USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > History of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. : from the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1915 biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 14
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he resigned to enter a broader field of activity in New York. He was succeeded by his brother, J. H. VanBrunt, who now holds the position. Extensive improvements and extensions have been made to the company's power plant near the river front.
OMNIBUS LINE-In February, 1859, upon the opening of the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad, Major Holman and Samuel Jerome started the St. Joseph Omnibus Line. In the spring following Messrs. John L. Motter and C. D. Smith bought out the line and built omnibus stables near the Patee House. They continued to operate this line until George W. McAleer bought out the interests of J. L. Motter. The business was conducted by these gentlemen for some time, when Colonel J. L. Motter bought out C. D. Smith. Motter and McAleer ran the business in partnership for some time, when Colonel Motter sold his interest to McAleer. The line sub- sequently became the property of William Medaugh, by whom it was sold, in 1867, to Thomas Christopher. The stock then con- sisted of five omnibuses, one carriage, four buggies and thirty-six horses. Smith Adams afterward became a partner in the omnibus line with Major Christopher. Joseph A. Piner purchased the line in 1871 and associated with him Thomas A. Massey. Upon the death of Massey, Colonel Elijah Gates became Major Piner's asso- ciate, and this firm continued until 1894, when the stock and equip- ment were purchased by the Brown Transfer Company. Omni- buses are no longer seen on the streets. They have given place to the modern taxicabs and jitney busses.
HERDIC COACHES-The Herdic coaches were intended for serv- ice upon streets that had no tramways. They were a sort of carry- all, with seats along the sides, and were quite successfully operated in eastern cities. In July of 1881 a company was established in St. Joseph with Dr. John T. Berghoff as president, Joseph A. Corby as secretary, and E. F. Mitchell as superintendent. There were eight coaches and fifty-six horses. There were two lines. The first ran from Market Square east on Felix street to Ninth street, north to Frederick avenue, east to Thirteenth, south to Sylvanie street, east to Fifteenth street, north to Edmond street, east to Seventeeth street, and north to Francis street, returning by the same route. The second line ran from Felix street north on Sixth street to Hall, east to Ninth street, north to Powell street, and thence to Mount Mora Cemetery. The venture proved unsuccessful and was aban- doned after a year's efforts.
CHAPTER XIV.
BUCHANAN COUNTY'S THREE COURT HOUSES-THE COURT HOUSE FIRE IN MARCH OF 1885-THE FIRST MARKET HOUSE AND CITY HALL AND THE PRESENT STRUCTURE-PATEE AND OTHER MARKETS-THE CITY WORKHOUSE AND CENTRAL POLICE STATION- COUNTY JAILS OF THE PAST AND THE PRESENT INSTITUTION.
The first court house of Buchanan County was made of logs and stood at Sparta. It is yet in existence, being used as a granary upon the McCauley farm, which embraces the site of Sparta. The courts, county and circuit, met at the house of Richard Hill and at the house of Joseph Robidoux, as related before, up to the summer of 1841. In January of that year the county court ordered that a building be erected on lot No. 1, block 1, in the town of Sparta. This was a log house, containing two rooms-one 18x20, the other 16x18. The contract was let to Guilford Moultray, and the building was finished by the following July. This house served more than one purpose, for, aside from being the "palace of justice," it was also the academy of learning, the temple of worship, the forum of the people, and the opera house. It was lighted by day through two twelve-light windows in each room below, while the second floor, a half-story, was lighted by a six-light window in each gable. When it became necessary to use the building by night, as for worship or entertainment, tallow candles were used.
On November 9, 1842, the county court appropriated the sum of $6,000 to erect such a court house and jail, to be built at Sparta, as the necessities of the community demanded. But Sparta never saw this pretentious structure. When the new court house was pro- vided for, the question of moving the county seat to Blacksnake Hill took formidable shape. As a result of the agitation Sparta lost, and the $6,000 was invested in St. Joseph. The block occupied by the present court house was the original site. It was a high hill that had been donated by Robidoux, and its apex was fully fifty feet above the present grade of Jule street. A brick house, of which Louis S. Stigers and N. J. Taylor were the architects and builders, was erected on this hill, fronting south. It was a two-story build- ing, the dimensions being 50x74 feet, including a portico, and the people were quite proud of it. In 1871 this structure was con- demned as unsafe, after twenty-five years of service, and, in Octo- ber of that year it was vacated. The county offices were for a time located in the parsonage of what had been the first Catholic church in the city, on the east side of Fifth street, between Felix and Fran- cis streets. In the summer of 1873 the circuit court, circuit clerk's
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and sheriff's offices were moved to Brady's hall, on Felix, near Fourth street.
