The Daily news' history of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. From the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1898. Preceded by a short history of Missouri. Supplemented by biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead, Part 11

Author: Rutt, Christian Ludwig, 1859-; St. Joseph Publishing Company, St. Joseph, Mo., pub
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [St. Joseph] : Press of L. Hardman
Number of Pages: 614


USA > Missouri > Buchanan County > St Joseph > The Daily news' history of Buchanan County and St. Joseph, Mo. From the time of the Platte purchase to the end of the year 1898. Preceded by a short history of Missouri. Supplemented by biographical sketches of noted citizens, living and dead > Part 11


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


The police court is the tribunal to which offenders against the city ordinances are brought. When St. Joseph was a town offenders were brought before a justice of the peace. When St. Joseph be- came a city, in 1851, the mayor was, under the charter, the police judge, and so continued until 1855. The office of recorder was then introduced, the first incumbent being A. A. Dougherty, who served one year. The position was subsequently held as follows: Felix Robidoux, 1856-58; John A. Dolman, 1858-62; M. L. Harrington, 1862-64; Wm. C. Toole, 1864-66; J. B. Hawley, 1866-68; Charles M. Thompson, 1868-70; Wm. Drumhiller, 1870-72 ;. Charles M. Thompson, 1872-76; R. B. Fleming, 1876-78; Samuel B. Green, 1878-80; George W. Belt, 1880-82; John A. Dolman, 1882-84;


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Mordecai Oliver, 1884-86; John A. Dolman, 1886-90; William B. Sanford, April, 1890, to September, 1891, died in office; John A. Dolman, September 1, 1891, to February 9, 1896, dying in office ; Peter J. Carolus, February 10, 1896, to April, 1898, when succeeded by Col. John Doniphan, the present incumbent.


The office depended upon fees until. 1885, when the fees were abolished and a stated salary provided. The recorder was also ex- officio justice of the peace, up to 1889, when this perquisite was cut off. In 1893 the name of the office was changed to "police judge."


Prior to 1884, the recorder provided his own clerk. Harry Angel was the first appointee, serving until April, 1891, when he was succeeded by Albe M. Tracy, who served until April, 1895, and was succeeded in turn by John T. Warburton. The mayor ap- pointed these clerks. In 1897, the office was abolished, and the duties thereof delegated to the secretary of the board of police com- missioners.


The city attorney prosecutes offenders against the ordinances be- fore the police judge. This office was created under the first charter and Alexander W. Terrell was the first incumbent, serving 1851-52. He was succeeded by John Scott, who served until 1856. The office was held subsequently in the following order: Alexander M. Davis, 1856-57; Thomas Thoroughman, 1857-58; W. R. Likens, 1858-60; Joseph P. Grubb, 1860-61 ; Isaac Parker, 1861-64; james Hunter, 1864-66; Jeff Chandler, 1866-72; Wm. D. O'Toole, 1872-74; John T. Baldwin, 1874-76; Willard P. Hall, Jr., 1876-78; William Fitz- gerald, 1878-80; Enos J. Crowther, 1880-82; Augustus Saltzman, 1882-84; William E. Sherwood, 1884-86; Fred J. Lufler, 1886-88; George P. Rowe, 1888-90; Peter J. Carolus, 1890-92; Wm. R. Hoff- man, 1892-94; James W. Mytton, 1894-96; Joshua A. Graham, 1896-98, succeeded by Fred W. Heyde, the present incumbent.


A number of men who held this humble office afterwards dis- tinguished themselves in the legal profession, among them Alexander Terrell, who was United States minister to Turkey ; Alexander Davis, Thomas Thoroughman, John T. Baldwin, Isaac Parker, Jeff Chand- ler, Willard P. Hall, Jr., and Joseph P. Grubb. Messrs. Davis, Thor- oughman and Chandler achieved fame at St. Louis and John T. Baldwin in Montana. Willard P. Hall was one of the first judges of the court of appeals at Kansas City and Joseph P. Grubb was cir- cuit judge here for many years. Isaac C. Parker went to congress from this district and was appointed by President Grant as United States judge at Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he died recently.


