treasurer. Mr. Blake resigned January 30, 1857, and was succeeded by W. L. Orr. Richard Fisher, Supervisor; J. W. Ireland, Marshal and Assessor; Trustees: E. Washburn, N. C. Hill, P. C. Daum, J. H. Griffith.
In 1857, the city of Ottumwa was organized under a special charter. Duane F. Gaylord was chosen Mayor; James D. Devin, Recorder ; Erastus Washburn, Treasurer; S. W. Summers, Solicitor; Hosea B. Jones, Assessor ; S. W. Hartwell, Engineer; John A. Newman, Marshal, and the following gen- tlemen Aldermen: First Ward-D. B. Abrahams, F. W. Hawley, Thomas Bigham ; Second Ward-H. P. Graves, A. Hawkins, James Milligan ; Third Ward-Charles Lawrence, William L. Orr, J. A. Hammond.
On accepting the office of Mayor, Mr. Gaylord delivered an adddress of congratulation over the prosperity of the new city, which was of a most inter- esting character. He reviewed the prospects of the town, and spoke a proph- ecy which has since been amply fulfilled. The address told of the contem- plated improvements in railroad facilities, and of the need of a continuance of the enterprising spirit which had theretofore controlled the town. The opening paragraphs are here introduced, as an evidence of the actual condition of Ottumwa at the date of its incorporation.
In accepting the office to which your partiality has called me, I cannot refrain from allud- ing to the fact that since my residence in this place, it has grown up from a mere hamlet of only fourteen buildings to its present size and prosperous condition Then its buildings were of the crudest character, and its streets almost impassable. We now behold a flourishing city with some fifteen hundred inhabitants, well defined with passable streets, and ornamented with many buildings which would do credit to older and larger places. This rapid increase and these improvements are owing not only to the peculiar local advantages we enjoy, but in a high degree to the industry, enterprise and morality of our citizens. The rapid progress which our place has made from a wilderness to an incorporated city, authorizes each of us proudly to reflect upon the agency we have had in effecting this great and interesting change.
Ottumwa, we all know, has had little aid in effecting its permanent improvements from for- eign capital. It has been settled and built up in the main by citizen laborers, professional men, merchants and mechanics, whose capital was economy, industry, intelligence and perseverance ; and we may now look around us and say these are the fruits of our honest industry, unflagging perseverance and persistent economy, applied to one of the most highly-favored places in the State. These elements of individual and social prosperity have converted a wilderness into a city. And to us, surely, this must be a day of pride and joy. We have founded and reared a city before we have passed the meridian of life. In other countries and other times the city of
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
Ottumwa would have been the result of the labor and accumulations of successive generations ; but the men who wrought this change are now sitting within the sound of my voice and at the council-board of our city.
The official roster is here continued :
1858-A. H. Hamilton, Mayor; Newton Doggett, Recorder, resigned Oct. 18, succeeded by Walter Goldsmith ; S. J. Warden, Treasurer ; A. A. Stewart, Solicitor ; C. F. Blake, Assessor : J. H. Myers, Marshal. Aldermen : First Ward-James Hawley, P. C. Daum, John Potter ; Second Ward-F. J. Hun- ter, J. W. Caldwell, J. Prugh, (resigned December 27, succeeded by J. W. Dixon ;) Third Ward-J. Milburn, Thomas Neville, C. A. Bradshaw.
1859-George Gillaspy, Mayor; W. Goldsmith, Recorder, resigned July 11, succeeded by A. W. Gaston ; J. A. Milligan, Assessor ; E. Washburn, Treasurer : J. H. Myers, Marshal, resigned October 18, succeeded by D. F. Gaylord. Aldermen : First Ward-H. B. Hendershott, J. N. Simons, John Potter ; Second Ward-H. B. Jones, F. J. Hunter, A. Lewis ; Third Ward- J. G. Baker. A. L. Graves, C. F. Blake.
