USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > Omaha: the Gate city, and Douglas County, Nebraska, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 18
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Stone Avenue was named for E. L. Stone, for many years associated with Charles H. Dewey in the furniture business in Omaha.
Templeton Street was named for W. G. Templeton, one of the founders of the Citizens Bank and its first cashier when it was incorporated in 1888.
Underwood Avenue, in Dundee, was named for W. A. Underwood, president of the American Waterworks Company, which acquired the Omaha Waterworks in 1891. Mr. Underwood was also one of the active promoters of the Nebraska Central Railroad.
Wakeley Street was named in honor of Eleazer Wakeley, who was appointed one of the territorial judges in January, 1857, by President Pierce, and who was for many years a leading member of the Omaha bar.
William Street, in the southeastern part of the city, was named by S. E. Rogers for his father, William R. Rogers, who came to Omaha in 1854 and died soon after his arrival.
Woolworth Avenue bears the name of James M. Woolworth, one of Omaha's early and best known lawyers, who was elected city attorney in 1857, a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1871, and was honored by the lawyers of the nation by being chosen president of the American Bar Association.
There are a number of streets that have been named for eminent American citizens who distinguished themselves in statesmanship or military affairs, to-wit : Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Mon- roe, Pierce, Polk, Sherman, Taylor, Washington and Webster. No explanation is necessary as to the origin of those names. In like manner, Cuming and Izard streets bear the names of the first territorial secretary and one of the territorial governors.
In the southern part of the city there is a short street, one block in length. running from Twenty-first to Twenty-second Street, which was once known as "Turkey Lane." The adoption of this name has been thus explained: "The belief is that in the early days the people living on this street were lovers of turkeys, and that these proud birds of the Thanksgiving season strutted up and down the street withont molestation."
COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The Legislature of 1911 passed an act providing that any city in the State of Nebraska might adopt what is known as the commission form of govern- ment, in the following manner :
"Within twenty days after the filing of a petition with the city clerk of any such city, signed by such a number of electors qualified to vote at the last pre- ceding general city or state election as equals 25 per centum of the votes cast for all candidates for mayor at such preceding general city election, the mayor shall by appropriate proclamation and notice call and proclaim a special election," etc .. for the purpose of submitting the question to the people.
A special election was held in Omaha, according to the provisions of the act, and the proposition to adopt the commission government carried by a suh-
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stantial majority. The first commissioners were elected on May 7, 1912, and took office on the 13th. They were James C. Dahlman, Thomas McGovern, Daniel B. Butler, Joseph B. Hummel, A. C. Kugel, John J. Ryder and Charles H. Withnell, the law requiring that in all cities having a population of 100,000 or more seven councilmen should be chosen.
The law further provided that at the first meeting of the commissioners, or councilmen, one of their number should be elected president and should be known as the mayor of the city. At the meeting on May 13, 1912, James C. Dahlman was elected mayor and the business of the city was divided into departments, each of which was placed under the control of a member of the council as super- intendent, to-wit: James C. Dahlman, department of public affairs; Thomas McGovern, public improvements; Daniel B. Butler, accounts and finance ; Joseph B. Hummel, parks and public property ; A. C. Kugel, street cleaning and main- tenance ; John J. Ryder, police and sanitation ; Charles H. Withnell, fire protec- tion and water supply.
Messrs. Dahlman, Butler, Hummel and Withnell still held their positions in the spring of 1916, but Mr. Kugel was then in charge of the department of police, sanitation and public safety ; John C. Drexel had succeeded Mr. Kugel as the head of the department of street cleaning and maintenance; and W. S. Jardine had succeeded Mr. McGovern in charge of the department of public improve- ments. Although the commission form of government has been applied only about four years at this writing, it has given abundant evidence of being superior to the old system and Omaha is moving steadily forward in its metropolitan aspirations.
