USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > History of the city of Omaha, Nebraska > Part 66
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On the second floor to the right of the elevators are rooms for the internal reve- nue department; west of these are lawyers' consulting rooms and library, with toilets, etc. To the left of the elevators, facing Six- teenth Street, are large quarters devoted to the customs' department. West of these, facing Dodge Street, are postoffice inspec- tor's and witness rooms with all conven- iences; these are all reached from a large, well-lighted corridor. The inside is de- voted to a court over the skylight before mentioned.
On the third floor to the right of the ele- vators, faeing on Sixteenth Street, are the United States marshal's quarters, with rooms for deputy, clerk, etc. On the northwest. corner is a large court room with two pri- vate rooms for judges on the east of same. To the left of elevators, facing Sixteenth Street, are rooms for the district attorney, clerk of court and grand jury; next to them on the west are two judges' rooms and on the southwest corner is a large circuit court room, with private stairway leading to wit- ness rooms on second floor.
`The north half of the fourth floor is ar- ranged for the signal service bureau, with all appliances and conveniences. The south half is intended for dormitories of mail clerks.
444
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAIIA.
U. S. CUSTOMS OFFICE.
[W. Il. Alexander, surveyor of the port of Omaha, contributes to this work the fol- lowing article on the subject:]
Omaha was made a port of delivery by act of Congress approved July 7, 1870. Mr. S. A. Orchard was the first surveyor ap- pointed. In those days there were few im- portations, and such articles as were bonded to Omaha were examined and the duties fixed upon them at the port of original entry, so that the surveyor's part in the transactions · here was largely clerical, delivering the goods upon receipt of the duties specified in the transportation papers. There were more steamboats on the Missouri then than now, however, and as owners are required to en- roll their boats at the customs office in the district where they operate, the surveyor must furnish enrollment papers, licenses, cer- tificates and such other documents as are required by law. For several years, too, it was a part of the surveyor's duty to collect marine hospital dues, a contribution of thirty cents per month from every man employed on the river boats, to a fund held by the government for medical treatment and care of any who should become disabled in the service, provided applications for aid were made within one year from the date of re- tirement.
It will be seen, therefore, that the early surveyors were not entirely free from labor on government account.
There was no federal building here during Mr. Orchard's term, his office being located in a little building belonging to the post- master, facetiously alluded to by the surveyor as "the hut."
.Mr. Il. K. Smith succeeded Mr. Orchard, serving nearly two years, and after him came W. W. Copeland, the present Omaha agent of the "Red Line" freight route. During Mr. Copeland's term of office the United States custom house and postoffice building was completed and placed in his charge as custodian.
The next surveyor appointed was Mr. John Campbell, who held the office two terms. Business had materially increased before Mr. Campbell retired, though a glance through the records brings to mind some rather diminutive footings, and once (in January, 1884) no transactions at all were reported. Nor was the February following particularly conspicuous for activity, the total receipts being only one dollar. Busi- ness revived, however, in March, and the handsome sum of $2,200 came in from customs.
Further along in this article a comparative statement of receipts for the several years intervening between 1872 and 1892 appears, which will doubtless be of interest to many.
In the fifth year of Mr. Campbell's ser- vice, the appointment of a deputy surveyor was authorized, and Capt. James N. Phil- lips was given the position.
On June 10, 1880, Congress passed an act which conferred upon Omaha, and several other ports, the privileges of immediate transportation, that is, collectors at ports of first arrival were authorized to forward mer- chandise in bond, without appraisement, leaving the examination and assessment of duties, for surveyors at the ports of final destination. This method of forwarding is of great advantage to the importer, as it does away with the breaking of packages for inspection, while enroute, which often results in material damage through imper- fect repacking, and it saves considerable time between shipment and delivery. There was a proviso in the bill, however, that proper officers and facilities for the per- formance of the new requirements must be present, and the Secretary of the Treasury, in whose discretion the matter rested, with- drew the privilege almost immediately, be- cause the scheme was not then considered practicable for Omaha.
In 1886 the office of deputy surveyor was abolished, and Capt. Phillips was left, like Othello, without an occupation.
445
THIE OMAHA POSTOFFICE.
Mr. Robert C. Jordan was appointed in the same year to succeed Mr. Campbell as surveyor. He undertook to perform the duties of the office alone, but it became ap- parent before very long that one . man was not equal to the requirements, and the de- partment restored the office of deputy and authorized the appointment of a clerk. These new positions were filled by Mr. Vin- cent Burkley and Mr. E. J. Murphy, re- spectively.