1860-W. L. Orr, Mayor ; S. B. Thrall, Recorder ; James Hawley, Treas- urer; W. H. Clifton, Marshal ; E. L. Joy, Solicitor ; J. A. Milligan, Street Commissioner ; J. Prugh, Assessor. Aldermen : First Ward-J. W. Dixon, D. C. Mitchell (resigned February 4, 1861, succeeded by William Daggett), J. Williamson ; Second Ward-R. H. Warden, A. Baldwin, A. Lotspeich (resigned October 1, succeeded by J. W. Caldwell); Third Ward-C. W. Kit- tridge, J. O'Connor, T. H. Milburn.
1861-Erastus Washburn, Mayor; S. B. Thrall, Recorder; C. W. Kit- tridge, Treasurer, resigned July 1, succeeded by W. L. Orr; E. L. Joy, Solic- itor ; A. Mudge, Assessor, resigned March 5, 1862, succeeded by John Coyan ; William H. Clifton, Marshal, resigned October 14, succeeded by J. F. Lewis ; J. A. Milligan, Street Commissioner. Aldermen : First Ward-William Dag- gett, E. L. Burton, J. H. Merrill ; Second Ward-William J. Ross, Charles Miller, J. W.Caldwell (resigned August 5, succeeded by A. H. Hamilton) ; Third Ward-J. M. Hedrick (resigned November 5, succeeded by S. W. Hays), Thomas Neville, T. H. Milburn.
1862-Samuel Gossage, Mayor ; A. W. Gaston, Recorder; William J. Ross, Treasurer ; T. Riordan, Assessor; A. W. Gaston, Solicitor ; Thomas O'Sullivan, Marshal. Aldermen : First Ward-E. L. Burton, A. M. Bonni- field, F. W. Hawley ; Second Ward-J. R. McLeod, A. Dumbach, Robert Porter (resigned June 16, succceded by James Cullen) ; Third Ward-Thomas Neville, T. J. Douglass, A. L. Graves (resigned October 6, succeeded by George D. Temple).
1863-Samuel Gossage. Mayor; A. W. Gaston, Recorder ; Francis Bliley. Treasurer ; A. W. Gaston, Solicitor ; T. Riordan, Assessor, resigned February 4. 1864, succeeded by A. D. Temple; John Danihy, Marshal. Aldermen : First Ward-M. B. Murphy, John Potter, E. L. Burton (resigned December 7, succeeded by H. B. Hendershott) ; Second Ward-E. H. Stiles, William Sower, Joseph Wagg ; Third Ward-T. J. Douglass, James Eakins, George D. Temple.
1864-Manlove McFarlin, Mayor; J. M. Douglass, Recorder ; E. L. Bur- ton, Solicitor ; George M. Wiltfong, Assessor ; Charles Lawrence, Treasurer, resigned January 20, 1865, succeeded by Thomas Neville : II. B. Jones, Marshal, resigned January 16, 1865, succeeded by C. P. Mason. Aldermen : First Ward-L. E. Gray, J. Guyzelman, M. B. Murphy (resigned June 30, succeeded by H. B. Hendershott) ; Second Ward-E. H. Stiles, H. C. Grube,
8
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
H. B. Jones ; Third Ward-George D. Temple, James Eakins, Hugh Brown.
1865-Samuel Gossage, Mayor ; J. M. Douglass, Recorder ; E. L. Burton, Solicitor ; John Graves, Treasurer; John Coyan, Assessor ; I. L. Milligan, Marshal. Aldermen : First Ward-A. D. Moss, A. M. Bonnifield, D. B. Abrahams ; Second Ward-J. W. Carpenter, A. Huggins, William Wallace ; Third Ward-James Brady, A. T. Holly, A. W. Gaston.
1866-James Hawley, Sr., Mayor ; Robert Burke, Recorder, resigned. November 5, succeeded by S. B. Thrall ; E. H. Stiles, Solicitor ; R. H. War- den, Treasurer ; A. F. Hoddy, Assessor ; I. L. Milligan, Marshal ; J J. Adams, Street Commissioner. Aldermen : First Ward-A. H. Hamilton, H. B. Sis- son, P. C. Daum ; Second Ward-J. C. Hinsey, C. C. Peters, J. McBride (resigned December 13, succeeded by J. W. Carpenter) ; Third Ward-W. B. Armstrong, R. J. Williams, T. Riordan.