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THE FIRE DEPARTMENT .- First, there was the bucket brigade, then organizations of volunteer firemen ; next a combination of volunteer and paid firemen, and then an all-paid department, which has grown into one of the best equipped and most efficient in the West.


The late General William R. Penick is credited with having been the most ardent promoter of organized and systematic protec- tion from fires. He began his efforts in 1860, when a member of the city council, but was unsuccessful until 1864, when, as mayor of the city, he earnestly recommended an appropriation of $5,000 for the purchase of a steam engine. The provision was made in August of 1864. At the same time Mayor Penick urged that the citizens sub- scribe means for the purchase of hose and hook-and-ladder equip- ments. The people responded promptly and sufficient money was soon pledged. In May of 1865 the steam engine arrived, was tested, accepted and named "Blacksnake." The hook-and-ladder truck and hose-reels were also on hand, and the next step was the formation of a volunteer corps. The Blacksnake engine company and the Res- cue hook-and-ladder company were promptly organized. In the following year the German-Americans organized a third volunteer company and purchased a hand engine, which was named the "Water- witch." The steamer was drawn by horses, but the trucks and hand engine were drawn by the firemen and volunteer citizens, there being ropes to accommodate all who desired to "run wid de masheen." Cisterns were built at important points in the business district. There were thirteen of these when the introduction of waterworks supplanted them, and the average capacity of each was about twelve hundred barrels.


There was great rivalry among the firemen, both for efficiency and splendor in parade, and the annual turn-out was always the occasion of a public holiday. The first of these parades occurred on Washington's birthday, 1868, when the late Edward R. Brandow was chief of the department. The procession was composed as fol- lows: "Blacksnake" Steam Engine Company, Hardin Ellis, fore- man, 25 men ; "Waterwitch" Hand Engine Company, Henry Lund, foreman, 45 men; "Rescue" Hook-and-Ladder Company, Hugh Symmonds, foreman, 55 men. The engine companies had a contest at Market square and the affair concluded with a general drenching, the rivals turning their nozzles upon each other.


In 1870, a paid fire department was established. Seven. men were stationed in a house at the foot of Edmond street. The aparatus consisted of the "Blacksnake" engine and three one-horse reels.


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The hook-and-ladder company's aparatus was stationed in a building at the alley east of Tootle's opera house. The ground was donated to the city by the late Milton Tootle, and the Rescue com- pany built the house with money secured by means of entertain- ments. In 1871 two paid men and two horses were placed on duty here.


The zeal of the volunteers naturally began to wane with the in- troduction of paid firemen, and the companies disbanded. The "Waterwitch," which had been stationed on Edmond street, west of where the Ballinger building now stands, gave way to a second steamer, named "Bluebird," which was purchased in 1872, and the "Waterwitch," which was sold in 1875 to a party in Wyandotte. The "Blacksnake" was sold to Shenandoah, Iowa, some years ago, and the "Bluebird" is still in service.


The introduction of waterworks gave an impetus to improve- ment and expansion of the fire department. In 1879 a hose reel was located in the Patee market house, which remained there until 1886, when the present house was built at Tenth and Olive streets. In 1881 a reel was located at Tenth and Francis streets, in a building leased from the O. M. Smith estate. In 1895 this company was re- moved to Seventh and Charles streets. In the same year a company was stationed on North Third street. In 1882, the house at the foot of Felix street was built and the aparatus removed there from Second and Edmond, to make room for the Davis mill. In 1884, Mr. Tootl exchanged ground at Seventh and Charles streets for that which he had donated adjoining the opera house, the hook-and-ladder trucks were moved, and the old "Rescue" house was merged into the Tootle theater. In 1895, the building at Seventh and Charles streets was enlarged, so as to accommodate new aparatus, and that which was moved from Tenth and Francis streets. In 1889, a house was built at Ninth and Doniphan avenue ; in 1891, one at Eighteenth and Felix streets ; in 1892, one at Tenth and Powell streets, and in the follow- ing year, the company on North Third street was moved to a new house which had been built at Third and Franklin streets. The last house was erected in 1896, at Twenty-seventh and Penn streets. All of these houses are modern and well appointed.


