USA > Louisiana > Orleans Parish > New Orleans > Standard history of New Orleans, Louisiana, giving a description of the natural advantages, natural history settlement, Indians, Creoles, municipal and military history, mercantile and commercial interests, banking, transportation, etc. > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
The new paid fire department cost rather more than the volunteer service. The city had, moreover, to buy back the engines and apparatus from the Fire- men's Charitable Association, just as that association had bought its apparatus from the city in 1855.
There has been practically no change in the system since the organization of the paid fire department, beyond the continued improvement by the purchase of better engines and such other apparatus as were needed. The department is under the active management of a chief and two assistants ; but the board of control and the lighting and fire committee of the council have control over it, make the purchases, employ the men and try them for any breach of the rules, prepare all rules and regulations, etc. The department is under civil-service rules, and can no longer take the active part in politics, for which the volunteer firemen were noted of old. The chief, as well as most of the men, were taken from the old volunteer force, but naturally it was very materially reduced from what it had been in volunteer days. In consequence of this reduction the de-
124
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
partment labored under many disadvantages during the earlier days of its serv- ice, when fighting large fires ; but there has been steady improvement ever since, and the department is to-day the equal of that in cities where the cost is from fifty to 100 per cent. more.
The several chiefs of the fire department of New Orleans have been as fol- lows:
NEW ORLEANS FIREMEN'S CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION.
First, Second Third and Fourth Districts: 1855, James Wingfield ; 1856, Alfred Belanger; 1858, John F. Gruber; 1861, David Bradbury; 1864, Alfred Belanger; 1866, Jacob Seidner; 1868, Philip McCabe ; 1869, Tom. O'Connor.
Fifth District ( Algiers) : 1859, W. Brodtman ; 1870, T. H. Jones ; 1873, M. Iver; 1875, W. Brodtman ; 1877, T. Daly.
Sixth District ( Jefferson) : 1869, John A. Meyer.
Seventh District (Carrollton) : Fred Fischer, Philip Mitchell, John Pfeiffer, George Geier, John Dahmer.
The fire department of New Orleans in 1900 has 27 steam-engines, 12 chem- ical engines, 7 hook-and-ladder trucks, 1 water-tower, 144 horses, 4 captains, 44 lieutenants and 207 firemen.
New Orleans was the fourth city in the Union to introduce the fire-alarm telegraph. This it did in 1860, adopting the Gamewell system. Thirty sec- onds was sufficient to get the alarm from the alarm boxes to the engine-houses. Improvements have been made in this service, also, from time to time.
DRAINAGE AND SEWAGE.
The most important municipal problem, which New Orleans has had to face -far more important than police and the extinguishment of fires-was that of sewerage and drainage. Lying, as the city does, below the level of the river, this was a most difficult matter; and it took nearly two centuries before it was satisfactorily solved. As early as 1723, Governor Perier had found it necessary to construct a levee in front of the city to prevent its overflow from the Mis- sissippi. The drainage, however, was not touched, and remained as bad as ever. Some attempt at drainage was made by Governor Vaudreuil, without much suc- cess. Governor Carondelet, under the Spanish régime, did better. The com- pletion of the Carondelet canal to Bayou St. John, drained the greater part of the city and left it in better condition than it been before.
125
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
When, however, the city spread beyond the wall, the newer sections were poorly provided with drainage, and were often subject to overflow from excessive rain-fall. The new canal, completed in 1837, gave some relief, and the Mel- pomene Canal, excavated about the same time, also benefited the upper portion, of the city.
This work, however, was only piecemeal. In 1857 a plan for the drainage fo the city was submitted by the city surveyor, Louis H. Pilie, and the legislature made a small appropriation for a topographical survey of the city. Laws were passed in 1858, 1859 and 1861 relative to the drainage of the city, but nothing of any moment was accomplished. In 1871-3 Mr. Bell, the city surveyor, prepared a plan for the drainage of New Orleans. A contract was made with the Mexi- can Ship Island Canal Company for the excavation of certain drainage canals. Considerable work was done, and for the first time the city got something prac- tical and efficient in the way of drainage. The plan, however, was never com- pleted, and the work was dropped again until 1892, when a topographical survey was made of the city, and an advisory drainage board was created for the pur- pose of suggesting a plan of drainage for the city, based upon the conditions developed by the topographical survey, the rain-fall and similar data.
