USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 40
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
sas City on the west and Des Moines on the north.
At this writing-February, 1905- the indica- tions seem to be rather favorable for the build- ing of an electric interurban railway between Quiney and Hannibal. The name of the com- pany is The Ilinois & Missouri Railroad, whose franchise ordinance, granted in Quincy, was approved Dec. 2. 1904. A condition of this road is that citizens of Quincy donate $10.000 in cash, when the road is completed and in operation.
THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER IM-
PROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.
The Mississippi River. Quincy's western boundary, is the great water highway between St. Paul and New Orleans and is an adjunct to the Panama Canal. The Diamond Joe Line packets ply regularly each season along this river, in the needed improvement of which magnificent waterway much public interest is now being manifested, thanks to a most useful and effective organization which had its origin in Quincy. This is the Upper Mississippi River Improvement Association, which is composed of the various commercial and civie organizations located on the Upper Mississippi River from St. Louis to St. Paul. The purpose is to seenre proper recognition from the government of the commercial value of the river, and to improve its navigable capabilities by increasing the depth of the channel from 412 feet to 6 feet, at low water. between the month of the Miss- ouri River and St. Paul, Minn. The govern- ment engineers have declared this to be fea- sible, as the river is quite traetable.
The association is the onteome of a move- ment on the part of Quiney men, one of whom. Mr. Lewis B. Boswell, is referred to in the ad- dress of Mr. Thomas Wilkinson of Burlington. fa., the President of the Association, at its last convention in Dubuque. Nov. 12, 1904, as follows :
"In the year 1902 a committee of citizens representing the city of Quincy, waited upon Major Townsend, then in charge of the govern- ment work on the river, north of St. Louis, with a view to securing certain improvements of the river near Quincy. During the interview Major Townsend asked one of the committee- Do you know of any attempt having been made on the part of any of the congressmen, to secure an appropriation for the improvement of the upper river ?' The gentleman replied, 'No! but it will be done and that at once.' This was the beginning from which grew the Upper Mississippi River Association.
"The gentleman interrogated was the founder. you might say, of this movement. He was born on the banks of the old river in the city of New Orleans, and all his life has been spent where he could look out over its placid waters. He grieved to see its usefulness im- paired through neglect and forthwith deter- mined whatever of ability and influence he possessed should be given towards securing proper attention for this neglected highway. He conceived the idea of organizing an asso- riation to work for the improvement of the navigation of this river, which was carried out in the convention hell in Quincy. Nov 12-13. 1902. For whatever of snecess may result from the work of this association, the laurel wreath must be placed upon his brow,-Mr. Lewis B. Boswell, of Quincy, IN."
This association has held three conventions, one at Quiney. Davenport and Dubuque. Its work is wholly in the interest of the commerce of the five states contignous to the upper river. It recognizes no local scheme or proposition. The permanent improvement of the upper river is its theme and thus far it has met with most excellent results, and the force of its labors and influence bids fair to securing from the national government needed appropriations which will establish a depth of six feet at low water in the channel.
With the river improved and in suitable condition for the steady operation of boats and barges, it will not be many years before the people of this great middle west will be enabled to float cargoes down the river to New Orleans and outward through the Panama ('anal, to the markets of the world. Such a valuable artery of commerce should be fully appreciated by our people and its influence upon the increase in the manufacturing and commercial, also agrienltural development of this country will be beyond our present con- ception.
That the people of this city should feel great pride in the fact of Quincy being the birth- place of an organization having such highly important purposes in view. is natural, and that a citizen of Quincy should be the officially recognized founder of such an association, is a distinction of the highest order. although the founding of the association was but the beginning of Mr. Boswell's admirable work in its behalf. As secretary of the association since its organization, his discharge of the duties of that position has been marked by dis- tinguished abilities, while the eloquence and taet displayed by Mr. Boswell in presenting the claims of the organization to the federal goverment. from time to time, have been of invaluable servire to the cause.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
THE QUINCY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Young Men's Business Association was organized in 1887. Thomas Anstin was presi- dent and James Handly, secretary. W. P. Upham was elected president January 20, 1897. June 18, following, the name of the organiza- tion was legally changed to The Qniney Cham- ber of Commerce. Charles II. Williamson was elected president July 9, 1900. The president appointed Miss Lina Linchan secretary to sue- ceed James Handly. January 15, 1802, the president appointed Miss Bertha L. Maher sec- retary to succeed Miss Linehan. Joseph W. Emery was elected president May 12, 1903. John S. Cruttenden was elected president May 9, 1904. and Frank W. Osborn was elected to fill that office May 8, 1905.
