USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > History of the city of Quincy, Illinois > Part 34
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There was a warm contest at the city elec- tion in April but the whigs wore successful in electing JJohn Wood as Mayor, over J. W. Singleton, by a majority of 44. in a total vote of 1,525, which it will be observed was very near the same number of votes cast at the
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special election on the railroad subscription six weeks later. The whigs also elected Henry S. Osborn and Robert S. Benneson as aldermen in the First and Third wards over John Abbe and H. Vogelpohl, and J. B. Merssman, demo- erat, was chosen in the Second ward over J. W. Brown. The control of the council was still democratic. An amusing stir was made later in the year by a petition being presented to the conneil, with a respectable number of signa- tures, asking that an examination should be made into the right of two of the aldermen to hold their seats. It was asserted that they were not American citizens. As the petition gave no names of the aldermen who were thus disqualified. the petition went to the wall and was not heard of again and we believe to this day it never has been certainly known who was pointed at by this paper.
The value of property in the city by the assessment of 1856 was reported at $3.668,555. On this the tax levy was ordered of one-eighth of one per cent for schools and school purposes; three-eights for meeting the railroad debt liabilities and one-half for ordinary expenses, and it was ordered also that there should be a sufficient levy made on property where the gas was in use to pay two-thirds of the expense of lighting the streets. The city debt and ex- penses so rapidly increasing on account of the large railroad subscriptions ronsed the atten- tion of the council to making some effort to pre- pare for growing future liabilities, and an order was passed authorizing the mayor to make a loan for the purpose of establishing a sinking fund. but either from not understanding how to make the arrangement or from some other good vanse the projeet languished out of existence just as a dozen similar schemes have done in later years. A change was made in the regula- tion base or datum for calculating grades. which in 1853 had been established at the bench mark figure of 20. 31-100 feet above low water mark. This figure was found defective for en- gineering reasons and by resolution the figure 100 was added. It stood thus for some years until perfected by the present plan. The name of Orange street was changed to Eighteenth and the council ordered that the streets east of this should be, when opened, called Twen- tieth and Twenty-fourth. thus, continuing the plan of double blocks which had begun at Twelfth street but contemplating the possible division of these blocks in the future, and the designation of the streets so made, by the odd numbers as Twenty-first and Twenty-third.
The first movement was now made towards giving systematie organization and appearance to the city police which from small beginnings
some years before had now grown into fair sized proportions. Originally and for some time it consisted solely of the city marshal; then a night patrol was added and at this time it was composed of eight men, a lieutenant, a night constable and six watchmen. Uniforms of course were not yet to be thought of, but the council ordered that members of the force should be furnished with a white star to be worn upon the lappel of the coat and also with a rattle, at the public expense. It was a num- ber of years before any addition in the matter of giving designation and uniformity of ap- pearance to the city police was made. A re- vision of the ordinances, this being the third since the organization of the city. was ordered and completed during the year. The annual amount of destruction from fire, before men- tioned, caused the council to largely inerease the facilities for its suppression by adding to the machinery and resources of the fire de- partment, among which was the construction of three large cisterns near by three of the late- ly built churches. With these, it appears from the records, that the city now had seventeen public cisterns which had been made during that number of years. These were absolutely essential and some of them were costly. It might be a curious search for any one thus disposed to try and ascertain how many of these old cisterns, so serviceable and needful in their day and constructed with so much of care and expense have been abandoned, or were destroyed even before the establishment of the waterworks system dispensed with their use. Some have been forgotten. or destroyed, with no remuneration to the city.
An advance was made in the character of city journalism. The five newspapers of the year before still lived and flourished, three of them English dailies. The Daily Republican, then much the most enterprising paper of the place was enlarged, and the Journal, a German paper, came out in February as a semi-weekly. It was a republican or anti-slavery journal, quite ably managed by Winters and Pfeiter. The other German paper, the Courier, was democratie. A very good directory of the city was prepared for this year by Root, the best that had yet appeared.