A plan was prepared in 1895, submitted to the council and approved by it, and the money derived from the sale of street railroad franchises was set aside for the construction of this drainage system. In 1896 the legislature created a drainage board to carry through the plan of improvement, consisting of two members of the Orleans Levee Board and ex officio, the mayor and the chairmen of the council committees on finance, budget and water and drainage.
Actual work in the excavation of canals and the installation of the pumping machinery was begun in 1898, and the new drainage system was put into practical operation in March, 1900.
The success attained in this drainage work and the discovery that the cost of excavations was much less than it was supposed to be, led the city to undertake the work of sewage. Believing the cost of establishing a sewerage plant to be greater than the finances of the city would allow, the council had, in 1893, given a private company the right to lay sewers and to charge for connection with them. This private corporation, after expending a very large sum of money, failed; whereupon the city undertook the work itself. As it was without avail- able funds for so great an undertaking, it was proposed that a special tax of two and one-half mills, to run for forty-two years, be levied for the purpose of pro-
I26
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
viding the necessary funds for sewerage, drainage and a system of municipal water-works. Under the constitution of Louisiana, the voting of a special tax for public improvements requires a number of formalities and must be submitted to a special election, in which only the tax payers participate. This election was held in 1899, and the proposed tax voted by an overwhelming majority. The tax payers voted at the same time on the question, whether the district commis- sioners, to whom the work of providing for the sewerage, drainage and water system should be elected by popular vote or appointed by the mayor, and decided by a large majority in favor of the appointive system, as opposed to the elective one. The result of this election was approved by the state legislature, at an extra session, held in 1899, this being necessary to provide for the bonds based on the tax, and from which the funds for sewerage, drainage and water-works are to come. Under these several ordinances, acts and constitutional amend- ments, a water and sewerage board was created, composed of the seven district commissioners appointed by the mayor and members of the drainage and Levee boards and board of liquidation, having free control over all matters affecting the establishment of a drainage and water system of New Orleans.
WATER-WORKS.
In 1810, an attempt to establish water-works was made by one Louis Gleises. The new water-works were of a most primitive character. The pipes were hol- lowed out of cypress logs, and the supply of water was obtained from the river by slave labor, that is, a number of slaves pumped the water into a large reservoir, from which it was distributed through the hollow logs to such citizens as had sub- scribed. Necessarily, very few persons got their water supply in this way, a majority of them depending upon cisterns or wells.
In 1819, the New Orleans Water-Works Company was incorporated by the Legislature, with a capital of $120,000. The board inet on December 19, with eleven directors, nine elected by the stockholders and two appointed by the mayor. Nothing, however, of any moment was done by this company.
In 1833, the Commercial Bank was established, with a capital of $3,000,- 000, its purpose being to establish water-works in New Orleans. The charter was to run for thirty-five years, at the end of which time the city was anthorized to purchase the works. The company was to furnish the city with water free of expense and with all the water it needed for the extinguishment of fires and
127
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
for other public purposes. The new company did not fulfill all its obligations, and in 1848 an act of the Legislature had to be passed compelling it to do so, re- quiring it to keep all hydrants open, free of charge, for the purpose of washing the streets and gutters under a penalty of a forfeiture of its eharter unless the company accepted the terms proposed by the State.
On the expiration of the charter of the company in 1869, the eity utilized its right to buy in the water-works, issuing, for that purpose, bonds to the amount of the appraised value of the works, $1,300,000. The city thien oper- ated the works until 1877, but so badly that it was on default in the interest on its water-works bonds, as well as on the rest of its funded debt. It was thought best to surrender control and let the water-works pass into the hands of a private company. This was effected under an act of the Legislature of March 3, 1877, the bonds issued in 1869 for the purchase of the works being given in exchange for stock in the new company. Under this act, the New Orleans Water-Works Company was given a monopoly of the supply of water from the Mississippi River for fifty years.
The Algiers Water-Works and Electric Company was organized in 1895, and the mains were completed the following year. This company supplies the entire fifth municipal district of New Orleans with water, as well as illuminates it.
LIGHTING.
Under the early French and Spanish dominion no attempt whatever was made to light New Orleans, but all persons in the streets at night were required to carry lanterns to prevent collisions and accidents.