The next court house, of which the present one forms a part, was begun in 1873. Its architect was P. F. Meagher and its builder was John De Clue. The cost was $173,000. The cornerstone was laid August 25, 1873, the Masonic rite being performed by Captain Joseph S. Browne, acting grand master of the state. It was a momentous event and the people entered into the spirit thereof with pride and enthusiasm; and well they might, for they were laying the corner stone of the grandest county building in the West at that time. The plan, so far as external appearances go, is preserved in the present court house. It has a frontage of 235 on Jule street, with a depth of 205 feet. It is of brick, with cut stone foundation and trimmings. The building was completed in August, 1876, though some of the county offices occupied rooms as they were fin- ished, as early as January of that year.
On the morning of March 28, 1885, this magnificent building was severely damaged by fire, and much valuable public property was destroyed. The origin of the conflagration is enshrouded in mystery. The building was heated by stoves at that time, and it is a generally accepted theory that from some neglect or accident the fire was transferred from either a stove or an ash receptacle to the floor. Shortly after three o'clock on the morning in question, Wm. H. Mitchell, a compositor on The Gazette, was going north on Fourth street, home from his work. When near Robidoux street he looked back toward the court house, his attention having been at- tracted by crackling noise, and he saw smoke and flames issuing from a window on the north side of the first floor of the west wing. He gave the cry, which was taken up by persons within hearing distance. An effort to reach the fire department by telephone failed and there was an unusual delay in getting the alarm to all of the stations. So fierce was the fire, and such tremendous progress did it make, that before the first apparatus arrived the dome had col- lapsed and crashed into the burning mass. The only thing left for the department to do was the salvation of the main walls, and this was accomplished by hard and heroic work.
Aside from the county offices, the building was occupied for various other purposes. On the first floor were the offices of the recorder of deeds, the county collector, the prosecuting attorney, the county clerk, the county court, the probate court, assessor and public administrator. There were also the law offices of B. R. Vine- yard, Ryan & Stewart, M. G. Moran, A. D. Kirke, Vories & Vories, Moss & Shortridge, Judge Sutherland and Pitts & Porter. The Latter Day Saints occupied a large room for purposes of worship, and several rooms were used for sleeping. On the second floor was the circuit court room and judge's office, circuit clerk's office, sher- iff's office, Col. John Doniphan's law office, jury rooms, etc. What is now the criminal court room was used as a lecture room by the Northwestern Medical College, and where the grand jury room and
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assembly room now are was a large concert hall, used by the Men- delssohn Society.
The losses sustained by the lawyers and roomers were severe, many valuable books and manuscripts being consumed. The county lost nearly all property that was not in vaults. The recorder's office, which is a vault in itself, was unharmed, and those records of the county clerk, circuit clerk, probate court and collector, which were in vaults, were left intact.
Twenty-eight prisoners were incarcerated in the county jail, and these were ascorted without delay by Sheriff Carey and a posse of citizens to the city hall, where they were guarded until the fol- lowing day, when they were returned to their old quarters, the jail not having been damaged.
There was an insurance of $95,500 on the court house, the adjustment of which began as soon as possible. Quarters for the county officers were provided at once. The circuit court, circuit clerk, sheriff and prosecuting attorney were located in the Tootle building at Sixth and Francis streets, and the others, except the recorder, occupied a building at the corner of Second and Charles streets that had been used as general offices by the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad Company.
After considerable parleying with the insurance adjusters, an agreement was reached whereby the companies restored the struc- ture. R. K. Allen was awarded the contract, and Judge Bernard Patton was employed by the county court to superintend the work. The end of the year 1885 saw the court house restored and better equipped, so far as heat, lighting and other conveniences go, than before the fire.