A publication was made at the close of the vear, which attracted interest at the time for the reason that then the city was an owner in the Northern Cross Railroad and the people felt interested in the business progress of the enterprise, in which they had so heavily in- vested. It is also worth seeing as a contrast of the railroad business thirty-one years ago with that which is done at the present time.
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The Northern Cross Railroad, completed from Quiney to Galesburg at the commencement of the year 1856, reports for the last six months ending December 31st, 1856, that its receipts from passenger travel amounted to $74.125: from Freight to $133,878.12: Trom mails, etc .. $7.219.32, making a total of $215,222.79, and that the expenses amounted to $108,643.48, leaving a net earned profit of $106.570,31.
The political record of this year was novel and stirring all over the land. Was a transition period in American polities such as had never been known before. The repeal of the Missouri compromise two years before this date had loosened all party harness and caused to swing away from their old time moorings at the state and congressional elections nearly every northern democratie state, such as New Hampshire, lowa, Ilinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and others that had until now from their earliest days unchangeably floated the demo- cratie Hag, and now on the broader arena of a presidential contest. these separations con- tinued and were nationalized into new and per- manent party formations. Almost the entire whig party in the northern and western ser- tions of the state, with large accessions from the democratic party which acted together in 1854 under the name of Anti-Nebraska, now took the name of republican. In the extreme southern and southeastern part, nearly all the old whigs became democrats. A portion of the whigs formed an organization known as the "American" or "Filhore party. " which after- ward merged into the republican, with which it usually coaleseed on local matters. In the Quincy congressional district, the defection from the democratic party was less than in some other sections of the state, and the polit- ical results showed but little change from former years. Elsewhere. many leading repre- sentative men, such as Trumbull, Pahner, Judd, Wentworth and others, speeded from their party with a large following, but in this district for reasons needless to name, no democrat of prominence beyond his county. left his party and lines lay nearly as before.
At the county fall election Buchanan, demo- crat. received for president 3,311 votes to 2.256 for Fremont and 662 Tor Fillmore. There was a union of the Fremont and Fillmore voter, on a portion of the state ticket and on the county officers. W. A. Richardson, who had resigned his seat in congress to run for governor, carried the city and county over W. H. Bessell by 1,208 majority. Hamilton, the democratie candidate for lieutenant governor, leading John Wood ( who had been nominated for this office to fill the vacancy on the ticket caused by the resig-
nation of Francis Hoffman, who was ineligible) 694 votes. The local democratie ticket general- ly was successful by Trom 500 to 700 majority except in the case of 1. N. Morris, democratic candidate for congress, who fell behind his ticket, leading Jackson Grimshaw 361 votes, while J. C. Davis, the candidate to fill the vacancy of Richardson's resignation. received a majority over Thos. C. Sharpe of 760. C. A. Warren was chosen for state's attorney over S. P. Delano : Samuel Holmes and M. M. Bane for representatives over A. F. Battell and John Tillson ; T. W. MeFall, circuit clerk. over H. V. Sullivan : John Cadogan, sheriff, over George Rhea : the successful parties, all democrats, re- reiving majorities ranging from abont 500 to TAG as above stated. The county vote on call- ing a convention to revise the constitution was 2.840 for to 1.923 against. This proposition was Defeated in the state.
Quincy was not in its thirtieth year of ex- istence. Its growth, as shown at successive periods, rose from about 20 in the place and near neighborhood in 1525 to about 350 in 1830; to 753 in 1835: 1.850 in 1840: 4,007 in 1845; 6,901 in 1850: 10,754 in 1855, and is sub- segment increase has been up to 14.362 in 1860. 24.052 in 1870, and 27.268 in 1880. The popula- tion of the county, including Quincy and also Hancock county, which was then attached to Adams, was 292 in 1825 : of the county, Quincy included. 2.186 in 1830 ; 7.042 in 1835 : 14,476 in 1×40: 18,399 in 1845: 26,508 in 1850; 34.310 in 1855: and the population since, the city in- «Inded. has been reported at 41,323 in 1860; 56.362 in 1870, and 59.148 in 1880. It will be noticed that prior to 1845. the county popula- tion increase was vastly more rapid than that of the city. since which period, the city has steadily been gaining. and it is probable that the census of 1890 will show more than half of the population of Adams county numbered as residents of Quincy.