The first city lighting was done iu 1792, when Governor Carondelet estab- lished eighty street lamps. In 1824, the American theater was lighted with gas by its owner, Mr. James Caldwell, this being the first time that gas was seen in New Orleans. Encouraged by his success, Mr. Caldwell, in 1834, or- ganized the New Orleans Gas Light and Banking Company, with a capital of $300,000, which was subsequently increased to $600,000. The charter gave the city the right to purchase the works at the end of forty years. When the charter expired, in 1875, a consolidation was effected with a new company which had secured a charter from the Legislature and which was known as the Cres- cent City Company. This last charter was for fifty years, extending until 1925.
The illumination of the streets was by gas until 1887, when a contract was
I28
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
made for lighting by electricty for the first, second, third and fourth municipal districts. On the expiration of the contract with the Jefferson City Gas Light Company in 1899, the sixth and seventh municipal districts were illuminated by electricity instead of by gas as formerly ; and the city in 1900 used electricity wholly.
MAYORS OF NEW ORLEANS.
1804-Etienne de Boré, appointed ; Pierre Petit, pro tem; James Pitot (city incorporated).
1806-John Watkins.
1807-Joseph Mather.
1812-Nicholas Girod.
1815-Augustin Macarty.
1820-J. Roffignac.
1828-Denis Prieur.
1838-C. Genois.
1840-William Freret.
1844-E. Montagut.
1846-A. D. Crossman.
1854 -- John L. Lewis.
1856-Charles M. Waterman.
1858-Gerard Stith.
1860-John T. Monroe.
1862-May, G. F. Shepley, acting military mayor; July, G. Weitzel; Au- gust, Jonas H. French ; September, H. C. Deming; November, James F. Miller.
1864-July, Stephen Hoyt.
1865-May, S. M. Quincy ; November, H. Kennedy.
(All those serving from 1862 to 1865 were military.)
1866-April, John T. Monroe; December, E. Heath, acting military mayor ; J. R. Conway.
1868 -- B. F. Flanders.
1872-Louis A. Wiltz.
1876-Charles J. Leeds.
1878-Joseph A. Shakespeare.
1882-Wiliam J. Behan.
1884-I. Valsin Guillotte.
1888-Joseph A. Shakespeare.
1900-Paul Capdevielle.
1892-John Fitzpatrick.
1896-Walter C. Flower.
CHAPTER V.
MILITARY.
BY ELLA RIGHTOR.
T 'HE military history of New Orleans, as treated in this chapter, begins with the time of American occupancy in Louisiana. Such scattered facts and events as may be gathered by the historian concerning the Spanish and French possession are referred to in other portions of this work.
Under the Territorial government the first danger that came to threaten Louisiana, and to call out what military resources she possessed, was the con- spiracy of Aaron Burr. A certain cloud of mystery hangs over this strange man, who, with great military talents and some statesmanlike qualities, united the most unscrupulous dishonesty, ruthless ambition, and treachery to his coun- try. Although the charges have never been proved, it is accepted as a historical fact that after his retirement from the vice-presidency, and after the fatal duel in which Hamilton was killed and his slayer's prestige forever lost, Burr medi- tated, and endeavored to organize an expedition against Mexico, with the object in view of forming a "Southwestern Empire," in which several of the south- western States were to be included. It was a scheme worthy of a Napoleon, and, in the hands of a great genius, would have been successful. True, the arch conspirator did not prove himself a Napoleon, but in 1806 there was a possi- bility of his doing so. He had already won a certain renown, and the eyes of statesmen, soldiers and public officials were anxiously fixed upon this desperate man, in whose game of empires and armies all might be lost or won.
In New Orleans excitement reached a high pitch, for it was believed that the southern city would be made the basis of operations against Mexico, and that the first attack of the traitor would be made with this end in view. More- over, the population of New Orleans was then of a mixed character. At the close of the Spanish dominion emigrants had surged into it from all parts of the country. The French, the Spanish, the German, the American elements feared and distrusted each other. The administration of Claiborne (1803-1807) was
130
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
fraught with dangers and difficulties, and the stanch, brave, loyal governor showed his metal by overcoming them all.
It is supposed that Andrew Jackson himself was deceived at first by Burr's plans. The entanglement of Blennerhassett, who lost wealth and reputation in an infamous cause, is well known. But the wily General Wilkinson, when over- tures were made to him by the conspirators, became suspicious at once, and lost no time in communicating his suspicions to others.
