USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > History of the city of Omaha, Nebraska > Part 67
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THIE WESTERN ART ASSOCIATION.
In June 1888, Mr. C. II. Kent, through the daily papers, issued a call for a meeting of persons interested in the study and prac- tice of art, with a view to the formation of
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an art association. In response, about twelve assembled at Meyer's Art Rooms, on Sixteenth and Farnam Streets. After con- sultation, it was agreed to appoint a com- mittee to visit the artists resident in the city and endeavor to interest them in the movement, and engage them in the endeavor to further it. This committee was composed as follows: Mr. Charles II. Kent, chairman; Mrs. Frances Mumaugh, Miss M. F. Murray, Miss Maggie Roeder, Miss May Willmasser.
The committee performed the service and issued eirculars calling a meeting at Meyer's Art Rooms, on Sixteenth and Farnam Streets. At that time about fifty were pres- ent. They were addressed by Mr. George W. Lininger, who explained the general object of the proposed association and the measures and means through which it might be accomplished, and also set forth the bene- fits it might render to the members and to the community. There was a free and full discussion of these topics and the conclusions were reached which found expression after- ward in the constitution adopted:
" The object of the association shall be to advance the knowledge and love of the fine arts through the exhibition of works of art, the acquisition of books and papers for the purpose of forming an art library, lectures upon subjects pertaining to art, receptions given to men or women distinguished in art, and by other kindred means, to promote social intercourse among its members."
It was at this meeting Mr. Lininger made known his intention of building and furnish- ing an art gallery contiguous to his resi- dence, and his desire to place it at the disposal of the members of such an associa- tion as was proposed for the purpose of study, and also of practice in copying under reasonable restrictions. In order to afford additional encouragement, Mr. Adolph Meyer offered the use of Music Hall, without cost, for the first exhibition, and Mr. Clement Chase engaged to furnish the catalogues without charge to the association. A reso-
lution was passed that a temporary organ- ization be made and a committee appointed to prepare for a permanent organization by framing a constitution and by-laws. This was carried into effeet by the selection of Mr. George W. Lininger, as president; Miss M. F. Murray, vice president; Miss Kate M. Ball, secretary; Mr. C. D. Kent, assistant secretary; Miss Maggie Roeder, treasurer. The president appointed as the committee: Mr. C. D. Kent, chairman, Mrs. Thomas M. Orr, Mrs. Frances Mumaugh, Mrs. George I. Gilbert, Mr. Robbins, Mr. Hyde.
On September 20th, at Meyer's Hall, the committee reported at a full meeting, the constitution and by-laws were adopted, and a board of managers was selected, consisting of Mrs. Frances Mumaugh, Mrs. T. M. Orr, Mrs. M. S. Silkworth, Mrs. J. M. Woolworth, Miss E. J. Shultze, Mr. Louis Mendelssohn, Mr. Clement Chase, Mr. Adolph Meyer, Mr. J. K. O'Neil, Mr. W. V. Morse. The officers of the temporary organization were made permanent.
ART EXIIIBITIONS.
In the year 1886, in connection with the Inter-State Exposition, there was an exhibi- tion of works of art, under the direction of a special organization consisting of Mr. G. W. Lininger, manager; Mr. C. K. Collins and Mrs. J. S. Briggs, assistants; J. D. Bailey, custodian; and Mesdames Samuel Burns, Frank Colpetzer, P. E. Iler, G. W. Lininger, J. M. Woolworth, committee.
Mr. Lininger loaned from his collection sixty-four pictures, ten pieces of statuary, several antique vases, and a specimen of Aubesson tapestry. The general loan collec- tion contained more than three hundred paintings, some of which were of great merit. There were also collections of works in wa- ter colors, pastel, crayon, etchings, engrav- ings and photographs. There were speci- mens of taxidermy, needle work and fine cabinet work.
The first autumn exhibition of the West- ern Art Association was held at the Linin-
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ger Gallery, November 15 to 17, 1888. It consisted of oil and water color paintings (on canvass, plaque and panels) original and copied, pastel, crayon and charcoal, India ink, and several architectural drawings, in all, 333 numbers, with thirty-five sets of decorated china.
In this and the subsequent exhibitions the works presented were from the members of the association exclusively, and these only were offered in competition for honorable mention and later for premiums. The first premiums were offered at a meeting of the association in April, 1889, and were as follows:
For oil painting-first premium, $25.00; second, $15.00; third, $10.00. Water colors -first premium, $15.00; second, $10.00. Porcelain -first premium, $10.00; second, $5.00. Pottery, $5.00; clay modeling, $5.00.
