Some time after these bonds were issued and turned over to the railroad

company some legal point was raised touching their validity, and this

together with the fact that the financial standing of the railroad

company in the east among the iron manufacturers was not first class,

made it necessary that some other plan should be adopted to procure the

iron rails to build the road to Cedar Rapids. Heretofore they had found

it practicable to survey and locate and grade a road and pay for the

same in farm products, dry goods and groceries, etc. But when it came

to buying iron from the manufacturers it required the cash or a

suitable collateral. But our people were ready to meet this unforeseen

emergency. Six of our early and more wealthy citizens made notes of

$8,000.00 each, each note being signed by each of the other gentlemen,

making a joint note of each one and together amounting to the

$48,000.00. These notes were to be used as collateral and to strengthen

up their credit, so that the iron rails could be bought and the road

completed to this city. This was purely accommodation paper and the

road contracted that the interest and principal of these notes should

be paid by the railroad company from the first net earnings of the

company, but in the early years of the road there were no net earnings.

It was only by the most economical management that the operating

expenses could be met, and several years elapsed before these notes

given to aid the railroad were fully paid. The gentlemen aiding in the

early construction of the first railroad to Cedar Rapids were Gabriel

Carpenter, George Greene, Sampson C. Bever, J. J. Snouffer, and two

others whose names are not remembered.

After the railroad was completed and in operation to this place little

was said in regard to these city bonds. In the proceedings of the city

council June 13, 1860, a resolution was passed authorizing E. H.

Steadman, the mayor of the city, to represent the city at the annual

meeting of the stockholders of the C., I. & N. Ry., which was to be

held in Clinton at a later date.

On January 25, 1861, a committee was appointed consisting of the mayor,

I. N. Whittam, and Alderman G. Livensbarger who were to examine into

the legal condition of the city in relation to the $100,000.00 worth of

city bonds already issued for railroad purposes. What this

investigating committee did, and what their conclusions were, are not

matters of record. Nothing more is said in any of the proceedings of

the city council in regard to this matter until May 8, 1863, when it

appears from the preamble of a resolution introduced that the railroad

company was calling upon the city authorities to comply with the terms

of the contract entered into when the bonds were issued, which was that

the city should pay the interest on such bonds after the completion of

the road to this place.

The road had been finished and in operation some two years and still no

interest had been paid and the city made no efforts to collect any sum

for such purpose. At the meeting of the council May 8, 1863, a

resolution was introduced asking that a committee be appointed to

investigate and report on the recorded facts bearing upon this matter

of railroad bonds from its inception to this date. Aldermen McClelland,

Denlinger and Slonaker were desirous of having light on the subject and

voted for an investigation, but Aldermen Bever, Carroll and Stibbs

voted in the negative, and this being a tie vote it was decided by the

mayor, who also voted in the negative.

At the council meeting held June 11, 1864, another committee to

investigate was appointed who was authorized to procure legal advice in

regard to the liability of the city and also meet and confer with the

officers of the railroad company, and this committee consisting of

Aldermen McClelland and E. H. Steadman reported back to the council

that they had procured legal advice in the matter and from all data and

facts collected their attorney was of the opinion that the railroad

company had no legal claims against the city and that the bonds were

illegal and void.

In October of 1864 the same subject came up in the city council and a

committee of three consisting of S. C. Bever, H. C. Angle and John

Weare were appointed to confer with the railroad company and get the

best terms of settlement they could, either by taking reissued stock in

payment or a certain amount of money yearly in full settlement. This

committee were prompt in their investigations and reported back to the

council November 4, 1864. Their report was that they had a conference

with the railroad company and the best compromise they could obtain was

this:

First. That the city surrender to the company all its claims to stock

in said road.

Second. The railroad company would then return to the city $90,000.00

worth of the city bonds already issued together with all coupons on the

balance, leaving in the hands of the company $10,000.00 worth with all

coupons cut off to date. This surrendering of bonds to in no way affect

the legality of the bonds retained, the legal points to be settled

later.

At the meeting of the council Alderman Bever introduced a resolution

covering all the points made in the report of the committee that the

city surrender the stock and that the railroad company return the

$90,000.00 worth of bonds, leaving outstanding and in the hands of the

railroad company $10,000.00 worth of city bonds.

On the yeas and nays being called the following aldermen voted yea:

Bever, Denlinger, Holland and Slonaker, and in the negative, Alderman

McClelland, and the resolution was declared adopted.

Alderman McClelland then at once offered his resignation as alderman

from the Third ward and his resignation was as promptly accepted and

Wm. Richmond elected as his successor.

Nothing more appears in the records of the city council bearing on this

question of railroad bonds until June 29, 1866, when Alderman Adams of

the Third ward introduced a resolution that a committee of one

consisting of Alderman Snouffer be appointed to confer and negotiate

with Horace Williams, agent of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska railroad,

for the surrender of the outstanding bonds, and he was authorized to

release and exonerate the railroad company from performing certain acts

they had previously agreed to do. One was the grading of Jefferson

street and another was the grading of the North city park and the

building a fence of oak posts around said park, both of which they had

failed to do. These agreements of the railroad company the city would

relinquish, provided the railroad company would return the balance of

the city bonds in their hands, amounting to $10,000.00.

It is presumed that Alderman Snouffer failed to make these negotiations

with Horace Williams as instructed by the city council, at least there

is nothing in the records to show that this committee of one ever made

any report on this subject to the city council.

At the meeting of the city council held May 15, 1868, another committee

was appointed to investigate and try to induce the railroad company to

relinquish and return these outstanding city bonds and it is fair to

presume that the committee accomplished something in that direction as

at a subsequent meeting held June 26, 1868, Alderman Leach moved that

the city treasurer be authorized to receive the city bonds now in the

possession of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad and receipt for same.

This is the last record to be found in the proceedings of the city

council bearing on this subject of city bonds.

Going back to the time the railroad was built into Cedar Rapids it will

be remembered that little value was placed on the stock. People

subscribed for the stock and paid their subscriptions as called for

more to encourage the building of the road than for an investment.

Nearly every citizen had some few shares of the stock. They had all

done their share in getting the road here according to each one's means

and financial ability, and held their stock in the road. It was then

that men of means with confidence in the rapid growth and advancement

of this great state of Iowa began in a private way gathering up this

stock of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R., buying up from the small

holders their stock at prices from 25 to 35 cents on the dollar of the

par value and in a few years the small holders had parted with their

holdings and in 1865 there was little or no stock of the Chicago, Iowa

& Nebraska R. R. to be had and in the latter part of that year the road

was merged into the Chicago & Northwestern system. At what price per

share the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska went into the Northwestern is not

positively known, but it is generally supposed that one share of the

Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R. was good for about three shares of the

new consolidated Chicago & Northwestern.

SOME OF THE EARLY BRICK HOUSES IN CEDAR RAPIDS

Charles Weare used to say that there was a brick building on the Y. M.

C. A. corner which was torn down many years ago, and which was supposed

to be one of the first brick buildings in Cedar Rapids; it was occupied

by Ingham Wood as a store building. Porter Earle erected one of the

first, if not the first, brick building at the corner of First avenue

and Second street where the Union Block is now standing, which was one

of the most commodious buildings of its kind in the city for many

years. The Michael Bryan family erected one of the first dwelling

houses of brick about where N. E. Brown's home now stands in 1849 or

1850, and for many years it was one of the best equipped houses in the

city and the west. This house had an open fire place in every room, and

consisted of eight rooms. The house was built according to the southern

style of architecture. Another member of the Bryan family erected a

stone and cement house about the same time at the corner of Third

avenue and Second street, which building was later occupied by the

family of William Greene.

D. M. McIntosh erected a one-story brick building near the present

library in 1850 or 1851, which building is still standing. About the

same time the father of James Snyder erected a brick dwelling which

stood on South Third street near where the Vardy cottage is located.

Greene's Hotel on First street was a brick structure erected between

1854 and 1855; it had an eighty feet front and ran back toward the

river about eighty feet. The picture of this building shows that it was

a four-story structure, although many claim that it was only a

three-story building. This buildup was erected by J. J. Snouffer; for

many years it was the largest and best equipped hotel in this part of

the west.

Part of the residence of Dr. Skinner was erected by George Berg and was

one of the most complete brick structures in this city. Elihu Baker

also erected a brick residence on the property now occupied by Dr. H.

W. Bender about the early '50s. Sampson C. Bever erected a brick

building on the premises where the Rock Island offices now stand, being

a two story structure similar to the Spangler residence which was

erected later across the street. In this structure Mr. Bever installed

the first hot air furnace used in Cedar Rapids, and a great many of the

early settlers came to inspect the house, and especially to examine the

hot air furnace which was a new thing in those days.

J. S. Cook in the early days erected a brick structure on the corner of

A avenue and Fifth street, which was one of the fine homes for many

years in this city. S. A. Shattuck built in the early '50s a brick

structure on Sixth avenue and Fifth street. John Newell, during the

years 1855 and 1856, erected a double brick structure at the corner of

Fifth street and Seventh avenue. The old Seabury house on Eighth avenue

was erected prior to 1860 and for many years was a landmark in that end

of town. The Barthel house which stood where the Majestic Theatre now

stands was one of the early brick veneer houses in the city and was

occupied by many of the prominent families from time to time.

R. C. Rock, one of the early merchants, erected a brick house in the

early days on the premises where George Williams has since erected a

magnificent mansion. Dr. Wilman, Dr. J. L. Enos and Dr. S. D. Carpenter

erected brick houses in the early days which were landmarks along

Second avenue up toward Tenth street. The Lawson Daniels brick

residence was on First avenue between Second and Third streets

adjoining the Thomas Building, and adjoining this was the dwelling of

Dr. Thomas, a friend of J. J. Snouffer and a native of Maryland; Dr.

Thomas returned to his native state in the '50s. Adjoining these brick

dwellings was also another brick building erected by the old pioneer H.

G. Angle and occupied by him as a residence for many years.

Another substantial brick dwelling was erected by John Graves on B

avenue and Fourth street, being a two-story brick building with an

upper and lower porch. The old Gillette house was on the east side of

Fifth street where William S. Bye now resides; it was known as the

Gillette house. Mr. Gillette being the brother-in-law of the late W. D.

Watrous.

Another large and commodious brick dwelling house was a two-story

structure erected on Fifth street between B and C avenues and near what

is known now as Whittam Park. Adjoining this was the Koontz house,

occupied by Dr. Koontz and his family for many years. The Tryon house

was also a brick structure erected near the corner of Third avenue and

Second street; Mr. Tryon was a surveyor and well known in the early

days.

Nearly all the brick used in the early days was made by a Mr. Geeslan

who operated a brick yard near what is now known as the "Lame Johnny"

place. Brick was cheap, labor was low and the cost of erecting these

dwellings in that day was much lower than later. It is said that Sam

Stambaugh in the early days worked as a brick mason and walked home to

Bertram every night, the wages paid being about $1.00 a day, which was

considered high. It is also said that during the '50s Cedar Rapids had

more commodious homes than any other town of its size in Iowa. It was

made up largely of a brainy, wide-awake, enterprising lot of men, such

as N. B. Brown, H. G. Angle, the Greenes, Earles, Elys, Daniels, Macks,

Weares, Bevers, and many others who had drifted into the town and who

soon built up an enterprising little town, engaging in various

ventures, not always successful, but they had Cedar Rapids before the

world so that they finally landed the railroad which henceforth made

the town. It is said by the late Charles Weare that "when they first

started a newspaper there were no settlers in the town, but they had to

use a newspaper to boom the town with."

SOME STRENUOUS DAYS IN THE OLDEN TIMES

FROM THE CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 1906

An ordinance creating a fire department was introduced in the council

in January, 1869, and it was passed February 12, 1869. This ordinance

was lengthy. It stipulated what officers should be appointed, what

their duties were, how many fire companies to each engine, how many men

to each company and many other details. One of the provisions of this

first and original ordinance was that the fire chief should be

appointed by the council.

On March 12, 1869, the fire company which had already been organized

but not officially recognized by the city council, presented a petition

to the council, asking that P. C. Lusk be appointed as fire chief. At a

subsequent meeting a vote was taken on the election of a fire chief

with the following result:

P. C. Lusk, who was the choice of the fire department, received four

votes and J. J. Snouffer one vote. Lusk having received a majority of

the votes cast was declared elected chief of the fire department. At

the meeting held April 9, 1869, the chief of the fire department

presented the names of the members of the first company which was

styled "The Steam Fire Engine Co., No. 1." It was organized under

Ordinance No. 78. Mr. Lusk reported the names of sixty members,

including officers, and asked the council to confirm them, which was

done.