In February, 1888, through the efforts of Senator Manderson, the privileges of imme- diate transportation were re-conferred upon Omaha, and from that time on imported merchandise has been examined, appraised and duties fixed at this port.
Mr. Jordan retired from office December 1, 1889, and was succeeded by W. II. Alex- ander, the present surveyor.
At this point it may be proper to explain two or three official terms which appear am- biguous to many, and about which consid- erable inquiry has been made:
First. As to the character of the several customs districts. A port of entry is the place of first arrival of imported merchan- dise. There it is entered, either for con- sumption, warehousing, or immediate trans- portation to some other customs point. A port of immediate transportation is the place to which merchandise can be re-shipped after arrival entry, without examination or appraisement. A port of delivery is the place to which merchandise, after being ex- amined, appraised and duties fixed at the port of entry, can be sent in bond, to be re- leased when the specified duties are collected. New York is a port of entry, St. Louis and Omaha are ports of immediale transporta- tion, and Council Bluffs is a port of delivery.
Second. At the larger seaports, where the duties are multiplied and more varied, the chief officers are a collector, naval officer, and a surveyor. At seaports of less im- portance and at the larger border ports, there is a collector, and a surveyor. At all
interior ports the chief officer is the sur- veyor, but all the functions lodged in a col- lector which are requisite for the transaction of business, are bestowed upon the surveyor, so that he is really a collector. The old offi- cial designation will doubtless be changed before long, now that interior ports have an individual character, and the term collector be used altogether as the chief officer's title. Surveyor Alexander's assistants are Capt. J. N. Phillips, deputy; II. C. Crumb, chief clerk and inspeetor, and G. L. Laws, immigration agent.
Two things in particular, that have been of great advantage to importers, are the bonded warehouse, furnished by Mr. William Bush- man, and a commodious examination room. At this date Omaha is thoroughly equipped for every branch of customs service made possible by law. It is the chief port within the circle of St. Paul, Chicago, Kansas City and Denver, and most of the importations except for Sioux City and Lincoln, within a wide circuit, are made through the Omaha office. The following comparative table of duties collected since Omaha was made a port, shows the remarkable increase of recent years, and gives Omaha a place among the first forty of the 130 customs districts of the United States:
1872 to 1881, 10 years
$ 10.080 68
1883
2 940 81
1883
3,403 44
1884
6.201 82
1885
9 125 23
1886
19,588 53
1887
22.240 48
1888
29.854 69
1889
68,238 92
1890
67.189 26
1891
93.350 06
1892
127,962 56
Since the beginning of 1888, business at this office has rapidly increased. Pains have been taken by the customs officers to famil- iarize merchants and manufacturers with the details of importing, and the advantages of direct shipment to Omaha, in bond, and to give the office here the prominence it de- serves. Surveyor Alexander has been ably
446
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAHA.
assisted in his plans for developing facilities for increased business, by Senator Mander- son, and has received at all times the most courteous and encouraging consideration of his requests from the department.
INTERNAL REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
[Gen. J. B. Dennis, chief deputy collector, furnishes the following in regard to the In- ternal Revenue Department:]
The Internal Revenue District of Nebraska was organized in August, 1862. At this time the department had assessors as well as col- lectors.
The first appointment was J. 1I. Burbank, assessor, August 26, 1862, who served to July 1, 1865. C. HI. Norris, probably his deputy, was acting assessor from July 1, 1865, to July 31, 1865. T. W. Tipton was then appointed, and served from August 1, 1865. to November 1, 1866. A. S. Holiday was appointed November 1, 1866, and served until April 1. 1867. F. Renner was then appointed and served from April 1, 1867, to May 6, 1869. T. J. Majors was appointed May 6, 1869, and served until May 20, 1873, when the office was abolished.
From the organization of the revenue service, up to May, 1873, the office of as- sessor was a very important, as well as a very laborious one. At this time the government levied a tax on all incomes over one thous- and dollars, on all business and trades, as well as professions.