There had been a long period of good naviga- tion, nearly nine months, with 1280 arrivals of boats, exclusive of the daily Keokuk and St. Louis packets. Seventy-five thousand was the estimated number of packages transported by river, and about 100,000 by rail.
The coal business, which had but commenced during the previous year. amounted to a re- ceipt of 15,000 tons. Manufactories reported increase in number and in extent of prodne- tion. There were S furniture establishments employing 225 hands: 5 Hour mills turning ont 105.400 barrels. valued at$685.100: 4 distilleries producing $432,656 worth of spirits: 25 cooper shops making near 110,000 barrels, hogsheads. ete .. with an aggregate value of abont $130,000 :
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12 wagon shops with a manufacture of 1,265 wagons, besides plows, carts, etc. : 7 harness shops: 2 carriage factories: 4 machine shops and foundries: 6 planing mills which worked np 400,000 feet of lumber: 4 steam saw mills which sawed 470,000 feet of lumber valued at $117,500; 1 large iron and copper factory, the business of which amounted to $12,400: 3 soap and candle factories whose transactions footed up to $41,000 ; the briek business was extensive, 16 yards predneing 16.070,000; one large stove foundry whose work alone was $99.128.04. and the total of manufacturing from these and a few other leading establishments was figured $2,318,952.45, and the number of hands aver- aging 900. This summary omitted very many of the smaller establishments, from which statis- ties were difficult to be procured.
The general sum of business had nearly donbled over that of the preceding year, not so much by the starting of new firms as by the expansion of business of those already existing. The grain trade was extensive. 1,227,000 bushels of wheat and Hour being shipped away, mak- ing Quiney in this line of trade next in the state to Chicago: there were also shipped or manufactured 417,661 barrels of tion. The ex- portation of pork was 17,962 barrels; bacon 1.648 hogsheads, and 9,500 packages of lard. There was a falling off in old staple business of pork packing here as generally in the west. Trade in dry goods and groceries was large and prosperons, five houses exehisively in the former line, did a business aggregating at $356,- 410. and from twenty groceries sales were re- ported amounting to $540,000. The amount done in this line of trade was estimated at not less than three-quarters of a million. Lumber had become a very extensive business, amount- ing to a total in the year of 1,365,000 feet.
CHAPTER XXXV.
1857.
CITY LIMITS EXTENDED. FINANCIAL. IN DEBT.
HOUSES NUMBERED. HOSPITAL GROUND
BOUGHT. SALOON LICENSE QUESTION. MANY BUILDINGS GO UP. RISE IN REAL ESTATE VALUES. FIRST BOARD OF TRADE. MONEY PANIC. FOREIGN IMMIGRATION INCREASES. COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION ATTEMPTED. BE- COMING A REAL CITY.