The officers of this company were as follows:

Foreman--Geo. A. Lincoln.

Assistant Foreman--M. T. Bell.

Secretary--E. W. S. Otto.

Treasurer--W. B. Stewart.

Hose Captain--D. A. Dingman.

Assistant Hose Captain--N. H. Martin.

Engineer--W. Berkley.

Stoker--H. S. Gilmore.

Some of the "high privates" in this first organized fire company of

Cedar Rapids were as follows: Al Jacobs, Richard Cornish, C. E. Calder,

Lyman Ayers, Geo. Rhodes, Ed. Buttolph, John H. Smith, H. S. Bever, H.

E. Witwer, H. Hale, Geo. Hasse, John Bryan, Walter L. Clark, L. L.

Cone, Chas. L. Morehead, A. S. Mershon, Ely E. Weare, James Snyder,

John Shearer, Baxter McQuinn, W. J. Wood, Richard Moorhead, Don Harris,

Lowell Bressler, N. Rudolph, Ira Taft, and twenty-seven others.

[Illustration: MONTROSE HOTEL, CEDAR RAPIDS]

Early in April a hook and ladder company was organized and on April 16,

1869, was confirmed by the council as a part of the fire department of

Cedar Rapids. The officers of the company were as follows:

Foreman--S. D. Fleck.

First Assistant--J. S. Dickinson.

Secretary--Geo. A. Gault.

Recorder and Treasurer--J. G. Krebs.

Samuel A. Lilly. H. C. Morehead, James Fowler, P. C. Garrett, J. C.

Adams, Samuel Spalding, J. A. Hart, Joseph Lilly, J. M. Chambers, T.

Snook, J. J. Calder, G. M. Howlett, C. D. Pettibone and six others

constituted the active membership of this organization.

The official life of Chief Engineer Lusk was very brief and was marked

by continued strife and dissension among the members of the department.

He became _persona non grata_ to the council and charges were preferred

against him. July 13, 1869, Alderman Hill introduced a resolution

reciting that while the chief engineer could not be declared guilty of

intentional fraud he was indiscreet in many things and his influence

for good in the department had been so impaired that his resignation

was demanded. This did the business, and on July 23 he resigned. W. B.

Leach was appointed chief engineer for the remainder of the term, and

peace and good feeling prevailed in the department.

In March, 1870, after the inauguration of the new council of which W.

B. Leach was mayor, a petition of the fire department was presented in

which they asked the council to appoint Geo. A. Lincoln as chief

engineer of the department. Another petition was also presented, signed

by many citizens, asking that W. D. Watrous be appointed chief engineer

of the department. On the 25th of March, a ballot being ordered, Geo.

A. Lincoln received three votes and W. D. Watrous three votes,

whereupon the mayor voted for Lincoln and declared him elected to the

position of chief engineer, and on the 26th day of March he was duly

qualified and took the oath of office.

Shortly after Mr. Lincoln assumed the authority vested in the office of

chief engineer of the fire department, an element of discord arose in

the council and an effort was made to secure by legislation and

diplomacy what they had failed to accomplish when the vote was taken in

March.

It was thought the original ordinance passed in January, 1869, was

faulty and should be amended and the ordinance committee was directed

to make such amendments as were necessary or to prepare an entirely new

ordinance.

During the summer of 1870 the committee had prepared an ordinance which

was practically the same as the old one. The only radical change was in

the manner of electing a chief engineer. The new ordinance placed the

election of the officer with the electors after the year 1870 and a new

section was added which read as follows:

"No person shall be eligible to the office of chief engineer unless he

be a resident of said city at least one year and shall have attained

the age of twenty-five years."

To understand the force of this last clause in the ordinance it will be

necessary to remark that at this time Mr. Lincoln was only twenty-three

years old. This ordinance, the records say, was passed July 29, 1870,

but it was found necessary to amend it and it was not until ordinance

No. 98 was passed on September 30, 1870, that the council felt safe in

electing a new chief engineer to take the place of the one so skilfully

legislated out of office. On the 15th of October, 1870, A. R. West

became the chief engineer of the fire department by the vote of the

council. After the election of Mr. Lincoln during the spring and summer

of 1870 it was uncertain whether the city of Cedar Rapids had a fire

department or not, and it was also a question as to the authority

possessed by the chief. There was much discord and bitterness among

some of the members of the fire organizations. The city council was far

from being harmonious and rarely acted in unison in legislating for the

well being of the fire department. The citizens who had labored long

and earnestly in this work of procuring fire apparatus felt that they

had a right to demand that this bickering and personal contention

between the organized fire department and the duly elected city council

should be ended, but the strife continued. Early in the administration

of Mr. Lincoln as chief of the department a communication was presented

to the city council in which the petitioners, after recounting their

many grievances, made the claim that the election of Mr. Lincoln was

unparliamentary, unfair and contrary to the wishes of the department

and to a great majority of the property holders, and that while the

petitioners were willing to obey all ordinances of the city and the

ruling of any legally appointed officer as chief of the fire

department, they did not consider themselves lawfully bound to give any

heed or attention to the said Geo. A. Lincoln. That they as members of

the fire department would pay no attention to the said unlawfully

elected chief engineer nor to any order coming from him. This petition

was signed by Sam Neidig, C. W. Eaton, G. M. Howlett, Sam Lilly, Chas.

Hubbard, J. C. Adams, Thos. Snook, and fifteen others.

Some time later the chief engineer made a report to the city council as

the ordinance directed he should do, giving the necessary information

in regard to the efficiency of the department and its probable needs

for the future, but the council refused to accept it as the report of

the chief engineer, making the broad claim that there was no fire

department or a legally elected chief engineer and this was backed up

by the opinion of the city attorney. Mr. Lincoln, not to be thwarted by

the city council in refusing to listen to his report, was obliged to

have it published in the city papers and some extracts are made here,

showing the friendly feeling existing between him and some members of

the city council. He reported that the steam engine was in good shape

excepting that the grate had burned out and the committee on the fire

department had refused to get it repaired. The hose was poor and not in

condition to stand the pressure necessary in case of a large fire. This

was owing to the committee on fire refusing to have the tower on the

city hall arranged so the hose could be hung up to dry after having

been used. Many small bills for supplies used by the department, and

which were necessary for the running of the steamer, were hung up and

not allowed, and in speaking of the cistern which the city had built he

reports that one of the aldermen had the keys of the same and refused

to turn them over to him and as to the amount of water in same he could

make no report.

After the election of Mr. A. R. West to the position of chief engineer,

the old original No. 1 Fire Engine Company, or a large proportion of

its members, at one of its meetings passed the following resolution:

"Whereas, The city council has seen proper to persecute and

finally to declare us not an organized fire company, and

"Whereas, We who compose the Fire Engine Company No. 1 have

since organization labored faithfully to make the department

as efficient as possible and have in all cases discharged

our duties as firemen, therefore

"Resolved, That we turn over to the city council all the

fire apparatus in our possession. That we refuse to offer

our services as firemen so long as any member of the city

council who has been persistent in our persecution shall

remain in said council.

"Resolved, That we condemn the city council in thus

deliberately and intentionally using their power to cripple

and destroy the efficiency of the fire department.

"Resolved, That we preserve our company organization and

that each and every one refuse to touch, use or handle any

of the fire apparatus belonging to the city of Cedar

Rapids."

This old, original company, No. 1, was then a fire company to all

intents and purposes, acting under the original organization, with most

of the original members belonging, but they had no apparatus, no

engines, nothing to use in case of fire. But this did not long remain.

A subscription was started among the members of the company, and they

with the aid of their friends and citizens soon had subscribed a sum

sufficient to buy a substantial hand engine of a late pattern, together

with 5,000 feet of new hose, a new hose cart, and also to put up a

comfortable and neat engine house in which to hold their meetings and

to shelter their engine and the other necessary equipment.

This engine was purchased of Josiah Gates & Son, Lowell, Mass., and

cost the sum of $800, which amount was paid in cash from the proceeds

of the many subscriptions. It was called the E. S. Hill Independent

Fire Company, in honor of E. S. Hill who was the patron saint in all

their contentions with the city council, being an alderman from the

First ward, and also one of the most liberal subscribers to the fund to

procure the engine, he having led the subscription list with $200.00.

The hose cart was procured from Quincy, Ill., where it had been

previously used by that city, and cost $300.00 all complete. The hose

to the amount of 500 feet cost the sum of $500.00. The material for the

building of the engine house was obtained free from the local dealers

and the construction was almost all done by the members of the company.

After this company had procured their apparatus and were domiciled in

their new building they developed into a very aggressive company of

fire fighters, and it was the boast of some of its members that they

could get out to a fire, extinguish the flames and be ready to return

home before the steam engine company could get to the fire and be ready

to work.

A. R. West, who had been duly elected chief engineer of the fire

department, together with John T. Hamilton, who was appointed assistant

fire engineer, succeeded after much labor in bringing order out of the

chaos that had so long existed in the affairs of the fire department.

The steam engine, together with the hook and ladder equipment, was put

into the hands of a newly organized company, most of the members of

which had not been identified with any of the previous unpleasantness

between the council and the fire department.

For the next five years Cedar Rapids had two fire departments, the one

belonging to the city and under municipal control, and the other

denominated the "Independent," owning their own equipment and subject

to no official orders from the city.

This continued until the advent of the Cedar Rapids Water Co., who put

in their system of waterworks and established hydrants in all parts of

the city.

MRS. ROCK'S REMINISCENCES

Mrs. R. C. Rock, one of the earliest of the pioneers, is still living

in a serene and vigorous old age. She is a relative of Judge Greene,

and came west to Dubuque in 1849 at his request to assist him in

getting out his first volume of Iowa Reports, which was printed in New

York. She later came to Cedar Rapids with the judge and assisted

materially in getting ready for the press and in proof reading the

matter for the other volumes of his Reports. The members of the supreme

court would frequently gather in Cedar Rapids in chambers to prepare

their opinions and to O. K. them for publication. Mrs. Rock did much of

the law copying for these judges. Their decisions were turned over to

her to record and to edit for publication. She says Judge Williams was

flowery in his language and it became necessary to do a good deal of

trimming of his decisions so as to condense them properly before

publication, as attorneys were not so much interested in the language

of the court as they were in getting quickly at the meat of the

decisions. Mrs. Rock did not hesitate to do a great amount of pruning,

with the result that Judge Greene received many compliments over the

improvements noted in his second volume as compared with the matter

that appeared in the first publication.

For a time Mrs. Rock did editorial work on the _Progressive Era_, which

was published from the Greene Bros. building. J. O. Stewart was then

"devil" in the office, and many a time brought to her the proofs of her

contributions. The files of this early Linn county newspaper were

burned in a fire which destroyed the publication office, so that now

there are in existence but a few scattered issues. An early one was

given a few years ago to the Masonic Library by Mrs. Rock who found it

by accident among some of her effects.

Mrs. Rock came west by boat from Buffalo to Milwaukee, and then by

stage to Dubuque in 1849. The next year she removed to Cedar Rapids,

coming here by stage over the Old State Road laid out from Iowa City to

Dubuque by Engineer Barney of Washington, D. C. This road was a very

crooked one. His son, W. J. Barney, on being twitted about its many

windings replied that he believed his father was entirely sober when he

staked out the route, and that its numerous windings were necessary to

avoid the sloughs and swamps.

Mrs. Rock well remembers some of the trips she made on the old stage

from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids. It was customary to make 25 miles of the

journey the first day. On one trip on arriving at the usual stopping

place it was found impossible to obtain any hay for the weary horses.

After a further drive of five miles a stop was made at a farm cabin, it

being customary for the settlers at any place to provide entertainment

for travellers. Here they found feed for the horses, but they were told

there was no bread or flour in the house, the man not having returned

from the distant mill with his grist. There was some milk, and at last

a little flour or meal was discovered. The two were mixed and put in a

pan on the stove to cook. Unfortunately it was so badly burned that it

could not be eaten, and the travelers were compelled to go to bed

supperless. During the night the man returned with his grist, and Mrs.

Rock and party had a fairly good breakfast of saleratus biscuits and

pork.

One day while living in Cedar Rapids Mrs. Rock learned of the Spirit

Lake massacre. She states the people here for a time had a genuine

Indian scare, but nothing came of it.