A doctor could not write a prescription without paying a special tax for the priv- ilege; a dentist could not pull a tooth with- out paying a special tax; a lawyer could not prepare a brief without paying special tax; a notary could not put his jurat to an in- strument without paying special tax; a tailor could not make a suit of clothes without paying special tax; a barber could not draw his razor across a face without paying special tax. All legal instruments had to bear a tax stamp, all notes, bills of exchange,
drafts, checks, receipts, invoices, bills of lad- ing, deeds, proprietary articles of all kinds, had to bear a tax stamp, and a druggist fill- ing a prescription, had to put upon the pre- scription; bottle or package, a revenue stamp. Even matches had to pay their share of the running expenses of the government.
Spirits were taxed two dollars on each gal- lon manufactured, malt liquors one dollar per barrel; manufacturers of tobacco paid twenty-four cents per pound, cigars twelve dollars per thousand, snuff sixteen cents per pound, cigarettes six dollars per thousand.
Each stallion, jack or bull, kept for use had to contribute to the general fund. The assessor and his deputy had to ride over tlie country making assessments, and when his list was made up, he turned it over to the collector, taking his receipt for the full amount assessed.
Since the abolishing of the office of as- sessor, and the cutting off of the collections from many sources, the collector's lists have been made up by the collector, and the com- missioner of internal revenue makes the assessment. The first collector was J. Sweet, who served from September 16, 1862, to August 4, 1866. Joseph E. Lamaster was appointed August 4, 1866, and served until December 2, 1872; Henry A. Newman served from December 2, 1872, to August 1, 1878; Fleming W. Robb, appointed August 1. 1878, served until March 6, 1879; Henry A. New- man, from March 6, 1879, to March 15, 1879; Lorenzo Crounse, appointed March 15, 1879, served to April 1, 1883; George W. Post, served from April 1, 1883, until November 1, 1886.
On the 20th day of August, 1883, the col- lection district of Dakota was consolidated into the district of Nebraska, since which time the collection district of Nebraska has comprised Nebraska, North and South Da- kota. George W. Post served as collector until the 1st day of November, 1886; Simon II. Calhoun was appointed collector on No-
447
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
vember 1, 1886, and continued in office until June 26, 1889, when the present collector, John Peters, was appointed.
The collections have increased nearly every year from $12,338.45 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1863, to the enormous sum of $4,889,588,65 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. The collections for fiscal year ending :
June 30, 1863.
$ 12.338 45
June 30, 1864.
26 795 91
June 30, 1865.
57 818 75
June 30, 1866
100 874 78
June 30, 1867
107 975 34
June 30. 1868
June 30, 1869
June 30, 1870.
127,735 11 161,388 48 308,501 51 224,368 92
June 30, 1873
195,698 91 242,962 38
June 30, 1874
June 30. 1875
June 30, 1876
June 30, 1877
June 30, 1878
June 30, 1879
June 30, 1880
June 30, 1881
June 30, 1882
June 30, 1883
June 30 1884
June 30, 1885.
June 30, 1886
1,674,013 12 2.393,404 70
June 30, 1888
2.778,269 38
June 30. 1889
2.248.624 19
June 30, 1890
2 969,745 17
June 30. 1891.
3.955.331 93
June 30. 1892
4,889.588 65
The revenue force in this district consists of John Peters, collector ; John B. Dennis, chief deputy, with two office deputies, and three clerks, while the outside force is one stamp deputy at Nebraska City, Neb., ten division deputies, ten storekeepers and eight gaugers. The offices of the Internal Revenue Department were first, and for some years afterward at Nebraska City, and were re- moved to Omaha about the year 1872.
EXPRESS COMPANIES.
On the 3d day of August, 1857, was es- tablished the first express office in Omaha, the United States Express Company being the pioneer in that line. Mr. J. Shepard, now assistant manager of that company, opened the office. Mr. C. C. Woolworth,
brother of Hon. J. M. Woolworth, was the first agent. Ile was succeeded by David Moffatt, now of Denver, late president of the' Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company. The Barkalow Brothers and Mr. E. M. Mors- man have also acted as local agents for this company.
The United States Express Company reached Omaha via Western Stage Com- pany, from Iowa City, and in 1858 extended their service over the same stage line from Omalıa to Fort Kearney, John Ileath being the first agent at that place. Ile was suc- ceeded by Dr. G. L. Miller.
The United States Express Company was the first company operating the Union l'a- cific Railway, sending out a " run " July 1, 1866. to Columbus, Nebraska, that being the western terminus of the railway; E. M. Morsman was express messenger. This company has had an office in Omaha all the time since 1857, and now has a joint office with the Pacific Express Company, S. A. IInntoon, agent. They traverse the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, with other important systems, aggregating twenty-five thousand miles.