The eager spirit of Claiborne was immediately aroused when the facts of the conspiracy were communicated to him; and he did everything in his power to prepare a gallant defense. His letters at this period, particularly those to the Secretary of State, glow with patriotic fervor. At the same time, it is evi- dent that he was greatly distressed with doubts as to the efficiency and loyalty of his soldiers. Amid disheartened reports, we find, however, sanguine expres- sions of renewed hope and confidence. For instance, after a muster held on the 17th of October, 1806, he writes : " At a muster this morning of 1st, 2nd and 4th Regiments, every officer, non-commissioned officer and private present made a voluntary tender of their services ;" and later: " I cannot, however, but cher- ish a hope that the battalion of New Orleans Volunteers, will in any event, be faithful."
The Orleans Rangers and the New Orleans Volunteers were military com- panies existing in New Orleans at the earliest time of of the United States' occu- pancy.
The events in connection with New Orleans during the so-called raid of Aaron Burr were as follows :
Friday, October 17, 1806. Muster of 1st, 2nd and 4th Regiments of Mili- tia held by the order of Governor Claiborne at the Place Gravier (in the suburbs of the city), Lewis Kerr being Colonel of one of these regiments and Major of the Brigade, L. Doerillier aide-de-camp of the Brigade. At this muster all white men capable of bearing arms were ordered to be present.
October 8. (Gayarre) Claiborne informs the Secretary of War that the number of militia from the frontier counties was 500, and that 100 regulars with military stores would set out for General Wilkinson in a few days.
November 5. (Martin) Wilkinson, having arranged matters with the Spaniards, and being assured that the camp on the Sabine would be at once broken up, proceeds on his march to Nachitoches. Sends an emissary to New Orleans for the purpose of fortifying the city, getting ready arms and ammuni-
ChaseMaquin
131
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
tion and mounting "six or eight battering cannons on Fort St. Charles and Fort St. Louis, below and above the city, and along its front, flanks and rear." Wilk- inson proceeds to New Orleans, stopping at Natchez to make application for 500 men of the Mississippi Militia. No reason for this being given, the request is refused.
November 15. Wilkinson sends an envoy to Mexico to warn that country of Burr's conspiracy, and (secretly) to discover its military resources.
December 4. Claiborne writes to the Secretary of State: "When troops from Natchez and Mobile have arrived, there will be in New Orleans about 800, including offieers. The Orleans Volunteers may muster 180 men, but it is im- possible for me to say on what portion of the militia I ean rely. Captain Shaw of the Navy has under his command, on the New Orleans station, two bomb- ketches and four gunboats, ete. All have been ordered to New Orleans."
December 8. Claiborne writes to Wilkinson: " The Battalion of Orleans Volunteers, which consists of from 150 to 180 men, and a small detachment of militia eavalry, will be ordered into immediate service." To the Secretary of State: " If, however, I should learn that the Associates had actually set out in force, I shall pursue such measures as may be required to man the little fleet on the river-whose co-operation the General deems necessary." Which suggestion as to naval defenses brings us to :
December 9. An important meeting of. the merehants of New Orleans, held at the Government House, and convened by the Governor, to discuss ways and means of assisting Commander John Shaw in defending the Mississippi, for it was by this river that, according to popular belief, the approach of Burr would be made. At this meeting both Claiborne and Wilkinson spoke, expos- ing the infamy of Burr, exeiting the people to patriotism, and eonsidering earn- estly the best plans for obtaining seamen and arming the gunboats. After Clai- borne had held a private conference with Colonels Bellechasse, D'Orsiere and McCarty, he ordered the New Orleans Volunteers to be ready at a moment's notice.
At this meeting: "It was unanimously agreed that a general and imme- diate embargo of the shipping in port be recommended to his Excellency, as the best means of obtaining the desired object (i. e., the naval defense of the eity)." -(Executive Journal, Volume I.) (This plan was approved by the Governor, and the embargo went into effeet until December 31.)
About this time, in a letter to the Secretary of State, Claiborne states that he has spent $111.873 on the troops.