The fire department is now composed of the chief, assistant chief, eight foremen and forty firemen. There are in service two steam engines, one aerial truck, one water tower, one chemical en- gine, four hose reels and four hose wagons. There is also a hand reel at South Park, where a volunteer organization exists. There are twenty-eight horses and about 26,000 feet of hose. There are


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located about the city 483 fire hydrants. The cisterns of the olden ciays have all been filled up.


Dr. Robert Gunn was the first chief of the fire department. He was appointed October 13, 1865. The position had been tendered to Charles W. Davenport, who declined, however, because he was an insruance agent. Dr. Gunn served until April, 1867, when he was succeeded by Edward R. Brandow, who served until April, 1870, and who was in turn succeeded by Robert J. S. Wise. In 1871, Harry Carter was elected and served one year, being succeeded by Egid Wagner, and he in turn by Augustus Saltzman, each serving one year. In April of 1874, Wm. B. McNutt was elected, served six years, and was succeeded by Henry Gibson, who served one year. In 1881, W. B. McNutt was again made chief and served until 1885. In 1882, Michael M. Kane was made assistant chief, and in 1885 he was made chief, with William D. Smith as assistant. In 1892, Oliver M. Knapp and P. P. Kane were made assistant chiefs. In 1895, Oliver M. Knapp was made acting chief, owing to the illness of Mr. Kane, who resigned in 1897, and was succeeded by his brother, P. P. Kane, the present chief.


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CHAPTER XI.


THE PARKS OF ST. JOSEPH, THEIR HISTORY AND DE- VELOPMENT .- LAKE CONTRARY AS CITY PROP- ERTY .- THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY; ITS ORIGIN AND EXPANSION .- STREET LIGHTING; FROM GAS TO ELECTRICITY AND MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP .- THE CITY'S SEWER SYSTEM; ITS HISTORY AND CONDITION .- STREET PAVING; THE VARIOUS PERIODS OF PROGRESS.


There are four public parks in the city proper. Krug Park, the largest and most beautiful, is beyond the city limits, though under municipal jurisdiction. All of these parks were donated. Smith Park was the gift of the late Frederick W. Smith, Patee Park the gift of the late John Pattee; Mitchell Park, the gift of James Mitchell, and Washington Park, the gift of those who placed St. Joseph Ex- tension Addition on the market.


These were all dedicated when the additions containing them were platted. Krug Park, containing ten acres, was the gift of Henry and William Krug, made in February of 1889, the conditions being that the council spend annually the sum of $1,500 in beautify- ing and maintaining the park, and the restrictions being that no intoxicating liquors be permitted to be sold.


Smith and Patee parks were rough ground in the beginning, but the grader made all things even. Up to 1879 Smith Park was oc- cupied by a florist. When the Smith branch sewer, which cut through the northeastern portion of the park, was completed the place was graded and filled. In 1882, an iron fence was built. In 1884, Dr. Henry D. Cogswell, of San Francisco, a noted advocate of temperance, presented the city with his statue, to be placed in the park. Dr. Cogswell was engaged in perpetuating himself by the means of these statues, which are mounted upon a drinking fountain. Samuel Westheimer, who was then a member of the council, and who had been instrumental in having Smith Park opened for public use, heard of Dr. Cogswell. Mr. Westheimer was of the opinion that any kind of a statue would look better than no statue, and if one could be had without cost, the effort should be made. He therefore


