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 28
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The Pacific House was built in 1859-60 and was called the Lounsbury House, after W. B. Lounsbury, who owned it. Shackle- ford & Hughes were the next proprietors and changed the name to Pacific Hotel. In 1865 William K. Richardson kept the house. He was succeeded by James H. Bagwell, who was in charge when the property was destroyed by fire, December 15, 1868. The house was rebuilt and opened February 14, 1870, by Garth, Gilkey & Abell. Major Garth retired after two years and Rice D. Gilkey and John J. Abell continued the business until December, 1879. The house was then closed for repairs. April 1, 1880, it was reopened under the management of Kitchen Bros. They were succeeded by Col. Ira Wilson, and he by Charles F. Murray. In 1894 Himes & Bowman
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had the house, and in 1896 C. W. Johnson, the present manager, took charge.
A building at the corner of Third and Jule streets was, in 1860, enlarged and converted into a hotel by E. E. Bacon, and success- fully conducted by him and his family under the naine of the Bacon House until 1896, when it was remodeled and converted into the Metropole, now the leading hotel in the city.
The Saunders House was another famous hostelry. It stood at the northeast corner of Third and Faraon streets, upon the site now occupied by Noyes, Norman & Co.'s shoe factory. The life of the hotel was from 1862 up to 1884. It fell from grade to grade until, in its last days, it was a mere rookery. From 1862 to 1877 it was conducted by Richard and John Saunders, Jr., who retired in favor of J. W. Aloore and Cyrus Stahl. In its decadence the hotel had va- rious landlords.
Fotheringham's city directory for 1860 shows the following hotels : Allen House, corner of Fourth and Sylvanie; Avenue House, corner of Frederick avenue and Sixteenth; Baechele House, east side of Eighth street, between Messanie and Locust; Blakemore House, south side of Jule street, between Main and Second; Com- mercial House, corner of Sixth and Angelique; City Hotel, corner of Main and Jule; Eagle Hotel, corner of Second and Sylvanie; Huxley House, Eighth street, opposite H. & St. J. passenger depot ; Missouri Hotel, south-side of Edmond, west of Third; Kentucky House, east side of Third street, between Felix and Francis; Frank- lin House, west side of Second street, between Edmund and Charles ; National Hotel, west side of Edmond street, between Fourth and Fifth; Northwestern Hotel, corner of Third and Franklin; Patee House; Pennsylvania House, Frederick avenue, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth; Planters' House, northeast corner of Second and Main streets; Sommers' Hotel, southeast corner of Second and Michel streets; St. Charles Hotel, east side of Main street, between Robidoux and Isidore; St. Joseph Hotel, west side of Second street, between Michel and Franklin; Talbott House, corner of Third and Faraon; Tolson House, north side of Jule street, between Main and Second.
The Allen House, at the corner of Third and Angelique streets, was used as an army hospital during the civil war. It afterwards became known as the Griffith House, but since 1884 has been known as the Galt House. The Commercial Hotel is still in existence, the old part having been moved to the rear. The Pennsylvania House
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was kept by M. A. Ashbrook, who afterwards called it the Ashbrook House. The history of the City Hotel, Planters' House and Patee House is given above. The other hotels enumerated in this list have disappeared.
The Central Hotel, at the northeast corner of Second and Ed- mund streets, was operated for a number of years by Wm. Kollatz. It has not been used as a hotel for over ten years.
The Missouri Valley House was quite a famous hostelry in its day. It was a frame building that stood facing east, at the north- west corner of Eighth and Edmond streets, and was surrounded by beautiful shade trees. It was kept by W. W. Clark, by Capt. O. R. Phelps, and last by Capt. M. I. Couch and S. G. Ford. The house, a large barn and several places of business were burned on the night of October 2, 1878.
Other hotels that have ceased to exist were the Michau House, on the north side of Felix street, between Sixth and Seventh; the old Galt House, that occupied the site of the present general offices of the Burlington railroad; the Highly House, Nineteenth and Frederick avenue, and the Hudnut House, at Third and Felix streets. The Farmers' House, on North Second street, kept for many years by Peter Harnois, was also a noted tavern in its day. The Inter- national Hotel, at the northwest corner of Eighth and Olive streets (now Windsor), was built of the material that once constituted the Great Western Hotel at Elwood, a pretentious house that existed before the war, when Elwood had population and prospects.
CHAPTER XXVII.