The Chamber of Commerce has been a sort of open parliament for the discussion of mat- ters pertaining to the commercial and the gen- eral welfare of the city, and the organization has rendered excellent service, particularly in taking the imtiative. Certainly no organiza- tion could desire better men than have been at the head of this body. Its successive presi- dents have, always at a great sacrifice to their own private affairs, manifested a degree of zeal, application and excellent judgment which has been of very great value to the public. while the fine publie spirit shown by these busy men is worthy of the highest praise.
QUINCY FREIGHT BUREAU.
The Quiney Freight Bureau, the most useful and important organization that onr shippers have ever had, was incorporated May 20, 1897. Chauncey Il. Castle was the first president, Charles H. Williamson the second, and Dickerson MeAfee, is the third. Elmer E. Seger in secretary, and Edward Sohm, treas- urer. The other members of the board of goy- ernment are C. H. Castle, John J. Fischer, Louis Wolf, Rudolph Tenk and Fred Rupp. Lewis B. Boswell. the Commissioner of the Bureau, has hell that highly responsible posi- tion since the fall of 1897, or abont eight years. and it is a record of notable ability, the closest application and unquestioned fidelity. While, in the very nature of the case, very much of the work of this Bureau is not seen by the publie, the Quincy Freight Burean is known all over the country and has the respect of the railroads, as well as of the various kindred or- ganizations of the country.
In a general way, the Freight Bureau stands in the relation of a freight traffic manager to its members. Its functions are to conserve their interests, keeping them informed of the actions of transportation companies in chang- ing tariffs, as well as the classification of ar-
ticles. While the Bureau has done and is doing this work and doing it well, it has also in many ways greatly conserved the public interests. For instance, its members took the lead in the movement resulting in the C. B. & Q.'s new passenger station and in the wagon bridge over the river, and the Bureau has in several in- stances been of invaluable benefit with respect to train service.
THE QUINCY RETAIL MERCHANTS' ASSO- CIATION.
The Quiney Retail Merchants' Association was organized March 26. 1902, and its record has been characterized by a progressive spirit and good work such as to merit commendation and clearly prove its usefulness to our retail merchants. The important practical results in- clude valuable municipal legislation and com- mercial steps tending to enlarge the retail trade. The first president of the association was W. T. Duker, who was succeeded by N. Heintz, and the latter by Jesse O. Fisher. L. B. Boswell was the first secretary, his successors being J. C. Heinzman and H. 11. Brinck. George H. Lyford is vice president and Daniel Speyer treasurer.
BUSINESS STATISTICS.
While Quiney has widely extended fame for its beauty, and is also noted for its financial solidity, and is winning enviable credit for its excellent educational advantages and for other reasons, this city is best known to the world outside for its manufacturing interests. As the great center for the mannfacture of stoves. of wheat flake foods, incubators, show cases, hay presses, ete., the name of Quincy has been made familiar in all parts of the world, and this well deserved reputation is constantly being strengthened. In this connection, the follow- ing tabulated estimates of industrial Quincy will be of interest :
Number of productive industrial establish- ments, about 500.
Capitalization of the establishments. about $8,000,000.
Number of wage earners, between 5,000 and 6.000.
Total wages paid annually, abont $2,000,000.
Vale of the annual productions of the establishments, about $12,000,000.
The above figures do not include Quincy's mercantile establishments, which are very numerous and excellent, but concerning which, no figures have been obtainable.
THE STREET RAILWAY SYSTEM.