GREATER OMAHA
Early in the legislative session of 1915, E. E. Howell, a state senator from Douglas County, introduced a measure providing for the consolidation of Omaha, South Omaha and the village of Dundee. The bill passed both houses and was approved on March 31, 1915. Pursuant to its provisions, Governor Morehead, on April 26, 1915, issued his proclamation calling a special election in the three municipalities for June 1, 1915, at which the electors should vote on the question of consolidation. The result of that election was 11,428 votes in favor of the proposition and 1,585 in the negative. Returns were made to the governor, who on June 10, 1915, issued a proclamation declaring "the consolidation of the cities of Omaha, South Omaha and the village of Dundee, as one city, the said consolidation to take effect and become operative ten davs after this proclama- tion is filed in the office of the city clerk of said City of Omaha." The proclama- tion was promptly filed with the city clerk and ten days later the consolidation was announced. Through the uniting of these three separate corporations was formed the "Greater Omaha."
CHAPTER XI
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS A NECESSITY-TERRITORIAL CAPITOL-FIRST COURTHOUSE SECOND COURTHOUSE-PRESENT COURTHOUSE-HISTORY AND COST OF EACH- THE POSTOFFICE-IIISTORY OF THE INSTITUTION-FIRST POSTOFFICE BUILDING -PRESENT POSTOFFICE-LIST OF POSTMASTERS SINCE 1854-THE CITY HALL- SELECTING THE SITE-LAYING TIIE CORNER STONE-COST OF BUILDING THE AUDITORIUM-ITS IIISTORY.
One of the first demands upon a new state, county or city, is that of providing suitable buildings for the transaction of the public business. The first structure of this nature in Omaha, and perhaps the first west of the Missouri River, was erected by the Council Bluffs & Nebraska Ferry Company, soon after it became known that the seat of government of Nebraska Territory was to be located at Omaha. It stood on the west side of Ninth Street, between Douglas and Farnam, opposite the center of the strip marked on the original plat as "The Park," was two stories high, 33 by 75 feet in dimensions, and was the first brick building in Omaha. The cost was about three thousand dollars. It was not a public build- ing in the sense that it belonged to the commonwealth, but it was the first building used for public purposes. During the Civil war it was used as a post hospital. A few years later it was torn down and a public school building was erected upon the site.
TERRITORIAL CAPITOL
Section 15 of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, the act which organized Nebraska as a territory, provided "That there shall hereafter be appropriated, as has been customary for the territorial governments, a sufficient amount, to be expended under the direction of the said governor of the Territory of Nebraska, not exceeding the sums heretofore appropriated for similar objects, for the erection of suitable public buildings at the seat of government," etc.
Subsequently Congress authorized the appropriation of $50,000 for the erec- tion of a territorial capitol, which was commenced under the administration of Governor Mark W. Izard. The construction of this building proved to be something of a "white elephant" to Nebraska Territory and the City of Omaha. During the third session of the Territorial Legislature, which was convened on January 5, 1857, a bill was introduced to remove the seat of government from Omaha, and the committee to which the bill was referred said in its report :
"It will be remembered that the appropriation by Congress for the purpose of Vol 1-9
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erecting a capitol was $50,000. This was deemed and is in fact amply sufficient for the purpose, if properly applied. But, by reference to the governor's message of December 18, 1855, it will be seen that the Executive indulges in the most pleasing reflections on the magnificence and grandeur of the future capitol; challenging in fact the whole architecture of the Union and at the same time estimating the cost at $79,705.79, which will appear by reference to the Council Journal of 1855, pages 6 and 7. At the last session of Congress the territory failed to get an additional appropriation, and now, after the lapse of another year, we are told by the Executive that it will be necessary to ask of Congress an additional appropriation."
About four months later the City of Omaha took a hand in the matter. George C. Bovey, senior member of the firm of Bovey & Armstrong; which had the contract for erecting the capitol, was a member of the first city council. On May 26, 1857, he introduced in the council the following resolution, which was adopted :
"Resolved, That the mayor of the City of Omaha be, and he is hereby, instructed to proceed immediately with the erection of the capitol building, expending thereon such money as there may be in the treasury appointed for that purpose, which funds he may increase at such times as he may think best. by selling the lands set apart for that purpose, or by using the credit of the city."