132
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
December 14, 1806. Dr. Erick Bollman, of New Orleans, arrested by the order of Wilkinson, on the charge of being implicated in the conspiracy of Burr. About the same time, Peter Ogden and Mr. Swartwout were also arrested. General Wilkinson was somewhat of an autocrat, and constantly petitioned Clai- borne to declare martial law. This Claiborne refused to do, though he upheld the General in most of his actions, and exhorted obedience to his commands. When, in Dr. Bollman's case, an order for a habeas corpus ad subjiciendum was issued and sent to Wilkinson, the General answered it in rather a high-handed manner, stating that he took upon himself the arrest of Bollman, explaining his reasons for so doing, and declaring that he would pursue a like course with all traitors. Claiborne was firm in refusing to suspend the habeas corpus, and in a letter to the Secretary of State December 17th announced that he would not do so, nor declare martial law. In a letter to Wilkinson on the 25th of December he speaks approvingly of Bollman's arrest, but says he should have been given up at instance of the court.
General Wilkinson in court produced incriminating evidence against Boll- man ; among other things, a copy of a letter in cipher from Burr to the prisoner. Other citizens, being implicated, were arrested. Edward Livingston, James. Alexander, Colonel Lewis Kerr and Judge Workman, who was suspected be- cause of his zeal in issuing writs of habeas corpus.
Bollman, Alexander and Swartwout were taken to Washington for trial, but all the prisoners were eventually discharged, and a long controversy followed between Workman and Claiborne concerning the authority of Wilkinson. The general, by his severity and love of power, rendered himself very unpopular.
December 15 Claiborne sends an order to Captain Shaw that the Ketch Etna should ascend the Mississippi with all possible dispatch, and in conjunc- tion with the gun boats Nos. 13 and 14 oppose by force the descent of any armed and unauthorized body of men. According to General Wilkinson, Colonel Burr was to arrive at Natchez December 20 with 2,000 men.
December 29 Claiborne writes to General Wilkinson: "When these arms [certain guns and muskets which had been collected ] are distributed I shall have in this city and its vicinity (independent of the volunteer corps) 900 men com- pletely armed, and shall, after Sunday next, be able to call them into actual service upon very short notice." About this time the governor issued an order for all boats in passing the fort of Baton Rouge to show respect to the flag of Spain.
I33
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Information now reached New Orleans to the effect that all the marines in Washington had been ordered to this city, and that shortly Aaron Burr would be afloat with his flotilla.
Tuesday, December 30, Colonel and Adjutant-General Henry Hopkins is- sued an order to the effect that the governor would review the First, Second and part of the Fourth (included in the Fauxbourg Ste. Marie) Regiments of mili- tia on Sunday, January 4, 1807, at 10 o'clock. Colonel D'Orsiere was then in command, in place of Colonel Bellechasse, who was indisposed.
December 31. The Ketch Vesuvius is ready to ascend the river.
January 2, 1807. Claiborne removes the Battalion of Orleans Volunteers and Orleans Troops of Horse from Wilkinson's command.
January 6. General Wilkinson states that he has good authority for be- lieving that Burr had only about 6,000 men under him, and that he would with 2,000 precede the rest of his force to Natchez. On the same day is published a statement of the strength of the militia of the territory, which was 5,584, in- cluding general staff, infantry and cavalry.
News being received in this city that Burr had left Nashville, Tenn., with two boats, and would join the rest of his flotilla at the Cumberland river, Shaw was immediately ordered to destroy whichever vessels of the conspirators might make their appearance.
A few brief and quickly marching events now bring us to the close of this episode in New Orleans history.
January 12 a body of sixty men were stationed at Natchez to examine into the character and purpose of all passing vessels.
January 14 General Adair arrived from Tennessee, and reported that he had left Burr at Nashville on December 22, about to leave with two flat boats for New Orleans. This aroused indignation and suspicion. Adair that very day was dragged from dinner at his hotel, and taken to a place of confinement by 120 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Kingston and one of Wilkinson's aids.
The New Orleans volunteers and part of the regular troops then paraded the city, arresting Kerr, Workman and Bradford. Bradford was, however, in- stantly released, and on the following day a writ of habeas corpus was issued in favor of Kerr and Workman. Adair was secretly hurried away. (Martin.)
On the 15th Burr actually arrived at Natchez, and expressed his willingness to submit to proper authorities, represented by the Honorable Cowles Mead, acting-governor of Mississippi. Burr was placed under bonds to the amount
1
I 34
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
of $10,000 to appear before the Supreme Court, but he made his escape, and. despite a reward of $2,000 offered for his apprehension, made his way with "an active, well mounted party of men" to Washington.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.