On November 5, Mr. Lininger offered a medal for the best work in water colors; Mr. Frederick Knight a medal for the best work in china. In October, 1890, Mrs. Emma H. Thayer offered a medal for approved work in water colors, and Mr. Lininger's medal was awarded for excellence in still life.
The progress manifested from year to year will be partly evident from the following statistics:
At the spring exhibition, May 15 to 20 1889, there were oil paintings, 206; water colors, 44; crayon and pastel, 31; china, 33 sets; architectural drawings, 8.
At the fall exhibition of the same year, oil, 201; water, 41; pastel, 2; black and white, 11; china, 26 sets; and a specimen in clay modeling.
In the fall of 1890, oil, 217; water colors, 70; black and white, 12; china, 25.
In November, 1891, oil, 147; water colors, 99, black and white, 15; china, 55.
It will be noticed that the increase in the number of works presented is chiefly in the list of water colors and china. The decrease in the number of oil paintings is due to the
. steady elevation of the standard of excel- Ience and the taste of the people generally.
In the year 1890, a number of gentlemen united to form the Omaha Art Exhibition Association, the object of which was to col- lect works of art of the first rank and pre- sent them to view for the benefit of the peo- ple of the State, to whom otherwise they would never be within view. As a result of their efforts there was gathered one of the very finest collections ever exhibited in this country. Some idea of the quality of the collection may be formed from the values set upon the pictures, several of which were estimated in sums approaching $1,000, and a few ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, one at $12,000, one at $18,000 and one at $50,000. There were seventy-two water colors, most of which were of a very high degree of merit. The etchings numbered forty-seven, and the fac simile reproductions of oil and water color paintings of well known artists 166. There were 119 specimens and collec- tions, large and small, of antiquities and curios, which furnished instruction and en- tertainment seldom available in one place and at one time save in the instance of great national exhibits.
THIE LININGER GALLERY.
Mr. G. W. Lininger came from Illinois to Council Bluffs, and thence, after a short period of residence in that city, to Omaha, in 1873. During the intervals of occupation, in the management of an extensive business. he had devoted himself to the study of art. As his means were increased, he began to make careful and judicious selection of paintings and other works, with a view to the establishment of a gallery, which should represent the various schools of ancient and modern art. So far as he was able, he deter- mined to procure original works, but mean- while to secure the very best copies to fill out the schedule of schools and masters.
The nucleus of his collection was exhibited
THE LININGER ART GALLERY
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in 1886, at the Inter-State Exposition, of which mention has been made.
In October, 1888, lie accepted plans for the gallery, which stands at the rear of his residence and in immediate connection with it, so that from within it appears to be an extension of the parlors. It is of brick and terra cotta, withi beltings of grey stone, in the Italian renaissance style, with ex- terior niches for statues. The dimensions are thirty-five by seventy, the height of the walls twenty feet, skylight fourteen by forty- four feet. The floor is tiled, the wainscot- ting of marble with trimming of mahogany and bronze, the walls in rough plaster finish, the roof of red Spanish tiles. The cost of the building was fifteen thousand dollars. The present contents are valued at $200,000. There are 60 old oil paintings, 162 modern oil paintings, 15 water colors, 22 statues and busts, 8 bronzes, over 50 vases, plaques and porcelains.
In the first class there are represented: Guido Reni (3), Francesco Solimene (2), Guercino, Luca Giordano (8), Rossi. Rem- brandt, Jordaens, Albini (3), Zurubaran, Fra Angelico, Forina, Guylenburch, Francis Boucher (2), Raphael, N. Viso (2), Nani, Angelica Kauffman (2), Andrea DelSarto, Francesco DeRosa, Anton Raphael, Mengs, Martorelli, Donzello, Megnard.
Among the modern painters are: Louis B. Hurt, Makovski, Aug. Muller, Lacitti, Petruolo, Peluso, Maldarelli, G. Fougi, J. Daubeil, C. P. Ream (4), C. Moll, P. Aldi, F. Ricci (3), Nakken, F. Martin, Cosroe Dusi, J. Vogl, Colle Sione, Ernst (2), L. Legat, F. L. Guyot (2), Louis Plas, T. Sid- ney Cooper, J. F. Herring Sr., Van Abbu, C. Bomblid, C. Hunt. E. Lugo, C. Del Mo- rici, F. F. Spohler, W. Kerremans, G. Ab- bati, G. Armando, Jacovacci, Koelman, Perez, W. L. Anderson, Kuwasseg, Scarpi- nate, Schroyer, Petruolo, Mazzoni, J. Cook, C. Cattelli, H. DeLorme, G. Bellei (2), Mol- lica (2), R. Navarro, E. Rau, C. Ceci, F. Franchi, Claudia Rinalda, Mavozof, Adolph
Domini, C. Padra, F. Paola, Ernst Bandini, H. A. Bothast, Fichel, Maul.