Following the adoption of this resolution, appropriations were made from time to time by the city until $60,000 had been appropriated. This sum, added to the $50,000 appropriated by Congress, made a total of $110,000 expended upon the building, and in his message to the Legislature of 1859 Governor Black esti- mated that a further sum of $30,000 would be required to complete the building according to the original plan. He recommended that the Legislature memorialize Congress to make the additional appropriation and expressed as his opinion that the amount would be promptly voted by the national law makers. Congress declined to make the appropriation and as a matter of fact the building never was completed. It served the purpose, however, until the seat of government was removed to Lincoln in 1867. Two years later an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the governor of the state to deed the old capitol building and site to the City of Omaha, "on or before April 1, 1869," on condition that said property should be used by the city for educational purposes only. The Omaha High School now occupies the site.
FIRST COURTHOUSE
The first mention of a courthouse in the records of Douglas County appears under date of December 27, 1856, when the commissioners voted "to levy a tax of two mills on the dollar in order to provide funds for building a court- house and jail." Then came the question of locating the building. In making the survey of Omaha the block bounded by Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Douglas and Farnam streets was set apart for public use and designated "Washington Square." Early in March, 1857, the county commissioners made overtures to the Omaha city council to enter into some sort of an arrangement by which the courthouse could be erected on that square. On the 13th the following resolution came before the council :
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BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF OMAHA ABOUT 1867
E
OLD COURTHOUSE SURROUNDED BY TREES IN THE FOREGROUND-HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DISTANCE
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"Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to make arrangements with the commissioners of Douglas County to provide for the disposition of Washington Square, in Omaha City, for the purpose of having erected thereon such buildings as may be agreed upon, to be used as a courthouse and jail, a portion of which to be appropriated for the use of Omaha City, with instructions to report to this body at its earliest convenience."
The committee appointed did not lose any time, evidently, for on the 18th a special session of the council was held "to ratify the contract made by the committee appointed to confer and stipulate with the county commissioners of Douglas County, for the appropriation of Washington Square, to be used in the erection of a courthouse and jail thereon." The contract, prepared by Charles Grant, city attorney, was signed by Jesse Lowe and Thomas Davis, two of the county commissioners, and by Taylor G. Goodwill and William N. Byers on behalf of the council. Its full text was as follows :
"Articles of agreement made and entered into the 18th day of March, 1857, at the City of Omaha, in the Territory of Nebraska, by and between the city council of Omaha of the first part, and the county commissioners of the County of Douglas, and Territory of Nebraska, of the second part, witnesseth: That the said party of the first part, in consideration of the covenants and agreement hereinafter made by the party of the second parti doth hereby agree to, and with the party of the second part that they will and do, from and after this date, lease and forever let and convey and relinquish to the said party of the second part, all right, title to, and interest in, that parcel of ground known as Wash- ington Square, and so marked and named on the plat of Omaha City, surveyed and platted by A. D. Jones, to the said party of the second part and their suc- cessors forever, for the uses and purposes of a courthouse and jail in the County of Douglas, Territory of Nebraska; and the said county commissioners are hereby authorized and empowered to give deeds for the said lots to any and all persons purchasing any part of said Washington Square, except 132 feet square of the southwest corner of said square, to be used for the purpose of building said courthouse and jail thereon, but for no other purpose, without the consent of the city council of Omaha City; and when the said party of the second part shall cease to use said property as a courthouse and jail, then the said property so used for a courthouse and jail, viz : 132 feet square of the southwest corner of said Washington Square as above, with all the buildings thereon. to revert to the party of the first part and the title to rest in the party of the first part as though the agreement conveying the same to the said party of the second part had never been made.