The Quincy Horse Railway & Carrying Com- pany was created by an act of the state legis- lature, approved February 11, 1865. The
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
change from horse-power to electricity was made January 1. 1891 The present owners. familiarly known as the " MeKinley Syndi- rate," secured control of the system in the fall of 1898 and have transformed and extended the system. The total length of streets on which ears are run is thirteen miles or a total length of track of seventeen miles. There are sixteen cars in regular operation and in addi- tion, eight motor and ten trail cars. The cars are heated and lighted by electricity. The generating plant consists of one 425 kw. direct connected unit and five 62 kw. belted ma- chines, all furnishing 550 volts direct current, also the proper engine and boiler capacity to operate the machines. When the work laid ont for the present year is completed, the entire system of track will have been relaid by the present owners. The car rails are 60 lb. "T." The improvements by the present owners in- elude extension on South Fourth street, on Broadway, and to the Soldiers' Home grounds : also a new car barn at Twentieth and Hamp- shire streets, with steam heating plant which also supplies the office and waiting room, at Twentieth and Maine streets. The present owners also installed the Corliss engine and direct connected generator at the power house. and have added eight large closed cars, and fourteen large summer cars. The present offi- cers of the company are: G. F. Duncan, of Portland, Me., president : II. P. Cox, of Port- land. treasurer: William B. MeKinley. of Champaign, secretary : Edward M. Woodman. of Portland, general counsel : H. E. Chubbuck. of Ottawa and La Salle, Ill., manager: W. A. Martin, of Quincy. superintendent.
LIGHTING UTILITIES.
The Quiney Gas Light & Coke Company was organized in 1853 with a capital of $80,000. It commeneed business December 1. 1856, with sixty-four street lamps and 139 private con- sumers. Governor John Wood was the first president, and Thomas Pratt, superintendent and manager, but he was soon succeeded by Wm. Il. Corley who held the office till his death in 1875. He was followed as manager by A. W. Littleton till 1898, and he in turn by 11. E. Chubbuck. W. A. Bixby is the present general manager of the consolidated companies. The Thompson-Honston Electric Light & Power C'o. was organized in 1882 with Col. W. W. Berry as president, and continued in business till consolidated with the other lighting plants by the MeKinley interests in 1898. The Empire Light & Power Company was instituted in 1895. W. H. Channon being the president, and Harry Channon, superintendent and manager of this company which continued till 1898.
when with the Gas Company and the Thompson- Houston Electric Light & Power Co., it was merged into the present Quiney Gas & Electric Co., which was purchased by J. T. Lynn and associates of Detroit, Mich .. in 1903, Mr. Lynn being the president. It is interesting to note the growth and the great change in prices, since the organization of the parent company. In '56 the Gas Company had one bench of three retorts and only one holder room to store 55,000 feet. It has now eight benches of six retorts each and storage capacity for hundreds of thou- sands of eubie feet of gas. The price in '56 was $4 per 1,000, and is now only $1 per 1,000: the reductions being as follows: to $3.50 in 1876: $3.00 in 1878: $2.25 and $2.00 in 1882. and $1.00, 1904. In the electric department the plant started with a few small machines in '82, and is now one of the largest in Illinois.
The Independent Light & Power Co. was in- corporated March 26, 1903. JJ. W. Cassidy tak- ing the leading part and being the principal owner and the president. The company erected a large, modern plant. Mr. Cassidy also or- ganized the Independent Gas Co., but the city council declined to make certain alteration in the franchise ordinance, hell by Mr. Cassidy to be essential to the financing of the enter- prise, and the proposed plant was not erected. Jannary 7, 1905, Mr. Cassidy sold his interest in the Independent Light & Power Co. to W. J. Ferris, of Chicago, Il.
CHAPTER XL.
QUINCY'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS AND FACILI- TIES-PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COL- LEGES, ETC. - THE PUBLIC LIBRARY-MU- SICAL INSTITUTIONS, ETC.
Giving due consideration to all forces mak- ing for education in Quiney and the public and private cost thereof, the educational progress of the city' has kept apace with its general progress. In recent years interest in educa- tional matters has intensified with correspond- ing improvement in facilities. At this period- 1905 -- the schools of Quincy would undoubtedly compare very favorably with those of the best class of cities of Quiney's size throughout the country, while our excellent and practical collegiate institutions have won wide-spread and deserved recognition.