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induced the council to request Dr. Cogswell for his likeness in metal. The doctor was a little slow, but finally yielded-condition- ally, however. The conditions were that the city should purchase four lamps and should agree to keep the fountains running during the drinking season, and that one fountain should give forth ice water. These conditions were agreed to and the statue arrived. The city built a substantial base, under which provision was made for cooling the water. This feature of the bargain, however, has long been neglected, and the lamp posts are now used as pedestals for flower pots. Much sport was made of the statue at the time of its arrival and some wag circulated the report that it was the advertise- ment of a vinegar bitters. Dr. Cogswell, though vain, was a well- meaning man, and did everything in his power to promote and en- courage temperance, even to being a candidate for the presidency in the interest of prohibition.


Patee Park was opened to the public at about the same time as Smith Park. The ground was low, and a fill of five feet was made when Messanie street was graded. Cottonwood trees grew there in profusion for a time, but these were cut out and other shade pro- vided.


Mitchell Park was used for some years as a potato patch, and then occupied by a florist, who remained until 1891.


Washington Park, which was originally dedicated for a market place, was beautified in 1894, and has since been greatly appreciated by the people of the northwestern portion of the city.


Smith, Patee and Mitchell Parks each occupy a block of ground. Washington Park is triangular, and not quite as large as the others.


St. Joseph owes much to the energy and perseverence of the park board. Before 1890 there was a council committee on parks. Mayor Shepherd appointed the first board of commissioners, naming H. M. Garlichs, Wm. E. Jamieson and N. P. Ogden. These com- missioners employed a superintendent, Rudolph Rau, a skillful flor- ist and landscape gardener, who is still in his place. The council provided liberally, and the result is that Krug Park is one of the most picturesque places in the West, and in ten years will surpass any public park of its size and kind in the country.


There were those who believed, and with good reason, that if the city owned Lake Contrary that body of water and the surroundings would be greatly improved and beautified. Congressman R. P. C. Wilson was appealed to, and, in 1890, secured the passage of an act of congress granting to the city of St. Joseph Lake Contrary and the shores thereof. Early in 1891, the city ordered a canal cut to unite


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the upper and lower lakes. The farmers in the neighborhood pro- tested and obtained an injunction. The cause was tried, and it was found that the United States, having previously given to the state of Missouri all of the territory embracing Lake Contrary, had no right to give the property to the city, having in fact no title. Had the result of the trial been favorable to the city Lake Contrary would appear to better advantage than it does now.


The park board has been composed as follows since 1890: For 1890-93, H. M. Garlichs, Wm. E. Jamieson, N. P. Ogden; for 1893- 94, Joseph Hansen, Charles F. Bacon, F. G. Hopkins; for 1894-96, Chas. F. Bacon, F. G. Hopkins, John L. Bittinger; for 1896-98, Frank G. Hopkins, Charles F. Bacon, Sol Ehrman; for 1898-99, Frank G. Hopkins, Sol Ehrman, Henry Uhlman.


THE PUBLIC LIBRARY-Prior to 1887 there were several circulating libraries in St. Joseph. In May of that year Warren Samuel announced through the newspapers that he would give the free use of a room in his building at Tenth and Charles streets for library purposes, provided a certain sum of money could be raised for the purchase of books. Mrs. T. F. Van Natta and Mrs. George C. Hull took the matter in hand, and, ascertaining from Mr. Samuels that if $5,000 was raised he would give the use of a room for five years, plans were at once outlined for securing the sum required. These ladies, together with Mrs. John S. Lemon, successfully so- licited seventy-five life membership's at $50 each, and they had collected a total of $3,000 by the August following. When the finan- cial work had progressed thus far, Mr. Samuels executed a lease of the large room on the second floor of his building for three years, with the understanding that the lease would be extended to five years when the remainder of the fund should have been collected.


The library was formally opened on the 8th day of November, 1887, Miss Nellie Millan acting as librarian.