"And the said party of the second part, in consideration of the foregoing covenants and agreements on the part of the party of the first part, doth hereby agree to and with the said party of the first part, that they will build a good and sufficient jail and courthouse for the County of Douglas, and will furnish to the party of the first part four rooms in said building, which is to be constructed after the plan and specifications drawn by E. C. Barker-one room suitable for a council room and mayor's court room, one for a city recorder's office and two for watch houses, or for such other purposes as the council may direct, said rooms to be completed by the Ist of January, 1858."
The plans and specifications furnished by Mr. Barker contemplated a build-
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ing 40 by 70 feet, two stories in height, with a stone foundation of ten feet, which afforded a basement six feet high, the two upper stories to be of brick and the walls to be thirty-five feet from the top of the stone foundation to the cornice. Not long after the contract between the city and county was concluded the following contracts were awarded by the county commissioners for the erection of the building :
John Green, excavation and stone work. $ 1,510 Bovey & Armstrong, brick and iron work. 25,000
Boyd Brothers, carpenter, tinwork, painting and glazing. . . 11,975
Hunt & Manning, plastering 1,975
Total
$40,460
Early in April a public sale of lots in Washington Square resulted in the sale of five parcels of land for $5,870, which was turned into the courthouse fund. For a time the work of erecting the building was pushed rapidly, after which it dragged slowly for lack of means, three and six months time having been allowed in some of the lot sales in April. In June the remaining portion of the square was sold for $5,670, of which only $1,890.05 was paid in cash, notes for two and four months being taken for the deferred payments. The money derived from the sale of lots, with the 2-mill tax levied the previous December, enabled the contractors to complete the building, and on January 4. 1858, the commissioners notified the city authorities that the four rooms specified in the contract were ready for occupancy.
Then a question arose as to the city's rights in the matter, which was finally settled by a decision that the deed made by George Armstrong, as mayor, was a clear transfer, without conditions of any kind, and that the City of Omaha had no ownership in the building whatever. For a time, however, city prisoners were confined in two of the rooms in the basement.
In connection with the history of this first courthouse may be mentioned an interesting incident showing the financial condition of Douglas County as late as 1861. In November of that year the Presbyterian Society was granted per- mission to hold services in the court room on Sundays, at an annual rental of $50. In renting the court room the board of commissioners were no respecters of persons, as the room was rented for public balls at $10 per night, and for meet- ings at not less than $2. Late in the year the county clerk reported that he had received $23 from the Presbyterian Society on account, and $20 for the use of the court room two nights for public balls. He was instructed by the commis- sioners "to use $33.75 of the money to pay the express charges on a package of books addressed to the register of deeds, held by the express company for want of funds to pay charges."
SECOND COURTHOUSE
In March, 1869, the board of county commissioners, then composed of Jonas Gise, Henry Eicke and Haman Chapman, adopted the following :
"Whereas, The public interests will in a few years imperatively demand the erection of a new courthouse, jail and other county buildings, and
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"Whereas, The present site of the courthouse is wholly insufficient in and for the purpose aforesaid, and
"Whereas, it is deemed expedient that immediate action be taken to secure ample grounds for the purposes above indicated, therefore, be it
"Resolved, That the owners of property in Omaha be, and they are hereby invited to make propositions to convey to the county not less than two acres of ground for the purpose aforesaid, in some convenient and acceptable location, and that such propositions shall be received until the Ist day of May, 1869."
No further reference to this resolution appears in the county commissioners' records, probably for the reason that no propositions were submitted, no one hav- ing a tract of two acres "in some convenient and acceptable location" that he was willing to sell to the county for a courthouse site.
Nothing definite toward the erection of a new courthouse was done until 1878, when the commissioners purchased the block bounded by Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Farnam and Harney streets for a site. The following year a jail was built on the southwest corner of this square at a cost of $35,000. An election was then ordered to be held in November, 1880, at which the voters of the county expressed themselves in favor of a bond issue of $125,000 for a new courthouse, the building to cost not more than $150.000. The vote on this proposition was 3.550 for and 1.541 against the bond issue. Plans and specifica- tions were submitted by several architects and those of E. E. Myers, of Detroit, Mich., were accepted, with a proviso that the courthouse, including the heating plant, should not exceed $139,000. Before contracts could be let there was a substantial advance in the prices of building materials and the original estimate of $139,000 was found to be too low. In November, 1881, the question of increasing the cost of the building to $198,000 was submitted to the people, who voted to issue an additional $50,000 of bonds. The contract for the erection of the building was then awarded to John F. Coots, of Detroit, for $198,616.
The corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies on October 25, 1882, and the work on the structure progressed rapidly under the superintendency of D. L. Shane, who had been appointed by the commissioners. Changes in the plans as the work went on brought the total cost of the building up to $204,787. About the middle of May the commissioners announced that the new courthouse would be formally received from the contractor on May 28, 1885, and extended an invitation to the public to visit and inspect the building on that date. A large number of people accepted the invitation and all were enthusiastic in their praises of Douglas County's new courthouse. In the evening formal dedicatory exer- cises were conducted in the main court room. George W. Ambrose presided and addresses were made by Judges Eleazer Wakeley, James Neville and James W. Savage, John C. Cowin and Commissioner Richard O'Keefe. The general tenor of the speeches was that Douglas County had a courthouse that would answer every purpose for many years, but the continued growth of the City of Omaha and the increase in the volume of county business made it apparent in less than a quarter of a century that the courthouse of 1885 was too small and not arranged to meet the constantly increasing demand. An agitation of the question was therefore started that culminated in the erection of
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THE PRESENT COURTHOUSE
On Tuesday, March 17, 1908, the following resolution was unanimously adopted by the board of county commissioners :
"Be it resolved by the board of county commissioners of the County of Douglas, State of Nebraska, that at a special election of the qualified voters of said County of Douglas, which is hereby called to be held on the 5th day of May, A. D. 1908, there shall be submitted to the voters of said county the propo- sition to issue and sell the negotiable bonds of the County of Douglas to and in the sum of $1,000,000, for the purpose of aiding in the construction, erection and completion of a courthouse building upon the site now occupied by the courthouse of said county, for county purposes and all other purposes for which such courthouse may be legally used; all the cost and expenses of the construc- tion of said building not to exceed the sum derived from the sale of said bonds and the salvage or the proceeds thereof from the buildings and improvements now on the courthouse square of said county ; said bonds to be coupon bonds payable to bearer, and to bear date of October I, A. D. 1908."
The resolution also set forth that the bonds should bear 4 per cent interest, payable semi-annually, that the first $50,000 of the bonds should become due and payable ten years after date and $50,000 annually thereafter until 1928, when the remainder of $500,000 should become due; that they should be issued in the denomination of $1.000 each, numbered from 1 to 1,000 inclusive, and that they should not be sold at less than par value. To provide for the payment of the interest and the redemption of the bonds, the resolution also provided for the submission to the voters of this proposition :
"And shall the board of county commissioners of said Douglas County be authorized to levy annually upon all the taxable property in said county a tax sufficient to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall accrue, and shall the board of county commissioners be authorized to levy annually upon all the taxable property in said county, beginning with the year 1917 and continuing until the maturity of said bonds, a tax sufficient to provide a sinking fund for the redemption of said bonds at maturity, said annual tax for sinking fund pur- poses to be equal to one-tenth of the principal of said bonds?"
At the special election on Tuesday, May 5. 1908. 4,249 of the votes cast were in favor of the propositions to issue the bonds and provide for a sinking fund, 2.320 were opposed and 12 voted blank ballots. On the 8th the commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing the issue of the bonds.
Record E. page 398, shows that on July 8. 1908. the commissioners entered into a contract with John Latenser. an architect of Omaha, to make plans and specifications for a courthouse, the cost of which should not exceed $1,000,000. His work was completed early the following year and on April 9. 1009, the con- traet for the erection of the building was awarded to Caldwell & Drake, of Columbus, Ind. for $824,846. Through some subsequent modifications the contract price was reduced to $822.571. On page 46 of the county clerk's report for the year 1913 appears the following itemized statement of the cost of the new courthouse :
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