LODGES, BENEVOLENT, SOCIAL AND TRADE ORGAN- IZATIONS. - FREE MASONS, ODD FELLOWS, AND OTHERS .- THE TURN VEREIN, MAENNER- CHOR AND OTHER GERMAN-SPEAKING SOCIETIES. -TURNFESTS AND SAENGERFESTS .- MUSICAL DE- VELOPMENT IN ST. JOSEPH .- THE ST. JOSEPH PHILHARMONIA, THE MENDELSSOHN SOCIETY AND OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS .- THE RED RIBBON CLUB.
The first fraternal organization in Buchanan County was Sparta lodge No. 46, instituted May 11, 1841, under a dispensation, and originally called Katzeel lodge. It was chartered October 8, 1841. Eli Hubbel was worshipful master, J. Brownson senior warden and J. A. Anthony, junior warden. R. Duncan was treasurer, T. Way- mire secretary and G. Selsil tyler. This lodge was merged into De Witt lodge, organized in St. Joseph under a dispensation in October, 1845. In 1846 the dispensation was surrendered and a charter granted, dated October 14, 1846. The name was changed to St. Joseph Lodge and the number, 78, was affixed by the grand secre- tary. Sinclair K. Miller was worshipful master, 1845 to 1850. This lodge is still in existence.
The following are the other Masonic bodies now existing in St. Joseph as they appear in order in the Masonic directory : Zeredetha lodge, No. 189, chartered May 28, 1859; Charity lodge, No. 331, chartered October 13, 1870; King Hill, No. 376, chartered October 13,1870; St. Joseph chapter, No. 14, R. A. M., chartered May 23, 1849; Mitchell chapter, No. 89, R. A. M., chartered October 5, 1876; St. Joseph council, No. 9, R. and S. Masters, chartered October 6, 1871 ; St. Joseph commandery, No. 4, K. T., chartered October 5, 1875; Hugh de Payens commandery, No. 51, K. T., chartered May 10, 1887; Moila Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., organized December 17, 1887; Moila court, Daughters of Isis, established October 14, 1896; St. Joseph chapter, No. 198, O. E. S., chartered May 5, 1890; Radi- ant chapter, No. 88, O. E. S., chartered October 1, 1897; King Hill
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chapter, No. 55, O. E. S., chartered May 20, 1896. There are also Masonic lodges at Saxton, Easton, Agency, DeKalb and Rushville.
The office of grand master of the state has been held by the fol- lowing residents of St. Joseph: Wm. R. Penick, Joseph S. Browne, James W. Boyd and Harry Keene.
The office of grand high priest of the Royal Arch chapter has been held by Wm. R. Penick, Samuel Russell and Joseph S. Browne.
The office of most illustrious grand master of the Council of Royal and Select Masters has been held by Joseph S. Browne, Wm. R. Penick, Wm. G. Hall, W. A. Lord, Ulrich Schneider and E. F. Hartzcll.
The office of grand commander of the Knights Templar has been held by Wm. G. Hall and Joseph S. Browne.
The Odd Fellows are a close second to the Masons in St. Joseph in point of age. King Hill lodge, No. 19, was instituted on October 15, 1846, at the residence of Joseph Hull, on the west side of Main street, between Francis and Jule streets. The charter members were D. B. Welding, Eli Hewitt, S. L. Leonard, Eli Bowman, C. F Emery and Dr. J. H. Crane. In 1858 this lodge erected a three-story build- ing, facing west, at the southeast corner of Fifth and Felix streets. The lower floor was for business, the second for lodge rooms and on the third floor there was an auditorium. This was for some years the first class theatre of the city and, among other notables, Edwin Forest played there. At one time there was a stock company con- nected with the theatre. The hall was also used for social and political gatherings. During the war the property was lost by the provisions of a mortgage and was acquired by J. W. Bailey and Wm. R. Penick. When it was destroyed by fire; as mentioned in a foregoing chapter, in January of 1879, it was occupied by J. W. Bailey & Co., with a large dry goods business. In 1880, Mr. Bailey, Isaac Curd, J. B. Brady and Louis Hax built the block facing Felix street, which extends from Fifth street east to the alley.
Humboldt lodge, No. 130, was instituted April 19, 1859. This lodge works in German. Eclipse lodge, No. 143, was instituted April 18, 1860. Enterprise lodge, No. 232, was instituted April 19, 1870. During the summer of 1898 this lodge purchased the large building at Seventh and Charles streets, which had been erected by the St. Joseph Turn Verein and which had been lost by that associa- tion. St. Joseph lodge, No. 432, was instituted in 1883; Invincible lodge, No. 470, in 1893, and the South Park lodge in 1898.