1867-James Hawley, Sr., Mayor ; S. B. Thrall, Recorder ; E. L. Burton, Solicitor, resigned July 2, succeeded by C. E. Fulton ; W. B. Armstrong, Treasurer ; John S. Wood, Marshal ; John Coyan, Assessor ; M. McFarlin, Street Commissioner. Aldermen : First Ward-F. W. Hawley, G. A. Roemer, G. C. Barnes (moved from Ward-in June, succeeded by P. C. Daum); Second Ward-J. C. Hinsey, C. C. Peters, A. Dumbach, (died in August, succeeded by J. W. Caldwell) ; Third Ward-P. G. Ballingall, T. Riordan, W. B. Little- ton.
1868-This year the city was re-organized under the general incorporation laws of the State. C. E. Fulton, Mayor, S. B. Thrall, Clerk; C. C. Blake, Solicitor ; J. A. Schworm, Treasurer ; John S. Wood, Marshal ; John Coyan, Assessor ; M. McFarlin, Street Commissioner. Trustees : First Ward-P. C. Daum (resigned November 16), J. G. Meek ; Second Ward-J. C. Hinsey, W. W. Pollard ; Third Ward-W. B. Littleton, James Eakins.
1869-C. E. Fulton, Mayor ; S. B. Thrall, Clerk ; C. C. Blake, Solicitor ; W. B. Armstrong, Treasurer ; J. S. Wood, Marshal ; J. J. Adams, Assessor ; N. A. Coday, Street Commissioner ; office abolished October 5. Trustees : First Ward-S. D. Pierce, T. Riordan ; Second Ward-C. F. Blake, F. J. Clarke : Third Ward-J. G. Hutchison (resigned November 16); P. Brady ; Fourth Ward-W. W. Pollard, B. B. Durfee.
1870-W. B. Littleton, Mayor; W. H. Caldwell, Clerk ; Eugene Fawcett, Solicitor ; D. W. Tower, Treasurer ; John S. Wood, Marshal ; John Coyan, Assessor ; C. L. Waterman, Engineer. Trustees : First Ward-T. Riordan, P. G. Ballingall; Second Ward-C. F. Blake, J. S. Porter (resigned May 2, moved into Third Ward and was succeeded by R. H. Warden) ; Third Ward- P. Brady, William Daggett (resigned July 2, succeeded by J. S. Porter) ; Fourth Ward-R. N. Harlan, John E. Cummings.
1871-W. B. Littleton, Mayor ; John Gray, Marshal; Eugene Fawcett, Solicitor ; D. W. Tower, Treasurer ; John Coyan, Assessor ; W. H. Caldwell, Clerk. Trustees : First Ward-P. G. Ballingall, John Shea ; Second Ward R. H. Warden, C. Inskeep ; Third Ward-P. Brady, J. S. Porter; Fourth Ward -- R. N. Harlan, B. B. Durfee.
1872-W. L. Orr, Mayor; G. F. Foster, Clerk ; Eugene Fawcett, Solic- itor; resigned and succeeded by William McNett; D. W. Tower, Treasurer ; John Coyan, Assessor ; T. J. Hall, Marshal, resigned and succeeded by John Gray. Trustees : First Ward-P. G. Ballingall, John Shea ; Second Ward -C. Inskeep, C. F. Blake : Third Ward-John L. Moore, P. Brady; Fourth Ward-W. W. Pollard, B. B. Durfee.
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
1873-W. L. Orr, Mayor; G. F. Foster, Clerk ; D. W. Tower, Treasurer ; John Coyan, Assessor ; J. B. Ennis, Solicitor ; John Gray, Marshal. Trustees : First Ward-N. Baker, P. G. Ballingall : Second Ward-C. F. Blake, George Sheffer ; Third Ward-P. Brady, J. L. Moore ; Fourth Ward-W. W. Pollard, B. B. Durfee.