Among American painters there are: J. G. Borglum (8), Mrs. J. G. Borglum (8), A. Rothery (2), Mrs. F. Mumaugh, J. L. Wallace, Robert Shade, F. W. Wood (2), G. H. Smilie, C. A. Sommer, David Huntington, C. Heyd, Harry Eaton.
Mr. and Mrs. Borglum have been resi- dents of this city, and at several exhibitions their work has been presented to the public. They have exhibited in the Paris salons, and their pictures have attracted the atten- tion of the critics of the leading French journals.
Mr. Borglum was educated in Nebraska. He began to draw when a boy. Following his bent he early made a choice of his pro- fession. He studied for a time with Mr. Harry Aberly, then removed to California, where he continued his studies with Miss Jaynes Putnam and at the Art School in San Francisco, with Mr. Virgil Williams as preceptor. Mr. G. W. Lininger sent him abroad for further instruction, where he re- mained for three years. Both these artists give abundant promise of distinction.
PRIVATE COLLECTION OF MR. J. M. WOOLWORTHI.
This includes a work of Herring, the dis- tinguished English painter of domestic ani- mals, a fine work of Corot, one of Rousseau, one of the Impressionist Renoir, and one of the well known American fruit painter, M. Rienes. These are all small. The larger pieces are: A Camp of Gypsies on the Danube, by Golsoule; and a Marine View off the Coast of Britain, by Colbach. In addi- tion there are portraits of several members of the family and of Mr. Justice Miller, by LeClere, which merit notice as fine speci- mens of this department of art.
A visitor at the residence would not fail to view an excellent copy of the Renus of the Pitti Palace in Florence, and a pair of Sevres vases of the time of the French Revo- lution, thirty inches, and one of Dresden workmanship of larger size. In the library
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of between four and five thousand volumes, besides the standard works with the variety of titles, there are examples of the best editions and of the more rare and curious works, and also interesting manuscripts among which are reproductions of a part of Domesday Book and of early English char- ters and legal documents. There are besides engravings and etchings of great beauty.
PRIVATE COLLECTION OF MR. J. N. II. PATRICK.
These have not been made for the ends of the connoisseur in art, but solely with a view to the enrichment of the home and the enjoyment of the members of the family and their friends. The several works are dis- tributed throughout the apartments in such a manner as to give the best general effects.
The visitor upon entering the great cen- tral hall of the house sees the well-known Storm on the Matterhorn, by Bierstadt, six by seven feet; and on the other side of the great window, The Fisherman's Daughter, by Jameson; just below, two fine examples of the work of Bradford. On the east wall are fine specimens of the work of Pelouse, of Pezyant, of Britcher, of Walter Crane, and on the opposite wall, a large and beautiful work by P. A. Gross. There are also fine examples of the work of DeBerg, Verron, Beard, Gelebert, Petitjean and Gross.
In the drawing room may be seen excel- lent examples of the work of Dupres, of George Innes, William Hart, Bougniet, Lan- gre, Bierstadt, Gross and Petitjean.
There is in the dining room a work in still life by Fouace, there are two of Jeannin's flower pieces, and a work of Gripp and Van- severdonk. In the breakfast room is a fine flower piece by Abbott Graves; in the blue room an excellent Bristol, and a water-color of the Italian school, by Franz; in the library another Bristol and two panels by Maurice Blum. Here and there are set many fine bronzes and Sevres vases. One of the most attractive objects is the statue, life size, of Jael, by Baldi, of Rome, in conception, de- sign and finish, entitled to high rank in its
department. The Italian Fisher Boy, by Andrioni, of Rome, in marble, is worthy of careful attention, as also a superb bronze by Dubucand.
There are in the city other fine collec- tions of works of art, and curios in private residences accessible to those who desire to view them. Mr. IIerman Kountze has sev- eral paintings of the modern schools and many fine prints, and a Gobelin tapestry valued at eight thousand dollars. Together with other objects of interest, fine paintings are to be seen in the homes of Mr. Samuel R. Brown, Mr. Guy C. Barton, Mr. Thomas R. Kimball and Mrs. B. D. Crary. Mr. W. F. Parker las, at his country residence at Flor- ence, copies of the exhibits of the salons and academies, engravings, prints, etchings, photographs and photogravures.