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There have been two sessions of the state grand lodge in St. Joseph-the fifty-third session, held in 1890, and the sixtieth session, held in 1898. The office of grand master of the state was held in 1861 by Col. John Doniphan, who, however, lived at Weston at that time; in 1869, by R. J. S. Wise, of St. Joseph; in 1874, by L. T. Minturn, of Amazonia, who held his membership in St. Joseph, and in 1894, by R. M. Abercrombie, of St. Joseph.
There are five Rebekah lodges : Evening Star, No. 5, instituted in 1892; Enterprise, No. 140, 1894; Humboldt, No. 146, 1894; Eclipse, No. 157, 1894; King Hill, No. 219, 1896. There is also a branch of the Patriarchs Militant, Canton St. Joseph, No. 3, instituted in 1879. Of the encampment degree there are two branches, Hes- perian encampment, No. 8, and St. Joseph encampment, No. 51. R. M. Abercrombie is the grand patriarch of the state encampment.
The other fraternal orders having organization in St. Joseph are as follows : Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Work- men, American Order of Annuity, Catholic Knights of America, Knights of Father Mathew, Independent Order of Foresters, Catho- lic Foresters, Fraternal Aid Association, Grand Army of the Re- public, Sons of Veterans, Union Veteran Legion, B'nai Brith, Free Sons of Israel, Court of Honor, Knights of Honor, Sons of Herman, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Daughters of Erin, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights and Ladies of the Maccabees, Modern Wood- men of America, Woodmen of the World, Woodmen's Circle, Na- tional Reserve, National Union, Knights and Ladies of Security, Royal Arcanum and the Royal Court. The latter order originated in St. Joseph during the past year.
The negroes have two Grand Army posts, five Masonic bodies, one lodge of Good Samaritans and two lodges of Knights and Daughters of the Tabernacle ..
Of the benevolent associations now in existence, the German Benevolent Society is the oldest, its organization dating back to 1847. St. Francis Xavier Benevolent Society (German) was organized in 1865, St. Patrick's Benevolent Society in 1871 and the Gruetli Verein (Swiss) in 1874. Other German societies now in existence are: St. Joseph Benevolent, South St. Joseph Benevolent, Badische Gesell- schaft, Landwehr Verein, German Military Veterans, Plattdeuscher Verein, St. Joseph Bavarian Society, Schwaben Verein and Schuetzen Verein. The German Central Society is composed of delegates from the various German societies in the city.
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The German-Americans have been prominently identified with the history and development of St. Joseph from an early day. The Turn Verein, one of the most active agents in this work, was formed May 23, 1855, with Charles Zipf as first speaker, Charles Jessen as second speaker, Charles Albrecht as secretary, A. Althaus as master of property and Peter Walter as treasurer. The corner stone of the old "Turnhalle" was laid March 29, 1860, and the building was oc- cupied during the following August. When the civil war broke out the Turners staunchly avowed loyalty to the Union, their hall was dubbed the "cradle of liberty" and the stars and stripes boldly flung to the breezes. When the mob that had taken the flag from the post- office declared that these colors should also be torn from the staff, two Turners, Valentine Moosman and J. H. Schaefer, went upon the roof in the face of danger, guarded by Robert Bradshaw with a drawn pistol and Charles Mast with a rifle, lowered the flag and brought it safely into the building. Moosman then tore down a Confederate flag that had been hoisted on Market square. Among the St. Joseph Turners who served in the war were the following : W. Baumer went to Omaha and was made colonel of the First Ne- braska infantry; Herman Lund went to Quincy and rose to the rank of captain; Charles F. Ernst and Charles Springer were in the Twelfth Missouri cavalry, the former as captai nand the latter as lieutenant. Charles Weideman died from wounds received at the battle of Lexington, while Louis Graffenstein and Charles Ludi were killed at Missouri City.
The St. Joseph Turn Verein was affiliated with the St. Louis Turnbezirk until May 1, 1866, when the Kansas Turnbezirk was formed. The first Turnfest of this federation was held in this city October 1-3, 1866. Leavenworth, Kansas City, Atchison, Wyan- dotte, Lawrence, Brunswick, Junction City and Fort Scott were rep- resented.
In 1870 ground was purchased at the northeast corner of Eighth and Sylvanie streets for the purpose of building a new hall, and the corner stone was laid. This project was abandoned, however, and the ground sold.
A second Turnfest of the Kansas Turnbezirk was held in St. Jo- seph August 6-9, 1870. In 1885 the Missouri Valley Turnbezirk was formed and the first turnfest of the new federation was held here August 14-17, 1886.