1874-W. L. Orr, Mayor ; W. H. Resor, Clerk ; D. W. Tower, Treasurer ; John Coyan, Assessor : O. M. Ladd, Solicitor : John Gray, Marshal. Trust- ees : First Ward-P. G. Ballingall, N. Baker ; Second Ward-J. J. Miller. George Sheffer ; Third Ward-S. Chaney, P. Brady ; Fourth Ward-B. B. Durfee, C. C. Peters.
1875-W. L. Orr, Mayor; W. H. Gorsuch. Clerk, resigned April 26, succeeded by W. H. Fetzer; D. W. Tower, Treasurer ; J. F. Lewis, Assessor ; O. M. Ladd, Solicitor, resigned, succeeded by W. H. C. Jacques ; A. Vanna- man, Marshal. Trustees : First Ward-W. B. Armstrong, P. G. Ballingall ; Second Ward-J. J. Miller (resigned in June, succeeded by H. L. Waterman) ; James Hawley ; Third Ward-S. Chaney, J. L. Moore; Fourth Ward-C. C. Peters (resigned, and succeeded by B. J. Boulton), J. M. Lamme.
1876-O. D. Tisdale, Mayor; W. H. Fetzer, Clerk ; J. P. Ennis, Solicitor; D. W. Tower, Treasurer ; J. S. Porter, Assessor; E. B. Davis, Marshal. Trustees : First Ward-P. G. Ballingall, W. B. Armstrong ; Second Ward- James Hawley, W. D. McClue; Third Ward-W. A. McGrew. J. L. Moore ; Fourth Ward-J. M. Lamme, B. J. Boulton.
1877-J. S. Porter, Mayor ; W. H. Fetzer, Clerk ; J. B. Ennis, Solicitor ; J. F. Lewis, Assessor ; Wade Kirkpatrick, Treasurer ; E. B. Davis, Marshal, resigned, succeeded by T. B. Trotter. Trustees : First Ward-P. G. Ballin- gall, K. Jordan ; Second Ward-C. F. Blake, W. D. McCue; Third Ward- W. A. McGrew, I. N. Mast ; Fourth Ward-B. J. Boulton, L. E. Gray.
1878-J. S. Porter, Mayor ; W. H. Fetzer, Clerk ; Calvin Manning, Solic- itor ; Wade Kirkpatrick, Treasurer ; J. L. Harmon; Assessor; T. B. Trotter, Marshal. Trustees : First Ward-P. G. Ballingall, K. Jordan ; Second Ward-C. F. Blake, O. M. Ladd ; Third Ward-W. A. McGrew, I. N. Mast ; Fourth Ward-C. B. Rounds, L. E. Gray (resigned, succeeded by Jacob Chilton).
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Ottumwa, being a city of the second class, or one having less than fifteen thousand inhabitants, is within the limit of the law empowering the Mayor to sit as a Police Judge, having concurrent jurisdiction with Justices of the Peace. The Police Court is in daily session in the City Hall, Mayor J. S. Porter on the Bench.
The law provides for the appointment of Marshal, who is the Chief of Police, and sufficient force to preserve the quiet and dignity of the city. At present, the very efficient corps is composed of T. B. Trotter, Marshal ; L. J. Allen, J. E. Cummings and Dan Hannon, regular policemen. A special night watchman is employed by the merchants, James Noonan, and the baggageman at the C., B. & Q. depot, James Ray, is empowered to make arrests, although he is but nominally employed by the city. The Mayor has authority to appoint extra policemen at any time, to serve on special occasions. The four regular guardians of the city are uniformed, and are chosen because of their peculiar fitness for the place. The city is an orderly one, and the duties imposed on this branch of the government are well attended to.