The first board of directors and officers consisted of Mrs. John S. Lemon, president; Mrs. Winslow Judson, vice-president; Mrs. T. F. Van Natta, treasurer; Mrs. George C. Hull, secretary, and Mrs. M. A .Reed, Mrs. John D. Richardson, Jr., Mrs. John I. Mc- Donald and Mrs. B. F. Colt.


The library opened with 2,200 volumes of well-selected books, and during the first year of its existence 1,000 additional volumes were added. Under these auspices it did excellent work, but a lack of funds prevented the success desired. The small yearly


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sum charged for the use of the library, $2, proved inadequate to its needs, but the library was by no means permitted to languish. The ladies in charge worked hard and through their efforts alone the in- stitution was kept intact.


In January, 1890, Edward S. Douglas suggested the idea of tak- ing advantage of the state law which authorized cities to establish free public libraries by a vote of the people, and the suggestion met with hearty support. Purd B. Wright, the present librarian, united with Mr. Douglas in the movement, and these two pushed the matter. Petitions were prepared asking that the question of voting a tax of three-tenths of a mill be submitted to the voters of the city, as au- thorized by law. Only one hundred names were necessary, but many times this number were secured. When presented to the mayor and council for official consideration the petition contained not only the names of the mayor, George J. Englehart, but those of nine of the ten aldermen as well, in their capacity as citizens. The question being submitted to the voters, such was the interest that had been aroused that it carried by a vote of more than six to one.


In April, 1890, the then mayor-elect, Wm. M. Shepherd, ap- pointed as the first board of directors Rev. H. L. Foote, Prof. E. B. Neeley, Willard P. Hall, H. G. Getchell, Dr. J. Francis Smith, B. Newburger, G. W. Hendley, Mrs. J. S. Lemon and Mrs. George C. Hull. Rev. Foote was at the first meeting elected president and Mr. Getchell, secretary; Prof. E. B. Neeley at the next meeting being elected vice-president. After a few months' service, Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Lemon and Dr. Smith resigned from the board, Mr. Johnson, Geo. C. Hull and J. L. Bittinger succeeding them. Mr. Foote re- mained the president of the board until he left the city in 1895. Prof. E. B. Neeley acted as president during the remainder of the term and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Bullard, who in turn gave way in 1896 to John DeClue, an old member of the board, and who is still its head.


Soon after organizing Henry J. Carr, of Grand Rapids, Mich., was employed as librarian, and remained with the library until July, 1891, when he resigned to accept a more lucrative position as head of the Scranton, Pa., public library, just organizing.


Meantime, the old library association, by a vote of a majority of its directors and life members, donated the books owned by it to the free public library, numbering 3,272 volumes, and went out of ex- istence, having accomplished its real purpose in providing the nu- cleus of the present successful institution. Mrs. Russell, who had succeeded Miss Millan as librarian, was continued in the employ


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of the free library under Mr. Carr. The remainder of the force was Miss C. L. Rathbun, still at the library ; Miss L. C. Senter, who was appointed assistant librarian in April, which position she still retains ; and Miss Agnes Van Volkenburg. Miss A. M. Perry was the next employe, and is still a member of the staff.


Large purchases of books were made as soon as a librarian was employed, but the work of classifying and cataloguing required so much time that the library was not opened for the issue of books for home use until March 16, 1891, with 5,510 volumes ; the reference and reading rooms, however, having been opened two months pre- viously. On the resignation of Mr. Carr, George T. Wright, for- merly of this city, but then of California, was offered the position, but declined on account of his health, and William H. Culver was appointed, continuing in charge until the following year in May, when he resigned. Miss L. C. Senter assumed charge of the library and conducted it until July 1, when H. L. Elmendorf was appointed to the position of librarian. He remained with the library until October 1, 1896, when he, too, resigned and was succeeded by Purd B. Wright, the present incumbent.


During the administration of Mr. Culver the library was re- moved from Sixth and Charles streets to its present location at Tenth and Sylvanie streets.