MARKET HOUSES AND CITY HALL-When Joseph Robidoux plat- ted the original town he dedicated half a block, bounded by Second, Felix and Edmond streets, for a market house. The space was occupied by sheds and shanties until 1853, when the first market house was built. This was a brick structure, about 50x50 feet in dimension. The lower floor was occupied as a market, and all vendors of fresh meat were compelled to locate therein. Grocers were prohibited from dealing in vegetables, and huckstering was forbidden until after market hours. This made the market a busy place, and the merchants located on the square enjoyed the best patronage. The upper floor of the original building, at the south end, was occupied by city officials. It was first reached by an out- side stairway on the south side, but when an addition was built on the north a covered stairway was provided.
Early in the seventies the building showed signs of decay and the owners of property on the square began to agitate a new market house. However, there was no money in the treasury for such pur- pose. Finally, in 1873, a plan was developed which brought about. the desired result. The sum of $50,000 was subscribed, for which
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the city issued certificates of indebtedness bearing 6 per cent inter- est. These were redeemable for city taxes at the rate of on-fifth of the face per year.
The present City Hall and market house is the result of this subscription. The building was begun in the fall of 1873 and fin- ished in July 1874. The plans were by Bottner & Stigers and the work by R. K. Allen, at a cost of $50,000. It was the most preten- tious building of its kind in the West at that time. The upper floor was a public hall and was formally opened by St. Patricks' Benevo- lent Society with a grand ball on July 18, 1874. It served as such until 1888. The two upper floors were then remodeled and the engineer, city clerk and boiler inspector were quartered on the third floor, where a commodious council chamber was also provided. In 1908, $10,000 was expended for a new iron stairway and an ele- vator.
Patee market house was built first in 1859 upon a square dedi- cated in Patee's addition. There was never much of a market there, except for hay, wood and country produce. At different times the building has been occupied by butchers and produce dealers. The city scales are located there. In 1908, $25,000 was secured by an issue of bonds to complete the present handsome market house at Tenth and Olive streets. A start had previously been made from appropriations from the general fund.
There was formerly a live stock market located at Seventh and Messanie streets, where the Central Police Station now stands, where there was also a public weighmaster. This was abandoned in 1890.
In 1874 an effort was made to establish a public market on North Sixth street, and the city erected a frame building in the cen- ter of the street, south of the City Brewery. This was not a suc- cess, however, and he building was torn down in 1884.
THE WORKHOUSE-Prior to August, 1855, the city's prisoners were kept in a room in the old county jail, which stood on the hill with the old court house. They were in charge of the street com- missioner and were generally worked on the highways by him. In 1855 the first workhouse was established in a two-story stone build- ing on the site of the present institution. In 1884 the stone build- ing was torn down and the workhouse of today erected.
Up to 1855 the street commissioner fed and cared for the pris- oners. The first superintendent of the workhouse was Anton H. Dalhoff, who served 1885-88. He was succeeded by Peter Reip- linger, 1890; the next superintendent was Charles Johnson, who served 1890-94 and was succeeded by William H. Dersch, 1894-96. In 1896-98, Bert Martin was superintendent, who was succeeded by Andrew Arnell. Henry Raid was appointed in 1902; Gottleib Ban- del, 1904; Charles Paulette, 1906; William H. Finch, 1908; Charles Paulette, 1910; Ben L. Arnholdt, the present incumbent, 1912.
The prisoners were worked upon the streets up to 1891, when this practice was abolished. There are sheds in the enclosure about
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the workhouse where prisoners are employed at breaking rock, which is used by the engineer's department in the repair of streets. The superintendent of the workhouse receives a salary of $600 per annum and fifteen cents per meal for feeding prisoners.
CENTRAL POLICE STATION-A holdover cell was provided in the workhouse for city prisoners held for trial, during the early days and up to 1891. It was necessary to walk or cart them to police headquarters at the city hall, where they were searched and booked ; thence they were marched or carted through the streets to the workhouse to be detained until the following morning, when they were marched back to the city hall for trial. Those who were sen- tenced to the workhouse were returned to that institution after court. One of the first steps of the board of police commissioners, when he department had been reorganized under the metropolitan system, was in the direction of a central police station. In 1890 the council appropriated $10,000 for the present central station; located on the site of the old hay scales at Seventh and Messanie streets. With this money the walls and roof were built. In the following year the council appropriated $10,000 additional, and the building was completed and occupied in November, 1891. An addition cost- ing $10,000 was built in 1908. It is one of the most substantial and best appointed buildings of its kind in the West.