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Among the numerous departments of government, none is more worthy of especial liberality than that which defends life and property against fire. The city is well supplied with water works, a description of which forms a separate section of this history. To properly utilize the facilities thus offered, a volun- teer Fire Department is maintained, composed of some forty members, and called Ottumwa Fire Company No. 1. This Company was formally organized in December, 1868, although it had existed some time prior, and is under the general supervision of a Chief Engineer, who is appointed by the Council, but usually at the suggestion of the members of the Company, thereby securing harmony. At present, the position is filled by Chief Engineer J. W. Nichols, who is serving his third year. Next in order comes the Assistant Chief, at present James M. Winn, who is also Secretary of the Company. The Foreman of the Company is John Bliley, and three assistants are required to work the several stations, which are described as follows : Station 1, located at the City Hall, is composed of two hose-carts, supplied with 1,000 feet of superior quality hose, and a No. 2 Silsby steam engine, which is used only as a reserve in case of the failure of the water-power from the general works. It is believed that the supply ample, but, as a commendable precaution, this engine is held in readiness to take water from the river. When the Water Works are fully perfected, the steamer will be unused. This district is under the immediate supervision of the Foreman, as well as the Engineers, and is headquarters, where the uniforms, etc., are kept. Station No. 2 is located on the corner of Second and McLain streets, and is supplied with a hose-cart and 500 feet of hose. Assistant Foreman Ham Fleer, is assigned to duty at this point. Station No. 3 is located on Birch street, and is supplied with hose-cart and 500 feet of hose. Assistant Foreman John Mountain is in charge. Station No. 4 is on West Court street, and also has a cart and 500 feet of hose. Assistant Fore- man D. Lapham is the one assigned to this station. The record made by the Department is a good one, and both its material condition and the pride of the members in their own devotion to duty is constantly increasing. Ottumwa may feel secure from heavy losses by fire if a spirit of liberality is manifested toward the fostering of such an institution as her volunteer fire brigade.
The records of the Company are not preserved prior to the date of formal organization, in December, 1868. At that time the Foreman was John Wood. Since then the position has been held by John Gray, and the incumbent, Mr. Bliley. The Secretaries have been W. H. C. Jacques, C. B. Hendershott, J. Harsch and J. M. Winn.
The first record of fires goes back only to 1870, but we take from other sources the information relative to
THE LARGE FIRES IN OTTUMWA.
January 22, 1868, a fire extended from Moriarty's to O'Sullivan's corner, consuming the furniture store of Wilson & Co., S. D. Pierce's boot and shoe store, Taylor & Co.'s collar factory, James Fisher & Co.'s saddle shop, James Crowley's residence and business place, Solon Gray's store, and Cochran's upholstering shop. Eight buildings were destroyed, involving a loss of $25,000, on which there was $8,000 insurance.
The fire of October 30, 1868, was the greatest calamity that has visited Ottumwa. When the comparative infancy of the town is considered, the ap- palling character of this conflagration will be understood. Twenty-two build-
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
ings in the heart of the city, in which wholesaling trade was carried on, were consumed, involving a total loss of about $400,000. Upon this enormous sum there was an insurance of $225,000. The fire was considered at the time the work of an incendiary, but upon this point there is a diversity of opinion. One reliable authority informs the writer that the cause was, in his opinion, acci- dental. Since careful investigation failed to discover evidence against any party, it is reasonable to place the origin of the calamity within the realm of accident. The fire was discovered at 1 o'clock, Friday morning, October 30th, in Charles Betts' hat and cap store, on the south side of Main street. This was a one- story frame, standing about where Dr. Warden's store now is. Those who suf- fered by the fire were : J. A. Schworn, Henry & Haw, J. Prugh & Co., F. W. & J. Hawley, Cope & Porter, W. C. Moss, Jr., & Co., T. Neville, C. C. Peters & Co., D. M. Harmon, T. Devin & Son, H. C. Grube, Adam Kiser, Clark & Tuttle, H. Nunamaker, J. G. Meek, J. Leighton, George Branderburg, F. W. Smith, Charles Betts, W. D. Earl & Bro., Michael Maguire, J. Loomis, Dr. C. C. Warden, Shreve & Yates, L. Danbaum, Dr. J. L. Taylor, J. W. Huggin, E. Washburn, P. C. Daum, James Hawley, Sr., George Godfrey, Mr. Kranmer and others.