Mrs. Rock has distinct recollections of prairie fires here. She says

they were beautiful but terrible to behold. They were especially

prevalent every fall on the west side, and many a time has she seen the

bright flames cover the hills that are now incorporated in the city of

Cedar Rapids. Judge Greene had early planted a large orchard at Mound

Farm, and once after it had borne fruit for a number of years it was

threatened with destruction from a prairie fire. All Cedar Rapids went

out to help fight the flames. They saved the orchard at this time, but

later the trees were killed by an unusually severe winter.

The ladies of Cedar Rapids were very patriotic during the war years.

They made all the uniforms for the boys of Col. T. Z. Cook's company,

and supplied them with generous quantities of bandages and lint. It

happened that after the severe engagement at Wilson's Creek those

bandages were the only ones available on the field. Mrs. Rock's

brother, then 18 years old, enlisted under Colonel Cook. After the

hundred days for which the company had entered the service he

re-enlisted under Captain Stibbs, being wounded at Ft. Donelson. He

then again entered the army under Captain Coulter, father of Ed.

Coulter now living in Cedar Rapids, and was later killed in the south.

Captain Coulter's company was known as the "Brindle Brigade," because

it was made up of men from so many regiments that had disbanded.

There were some lawless people among the earliest settlers, says Mrs.

Rock, and they occasionally appropriated a horse or two, necessitating

some corrective action by the community. On one occasion N. B. Brown

borrowed a horse from a man whose discipline was decreed and went to

Westport to secure tar for the purpose. At dusk the horse was returned

to the barn. C. C. Cook seized the individual, assisted by Gainor and

others. His legs were tied and he was taken to the side hill on B

avenue where his clothes were removed and he was treated to a coat of

tar and feathers. The following day he appeared among his fellows, and

my relator states there was "not even a smell of tar about him," but

the treatment proved effectual.

One of the early settlers, Joe Leverich, had a fine library, was a

great reader, a shrewd observer of human character, and his descendants

are people of intelligence and high morality. Among those who came

later were Dr. J. F. Ely and Dr. S. D. Carpenter in 1849, Judge Greene

in 1850. They were men of education and attainment. Soon followed Miss

Legare of Washington, D. C., the Bryans, and Stoneys from Charleston,

S. C., A. S. Belt, a lawyer, son of Commodore Belt, of Maryland, the

Taylors from Virginia, and many others whose character and culture gave

moral and mental tone to the growing community. In religious

intercourse a broad and kindly feeling characterized all, and now in

1910, the same feeling prevails. The Daniels brothers erected a store,

three stories, where the Masonic Temple now stands. In 1849 the Green

Brothers erected a three-story brick building diagonally across, the

first floor being used for merchandizing, the second for Judge Greene's

office and ware rooms. In one large room in this building Miss Calder,

from New York, opened a school for girls in the fall of 1850. In a hall

on the third floor, a Masonic lodge was organized the same year. Miss

Calder [Mrs. Rock] drew designs for the emblems and attended to making

the aprons.

The first district school house was built several years previous on the

lot on Second avenue and Fifth street. The Cedar Rapids Business

College is now located on this site. This was used also for religious

services on Sunday. Squire Abbe's daughter taught the first school, and

Miss Louisa Roberts, daughter of the Congregational minister, the

second. Squire Abbe was a member of the Territorial Legislature.

Miss Calder's school prospered; and two other teachers were secured;

one from New York for the piano, and another, Miss Parkhurst, to assist

in the English branches. She was a recent graduate from Miss Sill's

seminary at Rockford, Illinois. Miss Calder herself continued with some

of the English grades, also with French and Drawing. Pupils were

attracted from neighboring towns, Marion, Vinton, Dubuque, Muscatine,

Burlington, Fairfield, etc., but after a few years, failing health

caused her to relinquish it to two young ladies from Ohio, and within

two years it ceased to exist. The following year Miss Calder married R.

C. Rock, a hardware merchant. About the same date the Rev. Williston

Jones, Presbyterian minister, opened a school for boys in his private

residence, and after a few months turned it over to Mr. Blakeley, when

it was transferred to the "Little Muddy" church. Mr. Blakeley's public

examination was the occasion of a lampoon by Dr. S. D. Carpenter, but

he was a fine man and a good teacher. Geo. E. W. Leonard was financial

agent for this school.

These efforts resulted in Rev. Mr. Jones securing from Daniel Coe, of

Green county, New York, a gift of $1,000.00 with which was purchased

eighty acres of land adjoining the town, a part of which is now

occupied by Coe College and from which numerous lots were sold to aid

in establishing this school. The first college building was erected by

subscription of the citizens. The only surviving incorporator of the

institution is Dr. Seymour D. Carpenter, now residing in Chicago, aged

about eighty-four.

The first religious services were Methodist, held in the district

school house, and their circuit riders came every two weeks. They

organized a Sunday school and insisted on a union school. The

Presbyterians, New School, effected the first organization in 1847 in

Mr. Vardy's shop, corner Third street and Sixth avenue. They, too,

worshiped in the school house. Dr. Ely read the sermons, but their

first minister, Mr. Roberts, of Marion, was a Congregationalist. He was

succeeded by Rev. W. Jones, before mentioned. The first Episcopal

clergyman was Rev. James Keeler, who found an occasional opening for

service in the school house, but soon came to using Miss Calder's

school room for regular Sunday service.

WHEN LAND WAS DIRT CHEAP IN CEDAR RAPIDS

Real estate investments have always been successful and profitable in

Cedar Rapids, and probably will always continue to be so. As shown in

other articles, the land upon which Cedar Rapids is built was

originally owned by five men, Judge Greene, Nicholas Brown, Addison

Daniels, Wm. Sanford, and Alexander Ely. The division of the property

was made in 1849 as is shown elsewhere, and it is from that time that

most of the real estate transfers were made. All the gentlemen made

fortunes from their speculations.

How these five gentlemen came to be possessed of all the land in the

city of Cedar Rapids would make an interesting story, especially if the

prices they paid for each lot could be secured. They doubtless bought

up the claims for almost nothing. We get some inkling of how the lots

came into their possession by a curious old document which was

deposited by Mr. C. G. Greene with the curator of the museum for the

semi-centennial week.

The property mentioned in it is the Grand Hotel corner, and this is a

copy of it:

"Received, Cedar Rapids, Sept. 7, 1848, of John L. Shearer,

one yoke of oxen valued at thirty-five dollars, in full for

Lot 9 in block No. 23 in the town of Cedar Rapids.

"Geo. Greene."

But it appears that Judge Greene did not think he had a very great

bargain, for only seven months later, in May of the following year, the

county records show that this same lot upon which the Grand Hotel now

stands, and forty feet additional, 120×150 feet in all, was sold by

Judge Greene back to John L. Shearer for $75. Up to 1865 it passed

through several hands, with slightly increased value, when it was sold

by Henry McBride to Charles Weare for $1,100. Weare sold immediately to

S. B. Fleek for $1,500, and Fleek sold it in 1871 to E. M. Greene for

$9,000. In 1877 Greene sold 80×140 feet to John T. Waterhouse for

$10,000, and this property which originally brought $75, could not now

be purchased, if unimproved, for less than $100,000. It is now held by

a syndicate.

William Stewart originally owned the ground where the Cook & Laurance

store used to be located. He traded an Indian pony for it in the early

days, and held it until 1873, when he sold it for $7,500.

The property upon which the Calder buildings now stand, 60×140 feet,

was also originally owned by Judge Greene. He sold it to Alexander Ely,

who sold it to Harvey Higley and Samuel Hook, and they in turn sold it,

in 1850, to Frederick Miles for $82. Miles held it until 1875, when he

sold it for $1,500. Mr. Calder's friends told him at the time that he

was throwing his money away, but now it doesn't look that way, as the

land unimproved would sell for many times that sum.

Where the Golden Eagle store is now located, 60×140 feet was sold in

1848 by James M. Berry to Homer Bishop for $150. After passing through

several hands the ground was purchased by P. Mullally and W. W. and M.

A. Higley, who, in 1874, sold 60×140 feet of it to John T. Waterhouse

for $12,300.

The ground where George A. Mullin's store is located, 120×140 feet, was

sold by Mary A. Ely in 1853, to D. M. McIntosh, for $350. H. G. Angle

bought it in 1854 for $600. It was afterwards taken by creditors, and

was held by them until 1875, when it was sold to J. T. Waterhouse for

$13,000.

These are cases illustrative of the wonderful growth in the value of

Cedar Rapids real estate. It will of course some day find its level,

and will very probably go above it, but it is quite safe to say that

just now it is worth all that is paid for it.

Every time a real estate transfer is made it is amusing to get an "old

citizen" started, and have him bemoan his failure to invest a few

dollars in a block or so twenty years ago, and hold on to it until the

present time. If he had done so he would have been rich--but the

trouble is he didn't do it.

Thomas McGregor, who was working for a Mr. Robinson in the fifties, was

offered lots where the Quaker Oats plant is now located at $10 a lot,

but needed the money to keep his family on as he got only 75 cents per

day.

On arrival of the first steamer in Cedar Rapids lots were offered free

to passengers and crew in case they wanted to locate. Many lots were

given away by real estate boomers in those days to increase the

population of the city. Many of these lots were later lost because the

owners thought so little of their value that they let them go to tax

sales.

Property on Second avenue between Second and Fourth streets was then

only residence property, sand hills, and the like. Now all of this has

become valuable business property and is held at not less than $1,000 a

front foot, and still going higher. These lots were sold less than

fifty years ago at $25 a lot.

Property on Third avenue was even less valuable than property on Second

avenue. With the location of the station here with the hotels, bank

buildings, etc., lots are now selling at fabulous prices. With the

advance of prices rents have also advanced. I. C. Emery some twenty

years ago had the same location which he has recently gone into, and

paid at that time about one-third of the rent he pays today. Rents on

the ground floor in the Kimball building, the Ely block, the Dows

block, and in others of the old buildings have gradually advanced in

accordance with the advance in prices of the real estate holdings, and

pretty much in the same ratio.

Large office buildings have been erected from time to time, and it has

been said that the city would never demand such quarters. It has only

been a little time till there has been a demand for more office and

store buildings on a larger scale and these have been filled without

any trouble.

The property where is located the Denecke building was once used for a

livery stable, and the property on which is located the Magnus block

was occupied as a dwelling house. These properties were traded back and

forth for a song. The O'Haras finally snapped them up and began

improvement and were thought at the time to be crazy. Mr. Denecke then

began purchasing and the same was said of him. When Mr. Magnus made his

purchase of the block in 1894, during the depression, they said he

would never get his money out of it. Today he has been offered more

than twice what he paid and refuses to consider the offer. The corner

where the Security bank is now located had been sold and re-sold, and

no one thought it worth anything, and when G. F. Van Vechten purchased

a few feet for a bank location many years ago the people of the town

still thought it impossible that this corner would be worth so much.

The bank later had to pay a handsome price in order to get ground

enough to make the improvements desired, and would have made money by

having bought much earlier. The Taft building was purchased by the

late Judge Hubbard some ten years ago at $55,000, and is now worth

twice that sum.

However old settlers say that for years real estate in Cedar Rapids did

not move and it was a drug on the market, and the rents were not in

ratio with the values. For years town lots were peddled about the town

and traded for stocks of goods, for old horses, and other personal

property, and it was always thought that the person who obtained the

real estate got the poor end of the bargain.

William Stone, Osgood Shepherd, Thomas Gainer, David King, H. G. Angle,

and others of the early settlers did not know what a mine they

possessed had they only hung on long enough. Stone settled on the Iowa

river and later left for Wisconsin, and Shepherd soon followed, all

thinking he had made a good thing by selling his squatter rights to

Brown and his friends.

Dr. E. L. Mansfield arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1847, going overland to

California in 1850. He traded the west one-half of the block between

Third and Second avenues west, and between First and Second streets for

a rifle, which was considered a high price in those days. On this lot

Dr. Mansfield erected a large dwelling house and lived there for many

years. He purchased the lot on which the Whelihan drug store now stands

for $600, and the lot adjoining many years later for $10,000, at what

was then considered a very high price. Thus the property of 140 feet

fronting on Second street and 120 feet fronting on Second avenue were

purchased for less than $12,000, property which is now some of the most

valuable in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Mansfield also held part of the property

which was later purchased by the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, and was

held by him up to the time of his death. This had been purchased at an

early day at low prices, when it was nothing but the cheapest kind of

renting property.

A. C. Taylor, holder of much valuable real estate in Cedar Rapids,

first owned the property where the First Christian church now stands.

He also purchased the property on First avenue near the Union block.