Our public schools have been under the man- agement of The Quincey Board of Education since the creation of that corporate body by
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
the legislature in 1861. Down to the spring of 1904, the members of the board were appointed by the city council, each ward having one mem- ber of the board. Last spring for the first time, a school board was elected directly by the people, who took advantage of a recent act of the legislature. The city council raised a question as to the constitutionality of the law, but to this writing-January, 1905-no con- test has been made in the courts. Meanwhile, the new system is working smoothly, the new board of education having used good judgment. Under the new law, the school board appoints the superintendent of schools, who had been previously appointed by the city council. An- other effect of the new law is to require an affirmative vote of the people before the board ean ereet a school building or buy ground. The school tax levy is still under the control of the city council, to which the board submits ree- ommendations. The following statisties are taken from the report of Superintendent David B. Rawlins to the school board, for the school year ending June 30, 1904 :
Total population of Quiney. census of 1900. 36,252: total population of Quincy, estimated at the time of the report, 40,800. Total num- ber of pupils enrolled in the Quiney public schools, 5,451; estimated enrothment in private and church schools, 2,775. Total mimber of teachers in the public schools, 115. The total cost per pupil in the public schools for tuition and incidentials was $14.85. Valne of public school grounds and sites, $90,000; of buildings, $310,000; value of all publie school property, $418,000. The amount appropriated for the schools by the city council for the year 1904, was $95,000. The schools also receive annually a proportion of the state school fund, usually amounting to about $7,000 a year. The report estimates the total cash value of all the taxable property in Quincy at $27,465,900. The assessed valuation was $5,493,180.
Following are the present locations of the several public school buildings in Quiney, with the year in which they were built and the Post : JJefferson, Fourth and Spring streets, ground and building bought by the board of education from the Quincy English and Ger- man College, Nov. 16, 1875, for $30,000; release of same bonght March 6. 1877, for $386.40. Irving, Payson avenue between Eighth and Ninth streets, old building erected in 1864, cost $5,400; addition, 1873. $4,000; new building, 1895, $7,670. Berrian, Eighth and Van Buren streets, 1867, $7,200. Washington, Sixth avenue North and Cherry street, first building. 1868. $7,619; new building, 1898, $9,750. Franklin. Fifth street between York and Kentucky, 1870. $33,000. Jackson. Eighth and Vine streets,
property bought of Willard Keyes, Sept. 29, 1866, for $12,000; building destroyed by tor- nado in 1875, immediately rebuilt at a cost of $6,000. Lincoln (colored). Tenth street be- tween Spring and Oak, 1872, $6,150. Dewey (first named Highland), Twenty-first and Cherry streets, first building, 1889, $4,150; ad- ditional building, 1898, $4,332. The change in name of this building was in honor of Admiral
George Dewey. Madison, Twenty-fifth and Maine streets, first building, 1890. $9.100; ad- ditional building, 1898, $9.683. High School, Twelfth and Maine streets, 1891, $30.800. The High School was first established in the C'en- ter school building, in the old Unitarian church building at Sixth and Jersey streets, Septem- ber, 1864. In 1866, the High School was trans- ferred to the Jackson building, and from there to the Franklin. The Adams school building, Twentieth and Jefferson streets, was erected in 1891. cost. $7,790. Emerson, Thirteenth and Washington streets, in 1900, cost, $20,150. The Webster, in 1904, cost, $63,000, this being the third Webster building. The second build- ing was torn down because of question as to its safety, owing to vibration at times, but examination proved it to be stronger than was thought for. In ereeting the new structure. the school board spared no thought or cost to make it a model school building.
Early on the morning of February 16, 1905. the Franklin school building was destroyed by fire. The insurance, which has been fully paid, was $15,500. At a special election hell March 21. following, it was voted to re-build Franklin school in Franklin Park, near Fourth between State and Maiden Lane streets, and to issue bonds to the amount of $120,000 to rebuild this school, to ereet a new building in place of the Berrian school, and an addition to the High School building. Plans for these new buildings and the addition to the High School have al- ready been accepted by the Board of Education and the buildings are expected to be ready for use the ensuing year.
In addition to the usual course of studies. the public schools of Quincy inelnde regular instructions in manual training, domestic science, music, drawing and nature study.
The first president of the Quiney Board of Education was Thomas Jasper, who served from March 1, 1861, to Angust 1. 1861. the succeeding presidents and years of service be- ing as follows: 1. O. Woodruff, 1861-2; Wm. Marsh, 1862-4; 1. O. Woodrutt. 1864-6: 1. J. Imbbe, 1866-7; P. A. Goodwin, 1867-1872; R. S. Benneson, 1872-1886; A. W. Wells, 1886-1893; Dr. Joseph Robbins, 1893-7; George W. Ear- hart, 1897-1901: Dickerson MeAfee, 1901-3; William 1. Collins, 1903, incumbent 1905.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.