The Omaha Academy of Fine Arts is the successor of the Omaha College of Fine Arts, which began its existence in May, 1891, and was soon after abandoned on account of financial difficulties. The Western Art .1s- sociation, which had taken a deep interest in the institution, in order to continue a school of this kind, then instituted the present academy in the fall of the same year. The object is to afford facilities and instructions equal to those of the lead- ing cities. The school is kept open from September to June, and carries on its rolls the names of more than seventy-five stu- dents, but it has not been a financial success. Mr. J. Laurie Wallace, a graduate of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, and formerly president of the Chicago Society of Artists, is the director in art. This insti- tution, incorporated in January, 1893, with a capital stock of $25,000, seems to be in a fair way to succeed.
In the coterie of artists in Omaha, there are several who have shown talent much above tlie ordinary. Among those who have done meritorious work are J. Laurie Wallace, Albert Rothery, Miss Tenic Snowden, Mrs. Mumaugh, J. K. O'Neill and others.
CHAPTER LII.
EAST OMAHA -ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS - WHAT HAS BEEN DONE - ENTERPRISES NOW THERE-OMAHA BRIDGE AND TERMINAL RAILWAY.
EAST OMAIIA.
The City of Omaha is mostly built upon hills and bluffs, having within its limits but a small territory of level land available for trackage purposes. When the late Mr. A. E. Touzalin and associates, C. E. Perkins, G. W. Holdrege, II. W. Yates, and others were seeking trackage room for the Burling- ton Road, their attention was called to a large tract of level land lying northeast of the city. They at once realized that it would be desirable to secure this territory and set about it. Piece after piece of land was pur- chased until they had control of over a thou- sand acres. The possession of so large a body of fine territory caused them to enlarge their plans concerning it, and instead of land simply for trackage purposes, they conceived the idea of organizing a corporation, adding still further to the possessions. For this purpose the East Omaha Land Company was incorporated on the 15th day of February, 1887, with the following officers : Richard C. Cushing, president; George W. Hold- rege, vice-president; Henry W. Yates, secre- tary and treasurer.
On June 1, 1887, the officers of the com- pany asked Mr. Arthur S. Potter to join them and requested him to assume the manage- ment of their property, and formulate plans for its proper development. This he con- sented to do, and from that time to the pre- sent he has acted as general manager of the company. Mr. Potter believed that to at- tain the greatest success in handling of the company's property, and also to have the company's action be of the greatest ben- efit to the City of Omaha, was to retain the lands in a body and not sell any of them for
a period of several years, but to develop a plan of improvement under which develop- ment there would be established upon the grounds a manufacturing city. He there- fore outlined such a system of improve- ments which was accepted by the officers and stockholders alike of the company, and from that time to the present, the improvements have followed along the line so laid out.
After Mr. Potter assumed the manage- ment of the company some time was oc- cupied in perfecting titles to the lands already secured and purchasing others adja- cent until the company was possessed of about two thousand acres. The first work was to cut out roads through the forest and turnpike them. In this way, the company laid out over seventy-seven miles of streets, but the land itself was covered with willows, brush and trees. These were all cleared away, the land was plowed, dragged smooth, leveled and seeded down. Here and there a nicely trimmed tree was left to relieve the landscape from monotony. To protect its property the company concluded to fence in every lot. It has thus built many miles of characteristic fence of half round cedar posts painted red and four barbed wires.
The turnpike roads suggested graded streets and the company decided to have them. It constructed a railroad from the centre of its land to a point near Florence put it into the hands of a contractor, and engaged him to deposit on its streets a mil- lion yards of earth. This piece of work cost the company 8300,000. Between the " Is- land," that is the lands of the East Omaha Land Company and the City of Omaha, lies "Cut-Off Lake," and a low marshy tract, half
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a mile wide. Over these, on Locust Avenue, the company constructed a bridge, which, though much better than any owned by many ambitious cities, did not seem to this com- pany to be in harmony with the solidity, magnitude and permanence of its other plans. It has therefore been removed, and a grade, one hundred feet wide has been filled in over both lake and bottoms, connecting the lands of the company and the paved streets of Omaha by a splendid drive. The company also arranged to grade Avenue H into Omaha by way of Eleventh and Nicholas Streets. The latter thoroughfare has been paved at a cost of nearly one hundred thou- sand dollars, so that now one can drive from the city hall in Omaha to the Carter White Lead Works in East Omaha, over contin- uously paved streets.
To provide trackage for manufacturers, a system has been devised which is unequaled in any other location. Around the terri- tory extends a Belt Line. From this main track, branches extend north and south through the alleys. These are thirty-eight feet wide having a main side track down the middle from which side tracks branch off to every lot, so that every industry located on these lands has a private side track in its rear. No tracks are on the streets, which will be paved. To supply homes for work- ing men, the company has arranged for the erection of dwelling houses of various sizes and styles. They are being built as rapidly as demanded. The streets of the residence portion of the tract are broad and clean. The grass plots about the houses are kept in order by the company, and everything con- nected with this portion of the grounds pre- sents a picture of beauty and of health.