Mr. Taylor is the second oldest merchant in Cedar Rapids, and has not

moved more than a block from the time he came here to locate in part of

the postoffice on the alley where the Masonic Temple now stands. In

speaking of rents, Mr. Taylor says that he has been surprised at the

way rents have gone up year by year.

Osgood Shepherd, of whom it is said that he jumped Wilbert Stone's

claim, held this claim till 1847, when he disposed of his squatter

interest in what became Cedar Rapids to N. B. Brown, George Greene, H.

W. Gray, A. L. Roach, and S. H. Tryon for the sum of $3,000.

FIRST DECORATION DAY CELEBRATION IN CEDAR RAPIDS

FROM THE CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 1906

When was the first Decoration Day celebration in Cedar Rapids? That is

a question which many might find it hard to answer, and the story of

the preparations for that day and of the day itself is so interesting

that it is well worth a place here. There were comparatively few graves

to decorate on that occasion. Not many of those who fought in the war

had passed over the great divide in the year 1873, more than thirty

years ago. Men whose heads are silvered and their steps trembling were

then young and they marched firmly to the cemetery to take part in the

exercises on that first Decoration Day. Since that time many of them

have been laid beneath the sod and their comrades have done for them

what they helped to do for others.

The day was made memorable by an eloquent and beautiful address by the

late Judge Hubbard, a man who always loved the flag and the men who

fought for it. Patriotism was one of the subjects that always lay

nearest his heart.

[Illustration: S. C. BEVER]

[Illustration: THOMAS GAINER]

[Illustration: E. D. WALN An Early Settler]

[Illustration: REV. ELIAS SKINNER]

The first meeting to arrange for the Decoration Day exercises was held

May 8, 1873. The Cedar Rapids _Daily Republican_ of the following

morning has the following interesting account of the meeting:

"The meeting called for the purpose of taking measures to

suitably observe Decoration Day, took place at the City Hall

last night.

"It was called to order by A. D. Collier, Esq., upon whose

motion J. H. B. Otto was elected president of the meeting.

"On motion of Hiel Hale, A. N. Neidig was chosen secretary.

"On motion of Mr. Collier, a committee of five was appointed

to recommend names to the meeting for the various committees

to be appointed to make preparations for that day.

"The following persons were selected as said committee:

"A. D. Collier, Geo. A. Lincoln, D. A. Dingman, P. H.

Francis, Hiel Hale.

"After some time spent in deliberation the committee

reported the following names to be placed upon the several

standing committees. They also reported names of persons as

officers of the day, the whole report being adopted:

"President of the day, Capt. Wm. B. Leach.

"Chief marshal, Col. T. Z. Cook, with power to choose his

own assistants.

"Finance committee, J. F. Charles, Capt. Otto, George Wynn.

"Committee on grounds, Ed. Thompson, Ed. Buttolph, J. I.

Calder.

"Flowers, L. M. Ayers, Geo. A. Lincoln, Geo. H. Rhodes, R.

A. Austin, George Hesse.

"Decorating graves, P. H. Francis, Hiel Hale, C. H.

Sterneman, Dr. Bliss, Jos. Stoddard, with privilege to

choose five ladies to fill the committee.

"Invitation, Capt. W. W. Smith, S. Neidig, Dr. Skinner.

"Speakers, A. D. Collier, D. A. Dingman, W. B. Leach.

"Printing, A. H. Neidig, Dr. F. S. McClelland, Dr. Camburn.

"Music, C. Ferguson, Mr. Baxter and Dr. Bliss.

"On general arrangements, W. B. Leach, J. F. Charles, Ed.

Thompson, L. M. Ayers, P. H. Francis, W. W. Smith, A. D.

Collier, A. H. Neidig, and C. Ferguson.

"On motion of Capt. Wm. B. Leach, Captain Otto, as the last

commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, was instructed

to call a meeting of the soldiers and sailors of this

vicinity to have them meet and consult with regard to the

part they shall take in the observance of the day.

"On motion adjourned."

The program of that first Decoration Day was as follows:

"The following programme will be observed on Decoration Day:

"President of the day--Col. W. B. Leach.

"Chief Marshal--Col. T. Z. Cook.

"Assistant Marshals--Capt. W. S. Bradley, Geo. W. Wynn, A.

D. Collier.

"Chaplain--Rev. A. B. Kindig.

"Orators--Rev. Col. S. H. Henderson, Hon. Col. N. M.

Hubbard.

"At ten o'clock a. m. the procession will form on the corner

of Iowa avenue and Commercial street in wagons, and headed

by the band, will proceed to the cemetery on the west side,

where the graves will be decorated, and after which an

oration will be delivered by Col. S. H. Henderson.

"At two o'clock the procession will form on Iowa avenue, the

right resting on Commercial street.

"The following will be the order.

"Music.

"1. Grand Army of Republic.

"2. Independent Fire Company.

"3. Bohemia Society.

"4. Hook and Ladder Company.

"5. Odd Fellows.

"6. Fire Company Steamer.

"7. Citizens on foot.

"8. Carriages.

"Line of march will be down Commercial street to Eagle, up

Eagle to Madison, down Madison to Greene street, thence to

Oak Hill Cemetery, where the graves will be decorated, after

which an oration will be delivered by Hon. Col. N. M.

Hubbard.

"All soldiers and citizens in the vicinity are cordially

requested to be present, and assist in paying respect to our

honored dead.

"Soldiers will leave the number of their regiment at the

_Times_ office and they will be furnished with a badge to

wear on the occasion."

Following is the account of the exercises of that day with the text of

the address delivered by Judge Hubbard. It is taken from the _Daily

Republican_ of May 31, 1873:

"Decoration Day has come and gone. It brought with it the

noble thought to honor the heroic dead of our land, and left

thousands of green graves strewn with choicest flowers of

spring. This kindly and befitting token of love and honor

was placed on every soldier's grave, to show how green and

fresh in our hearts are the memories of their noble deeds.

This day is one of mixed sorrow and pleasure--sad for the

heavy sacrifices that had to be made, but happy to keep

green the sacred memories of those who fell for their

country's good.

"The soldiers and sailors, who have died to save the

nation's life, will never be forgotten so long as flowers

are strewn upon the quiet graves beneath whose verdant

mounds those gallant hearts lie stilled forever.

"It is the sum of mortal glory for posterity to gather

around the tombs of fallen heroes, as around holy shrines,

and pour out their libations in songs, prayers and in

fitting words of praise on their noble lives and gallant

deeds.

"The day opened yesterday morning with a rain storm, which

continued more or less until about ten o'clock. It looked

discouraging indeed, and many hearts felt sad at the

uninviting prospect.

"At eleven o'clock a few persons gathered on the west side

and proceeded to the cemetery on that side of the river, and

spent a short time in decorating the graves of a few

soldiers that lie buried there. Rev. S. H. Henderson spoke a

few moments on the importance of the occasion when the

company dispersed and returned to their homes.

"By noon the clouds had cleared away and the sun shone forth

beautifully. At half past 2 o'clock Washington street in the

vicinity of the City Hall was crowded with a large number of

people who were listening to the fine strains of music that

the Ferguson band were discoursing. About three o'clock the

procession began to move, and in pretty much the same order

as has already been published in the _Republican_. Between

seventy-five and a hundred carriages, buggies, and wagons

were in the procession, preceded by many footmen; also a

number were on horseback. It was one of the most brilliant

occasions of the kind that was ever witnessed in Cedar

Rapids.

"We are unable to go into the particulars, as we have not

the space today to record them.

"The number on the cemetery grounds has been estimated by

many at two thousand people, and some have raised the

estimate a thousand more. The following graves were

decorated:

"John Harrison, Henry N. Graves and Carter Berkley, 6th Iowa

Cavalry, Co. K; Henry Fleck, 40th Ind. Inft.; John Hall,

31st Iowa; Amos Fergeson, Band, 15th Iowa Inft.; James

Morehead, Sr., Co. I, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Morehead, Jr.,

Co. K, 9th Iowa Inft.; Judson L. Boughton, Co. D, 12th Iowa

Inft.; Parker Ayres, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft,; Robert

Mallahan, Co. A, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Hammersley, 31st Vt.

Int., J. R. C.; Henry Berger, Minn., Minn.; Geo. Wells,

141st Penn. V. Inft,; Edward W. Calder, Co. D, 12th Iowa

Inft.; Lt. Joseph Hollan, 20th Inft.; Benj. Shaw, 20th

Inft.; Donald Lothian, 31st Inft. West side--David Martin,

24th Inft,; Ebenezer Martin, 12th Inft,; John Dean, 20th

Inft.; Donaldson,--. After these interesting decoration

ceremonies were over, the people gathered around the stand

that had been erected for the purpose, where the following

programme was carried out:

"Music by the Band.

"Music by the Glee Club, 'Praise of the Soldier.'

"Prayer by Rev. A. B. Kendig.

"Music, 'Star Spangled Banner,' by the Glee Club.

"Oration by Col. N. M. Hubbard.

"Music by the Band.

"Music, 'America' Sung by the Glee Club and Audience.

"Benediction by Rev. A. B. Kendig.

"JUDGE HUBBARD'S ADDRESS

"Judge Hubbard's address was so fine that we reproduce it

entire. He spoke as follows:

"My Countrymen, and Comrades of the Army of the Union:

"Courage and bravery always challenge admiration, but when

combined with exalted patriotism, they command the affection

and gratitude of mankind.

"The highest earthly care of man is to preserve as long as

possible this life, and therefore the greatest human

sacrifice is to give this life for one's country.

"History is full of examples of this sacrifice in all time,

and yet its frequency has never lessened the appreciation of

it.

"Patriotism--love of country, makes a great nation possible.

Without it men would live isolated, or in mere tribes, and

powerless.

"The intellectual development of man shows him at once how

weak and insignificant he is alone, and he seeks, by a

combination of great numbers, to attain not only great power,

but even immortality. We all know that our own lives are

short, but the life of a nation may be so long, that we are

apt to make delusion that it may be immortal, real.

"The natural love and anxiety we have for our children, who

are to live after us, extend to and embrace the country and

the government in which they are to live.

"Hence, we may be said to have two lives, an individual and a

national one; and the latter commands the former in

proportion to its increased span. We value everything

somewhat in proportion to its power to last.

"The study and contemplation of the national life, of which

we are a part is always a matter of interest and solicitude.

"On every hand men are seemingly wholly engaged in devising

and planning for their individual prosperity and happiness,

and silently but surely national prosperity and greatness

follow these individual efforts. It is only when the nation

stands in immediate peril, that we become aware how much

greater our anxiety is for it, than even for ourselves.

"You who can recall the thrill of horror, of anxiety, and of

grim determination that came over you when the news first

came that Sumter was fired upon, and the Stars and Stripes

were shot away, can tell, but I can not describe what

boundless sacrifices the national life is capable of calling

forth.

"How quick we found what a pride and what an interest we had

in the magnitude, power, and prosperity of our country, and

how firmly we were attached to its beneficent government.

"The history of modern civilization in Europe has shown a

constant struggle for many years for what they call the

balance of power.

"Five leading nations, speaking five different languages, and

having different modes of thought and life, have watched and

emulated each other, and each at times has had the reputation

of being the most powerful. Fifty years ago France was

foremost, today Prussia is the first power in Europe. These

changes may be traced almost indefinitely.

"In all the past, the national life, the national pride has

grown with the growth of civilization.

"It would be impossible that a nation should become great or

powerful without a national self-love that wrought glowing

pictures of its manifest destiny.

"We find ourselves possessed of a country whose productive

extent is far greater than all Europe, with its 300 million

population, put together.

"Beginning a little less than a hundred years ago with a

population of three million, it has doubled every twenty-five

years, if we shall reach forty-eight million in 1875, which

scarcely admits of a doubt. The whole emigration added is

less than six million.

"At the same rate of increase for the next one hundred years

our population will reach the enormous figures of seven

hundred and sixty-eight millions. But suppose we shall touch

the resistance, namely the lack of territory to supply so

great a population with food; yet we may safely estimate

reaching five hundred million, and the population equally

distributed will then be about equal in density to the

present population of Massachusetts.

"I have neither time nor is it necessary to describe the

variety of climate embracing the tropic and the temperate

zones, nor the vastness, nor the fertility, nor the mineral

and coal resources of our country.

"Thus far nothing is problematical, but the people of future

America are a study.