In the chapter of the preceding year (1856) has been given the successive population in- crease of the place from its settlement to 1880. This now, at the date above (1857), had grown from the handful of residents, in 1825, to about 12,000. The expansion of the city in area had not run evenly with its increase of population. From 1825 to 1834 it was but a name where the
court met and the county commissioners as- sembled, being simply the county seat located on the fractional quarter section of about 157 acres that had been purchased by the county and was controlled like every part of the com- ty, by the county commissioners. When in 1834 upon becoming a town and assumming an independent local government, the limits as fixed in its incorporation were the river on the west, and the present Jefferson, Twelfth and Vine streets on the south, east and north. This comprised an acreage of a trifle over 800 with a population of about 700. These boundaries were unchanged in 1840 when the town became a city and so continued until 1847, when what is known as Nevins' Addition, being the 120 aeres lying between Twelfth, Broadway. Eigh- teenth and Jersey was attached. This addition was made under the provisions of a clause in the original charter of the city, that any land adjoining the city on being laid off into lots and blocks might be annexed. The population at this time was abont 5,000. At the legislative session in January, 1857. the next material change was made by moving the north bound- ary line three-fourths of a mile farther to the present Locust street, and the same line pro- longed westward to the river: a half mile east to Twenty-fourth street, and a half mile sonth to Harrison and on that line west to the river taking in some twenty-five hundred acres. This addition added but little to the population, as it was nearly all farm land or unsettled. The action met with bitter opposition from most of those living on or owning lands, thus sum- marily brought into the city. They complained that the legislative action was unfair since the subject of annexation had not been mentioned at the preceding election, that there was in- justice in placing them and their property under another jurisdiction without their having a voice and vote on the question, and especially that they and their property onght not to be subjected to the burden of the already large city debt for the creation of which they were not responsible. To this last objection the reply was made that their own property adjacent to the city had been vastly increased in vame by the expenditures and improvements made in the city from which the debts originated. The opposition, though it made much personal dis- comfort for our members at Springfield, was fruitless, and the annexation was made. The city now had between 12,000 and 13,000 of population. Some ten years later abont 120 aeres more were added, lying south of Broad- way to near York and east from Twenty-fourth to Thirtieth street, since when the limits have been michanged, comprising a total area of about 3,500 acres. With this extension of the
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
limits, there was an increase made in the mim- ber of wards from three to six, thus making the council to consist of twelve aldermen, twice the former number. The manner of selecting officers in the new charter was left as before: the mayor, marshal and aldermen. bring chosen by popular election, and the other offi- cials elveted by the conneil. Two years later. in 1859. a law was passed making most of the city officers elective by the people. At the first election held under the new charter in April. a large vote was polled. the democratie ticket sttreceding by a large majority. Sylvester Thayer receiving 1.032 votes to 698 for Charles A. Savage. The democrats eleeted as aldermen. Thomas Jasper and M. MeVay, in the first and third wards, over J. C. Bernard and G. M. Brown, and in the fifth J. B. Hicks and A. ... Imbbe over U. S. Penfield and (. Meyer, and in the sixth. S. M. Bartlett and John Schell over F. Flachs and James Woodruff, while in the second ward .J. B. Brown was chosen over Levi Palmer, and in the fourth B. F. Berrian and A. Kellar over J. Noglepohl and W. E. Wilson. the republicans carrying this new ward. This was the first appearance of the republican party at a city election. By a requirement of the law the aldermen in the new wards. the fourth. fifth and sixth, where two had been chosen drew lots for the one year and the two year term. when Messrs. Kellar. Lubbe and Schell drew the short term and their three associates held over for two years.
The city organization was completed in the vouneil by the re-election of A. W. Blakesly as Hlerk and all the other democratie officials of the last year.
AAn umisual amount of important and perma- nent business came under the consideration of the council and was concluded during the year. The financial situation of the city was far from being satisfactory. Its bonded indebtedsess within the past few years had greatly increased. amounting now. exclusive of railroad subserip- tions, to over $200,000, and with the railroad debt to three times this amount, some of it overdue, and all rapidly maturing. while a large amount of vouchers were outstanding and eir- eulating at a heavy discount. Other projects which must add largely to this debt, were being popularly proposed and the city predit from these causes was not by any means in a com- mendable shape. The revenue was unequaltothe great increase of current expenses. The fiscal statement for the year ending March 31. favor- ably prepared as all such statements are, shows up the situation. As therein reported. the ro- ceipts from all sonrees amounted to $82.627. while the expenditures totalized at $93.823.34-
$11.096.34 of which was in unpaid city vouchers. There was owing to the school fund $11.359.89, which as reported by a committee of the council. "had been used for other pur- poses" by the city (a mild expression synony- mons with misappropriation ) and now. to tem- porarily meet this demand, a ten year ten per rent bond for the above stated amount was ordered to be issued. In this connection it may be mentioned that the perversion of the school moneys did not ecase for several years and was finally adjusted, when the delinquent amount had reached to abont $24,000 by the conneil reding to the school board all such title as it possessed to realty occupied and used or to be used for educational purposes within the city. This comprehended the Franklin, Jefferson and Webster school houses, and adjacent grounds. This was a fortunate arrangement for the school interests but somewhat sacrificial to the city which by its incorrect and perhaps it might be called illegal manipulation of school affairs was compelled finally to pay up at a much heavier cost than would have been in the pur- snance of a more proper and prudent course. The carelessness in these matters was shown by the fact that about this time it was found that the treasurer's record account of the city with the schools, was missing, and an estimated balance of $3,300, these being the last figures remembered, was agreed upon as due the school fund from the city. The three schools above named were the only ones in existence at this time and were in prosperons shape, well man- aged and attended. They employed 14 teachers and reported an annual attendance of about 1,000 pupils. The cost of carrying on the schools for the year ending June 30, 1857. was reported at $5,957.82.