A new hall was built upon the site of the "cradle of liberty," at Seventh and Charles streets, in the summer of 1890. The corner stone was laid with parade and appropriate ceremonies on Sunday,
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June 8, 1890, and the dedication took place October 26, 1890. The new building cost $50,000. In August of 1897 the property was sold under a deed of trust and purchased by the creditors. During the summer of 1898 the property was purchased by Enterprise lodge of Odd Fellows, and is now known as the Odd Fellow building. The Turn Verein is at present without a home of its own.
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Since the earliest times there has been a tendency in St. Joseph toward high-class music. Rosenblatt's brass band, which was formed by Herman Rosenblatt in 1854, was welcomed and given all possible encouragement by the people of those days, and for many years this organization was famous throughout the West. But the brass band was not commensurate. There were many excellent voices and much latent musical talent, which craved development and expan- sion. In 1857 Prof. Otto Behr was induced to come to St. Joseph. To this gentleman is due the credit of erecting and maintaining a standard of excellence which will be regarded with admiration and reverence for years to come. Professor Behr was born in Germany and educated at Leipsic. He located in New York some years before coming to St. Joseph. In the summer of 1898 he returned to his old home, almost blind and light in purse, after spending the best part of his life here. He had met with financial reverses before his eyes began to dim. But he is none the less esteemed and revered in St. Joseph, where he wrought so nobly and so successfully for his art.
In 1866 the St. Joseph Philharmonia was organized and placed under the direction of Professor Behr. This society embraced the best instrumental and vocal talent of the city, and there was also a large list of honorary and contributing members. Five or six grand concerts were generally given each season. The Philharmonia ex- isted for about ten years.
The St. Joseph Maennerchor was another successful musical society. It was organized May 22, 1868, and the membership was mostly German-American. This society was affiliated with the Pioneer Saengerbund, and two of the annual song festivals of the federation were held in St. Joseph. The first "Saengerfest" began on April 30, 1873, continuing several days, and fornied a part of the general festal programme in honor of the completion of the bridge. The second was held in June of 1883. Maennerchor hall was on the third floor of the Mclaughlin building, at Third and Felix streets.
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Among those who served as musical directors were Prof. Felix B. Canfield, Professor Kaiser and Prof. Wm. Plato. The Maennerchor was merged into the Turn Verein in 1888.
Professor Behr's second successful effort to organize the talent for the exemplification of high-class music was represented in the Mendelssohn Musical organization, which was formed in 1882, mod- fred after the Philharmonia, and which existed until 1891. Con- certs were given in the court house, where a suitable auditorium had ocen prepared, until the destruction of that building by fire, in March of 1885. Various halls were then used until the completion of the Y. M. C. A. auditorium.
Other musical organizations of the past were the Arion, the Apollo, Harmonia and Concordia.
Of the labor organizations in the city, Typographical Union No. 40, is the oldest. It was organized in June of 1859, and has had a continuous existence. Other labor organizations existing at this time are: Bricklayers' union, No. 5; Brewery Workers' union; Cigar makers' union, No. 95; Hod Carriers' union; Machinists' union, No. 10; National Alliance Theatrical Stage Employes, No. 43; National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, No. 10; Printing Pressmen's union; Boiler-Makers' union; Tailors' union, No. 61 ; United Brotherhood of Leatherworkers; Carpenters and Joiners' union ; Barbers' union and Butchers' union. There are also the fol- lowing organizations of railroad men: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, No. 107; St. Joseph lodge, No. 43, Brotherhood of Loco- motive Firemen ; Order of Railway Telegraphers; P. Lavelle lodge, No. 92, Brotherhood of Railway Brakemen ; St. Joseph division, No. 14I, Order of Railway Conductors, and an organization of switch- men. Central Labor Council is made up of representatives from the various unions.
A famous local organization in its day was the Red Ribbon Re- form Club, which was organized December 16, 1877, by J. C. Bonte- cue, a temperance revivalist. There was a membership of 1,200. The club occupied rooms in Tootle's opera house until May, 1878, when the upper portion of the three-story building at the southeast corner of Second and Francis streets was fitted up, with a library, stage, etc. Theatrical and literary entertainments were here given. The place is yet known as Red Ribbon hall. The organization flour- ished for about four years. The first officers of the club were: Mor-
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decai Oliver ,president; C. B. Wilkinson, first vice-president; Thomas F. Ryan, second vice-president; William H. . Wood, third vice-president ; James C. Cozine, secretary ; E. A. Smith, financial secretary ; T. Van Natta, treasurer; J. A. Winsch, first marshal; R. A. Craig, second marshal; Thos. J. Huyler, sergeant-at-arms.