"We know how sturdy and enduring the Anglo-Saxon is, how

volatile yet tenacious is the Frenchman, how sober, solid and

unwavering is the German, and how hardy and everlasting are

the people who inhabit with the Polar bear. These are

American now, but the Ethiopian and the Asiatic are to be

added. The Star of Empire from the East and from the West

have met upon the American continent. I believe the original

Anglo-Saxon trunk will sustain all these grafts and that a

nation will come of us by the cross of all civilized people

that will be as superior to any of them, as the grafted fruit

is superior to that of the seeding. Future America will be

fitly symbolized by the Lion and the Polar Bear, surmounted

by the American Eagle.

"With one country, one language, one hope, one aspiration,

bent sublimely upon achieving the highest intelligence,

virtue, and culture that man can ideal, diffused through a

population of five hundred million people, inhabiting

one-quarter of the habitable earth with a republican

government, is a spectacle that the world has never yet seen,

but is to see through us and our children.

"And but for these sacred graves, which we, and all the

people throughout the land, have come today to crown with

wreaths of flowers, no such hope, no such picture of the

future of our country would be possible.

"The future destiny of the American absolutely demanded that

the fundamental idea of the Declaration of Independence

should be made true, and that Liberty (in fact, as in name)

should be proclaimed throughout all the land to all the

inhabitants thereof, and also, that the United States should

be one and inseparable forever.

"Need I tell you how bravely and how well the army of the

Union settled these questions? The men who lie silent beneath

our feet and their comrades, have taught the South, and Great

Britain, and the world, that the belt of country usually

known as the North is the heart and power of the Republic. It

is the strong arm that pushes the car of civilization in the

new world. It is the second Defender of the faith of our

Forefathers. It has fought the good fight, and many of its

bravest sons have gone to their reward.

"The Republic is emancipated, impartial suffrage and equality

before the law established, and the work of regeneration is

left for us and our posterity.

"During all the long struggle which literally ridged the

country with graves like these, there was everywhere present,

through the ranks of the grand army, an abiding faith in the

future greatness of their country, and in the final triumph.

No soldier ever despaired of the Republic.

"We come today to crown their valor by decorating their

graves. What great eulogy can we pronounce upon them?

"These silent graves are more eloquent than the tongues of

the living. Their deeds commemorate their fame and their

names do live after them.

"As we meet year after year to perform this ceremony of love

and gratitude to our fallen comrades, new graves will be

added and new obligations will rest upon us, until the last

soldier of the Army of the Union is laid to rest.

"When that day comes, let us trust that the national life and

prosperity that has cost so much to maintain and defend, will

be inestimably dear to our children, and that they may fully

realize all the hopes and aspirations of our forefathers and

the second Defenders of the faith. If we shall not be

disappointed in this, the 30th day of May will be as sacred

as the 4th of July.

"But new trials and new perils await us. Poverty is the home

of virtue, and riches the abode of vice. The Republic has

passed the age of poverty, and is approaching the age of

wealth--always the sure accumulation of generations. Rome

withstood all her enemies from without and within, but the

corruption following in the train of her conquests overcame

her.

"If Heaven permits departed heroes still to know and watch

over our beloved country, what anxious prayers are being made

now, lest the blessing which the hand of their forefathers

have left shall be wasted by the political dissension,

frauds, corruptions, and wealth of coming generations! It is

not fitting that I should name here and now what you all know

so well and deplore. But may I not ask that we consecrate

ourselves anew over these sacred graves, and resolve that our

remaining days shall add something to the purity, patriotism,

and lustre of our country that has been vouchsafed to us

through the blood of these martyrs of liberty.

"But whatever of adversity or misfortune may be in store for

us as a nation, the fault in no way rests upon these graves.

Their services and their fame are secure.

"And today also the graves of the Confederate dead are

decorated and strewn with flowers. It is a deserved tribute

to their valor and patriotism. They had been educated to

believe that the South alone was the nation. We believed and

knew that the nation was from ocean to ocean and from the

gulf to the lakes. But it was half slave and half free.

"Today it is all free, and fifty years hence, if our hopes of

the future of the Republic are realized, the South and North

will rejoice in a common joy, that 'Union and Liberty' have

been so signally preserved to them and their posterity

forever.

"And while we wreath flowers for these graves, let us not

forget to return thanks and give honor to the brave seamen

who guarded our coasts, and let the 'Father of Waters go

unvexed to the sea.'

"And the widow and orphan of the soldier and sailor, let them

be remembered with blessings, with charity and with thanks.

All they have left them for their great sacrifice is their

country and its gratitude. Let these be generous and

unsparing.

"And still again let us not forget the brave men and women

who fed and clothed all, who nursed and cared for the sick

and wounded, who cheered and encouraged all with patriotic

deeds and words. And finally, and above all, let us thank God

who gave us the victory, whereby it has become possible that

the Stars and Stripes float over an unbroken emancipated

Republic, strong enough to maintain its existence against all

foes, and yet without power to abridge the liberties of the

humblest citizen."

FIRST LOCAL LABOR UNION ORGANIZED IN THE CITY

FROM CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, JUNE, 1906

It was in 1882 that an agitation was instituted in the city of New

York, in which all the great labor organizations of the United States

took part, and out of which grew the setting apart of Labor Day as a

day of recognition of the cause of labor. It was not until 1887,

however, that the germ thus planted gave fruit. On February 21, 1887,

the state of Oregon passed a law setting aside the first Saturday in

June for the observance of the cause of labor, and six years later the

first Monday in September was chosen by the same state. That day has

been observed ever since. The second state to legalize the holiday was

New Jersey, and in May of the following year New York passed a similar

law, Colorado and Massachusetts soon followed. In 1890 many of the

other states passed acts recognizing the day. West Virginia and North

Carolina were far behind the rest in this regard and did not legalize

the day until 1899.

The first great labor demonstration was held in New York city in 1882

and the parade which took place on that day is still remembered as an

event of unusual magnitude. All the labor organizations of the city

were in line and with their splendid floats, banners, etc., they made

an imposing spectacle.

The following year it was determined to repeat, if possible, the parade

of 1882, which had come to be termed "The Labor Day Parade." This time

the date was changed to the first Monday in September and when in 1884

the discussion of a repetition of the occasion came up, George B. Floyd

offered a resolution in the Central Labor Union convention to the

effect that the first Monday in September be declared Labor Day. The

resolution was unanimously adopted and at the next session of the

legislature a bill was introduced declaring Labor Day a legal holiday.

There was considerable objection to the measure, however, and it was

not until 1887 that a majority in its favor could be rallied together.

With the day recognized by the legislature of New York and two other

states a concerted effort was made to secure action by the various

labor organizations throughout the country, and in a few years the

majority of the states had declared in its favor.

Curiously enough the original Labor Day was just after the organization

of the first local in this city, which the "old residents" say is

Typographical Union No. 192. There may be some objection to this claim

on the part of some of the present members of the typographical union.

The charter of the Typographical Union local is now hanging in the K.

P. hall, and it is dated December 26, 1881. Unless challenged the

members of the Typographical Union will claim the honor of being the

first organization of union labor in the city of Cedar Rapids. The

charter bears the names of the following charter members:

C. M. Hopkins, George S. Bradley, Harry Ingalls, J. D. Canan, L. C.

Hay, L. B. Kramer, J. H. Enos.

If the memory of Sam Snouffer is correct the local was organized among

the employees of the _Republican_ office and it was a local of

newspaper printers only. Sam says that he was a job printer at the time

and the boys on the cases who organized the local didn't at first allow

job printers to hold membership in their organizations. He says that

the local was organized for a fight and it had it at frequent intervals

during the early part of its history. But it grew and flourished and

today the Typographical Union Local in Cedar Rapids is recognized as a

conservative, yet aggressive body of men, with the courage to ask for

its rights and the level headedness to get those rights without

trouble.

THE STORY OF A MOUNTAIN HOWITZER

During the war when the boys were about to return home they sought to

carry back mementoes of the long struggle. Company E of the Twelfth

Iowa as a trophy of the war picked up a mountain howitzer which had

been captured by the rebels and re-captured by the United States

troops. Some members of Company D of the Twelfth Iowa then, by some

means known only to the soldier boys, unlawfully laid claim to the

cannon and Homer Morehead, one of the old Cedar Rapids boys, was able

to get the cannon as far as Davenport, the city council of Cedar Rapids

providing means to get it to Cedar Rapids.

The cannon, a two hundred pounder, was used freely by every

organization for a number of years whenever any celebration took place.

During the Grant campaign, in October of that year, the republicans had

a blow-out and the cannon was used; in this celebration the cannon was

slightly damaged and was hauled down to John Mehan's for repairs. While

there some person, or persons, saw fit to take it in the night time and

nothing was heard of it for many years. A note was tacked up to the

wall where the cannon had been left for repairs to the effect that it

would be returned and shot off when a democratic president was

inaugurated. The soldier boys and many of the prominent citizens of

Cedar Rapids were very much stirred up over this affair and publicly

accused a number of prominent Cedar Rapids democratic citizens of

stealing the cannon, but no one, at least who was publicly accused,

admitted having anything to do with it.

The incident was nearly forgotten when Cleveland was elected, the first

democratic president since the Civil war. One morning as Harry Brown

was walking down the street John Mehan called to him to come over and

see what he had found. There, sure enough, was the same old mountain

howitzer cleaned up and in first class repair, with a note tied to it

that it was returned as agreed and would be ready for action in due

time. This affair stirred up the republican camp once more and threats

were made that this cannon would never be shot off to celebrate a

democratic victory, and it never was.

It now remains as a relic in the old postoffice building, and many are

the citizens of Linn county who have inspected this little cannon and

have heard the story told by the old settlers.

Not until a short time ago was it definitely known who removed the

cannon from the Mehan shop in 1868. A Center Point person had been

accused of having something to do with it; how true this is no one

knows. It is thought that two young men in the employ of N. B. Brown, a

stanch democrat, took the cannon and placed it in the stable owned by

O. P. Emery which stood on the ground where the Denecke building now

stands. Mr. Emery no doubt knew of the whereabouts of the cannon, and

when he removed up on Second avenue a heavy box was moved by workmen

supposed to contain tools. When Mr. Emery removed to the home of his

son-in-law, John B. Henderson, on First avenue, the same heavy box was

once more moved. Mrs. John B. Henderson noticed that her father, after

the election of Cleveland, spent several days in the barn working

steadily polishing up some iron, but she never inquired what he was

doing or what he wanted to accomplish. A short time before his death

O. P. Emery admitted to his daughter that while he did not remove the

cannon he knew of its whereabouts and had some of his intimate friends

restore it to the Mehan shop after Cleveland's election as it had been

agreed in the letter or note left the night of the capture of the

cannon when no one was around to watch this much prized treasure.

A FORTUNATE TUMBLE

Linn county during the Civil war had its share of so-called

"copperheads," as well as a goodly number of loyal sympathizers known

as "fire eaters." During this period of our country's history many

unfortunate affairs occurred of which all parties ever afterwards were

ashamed. In a state where the majority was strong in favor of the war

measure it behooved those who were against this measure not to say too

much. Frequently innocent people had to suffer for the acts of some one

who talked openly and above board, not only against the president but

against those who were instrumental in sending troops to the front.

Democrats in the north were classed by the republicans as follows:

Those who went to the front as loyal democrats, and those who stayed at

home as "copperheads," although they may have been otherwise

law-abiding citizens.

On the morning that news was received of the assassination of Lincoln

Cedar Rapids became a town of turmoil and strife. Never in the history

of the town had excitement run so high. The question of another war was

discussed in saloons and on street corners, and during the entire day

this strife was kept up. Towards evening a story got started that Bill

Harper, a well-known anti-war democrat and a person who had frequently

when intoxicated said some pretty mean things of the republicans in

general, said "that he was glad that Lincoln got killed; that he should

have been shot four years ago." The story spread like a western wild

fire, and in less than an hour it was all over town. A crowd got

together and it was not long till a self-appointed committee was

organized for the sole purpose of hanging Bill Harper to a rafter or a

sour apple tree at sight and without trial. A good sized rope was

procured and the yelling crowd, headed by the late I. N. Whittam and

others, made for the store room kept by Brown & Harper, on what is now

North First street. That Harper was a well-known and outspoken

so-called "copperhead" was universally known and no question arose in

the minds of the mob as to the truth or falsity of the charge. A few in

the party uttered remarks that there might be a mistake and that there

ought to be some investigation to bear out the facts before the rope

was applied, but the majority ruled and these faint-hearted fellows

were laughed to scorn. N. B. Brown, who had heard of the trouble and

who was a partner of Harper, got into the store building, mounted a

barrel and talked to the crowd, claiming that Harper could not have

said the words with which he was charged, for he had not been in town

for several days. Squire Knowles, a republican and a believer in fair

play, tried to persuade the mob to disperse, but his plea found little

favor with a mob who insisted on a hanging. Then Bill Darr, a neighbor

of Harper, also a republican, had to come to the front and tell what he

knew about Harper. He said that Harper had been at home near Bertram

and had been sick in bed for several days, and that he had been to his

house and called on him the day before and he was certain that Harper

knew nothing of what had taken place at the national capital. Darr was

not treated any better than the others and was called "traitor" and all

sorts of names because he wanted to save his neighbor's life if

possible.