THE COUNTY JAIL-The first jail was at Sparta, and was built. of logs. It was a small affair and stood in the public square of the first county seat. The structure survived the town, but was after- ward destroyed by fire. It was used as a hold-over. Prisoners of importance were taken to Liberty jail pending trial. When the first court house was built in St. Joseph, a brick jail and residence for the jailor was also constructed. This did service until the night of January 21, 1850, when it was destroyed by fire. Another was built, which was replaced in 1859 by a building which, at the time was considered modern. But it was woefully and wonderfully de- signed, and for nearly forty years was condemned regularly by grand juries, building inspectors and humanitarians. After re- peated attempts, the proposition to issue bonds for a new jail finally was successful at and election held in 1908. The present building, costing nearly $100,000, was erected the following year.
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CHAPTER XV.
THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHARITIES OF BUCHANAN COUNTY AND ST. JOSEPH-HISTORY OF ASYLUM, NO. 2-THE COUNTY PAUPERS AND HOW THEY HA BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE THE EARLIEST DAYS THE CITY HOSPITAL-ST. MARY'S ORPHANAGE ASY- LUM-MEMORIAL HOME AND THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS-THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES-THE CHARITY BOARD.
The most important public charity in Buchanan County, and one of the most important in the entire West, is State Hospital for Insane, No. 2, just within the eastern city limits. Up to March, 1872, Missouri had but one insane asylum, that located at Fulton. The necessity for additional accommodations for the afflicted had long been felt, and the legislature, on March 9, 1872, appropriated $200,000 for a "Northwestern or Southwestern Lunatic Asylum," at the same time providing for a board of commissioners to carry the act into effect. These commissioners were William H. McHenry, St. Louis; Zach J. Mitchell, Lafayette County; Joseph K. Rickey, Calloway; Louis Hax, St. Joseph, and William Gilmore, Springfield. On June 14 of the same year the commissioners, after a tour of inspection, located the asylum in Buchanan County, purchasing 120 acres of land from H. R. W. Hartwig and O. M. Loomis for $28,000. Thomas Walsh of St. Louis was appointed architect, and in the fol- lowing September N. H. Fitzgibbons of St. Louis was awarded the contract for building the asylum for $188,897.
There were two north and south wing of 1151/2 feet each, and the entire edifice was four stories in height, with a Mansard roof, and there was a bell tower in the center 115 feet high. The build- ing was of brick, trimmed with Milwaukee brick and cut stone.
The asylum was opened in September, 1874, with sixty pa- tients. The first board of managers was: Allen H. Vories, R. L. McDonald, J. C. Roberts, Dr. E. A. Donelan, Elijah H. Norton, Dr. J. M. Malin and John C. Evans, who were appointed by the gov- ernor for four years. Mr. Vories was the first president of the board and Dr. Malin the first secretary. Dr. George C. Catlett of St. Joseph was the first superintendent and his assistant was Dr. A. P. Busey, who later was first assistant.
This building, which stood for over five years, was destroyed by fire January 25, 1879, at about 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The alarm was given, but the flames spread so rapidly that the attend- ants had a difficult task in rescuing the inmates. The building was improperly and inconveniently designed as to stairways, and the managers had vainly besought the legislature to remedy this impor-
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tant defect. The loss was total, there being not a cent of insurance. Luckily there was no loss of life. The patients were brought to the city and quartered at the court house, where the males remained for three months, while the females were taken to a building on Louis . street used as a railroad hospital. Afterward the males were re- moved to temporary quarters on the asylum grounds and the females were placed in a house nearby.
The people of St. Joseph took immediate steps looking to the „ding of the asylum, and also for the relief of the distressed. so happened that the legislature was in session at the time of the disaster, and every energy was bent toward securing the necessary appropriation. A commission of architects and builders examined the walls and reported that these could be used to the extent of three-fourths of the entire building and estimated that the sum of $75,000 would cover the expense of rebuilding. There were other claimants, however, for the institution. Legislative committees vis- ited different localities, with much waste of time and money, but the result was favorable to St. Joseph, and, in May of 1879, the legisla- ture appropriated $75,000. The work of rebuilding began at once, the architect being S. V. Shipman of Chicago, and the contractors Lehman & Olson, also of Chicago. The work was superintended by Louis S. Stigers of St. Joseph.