John L. Bittinger, Clinton M. Shultz, Wm. H. Morlock, Dr. Barton Pitts, J. W. Atwill and William H. Gordon have also been members of the library board. At this time (1898) the library board is organized as follows: John De Clue, president; Rev. J. L. Law- less vice-president ; Charles A. Pfeiffer, secretary-treasurer ; Henry K. White, chairman of library committee; Lewis M. Smith, James McEvoy, John1 M. Stewart, Charles P. Cargill and Dr. J. M. Riley.


The library contains 14,859 volumes, of which number 1I, II3 are in the circulating department, 1,387 in the reference department, and 2,359 in the government department.


STREET LIGHTING .- As early as 1856 the city aided in the erection of a plant for the manufacture of illuminating gas, but this proved an unprofitable investment. In 1861 a second concern se- cured the contract and the city was lighted, after a fashion, with gas, until 1889. In 1887 gasoline lamps mounted on wooden posts, supplied by a Chicago concern, were added to the system.


In 1889 the city embarked in municipal ownership as to street lighting. A contract was made with the Excelsior Electrical Com-


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pany of Chicago for a $60,000 plant, to be paid for in two years. The city built a power house at Fifth and Olive streets. Walter C. Stewart superintended the construction of the plant and managed it for the Excelsior company. Frank P. Yenawine was the first city electrician, succeeding Mr. Stewart in 1891. He served until May of 1896 and was in turn succeeded by Mr. Stewart, who is the pres- ent superintendent.


Since its erection various improvements have been added to the plant, making the total cost nearly $100,000. Eight dynamos of thirty-light capacity, two of eighty-light capacity, three engines of 135 horse power, and three boilers of 125 horse power are used. The. plant was started with 210 lamps, and increased during the following year to 263. In 1898 the lamps in use numbered 369. The annual cost of each lamp has gradually lessened, falling from nearly $90 per lamp at the beginning to less than $60 at the present time.


THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM .- There are now (1898) nearly forty-nine thousand lineal feet of main sewers in St. Joseph. In the . early days the creeks that coursed through the city from the hills formed the only drainage. Blacksnake, Bush branch, Smith branch and Liniment (or Patee branch) were all creeks of consequence, especially when the rains were heavy. In planning the sewerage system of the city these natural water courses were followed wherever possible. The first effort at sewering was made in 1867, when a section was built between Fifth and Sixth streets, covering Bush branch. In 1870 an extension of 160 feet was added, which brought the sewer to a point on Fifth street about where the side entrance to the Tootle Theatre is. This is a five-foot sewer and its mouth was then above ground. There was a trap-door, hinged at the top, which opened automatically when the volume of water was great enough. The street was paved in the shape of a gutter, and during heavy rains was impassable.


The sewer-building era properly began in 1874, when a nine-foot solid limestone sewer was constructed on Charles street, from the river to Seventh street. This was followed by the completion of the Smith branch sewer, which had been started at an earlier period, and which now extends from Twentieth street and Frederick avenue to Seventh and Charles streets. The Bush branch sewer was next continued down Fifth street to Charles. The combined length of these sewers is 16,523 feet.


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Messanie street was sewered from the river to Eighth street in 1879. This is a round brick culvert, five feet in diameter. The total length of the sewer now is 1,856 feet.


The building of the Union Depot at Sixth street and Mitchell avenue made it necessary to sewer Liniment creek. In 1880 a section reaching from Fifth to Eighth streets was built. In 1886 it was completed to the river. This is called the Mitchell avenue sewer. It is thirteen to fifteen feet in diameter, and built of brick. The Patee branch sewer, ranging in diameter from eight and one-half to ten and one-half feet, oval, brick, joins the Mitchell avenue sewer at Eighth street. It was built in sections and completed to Twenty- second street in 1894. The combined length is 8,188 feet. From its terminus there is a pipe sewer to the asylum.




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