[Illustration: A. BOWMAN]

[Illustration: E. M. CROW]

[Illustration: J. M. MAY]

Many of the crowd had been drinking heavily and insisted that something

be done, and if they could not do any better they ought to fire the

building and burn up the whole thing, while Brown insisted that most of

the property was his and that he would vouch for his partner's honor

and reputation as far as that charge went. Whittam by this time had

gotten over the blood curdling period of his leadership and was willing

to turn the job over to other hands, but no one seemed willing to come

to his rescue, and there was no opportunity to put a motion for an

adjournment till the violence and the temper of the mob would somewhat

abate. Brown wanted to hold the mob as long as possible, having in the

meantime sent messengers to notify Harper of what might happen. He

realized that the infuriated mob at that stage of the game might hang

an innocent man.

Just at this point of the delicate proceedings, the crowd yelling like

warlike Indians, and threatening to hang any "copperhead" and to burn

the building provided Harper was not brought into the room, a fourteen

year old boy, long, lank and lean, who had also crowded into the

building wanting to see what was going on, and to get more air, climbed

on top of a hogshead which stood in one corner of the room. As he was

gazing out over the crowd others tried to get on to the same hogshead,

pushing and pulling, when suddenly the end gave way and the boy fell

into a mass of lard and dye stuff up to his neck. The stench acted like

morphine upon the infuriated mob. Someone called for the rope to pull

the boy out and then a general laugh broke out and when the boy ran

down through the crowd, dripping with lard and lye, making for the

river, the panic became general and they all followed his movements and

forgot all about Bill Harper or the words he was supposed to have

uttered.

The boy who thus saved the day and perhaps a life or two is no other

than O. C. Carpenter, for many years one of the best known constables

in Rapids township. Carpenter still insists that he saved the day,

although the ordeal he had to pass through was somewhat harsh. The lye

burned his legs and spoiled a suit of clothes, and he got a good

thrashing at home, in the bargain. The Greek boy of old fell on his

sword, but the modern Linn county boy fell into a soap barrel and by

that side-stepping cast honors on himself and on members of his family

for all time to come.

Bill Harper never uttered the words of which he was accused, and never

knew that Lincoln had been assassinated until the evening of the day

when the infuriated mob was hunting him with a rope, wishing to put an

end to his earthly existence. This shows how dangerous it is to stir up

the mob spirit at any time. It always leads to disgraceful acts, from

which a community suffers for a long time afterwards.

HERE'S AN INTERESTING BIT OF ANCIENT HISTORY

In running through the files of the early years of the Cedar Rapids

Daily _Republican_, the following interesting historical contribution,

from the pen of the late Sampson C. Bever, was found:

"Editor Cedar Rapids _Republican_:

"I notice in the last 'Daily Republican,' in referring to the

City National Bank of this city, in connection with the death

of the Hon. Oakes Ames, the following:

"'The death of Mr. Ames recalls to mind the successful aid

given S. C. Bever, Esq., in getting the charter of the City

National Bank. The First National had already been

established and as Cedar Rapids had a population of only

2,000 people at the time the comptroller of currency declined

to establish another bank here, but by the assistance of Mr.

Ames the charter was finally obtained.'

"The facts in the case are these: The City National Bank

received its certificate of authority and had commenced

successful business some time before the application for

charter or certificate of the First National Bank was

granted.

"It is true an application for a City National Bank, with a

capital of $50,000, was first made, and it was provided by

the law of congress, creating National banks, that no

charter for less than $100,000 should be granted, unless it

should receive the approval of the Secretary of the

Treasury. Mr. Ames being in Washington at the time this

application was made, and being a warm friend of mine, he

kindly offered to give me his influence, and wrote a strong

letter to Mr. Chase, then Secretary of the Treasury, urging

him to sanction my application for $50,000, but before

presenting this letter I was urged by Mr. McCullough, then

comptroller of the currency, that as there was no other

national bank organized in Cedar Rapids, and the population

was about 4,000, I should by all means make my application

for $100,000, to which I finally agreed. And as greenbacks

and government bonds were at my command, I had no further

need for 'successful aid' from anyone, being well known to

Mr. McCullough, the comptroller of the currency. But I none

the less highly appreciated the kindness tendered me by my

friend Mr. Ames.

"I make this explanation, not so much on my own account, as

that of others, who so well understand all the

circumstances.

"S. C. BEVER."

The _Republican_ of that date, May 12, 1873, also printed the following

remarks:

"The statement that was made in the columns of the

_Republican_ on Saturday, concerning Oakes Ames and the City

National Bank, is one of those unfortunate kind of errors

that often creep into a daily newspaper. The statement, as

it appeared in print, was precisely as it was handed us by

one of our prominent citizens, and we took it for granted,

of course, that it was correct. Since Mr. Bever's

communication has been handed us, we have made a personal

examination into the matter, and have discovered an

important fact which, it is due the City National Bank,

should be published. We find in the report of the

comptroller of the currency, that the City National Bank

stands upon record as number 483, and the First National

Bank as 500, which goes to show that the former was

organized some time before the latter. Of course neither

bank has any interest in this matter further than to be

placed before the public correctly, and we have it to regret

that the statement appeared in our columns on Saturday in

the form in which it did."

CHAPTER XXXVII

_Beginnings of Churches and the Fraternities in Cedar Rapids_

The following accurate account of the beginnings of the churches and

the fraternities in the city of Cedar Rapids, written by the late James

L. Enos in the early '60s, will have a double interest. It not only

gives the story of the beginnings of the various institutions, but also

comments upon their condition and prospects at the time the article was

written.

Methodist Episcopal--This society was organized in 1844, by Rev. Isaac

Searles with nine members. As early as 1841 meetings were held by a

Rev. Hodges, but no society was organized. In 1845 the Rev. Alexander

Bushnell organized the first Methodist Sabbath school. Hodges, Searles

and Bushnell were the first three Methodist ministers who preached in

Cedar Rapids. Rev. Elias Skinner [still living at Waterloo] was the

first pastor who permanently or wholly occupied his time with the

church. During his appointment here the church was in a prosperous

condition. Since that time, from a variety of causes, the interest of

the church has fallen off and its former popularity seems to have

departed. The present number of members is 90; number attending the

Sabbath schools on both sides of the river, about 130. Rev. Mr. Miller

is the present pastor. The church edifice was erected in 1854.

First Presbyterian--This society was organized July 9, 1847, with seven

members, of whom Mrs. Mary Ely is the only surviving member. Bennet

Rogers preached here and at Marion on alternate Sabbaths for a time.

Rev. Williston Jones was the first regular pastor. He continued his

labors with this society until July, 1856, when he removed to Iowa

Falls. Rev. L. F. Dudley was the second pastor and J. W. Atherton

followed in 1859. James Knox is the present pastor. I have not been

able to learn the present number of members attending the Sabbath

school. The church edifice was erected in 1850 and was the first of the

kind in the city.

United Presbyterian (Seceders)--This church is located on the west side

of the river; it was organized in 1851 with eight members. Rev. J. B.

Forsythe was the first pastor, Rev. H. Sturgeon the second, and Rev. J.

L. Fulton the third and present pastor. The church now numbers fifty

members and is in a flourishing condition. Sixty pupils attend the

Sabbath school. The church edifice is a plain brick, erected in 1859.

Second Presbyterian (Old School)--This society was organized May 27,

1855, with twenty members. Rev. R. H. Morrow, a most exemplary and

worthy man, was the pastor. By his admirable qualities he won the

regard of all with whom he came in contact. D. H. Mitchell was the

second pastor. Following the expiration of his labors the pulpit was

temporarily occupied by I. N. Reed, a thoroughly Old School divine. J.

B. McBridge came next, and S. W. Miller is present pastor. The church

now numbers some sixty members, and the Sabbath school has 80 to 120

enrolled. The church edifice is a neat but unpretending structure on

the east side of Adams street, between Market and Sugar streets. It has

a bell weighing 800 pounds and is furnished with a cottage organ. The

pastor's salary is $1,000 a year, and the church is free from debt.

Catholic--This church commenced holding meetings in Cedar Rapids in

1853. Rev. Fr. Hannah officiated here at monthly intervals until 1857,

in which year the church was formally organized. Mass was celebrated by

Rev. Fr. Emmons this same year in the home of Alexander Hager. When

first services were held, 1853, there were but three adherents to the

faith in town. The church edifice, 24×50 feet, located at the south

corner of Jackson and Market streets, was erected in 1857-8. Rev.

Emmons served three years and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Gillespie, and

he by Rev. Uhlenbrock. The fifth and present priest of this parish is

Rev. Fr. Cannon. The congregation now has about 300 members, most of

whom live in the surrounding country. Last year (1863) a mission was

conducted by Rev. Father Weniger.

Episcopal--The organization of this church took place in 1851, with but

ten members. James Keeler was the first rector, then followed Revs. C.

C. Townsend, Samuel Goodale, Samuel Starr, William Fulton and C. S.

Percival, the present pastor. The corner stone of this church was laid

by Bishop Kemper in 1851, and was consecrated in 1856. It now has about

80 members and the Sabbath school over 100 attendants. The church

building is situated on the south side of Linn street, between Madison

and Monroe streets. The exterior is not yet completed according to

original designs.

Baptist--The present church was organized by Rev. W. Eberhart, the

first settled pastor, June 3, 1860, with a membership of twenty-eight.

He continued in charge until November, 1861, resigning to take

chaplaincy in the Twelfth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. Rev. N. F. Ravlin

followed and remained with the church until April of this year (1864).

The society is at present without a pastor. The congregation now

numbers nearly 140 and the Sabbath school has about 100 attendants. The

society has no church edifice but has purchased a lot on Eagle street

and will build soon.

In addition to these there are scattering members of other religious

denominations, among which are Universalists, Christians, Lutherans,

New Jerusalem adherents, Spiritualists, and perhaps some others are

represented. None of the church edifices are of the first class. In

fact each society is too feeble to erect a church creditable to the

city. We might hope for a more perfect Christian union and with that

would come the ability to sustain a sufficient number of churches,

without the necessity of appealing for foreign aid to enable them to

drag along an existence of doubtful value.

ESTABLISHMENT OF LODGES

Masonic--The Masonic lodge was instituted in November, 1850, by a

warrant of dispensation from Grand Master McCord, and its charter was

issued June 4, 1851, being the twenty-fifth lodge of that fraternity

organized in Iowa. George Greene was the first Worshipful Master; John

Vardy, Senior Warden; Isaac Cook, Junior Warden; Thomas Downing,

Treasurer; N. B. Brown, Secretary; Stephen L. Pollock, Senior Deacon;

J. H. Kelsey, Junior Deacon, and Samuel Hook, Tyler. Seymour D.

Carpenter was the first person made a Mason in this lodge. The

following have been Masters to this date: James Keeler, Thomas Downing,

John Vardy, Hiram Deem, S. L. Pollock, Jacob H. Camburn, and James L.

Enos. James C. Adams is the present Master. The lodge numbers about 75

members and has the reputation of being one of the best working bodies

of Masonry in the state. It was first organized as Cedar Rapids lodge,

but has changed its name, being now known as Crescent lodge No. 25.

Odd Fellows--A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was

instituted December 28, 1850, about a month after the Masonic lodge was

organized. It was known as Hope lodge No. 30. It continued its

existence until some time during 1860, when it became defunct. The

original charter members were George Greene, John F. Ely, Absalom

Sines, Joseph Greene and John H. Kelsey. Those who have been honored

with election to office of Noble Grand in this lodge are: George

Greene, Absalom Sines, John P. Ely, W. W. Smith, Joseph Greene, F. A.

Wilmans, L. H. Keyes, Homer Bishop, D. M. McIntosh, Hiram Deem, Charles

Weare, Samuel Milligan, George Livensbarger and C. Fordyce. At one time

the lodge was in a flourishing condition, but through some unfortunate

circumstances it declined, and finally surrendered its charter.

Various minor orders (Good Templars, Sons of Temperance, etc.) have had

a temporary existence in the city from time to time, but none of these

now have a local being.