The first superintendent of the city schools was Isaac M. Grover, who served from 1847 to 1850, his successors being: C. JJ. Swartwout, 1850-1 : John Murphy, 1851-2; Warren A. Reed, 1852-4: John Murphy. 1854-6: Ilope S. Davis, 1856-8; N. T. Lane, 1858-9: B. B. Wentworth, 1859-60; Ilope S. Davis, 1860-4: A. W. Blakes- ley. 1864-5: J. W. Brown. 1865-6: W. G. Ewing, 1866-7: James Lowe, 1867-9: J. W. Brown, 1869-71; T. W. Macfall, 1871-1897; A. A. See- horn, 1897-1901: F. G. Ertel, 1901-3: David B. Rawlins, 1903, incumbent 1905.
The first principal of the Quincy High School was A. W. Starkey, the succeeding principals being: II. A. Farwell. C. C. Robbins. Rev. Wm. B. Corbyn, D. D., W. F. Geiger, David B Rawlins, J. E. Pearson, and V. K. Fronla, the latter being the principal at this time. 1905. The position of assistant principal. created by the school board last year, is filled by A. M. Simons. The growing popularity and in- ereased patronage of the High School has crowded the present building so as to make additional room an imperative necessity, and steps to that end are now being planned.
These are the present members of the Quincy Board of Education : William 11. Collins, presi- dent : Frank A. Lubbe, clerk : Homer M. Swope. Otto Linz. J. W. Gardner, John T. Inghram, Henry L. Whipple.
The numerous church and private schools throughont the city are of excellent standard and aggregate 2,700 pupils.
The following very carefully prepared ar- tiele shows the excellent status of Quiney's schools at this period -- 1905.
THE RELATIVE STANDING OF QUINCY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
By David B. Rawlins. City Superintendent of Schools.
So many different elements enter into the composition of a school system that cannot be gauged except by long and close observation. that any statement of the relative merits of two or more systems is subject to much quali- fication. Then too. the judgment of one person as to what constitutes a good school system may differ widely from that of another. Hence it is impossible for me to make final statement as to the relative merits of our schools and I must content myself by comparing as best I ran some of the more important features of our school system with those of others.
In making this comparison a few cities, some larger and some smaller than Quincy, have been selected. These cities are for the most part in or near Ilinois and all of them are said to have good schools. From these statistics
and other data have been collected showing the condition of their schools and the progress they are making along the line of modern edu- cation. A tabulated statement of this material is given herewith and the reader can in a meas- ure draw his own conclusion as to the rela- tive standing of our schools.
Without exception in all these cities the branches required for a second grade certificate -reading, writing, spelling arithmetie. geog- raphy. F. S. history, grammar and physiology -- Form the basis for the elementary course of study. In most of them there is work in music, drawing and nature study, and in some of them is found a full course in mannal training and domestic science. These special subjects. with the exception of mannal training and domestic science, are taught in nearly every school by the regular teachers under the direc- tion of a supervisor. Special teachers are em- ployed to teach mannal training and domestic science. Our own course of study does not suffer when compared with that of the school systems under consideration, but on the con- trary stands near the top of the list.
No other element in a school system is of such great importance as the teaching force. The teacher makes or mars the school as she tor he) is efficient or inefficient. However a just comparison of the teaching forees of dif- Ferent cities cannot be made because one can only judge by seeing a teacher at work.
The tendency at the present time is toward normal trained teachers and while this is a decidedly wise and rational tendency. it does not follow that all normal trained teachers are successful, nor that teachers who have not had such training are not good. As a matter of fact some of the best teachers here and else- where have never had normal training and some of the completest failures I have ever known have been normal trained. The table shows the percentage of normal trained teach- ers in the schools compared, the number of pupils per teacher, the salary pair teachers and the requirements as to professional study. Onr rank as to specially trained teachers is below the average. A comparison of salaries cannot be made without taking into consideration the cost of living expenses in the different cities. This is not possible.
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