The American Water Works Company of Omaha, has engaged by contract to lay fifty miles of water mains in the streets of the company and erect seven hundred hydrants. This waterworks system will give to the dwellings and the industries an abundant supply of the best water. The contract when
completed will cost the company 840,000 per annum, for hydrant rental alone. A sewer system has been adopted and is in course of construction which will cost half a million dollars.
There has already been located upon these lands a number of important manufactories and others are now negotiating for sites. In order that there might be nothing wanting to render East Omaha complete, as a future manufacturing city, the managers of the company determined to provide transporta- tion for working men to and from their labor, and afford better railroad facilities. They organized the Inter-State Bridge and Street Railway Company, which constructed a street car line on Locust Avenue, from Sixteenth Street, Omaha, for a distance of two and a half miles east, past the factories and homes in East Omaha. This street car line has been in operation for over a year. Under a contract with the Omaha Street Railway Company, a system of transfers has been entered into by means of which a passenger can ride from any part of the city of Omaha or South Omaha, into East Omaha, or from East Omaha to any part of Omaha or South Omaha, for five cents. It was the design of this company to also build a bridge across the Missouri River by which railroads could enter East Omaha directly from the east. While the enlarged plans of the Omaha Bridge and Terminal Railway Company have greatly extended its territory of operation and the business it will trans- act, viz: furnish terminal facilities for all Omaha, South Omaha and Council Bluffs, the center of operation of that company will still be East Omaha. Ilere its bridge will be located. Close by will be its Omaha freight depot, and from East Omaha as a center will radiate to all parts of the two counties its terminal lines. So that while the busi- ness of the bridge company will be much larger than East Omaha, into East Omaha it will come, and to the growth of East Omaha it all will contribute. It will thus be seen
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that what South Omaha has become towards the south of the main city, East Omaha may be to the north. It is probably des- tined to become one of the largest and most prosperous manufacturing centers of the west.
OMAHA BRIDGE AND TERMINAL RAILWAY.
The origin of this important undertaking is closely connected with the history of East Omaha. In 1890, Mr. Arthur S. Potter, general manager of the East Omaha Land Company, became impressed with the belief that the interests of that company demanded better railroad facilities, and especially shorter connection with the eastern railroads terminating in Council Bluffs. 1Ie conceived the project of organizing a new company and constructing a bridge across the Mis- souri River, and presented his views to the leading members of the East Omaha Land Company. They were favorably received, and it was determined to go ahead with the scheme. Under Mr. Potter's management the new company was organized, with the name of Inter-State Bridge and Street Rail- way Company. The intention of its pro- moters was to construct and operate a street railway connecting East Omaha with Omaha and Council Bluffs, for the purpose of af- fording transportation to the workmen en- gaged in the factories located in East Omaha; also to construct a bridge across the Missouri River, between the lands of the East Omaha Land Company and the city of Couneil Bluffs, Iowa. This bridge was to afford the railroads easy access to East Omaha from the east.
After receiving from the City of Council Bluffs, a franchise to operate a street railway in that eity, on the 14th day of Jannary, 1891, an application was made to Congress for a charter to build a bridge across the Missouri River, and though it was most earnestly opposed by those who thought it in conflict with their interests, the charter was granted and approved on the 13th day of February, 1891.
Up to this time the whole design and ex- pectation of Mr. Potter, and his associates, was only to advance the interests of the East Omaha Land Company. A later and clearer comprehension of the railroad situation, in- duced him into the conclusion that there was an opportunity here for a terminal rail- road, which should possess and operate a full equipment of depots, yards and rolling- stock; and which should construct terminal and side-tracks, for the use of manufactories and other industries, into every portion of the cities of Omaha, South Omaha and Coun- cil Bluffs. Such enlarged purposes of the company called for a more extended legal authority, increased capital, and a wider range in the business to be transacted. The articles of incorporation were therefore amended. The new name, Omaha Bridge and Terminal Railway, identifies the com- pany intimately with the city. The capital stock was increased to $7,500,000, and the nature of the business to be transacted no longer confines it to the street railway and a bridge, but empowers the company to earry on all the business transacted by a railroad, while it is absolutely independent of any railroad company. All of its property is located in the City of Omaha and vicinity. Its interests are identified with those of the city, and its objeet is to foster and build up commercial and manufacturing interests here.
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