LATER SKETCH OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS CHURCHES

The following extracts are from an address on Church Day delivered by

Rev. C. W. Maggart, D. D., during the semi-centennial celebration in

Cedar Rapids, June, 1906:

Without doubt the first church organization was the St. Paul's

Methodist Episcopal. The Rev. John Hodges preached here as early as

1840, but it was not until 1841 that the "class" was organized with

twelve people, one of whom, Mrs. John Listebarger, is yet living and

with us today.

This church was organized in the log cabin of Mr. and Mrs. J.

Listebarger on the west side of the river near the west end of the B

avenue bridge. Service was later continued in the first building in

town, in which lived Thomas Sharp. At the time of the incorporation of

Cedar Rapids this church had 148 members and their own little brick

church, built in 1854, and located where the union station now stands.

This church has had thirty-six pastors. Its present church was built in

1873 and is valued at $30,000.00. The number of members is 669.

The second church organized was the First Presbyterian, on July 12,

1847, with nine members, with the Rev. Williston Jones as the first

regular pastor.

The first church building to be erected in the town was the "Little

Muddy" church, which was on the postoffice site, 26×40 feet, and cost

$1,200.00. It was dedicated January 12, 1851.

Fifty years ago this church had sixty-seven members. Prior to the

organization of this church a union Sunday school was held in the first

frame building in the town, in the cabinet shop of John Vardy. This

church has had five pastors, was built in 1869, and has property valued

at $70,000. It has 477 members.

The Grace Episcopal church was the third church organized in the town.

The organization took place in the school house in the summer of 1850.

The first rector was the Rev. James Keeler. These services were later

held in Tisdale's carriage factory. The upper floor was sometimes used

for grain storage, and as it would drop through the cracks it would

attract the attention of the porkers, which would frequently disturb

the meetings with responses not found in the litany. At other times the

upper story was inhabited and frequently the service would be carried

on to the music of the nurse and cradle above. A great interest was

taken in this church when Mr. S. C. Bever and family arrived from the

east with a 750-pound bell. But a still greater interest was manifested

when Judge Greene presented the church with a melodeon. In 1856 this

church had thirty-six members. Today it has 505 members, has property

valued at $100,000.00, and has been served by thirteen rectors.

The fourth church organized was the United Presbyterian, on April 19,

1851, with eleven members; and the first pastor was the Rev. Hugh

Sturgeon. This is the oldest church now in existence on the west side

of the river. Fifty years ago they had about fifty members. Today they

have 225 members, property valued at $20,000.00 and have been served by

six pastors.

The fifth church was the Second Presbyterian, now Westminster, which

was known as the old school Presbyterian church and was organized May

27, 1855, with twenty members. Its first minister was the Rev. R. H.

Morrow. Their first building was located on the east side of Adams

street, between Market and Sugar, and the principal thing mentioned by

former church historians was that they had a bell weighing 800 pounds

and their music was led by a cottage organ. Fifty years ago they

reported fifty members. They report today 500 members, with a property

valued at $60,000.00, and have been served by twelve pastors. Their

present church was built in 1905.

It seems that the First U. B. church was organized in 1855 in the Dairy

Dale district, which was probably then in the country. Rev. McWilliams

was the pastor. They had thirty-five members at the time the city was

incorporated. This church, however, later, went down for some years and

was afterwards reorganized. They have today 260 members, church

property valued at $25,000.00 and have been served by fifteen pastors.

Their present church was erected in 1879.

The Baptist and Congregational denominations had organizations on the

west side prior to 1856 but both were too weak to live.

During the first decade of the city's history two more churches were

started, viz., the Roman Catholic and First Baptist. Fathers Hanna and

Emmons of Iowa City held services for some time before organization and

they only had three adherents. This shows pluck and faith and devotion

to their own church. The church was organized in 1857 and Father

Gillespie was the first regular pastor. This church has had five

pastors. Their present church was built in 1870 and is valued at

$40,000.00. They report 1,500 members.

The First Baptist church was organized in Franklin hall, above

Kilborn's gallery, on June 3, 1860, with twenty-seven members. Rev. A.

G. Eberhart was the first pastor. They purchased a lot on Eagle street,

where their first church was built. Their present church was built in

1894 and is valued at $50,000.00. They have had fifteen pastors and

have now 365 members.

The next decade four or five organizations came into existence. The

first Lutheran services were held in the winter of 1855-56 and an

organization was formally effected in the First Presbyterian church, on

March 3, 1856, with about twenty-two members, under Rev. H. F. Ealy,

minister, who walked from Iowa City to preach to the scattered

Lutherans. Services were irregularly held by Revs. H. F. Ealy, Solomon

Ritz, of Tipton, and J. G. Schaffer, of Lisbon, until 1868, when the

organization was re-formed in the home of J. A. Hart, 211 Fifth avenue,

with thirty members under the Rev. Cephas Baird as regular pastor.

The first church was built on the lot now occupied by the Cedar Rapids

Savings bank, Third avenue and Third street, but this congregation

refused to permanently locate there on such an expensive lot, which was

then worth $300.00. This church has now 368 members and has been served

by eight pastors. The present church was erected in 1881 and is valued

at $20,000.00. A new church costing $35,000.00 is now in course of

erection on the corner of Third avenue and Tenth street. It will be

occupied early in 1911.

The Universalist society was organized in 1869 and the first pastor was

the Rev. W. C. Brooks. For nearly seven years their services were held

in a hall. Their present church was built in 1875 and has been served

by eight pastors. They have approximately 100 members and property

valued at $16,000.00.

The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1870,

and the first pastor was the Rev. J. W. Lewis. They have had sixteen

pastors and have now seventy-nine members. Their church was built in

1874 and is valued at $5,000.00.

In 1874 St. Wenceslaus church was organized and its first pastor was

the Rev. Francis Chmelar. They began with a church family of sixty.

They have now 1,200 members, a church property erected in 1904 valued

at $50,000.00, and have been served by five pastors.

On July 1, 1874, the Second United Presbyterian church was organized

with the Rev. W. J. McCallister as minister. It continued in existence

for about twenty-four years and its property is being used today by

Sunshine Mission.

The First Christian church was organized August 1, 1875, with

thirty-four charter members. Its first pastor was the Rev. N. A.

McConnell. Since the organization there have been eight pastors. The

present church was built in 1882 and its value is placed at $15,000.00,

although the original cost was $22,000.00. They have a membership of

350.

The Second United Brethren church was organized in January, 1876, under

the Rev. Father Bookwalter, and did good work for a number of years,

but has ceased to exist.

The German Evangelical church was organized April 30, 1877, and its

first pastor was the Rev. C. C. Pfund. They have had twelve pastors and

have now sixty members. Their church was built in 1888 and they have

property valued at $12,000.00.

The Free Methodist church was organized in 1877 and they have had

eighteen pastors. The first pastor was Rev. W. C. Thompson. Their

church was built in 1878, is valued at $4,000.00, and they have

forty-seven members.

The First Congregational church was organized on May 13, 1879, and its

first pastor was the Rev. A. T. Reed. They have had seven pastors and

have now 350 members. Their present church was built in 1889 and their

property valuation is placed at $35,000.00.

The Zion Evangelical church came into being February, 1880, through the

work of Rev. Ilion. The Rev. J. E. Stauffacher was the first regular

pastor. They have had nine pastors and have now 175 members. Their

church was built in 1905 and is valued at $23,000.00.

The German Lutheran church was organized August 24, 1884, with twenty

charter members. Revs. Studt from Luzerne and Aron from Atkins, Iowa,

preached for nearly one year on alternate Sundays when the Rev. J.

Denckmann, its present pastor, became the first regular pastor. They

have a membership of 350 and a church property valued at $10,000.00.

The Swedish Lutheran church was organized November 8, 1885, and its

first pastor was the Rev. C. E. Cesander. They have had six pastors and

have now fifty-four communicants. The present church was built in 1891

and they have property valued at $10,000.00.

St. Patrick's church was organized April 18, 1886, with twenty-eight

members. The Rev. T. F. Richardson was the first pastor. This church

has had but three pastors. Its present church was erected in 1892 and

the value of their property is $50,000.00. They report at present 1,000

members.

In the decade 1886-1896 the first church organization was that of

Trinity Methodist Episcopal in 1887, with the Rev. Frank P. Shaffer as

first pastor. The present church was built in 1890, and the value of

all property held by this society is estimated at $20,000.00. They have

450 members and have been served by seven pastors.

Sinclair Memorial Presbyterian church was a growth out of a Sunday

school fostered by Mr. T. M. Sinclair. Its organization was effected

October 14, 1887, and its first pastor was the Rev. Alfred K. Bates.

They have had four pastors and now enroll 215 members. Their present

church was built in 1902, the gift of Mrs. T. M. Sinclair, and is

valued at $30,000.00.

The Bohemian Presbyterian church was organized in 1889. Its first and

only pastor was and is the Rev. V. Hlavaty. They have now 257 members.

Their church was built in 1889 and is valued at $5,000.00.

The Calvary Baptist church was organized on September 5, 1890, and its

first pastor was the Rev. E. F. Perry. It has been served by four

pastors, and has a membership now of 165. The present church was

erected in 1891 and is valued at $5,000.00.

The John Hus Methodist Episcopal church was organized May 15, 1892, and

its first pastor was the Rev. John Tauchen. The church has had three

pastors and has now seventy members. They have property valued at

$7,000.00 and their present church was built in 1897.

The Bethany Congregation church came into being in 1893 and its first

pastor was the Rev. E. M. Vittum. They now enroll 106 members and have

had six pastors. Their present church is valued at $3,000.00.

The Central Park Presbyterian church was organized May 4, 1893. Its

first pastor was the Rev. R. A. Van der Las. They have now 205 members

and have had three ministers. Their present church was built in 1904

and is valued at $20,000.00.

The Danish Lutheran church was organized in 1893. They have forty-eight

members, have had six pastors and have property valued at $4,000.00.

The Danish Baptist church was organized April 1, 1895, and its first

pastor was the Rev. A. Charlsen. They have had six pastors and have now

17 members. Their church was built in 1899 and is valued at $700.00.

The first church organized in the last decade was the Second Christian

church which grew out of a Bible school organized in 1901 and has a

membership of 125 and has been served by three pastors. They have

property valued at $5,000.00.

The Olivet Presbyterian church came into existence on May 15, 1904. Its

first and only pastor is the Rev. C. F. Ensign. They have today 160

members, a church property erected in 1904, and valued at $8,000.00.

The Dunker church has been in existence for several years, but was not

formerly organized until 1905 under the present pastor, Dr. S. B.

Miller. They have been served by five pastors, have a church property

valued at $4,000.00 and have thirty members.

The Reformed church came into formal existence March 29, 1906. The

pastor is the Rev. Frank S. Bromer. Services were held for about a year

before this organization by the Rev. Rohrbach. They have now

twenty-nine members and are building a new church. The present value of

their property is estimated to be $2,900.00. At the completion of this

new church their property will be worth $6,300.00.

Fifty years ago this town had about 1,500 people. Of these 386 were

members of the six churches, one in four. Today, with a population of

30,000, the thirty-three churches report 10,286 members. With five and

one-half times as many churches and five times as many ministers we

have twenty-seven times as many members.

The city has twenty times its former population, and the churches have

twenty-seven times their former membership.

The total value of the church property today, exclusive of schools and

outside property, is above $750,000.

All of this goes to show that the churches are very much alive and are

among the most progressive institutions in the city.

Two hundred and forty ministers have served these churches since the

beginning of their history.

RECAPITULATION

Members

The Catholics report today 3,700

Presbyterians 1,814

Methodists 1,315

Lutherans 820

Baptists 547

Episcopalians 505

Christians 475

Congregationalists 466

United Brethren 260

United Presbyterian 225

Universalist 100

Dunkers 30

Reformed 29

------

Total 10,286

[Illustration: FATHER LOWRY]

CHAPTER XXXVIII

_Catholicism in Linn County_

BY REV. P. J. FLYNN

All honor to those pioneer clerics and laity for the work they

accomplished under trying and difficult circumstances. In the pioneer

days no musical sound of silvery bell, from lofty steeple or tall

minaret called them on the Sabbath morn, no swelling peal of organ or

trained choir entertained or invited the worshipers in those early

days, there were no Godly ministers to bury the old and instruct the

young, no books, or papers to read and to gather wisdom from their

pages, to strengthen the weak and enlighten the dull. No need to be

scandalized if in some instances, we find men grow weak under such

trying circumstances. No wonder that pioneer conditions among miners

and others, were such as to indicate little fear of God or little

regard for men. Little do we know, in this age of ease and facility, of

the difficulties and dangers, offered in those days to priest and

people.