About 1864 the American Express Com- pany opened an office in Omaha, reaching it via stage from Chicago & Northwestern Railway. They also occupied the Union Pacific Railway for a short time, and up to its completion to Grand Island. It now operates on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; the Chicago & Northwestern, and the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs lines of railways, having close connection with New York by means of an exclusive train. The superintendent of the western department, L. A. Garner, has his office in this city. Charles S. Potter is the local agent.
The Holiday Overland Mail and Express succeeded the American, on the line of the Union Pacific Railway and Wells, Fargo & Company succeeded them, being a continu- ation of the company with a change of
June 30, 1871
June 30, 1873
276,386 52 292,472 30 502.395 59 602,743 36 699 821 37 876 309 81 912.734 86 962 064 86 1,108,191 15 1.320,517 24 1.519,643 63 1.971.296 12
June 30 1887
448
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAIIA.
name. Wells, Fargo & Co., occupied the Union Pacific Railway-Omaha being the eastern terminus of their routes until 1869.
Wells. Fargo & Company have their lead- quarters, middle department, here, employ- ing a general superintendent and six divis- ion superintendents, with a territory extend- ing from the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains and from the Gulf to the Cana- dian border. The local force consists of thirty-five men. Dudley Evans is the gen- eral superintendent and Chas. S. Potter the local agent.
The Union Pacific Railway Company or- ganized an express department called the Union Pacific Railway Company's Express, which went into operation September, 1869, Wells. Fargo & Co. retiring from that line. Subsequently the Union Pacific Railway Company's Express was extended over the Kansas & Pacific Railway and branches, and in November, 1879, the business was incor- porated (in Nebraska) under the name of the Pacific Express Company-J. W. Gan- nett, A. J. Poppleton and E. M. Morsman, incorporators. Sidney Dillon was the first
president of the Pacific Express Company. The Pacific Express Company was extended from time to time, until it now covers about 24,000 miles of railway; has its general ex- ecutive and financial offices in Omaha, hav- ing built an expensive and commodious building to accommodate that business. It has about 120 employes in Omalia. The present officers are: E. M. Morsman, presi- dent and treasurer; O. W. Mink, vice-presi- dent; W. F. Bechel, secretary and auditor. Capital, $6,000,000.
The Adams Express Company came to Omaha November 15, 1888, via the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, and has since maintained an office here. R. B. Reeves is the local agent.
The Merchants' Union, now the American, was represented here by John A. Horbach in 1866 and 1867. There was a lively compe- tition in those days for business, and Mr. Horbach says he stood ready to receipt for anything, from a gold pen to a steam boiler. Rates were "knocked endways" and for a time were but little in advance of freight bills.
CHAPTER LI.
ART IN OMAHA - EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF ARTISTS - WESTERN ART ASSOCIATION - ART EXHIBITIONS - PRIVATE COLLECTIONS OF PICTURES.
[A chapter from the pen of Joseph T. Duryea, D. D.]
During the autumn of 1877 an effort was made to interest and assist all those who were disposed to devote themselves to the study and practice of art, which resulted in the formation of a "Sketch Class," by Mrs. Charles F. Catlin.
Mrs. Catlin had been residing in the City of New York for nearly a year, in order to the enjoyment of the advantages of member- ship in the Art Students' League, an association of artists and art students. The opportunity for study and tuition was inviting, but the chief attraction was found in daily companionship with artists who were full of enthusiasm, and earnestly devoted to their work, many of whom became noted in after years, such as F. S. Church, Walter Shirlaw, Turner, Weir, Van- Boskerck, Kelley and Hirschberg. Under the impulse in this manner received, Mrs. C'atlin endeavored to excite in her friends a desire for the best possible incentives and helps to improvement in knowledge and skill. Among them were Mr. Charles S. Huntington, Mr. Frederick Knight, Mr. William R. Morris, all well known for their high attainments.
With the aid of such associates tlie Sketch Class was started in October, and continued its work two evenings a week for the two years following, with a recess during the summer months. The large dining room in Mr. Catlin's residence was used as a studio, and so great was the success of the move- ment, that it was soon filled to the utmost extent of its capacity.
The work of the class was entirely in white and black, from original figures, each member in turn posing for the benefit of the rest of the members.