The St. Joseph Mechanical and Scientific Library Association was incorporated February 27, 1886. George R. Mann was president. and Charles A. Pfeiffer secretary and treasurer. Charles Nowland and F. W. Gensen were also members. A large number of public documents which had been collected were turned over to the public library in 1892.
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THE NEW LIVE STOCK EXCHANGE.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE EXISTED IN ST. JOSEPH IN THE PAST, AND THOSE THAT LIVE IN THE PRESENT .- VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF COM- MERCE AND MANUFACTURES-A GLANCE OVER THE NEWSPAPER CEMETERY OF ST. JOSEPH AND THE NAMES THAT ARE WRITTEN ON THE TOMB- STONES.
Armstrong Beattie was the first regular banker in St. Joseph. He began business in 1852 in the City Hotel at Jule and Main streets. He afterwards moved to Second street, north of Francis and finally to the west side of Third street, between Felix and Edmond, where he continued up to the period of his death, July 26, 1878.
The Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Institution was chartered in 1853 and continued until 1865, when it was merged into the First National bank of St. Joseph. The latter bank continued until Au- gust, 1878, when, in consequence of a robbery of $19,700, the mystery of which has never been solved, the directors decided to go out of business. The bank was then located at Third and Francis street, south of the Pacific House, in the Mclaughlin building. Immedi- ately after the dissolution of the First National bank the Merchants' bank was organized and began business in the same quarters, where it continued until the completion of the Chamber of Commerce, March of 1885, when the present quarters were taken.
A prominent bank before the war-in 1858-60-was that of Lee & Chaffee, located on the west side of Second, between Francis and Jule streets. The firm was composed of A. L. Lee and Jerome B. Chaffee. When the war broke out Mr. Lee went to the front in the Seventh Kansas Infantry regiment, and rose to the rank of brigadier- general. After the war hie located in the South. Mr. Chafee went to Colorado, where he prospered, rose to political eminence and was elected to the United States senate.
The Western bank was organized in April, 1859, with Milton Tootle as president, and continued until 1867, when it went into liquidation.
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The State Savings bank was organized in 1859, as a branch of the State Bank of Missouri. It was a national bank from 1865 to 1871. From that time it was known again as the State Savings bank until 1890, when it was again made a national bank. The bank is now out of business and its affairs are being settled up.
John Colhoun & Co., bankers, commenced business ir June, 1864, in the old Methodist church at the northeast corner of Third and Felix streets. David Pinger, who was the other member of the firm, erected a modern building upon the site of the old church in 1865. In 1871 the partnership expired and the business of the bank was transferred to a new institution, known as the Colhoun bank. The new bank occupied the Fairleigh building at the southeast cor- ner of Third and Felix streets.
In the meantime the German Savings bank had been organized in the spring of 1869. This bank purchased the building which Mr. Pinger had erected. It went into liquidation August 15, 1876.
The St. Joseph Savings bank was organized in June of 1873 and continued until December 1, 1875, when it consolidated with the Col- houn bank and the new institution was called the Colhoun Savings bank. On May 9, 1878, this bank ceased to exist, and its business was turned over to Schuster, Hax & Co., bankers. In 1889 the latter bank was reorganized as the Schuster-Hax National Bank.
The Bank of St. Joseph was organized in December, 1874. and was first located at Fifth and Felix streets. In August, 1876, this corporation purchased the three-story building of the German Savings bank, at the northeast corner of Third and Felix streets. which it still occupies. It has been known as the National Bank of St. Joseph since 1883.
The Saxton National bank, at Fourth and Francis streets, was organized in 1883. In 1894 it was consolidated with the Schuster- Hax National bank and reorganized as the National Bank of Bu- chanan County.
The German-American bank was organized early in 1887. It was located on Fifth street, opposite the Tootle theatre, until the completion of its building, at Seventh and Felix streets, in 1889.
The Commercial bank was also organized in 1887, and began - business in the Commercial block at Fifth and Edmond streets. This bank is now in process of liquidation.
The bank of Tootle, Lemon & Co. was organized in July of 1889 and began business at 118 North Fourth street. In 1894 the bank was moved to its present location, 509-511 Felix street.
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The Central Savings bank was organized in 1889; was first located in the Commercial block, then in the France block, on Fifth street, north of Edmond, and, when the Commercial bank went into liquidation, the quarters of that institution were taken. December 31, 1898, Milton Tootle, Jr., was appointed receiver for this bank.
The Park bank was organized in 1889. It is located at the northeast corner of Tenth and Penn streets, opposite Patee Park.
There are three banks in Buchanan County-the Derge-Camp- bell bank at DeKalb, the Bank of Agency, and the Stockyards bank.
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