There had been an attempt made at economy during the past year. The street improvements. generally the largest expense item. was rela- tively less than usual but other demands in- cident to a young and rapidly growing rity, such as police, panpers, salaries, fire depart- mont and contingent, swelled the total to former figures. And then piled on these, were the cost of bonds taken up. some $35,000 and railroad bond interest $14,000, which made an easy account for the deficit of nearly $12,000. in the year's business. Additional to all this. was the $5.000 of matured bonds unpaid, and nearly $40.000 maturing this year with an al- most equal amount which would become due in each of the half dozen following years. The ontlook was not encouraging, and the city was just beginning to realize the weight of its debt. It had assumed burdens without proper pro- vision for carrying them. These burdens
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
seemed needful at the time to assume and ultimately brought vast advantage, but were burdens none the less for a long aftertime. To tide over these aceruing liabilities and tem- porarily restore the city credit, a loan was ordered by the council and an issue of $75,000 of bonds authorized to provide for the same. This, of course. became an addition to the permanent city debt. which was now to be further increased by the subscription of $100,- 000 to the Quiney and Palmyra Railroad. The Hannibal and St. Joe road was now nearly completed. It was constructed under govern- ment aid as a military road, by a large donation of publie lands. The desire had been that it should branch at Palmyra with one or two termini on the east, one at Hannibal, the other at Quiney. The plan through the influence of political complications failed and it cost Quincy $100,000. A company was organized to build this connection and having obtained the neces- sary authority from the legislature, applica- tion was made to the city council for a sub- seription. The council voted a subscription of $100,000 subject to an endorsement by the people. The election was held on the 4th of April, resulting in a vote of 942 for and 11 in opposition. Upon this an issue was ordered of bonds to the above amount running 20 years with 8 per cent interest and the road was speedily built. Palmyra also voted $30,000 to- wards its construction. This was the last in- vestment of the city in railroads until about twelve years later.
This $100,000 subscription to the Quiney and Palmyra railroad was not completed as origi- nally suggested and intended. The first prop- osition was that Quincy should give $100,000 and that Palmyra and the Missouri counties interested would give an equal amount, one- half of which ($50.000) was to be voted by Palmyra. On this expectation and understand- ing, the election was ordered by the council. The outside interests did not come up to their promise but Quiney did. taking as usual the heavy end of the log, and the road was rapidly built mainly on the basis of the city subserip- tion and the credit given by the same. The Quiney and Toledo road, from Camp Point to Meredosia, to which the city had voted $200 .- 000. was during this year. under the active management of General Singleton. placed under contract in May. rapidly pushed forward and so far finished to Mt. Sterling by Christ- mas that the cars were then running and a pleasant celebration was held at that place largely attended by people from Quiney. The construction of this road was by the aid and interests of the Toledo and Wabash with which it became consolidated a few years later.
The assessed valuation of city property for the year was $3,020,895. On this was levied a tax of one-eighth of 1 per cent for school and one-half of 1 per cent for ordinary purposes to which was added a three-eighths of 1 per cent for railroad purposes and later again of 1 per rent special tax to meet the interest on the Toledo R. R. bonds issued in January of this year. It appeared to be the idea of the conn- «il in these times, to provide by special tax for the acerning interest on each separate issue of railroad bonds. This was a praiseworthy plan, which if it had been carefully carried ont might have lightened the load which the city was compelled to shoulder with its great pile of overdue and maturing bonds, swelled by years of delinquent interest.
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