The following are the names of a few of the members of the class. The Misses Fanny Butterfield, Woodie McCormick, Selma Balcombe, Christina Ross, Gwynnie Gwyer, Carrie Wyman; Messrs. Frederick Knight, Charles S. Huntington, William R. Morris, Lieutenant Schuyler, U. S. A., and Professor Landeryou.
In 1879, the ladies of Trinity Church, formed a temporary association for the pur- pose of presenting an art loan exhibition, with Mrs. Bishop Clarkson as president, Mrs. A. J. Poppleton as secretary, Mrs. Lyman Richardson as treasurer. and Mrs. Charles F. Catlin as superintendent of the gallery. If it were practicable to transfer the pages of the catalogue to this chapter, it would not only illustrate the judgment and taste of many of the citizens of Omaha of that early period in the life of the city, but also reveal the degree of wealth already attained by many, and the measure of cultivation and refinement expressed in the elegance of their homes and the abundant means of mental improvement and æsthetic enjoyment.
The exhibit comprised: 232 oil paintings, water-colors, and etchings; 273 specimens of bric-a-brac and household decorative art; 192 ceramics and pottery; 167 lace and tex- tile fabrics; 73 ancient jewelry; 256 mineral and geological curios; 58 Indian relics; 236 ancient books and manuscripts; a collection of ancient coins belonging to Mr. Charles Ogden.
29
449
450
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF OMAIIA.
The earnestness of the exhibitors and the extent of their labors may be known, from the fact that there were upon the several committees and in charge of the various de- partments, 151 ladies and gentlemen. The distribution of the objects throughout the homes of the city may be learned from the fact that the number of those who loaned them were 219. The exhibition continued for three weeks, and during the entire period the building in which it was presented was filled with visitors, both day and night. Critics of good judgment regarded it as a success, from an artist's point of view, and the general appreciation of its excellence was evident from the fact that it was finan- cially a success. No one of the many visitors now surviving, can fail to recall it with lively and pleasant recollections.
In the year 1881, a number of women ex- pressed, one to another, a desire to provide for themselves facilities for instruction and training in the principles and practice of art. They had already attained some pro- ficiency in drawing and painting in oils and water-colors. In the month of November they resolved to invite such of their friends and neighbors as they supposed might be in sympathy with their aim, to meet for consul- tation. They were assembled at the resi- dence of Mrs. James W. Van Nostrand. Among those who were present were Mrs. Frank Colpetzer, Mrs. Mary S. DuBois, Mrs. Robert Doherty, Mrs. G. I. Gilbert. Mrs. Ilume, Mrs. J. J. L. C. Jewett, Mrs. R. C. Moore and Mrs. Clark Woodman.
It was decided to form an association to be styled " The Social Art Club of Omaha." A committee was appointed to draft a sim- ple plan of organization and report at an adjourned meeting. It consisted of the fol- lowing named persons: Mesdames Jewett, Moore and Doherty.
At a meeting held at the residence of Mrs. Gilbert, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The design of the association was stated in a preamble, to be "mutual im-
provement through instruction and practice in all artistic industries." The officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs. James W. Van Nostrand; vice president, Mrs. Rob- ert Doherty ; treasurer, Mrs. George I. Gil- bert ; secretary, Mrs. J. J. L. C. Jewett.
The executive management of the club was entrusted to a board of managers. Un- der their direction and by their judicious and vigorous efforts the association entered upon a period of prosperity and usefulness, which continued about three years, with a maximum membership of seventy-live.
Two ample rooms were secured and prop- erly prepared and furnished and a practical school of painting in oils and water-colors was opened, with Mrs. Cram as teacher in oils and Miss Lizzie Pennell in water- colors. A sketch class was formed under the supervision of Mr. Charles Huntington and Mr. William Morris, who had valuable assistance from Mr. Diederick Parker.
Twice each year the work of the members was presented for inspection by an exhibi- tion and offered for sale to those who might be disposed to make purchases. During the period of its existence, the club made no appeal for pecuniary assistance, but main- tained its expenses by the contributions of its members and by the proceeds of occa- sional entertainments, which were generally regarded as well worth the price of admis- sion. Under its anspices Mr. Oscar Wilde was secured as a lecturer, in March, 1882. When the time came to disband, in order to make way for a larger organization, on a broader basis, the society was free from debt and held valuable materials, plaster casts, etc. Specimens of the work of the members of the club may be seen upon the walls in the houses of many of our citizens to this day.
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