October 24, 1871, W. C. Grimes' wagon-shop was consumed by fire, involv- ing a loss of $20,000, upon which there was an insurance of $11,000. The building was located on Market street, between Second and Fourth, on the site of the old Court House. The residences of Mrs. Reynolds and Mr. Romer were destroyed, as well as a barn belonging to James Hawley. Turners' Hall, corner of Market and Fourth streets, was also burned. These buildings were more or less insured. The shops were rebuilt, and again destroyed by fire in 1877.
October 8, 1873. J. D. Ladd & Co.'s pork-packing establishment was destroyed by fire. The hand of an incendiary is supposed to have been the cause of the conflagration. The total loss on building and machinery was esti- mated at $40,000, with an insurance of $24,500.
January 21, 1874, a fire broke out in Seth Richards' frame building, on the south side of Main street, used by Spragg & Co. as a restaurant, and in a few moments the four frame buildings, to the corner, were in flames. The fire spread from these to the two-story frame building occupied by Boulton & Bro., and the two buildings adjoining, belonging to Mrs. Johnson and E. H. Stiles. There were several wooden buildings adjacent.
The losses on buildings were : S. Richards, $3,000 ; Mrs. Johnson, $1,000; Boulton & Bro., $1,200; E. H. Stiles, $800; Taylor, Blake & Co., damaged by heat from across the street, $1,500 ; First National Bank, same cause, $500; Daggett & Edgerly, same cause, $200. Total, $8,200.
Loss on stocks : T. Washburn, $6,000; A. M. Ewing & Co., $500; William O'Malley, $1,000; O. D. Tisdale. $2,000; J. A. Schworn. $500; Spragg & Co., $1,200. Total, $11,200.
On these losses there was $10,600 insurance.
August 19, 1874, Bauer & Craner's brewery burned, involving a loss of $12,000; insured for $5,000.
March 17, 1874, Duckworth & Harper's foundry and machine-shop were destroyed. Loss, $20,000; insurance, $12,000.
A fire occurred January 22, 1873, which destroyed about $142,000 worth of property. It originated in the third story of the building occupied by W. A. Jordan & Sons, in Union Block, as a clothing store and tailoring establish- ment. The block was the pride of the city, and in less than three hours it
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
was a mass of ruins. The flames communicated to all parts of the block. and involved the loss of property owned as follows: D. Eaton, on the corner of Main and Green streets, $8,000 ; insured for $5,500. Eaton & Arthur, furni- ture. $5,000 ; insured for value. J. H. Merrill, building, $7,000; insured for $5,000. J. H. Merrill & Co., groceries, loss $25,000; insured for value. W. A. Jordan & Sons, building, loss $7,000 : insured for $3,000 ; loss on dry goods, $20,000 ; insured for value. A. Simpson, building, loss $7,000; no insurance. Egan & Harper, hardware, stock, $12,000; insured for $10,000. R. N. Har- lan, building, $7,000; insured for $4,000. S. B. Fuller, dry goods, $3,000 ; insured for $2,000. J. W. & G. A. Huggins, building adjoining Union Block, loss $15,000 ; insured for $9,000. The Harlan Building was occupied by Mrs. Frances Williams and Miss Mary King, as millinery-shops; loss $500; also by Mr. Friedlander, as residence ; loss $400; and by J. M. Wallace, as a photograph gallery ; loss $1,000. No insurance on any of these losses. Dr. H. B. Sisson lost his dental furniture, value $800, and J. W. Davy, clothing, etc., valne $400, in the Jordan Building. W. B. Ketcham & Co., grocers, had in stock. in rear of Eaton & Arthur's building, which was damaged to the extent of $1,000.
There were innumerable small losses to buildings and property in the vicinity of the center of the fire, but which cannot be ascertained now.
This was the second great fire in Ottumwa, and, in the character of build- ings destroyed, far surpassed that of October 30, 1868. Still, the amount of loss sustained was not equal to the first heavy fire. The total did not fall short. of $142,000; but, fortunately, the loss was largely covered by insurance, so that the injury to the town was not permanent. The total insurance was $113,450. Enterprise, which only the West can equal, soon placed massive blocks where the ruins fell, and now no trace of the calamity of 1873 is visible.
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