April 1, 1880, the patients were removed to the new building. Since then many improvements have been made. Several wings have been added to the main house, hospitals, a laundry and other buildings have been erected. An electric lighting plant is one of the recent additions.
Dr. Catlett was the superintendent until his death, which oc- curred in May of 1886. He was succeeded by Dr. R. E. Smith, who served four years and was succeeded August 11, 1890, by Dr. Charles R. Woodson, who held the position until July 1, 1907, when he was succeeded by Dr. William F. Kuhn. He served until July 1, 1909, and was followed by Dr. F. A. Patterson, who was acting superintendent until his death, February 18, 1910. Dr. A. H. Van- divert was acting superintendent until March 20, 1910, when he was succeeded by Dr. Abra C. Pettijohn, who had been appointed to the position. He served until June 5, 1914, when he was fol- lowed by Dr. George R. Thompson, the present incumbent. The present board of managers consists of Dr. J. A. Castlewait, Tarkio, Mo., president; Smith A. Penny, St. Joseph; Earnest M. Lindsay, St. Joseph; George B. Baker, Maryville, and Edwin T. Villmoare, Kansas City.
September 24, 1915, there were 1,721 patients in the hospital. The entire number of officers, attendants and employes is about 245. The annual cost of running the institution now is about $350,000.
Since the hospital was rebuilt in 1879 about $250,000 has been expended in improvements and extensions, most of them having been effected since 1885. In 1896 the board of managers purchased another tract of land containing 110 acres, situated just north of
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the original site. The price paid for this land was $192 per acre, or a total of $21,000. The ground and buildings at this time are valued at $535,802.
THE COUNTY FARM-Buchanan County provides well for its indigent charges. The county farm, situated northeast of the city, about two miles from the corporate limits, is a modern institution, there being quarters for sane and insane patients, a hospital, proper separation of sexes, medical attention and other comforts.
The first pauper mentioned in the history of Buchanan County was Henry Fulks, who petitioned the county court for relief in October, 1840, stating that rheumatism had deprived him of the use of his hands. At that time there was no county farm, and the court made an order granting him $15 a month for three months. This method of providing for the indigent, of whom there were few in those days, was continued until 1850, when Elias Richardson, a farmer residing near the One Hundred and Two River, was author- ized to maintain paupers at the rate of $5 per months each, the county providing clothing and medical attention. Richardson kept the paupers for two years. Judge Cornelius Roberts of Blooming- ton Township then kept the unfortunates until 1857, receiving $80 per annum for each. The county then purchased the Leroy Bean tract of 140 acres, two miles southwest of Sparta, for $3,500. This farm was maintained until 1868. John Peter was superintendent until 1861, when he was succeeded by Henry Utz, who served three years and was succeeded by George Peter, who served until Decem- ber, 1865. He in turn was succeeded by Isham Wood, who held the place until January, 1868, when he purchased the farm for $4,200. The superintendents received as compensation the use of the farm and $75 to $80 per annum for each pauper, the county providing clothing and medical attention.
The paupers were next brought to the city and kept for three years by Dr. William Bertram, who had been appointed superin- tendent of the poor and county physician, by the court court. Dr. Bertram was succeeded in January, 1871, by Dr. A. S. Long, who held the place until September, 1871. The county court purchased, August 16 of that year, a quarter section from Matilda S. and Mar- tin Hughes, paying $11,000 for the same, and, as soon as possible, had the paupers removed. Dr. Bertram and Dr. Long received as compensation 50 cents per day for each pauper, the county furnish- ing everything but the food.
In September of 1871 the new institution was opened, with seven male and six female patients. John Spellman was appointed superintendent at a salary of $100 per month, the county providing for the inmates, and Dr. A. S. Long was retained as physician. There was a good, roomy, frame house on the farm, which had been erected by Kit Todd before the war and intended for use as a sum- mer resort, a railroad from St. Joseph to Savannah having passed through the farm.
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