The effort of the writer of the following pages will be to chronicle

facts, well established and authentic, relative to the church in Linn

county, rather than to draw on imagination or to give color to his

assertions from a rhetorical viewpoint. It is the scope of history to

chronicle events relating to the past, for present and future use.

There is no assertion made in these pages that has not been

investigated and truthfully established, in most cases by those who

were eye and ear witnesses to the events referred to.

In order to understand how difficult it is to obtain correct

information about the early days in a new country it is both

educational and interesting to engage in such research. One would not

imagine that information concerning things and conditions of less than

fifty years ago would be so difficult to obtain. Yet the fact remains,

and this fact is in itself a strong argument in favor of works like the

present.

It is hardly credible that the early settlers could accomplish what

they did under circumstances as they were in those days. What strength

of character and determination of purpose these early settlers showed

in the face of difficulty and danger is truly admirable. What noble

ideals they had, and how earnestly and well they strove for their

attainment. The present prosperity is due in no small degree to their

untiring efforts in laying the foundation of present advantages.

Posterity may well hold their names in benediction, and the heart may

with pride and reverence swell with admiration for the hardy pioneer

whose heritage is now enjoyed. The present moral standards of the

people, the numerous schools and churches and the general intelligence

have been builded on the foundations laid by our ancestors and are

monuments and tributes to their character, influence and enthusiasm.

When Linn county was but a mission district from Iowa City, meetings

were held whenever and wherever the priest found it convenient for the

best results or for the convenience of the greatest number of souls.

Sometimes service was held in a log cabin, sometimes in a district

school house. When the missionary contemplated a visit his intention

was announced through the district; the date and place of meeting were

made known and thither the scattered settlers gathered on foot or on

horseback or in wagons. They were happy in their inconvenience at being

allowed even in such circumstances to make their peace with God and

receive the consolations of religion.

Such were the conditions in Linn county half a century since. How

little we realize the advantages we enjoy in this day.

Few and far between, however, were the visits of the shepherd to the

scattered hamlets of the early settlers. Missionary men went about,

preaching and teaching and their lives were an example to all with whom

they came in contact. Of such men and their life work, we have now to

treat.

The first record we have of the interests of Linn county in things

Catholic was in 1853, when Father Emmons of Iowa City with apostolic

spirit and Christlike zeal journeyed through the trackless wastes to

cater to the needs of the children of the faith.

In those days, fifty-seven years ago, it is needless to say Cedar

Rapids was not known as the Parlor City. Its pretensions were very

modest. It consisted of only a few small residences with a few stores

to supply the needs of the people.

THE CHURCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS

The chief business industries in those days were the lumber mills of

Mr. J. J. Snouffer, Sr. The wild and trackless wastes were being

gradually cleared, and the logs were being fitted for the formation of

rough log cabins to shelter man and beast. Rough fords or bridges were

thrown across the irregular and meandering streams which flowed in

undisturbed tranquillity on their way towards the Father of Waters. It

was nothing unusual frequently to find that the temporary bridges were

carried away over night and the log dweller found himself in the

morning isolated and compelled patiently to wait the subsiding of the

waters to furnish himself with the necessaries of life.

In these days the missionary priest passed along giving his blessing to

the work as he went, and in log cabins or improvised chapels fed the

bread of life to the hungering sheep of the fold.

The first record there is, and that in the memory of those who were

present, of mass being offered in Cedar Rapids was in 1853, when Father

Emmons of Iowa City, celebrated the holy sacrifice for the first time

in the old Dubuque House in B avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets.

It is a regrettable fact that the location has since been turned to

uses less holy. During his visits afterwards from his home town to

Cedar Rapids he always stayed, and officiated at the Snouffer home on

Second street, which in those days occupied the site on which now

stands the Denecke store.

In those days the Catholic settlers came for miles around to Cedar

Rapids, and assisted at divine service whenever the goodly priest found

it possible to come among them. In wagons drawn by oxen they wended

their way from the western part of the county, from Fairfax, and along

to the Benton county border line, and even beyond. Often their journey

meant days of delay owing to impassable ways and washed out bridges.

All honor to those pioneer Catholics who so prized their religion and

their faith. No wonder that seed sown under such trying circumstances

brought forth fruit which abides. Among the early settlers who gave

such proof of their worth and dared difficulties for their religious

opinions we find the names of Murray, Keenan, Cook, Hayden, Lilly,

Kehoe, Meehan, Flaherty, Cahill, Langan, Christopher, Villeen,

Harrington, Hager, and others.

Another pioneer of those days was Father Smith who occasionally visited

the itinerary of Father Emmons when the latter was unable to do so. Fr.

Harmon, also of Iowa City, came a few times into this territory and

assisted in sowing the seed and nurturing it in its tender years.

After Fr. Harmon's departure the duty again rested upon the shoulders

of Father Emmons until Father Gillespie was sent by Bishop Smith to

form a new parish in Cedar Rapids, along in the early sixties.

The first effort that was made to establish a church in Cedar Rapids

was when a piece of property was secured on Sixth avenue and Sixth

street, near the present residence of Dr. Skinner. Those who were

leaders in this laudable undertaking were J. J. Snouffer, Sr.,

Alexander Hager, and Francis Lilly. Objection was made to the selection

of the site on Sixth avenue and Sixth street from more sources than one

and attention was next directed towards the present site on Third

avenue and Seventh street. Through the efforts of the above mentioned

men three lots were secured, and operations were begun and a little

church constructed large enough for the needs of the time. The lumber

was obtained at Snouffer's mill, the workmanship was contracted for by

Alex. Hager, who was a carpenter, and the means were supplied by Mr.

Lilly, Mr. Thos. Murray, Andrew Stark, John Meehan, Flaherty, and

others. After Father Gillespie came Father Enlinbrook, who retained the

charge only a short time. After his departure Fr. Shields came

occasionally in missionary work.

In 1865 Fr. Cannon assumed charge and remained about two years.

In the fall of 1867 Father P. V. McLoughlin came and remained about six

months.

One would naturally expect that by this time the congregation should

have grown considerably, but the fact is that on the first Sunday of

October, 1866, rosary Sunday, the congregation consisted of between 20

and 30 souls and they were from the surrounding country as much as from

Cedar Rapids.

In 1870 Fr. Lowry (who was a convert to Catholicity) took charge of

Cedar Rapids and from that date we have a continued resident priest and

a regular history. Soon after his arrival he set to work to build a

church more in keeping with the needs of the place, since at this time

many settlers had come from Illinois and things began to look more

encouraging for our religion.

Though his resources were limited, yet he had confidence that while the

purses of the people were light, their hearts and their hands were

generous. Nothing daunted, he put his hand to the plow and the result

was the front part of the present Immaculate Conception church. The

foundation in rock work was the gift of Mrs. J. J. Snouffer, Sr., who

was ever willing and generous to aid both the priest and the people,

though she was not of the household of the faith. I venture to predict

that her generosity and true Christian charity is on record in the

"Liber Scriptus" and that it will not go unrewarded by the Just Judge.

To aid in the completion of this great work Fr. Lowry engaged both men

and women, old and young. Among those who contributed materially in

money and cooperation in every way we find the names of Mrs. J. J.

Snouffer, Sr., Mrs. F. Lilly, Mrs. James Cook, the O'Hara family,

Hayden, Hager, Kehoe, Harrington, O'Keefe, Foley, Cook, Mullally,

Keenan, Murray, Meehan, Langan, Cahill, Flaherty, McVann, Brecht, Peter

Flynn, Killen, Thos. Murray. By the generous and combined efforts of

these and many others the desired end was attained and God's house was

a reality in Cedar Rapids.

Having secured the church the next ambition of the good and zealous

Father Lowry was to secure a parish school, wherein the foundation

would be laid and the seeds sown in future church members and pillars.

The first and only parish school up to this time was a modest and

unpretentious institution in which a young lady named Caroline Hager

taught the children of the parish, who numbered about fifteen.

In 1874 under the direction of Father Lowry the following men were

chief among those who built the school: James McNamara, John O'Hara,

Charles O'Hara, Peter Flynn, Mr. Springer, Alexander Brecht, John and

Charles Murray, the Cannons, Mullally, O'Briens, McVann, McDonalds.

The first Catholic cemetery was the present Bohemian Catholic cemetery

purchased by John O'Hara, Peter Flynn, John Foley, John O'Keefe, and

James Barrett. The first Catholic buried in this cemetery was Mr.

Flaherty, father of Pat. Flaherty of the west side. The second funeral

held there was that of Mrs. Martin Sheehan, about the year 1865.

In 1878 or thereabouts Fr. Lowry secured through Mr. Mullally the

ground for the present cemetery at Kenwood for a consideration of about

$100.00. Then the old cemetery became the exclusive property of the

Bohemian Catholics of Cedar Rapids. This transfer was effected through

Father Francis Chemlar for a consideration of $900.00. Of this amount

$300.00 were contributed by E. R. and W. H. O'Hara. In 1880 Fr. Lowry

was transferred to Burlington and was succeeded by Father T. F. Gunn,

of blessed memory. At this time many settlers had located around Cedar

Rapids and it began to be an important town. Soon the church had to be

enlarged. In order to do so, the old parochial residence which was to

the rear of the church edifice had to be removed and a new residence

constructed. When this was accomplished, an addition was built to the

church, giving it its present shape and dimensions. In the construction

of this addition and all the incidental work that such changes entail

as well as in the erection of a parochial house Father Gunn found

plenty to do during his declining years in Cedar Rapids. He was not a

man given to material building, as much as to the upbuilding of

spiritual conditions in the hearts of his people. He was active and

energetic even to his dying day. He was in sympathy with his charge and

lived in the heart of his congregation, not above them. He was a

thorough christian gentleman, and a man of honor. He believed in

"being" and not "appearing," in doing and not in saying. He was the

servant of his people, not their lord. He was a faithful follower of

Him who forgot Himself in His care for others. No man ever held a

warmer place in the hearts of the people of Cedar Rapids than Father

Gunn. Even today his name is in benediction and his praises sung by

non-Catholic and Catholic alike.

The Rev. Thos. F. Gunn was born at Strokestown, Roscommon county,

Ireland, December 3, 1840. He studied the classics in Ireland and

philosophy and theology at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. He was

ordained priest at Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1867. His first appointment

was to Cedar Falls, Iowa. At the time there was only one priest west of

him, at Fort Dodge. While stationed at Cedar Falls Father Gunn had

under his charge thirteen stations in Blackhawk, Grundy, Butler, and

Bremer counties. During these times a seventy-mile drive in a

springless wagon was a common experience.

In 1870 Father Gunn was transferred to Sioux City. His charge was St.

Mary's parish which then consisted of a modest frame structure on West

Seventh street, across Perry creek. At that time the priest's house

consisted of a one room structure. Father Gunn after a short time in

Sioux City was transferred to Dubuque Cathedral, where he remained

three and one-half years and went thence to Burlington, where he

remained till 1880, when he came to Cedar Rapids to succeed Father

Lowry.

At his advent to Cedar Rapids the condition was much different from

what it today presents. It was but an outpost of the onward march of

civilization and no one dreamt that the coming years would bring about

so great a transformation as is today in evidence. Father Gunn was

twenty-six years in Cedar Rapids at the time of his death. Shortly

before his death he delivered his last public address at the opening of

the semi-centennial celebration held on June 10, 1906, in which he

forcibly manifested his liberal views and referred to the

transformation which had taken place within his memory in the city.

Father Gunn died on June 24, 1906, and his funeral was one of the

largest and most representative ever held in Cedar Rapids. His eulogy

was delivered by Dr. J. J. Fitzpatrick, of Marshalltown, and the

speaker paid a becoming and merited tribute to the beloved and popular

clergyman. His remains lie buried in Kenwood cemetery and the citizens

of Cedar Rapids have erected a suitable monument to perpetuate his

memory and hold his name in benediction.

[Illustration: BOHEMIAN ST. WENCESLAUS CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS]

[Illustration: ST. WENCESLAUS SCHOOL, CEDAR RAPIDS]

After the death of Father Gunn, Father Toomey became pastor of

Immaculate Conception church, which position he still occupies. Great

hopes are held out by the people of Cedar Rapids congregation for the

welfare of the church interests. A new and commodious church is talked

of and the hope entertained it will some day materialize. However as it

is not becoming to praise the soldier while he is in the firing line,

and as "Praise after death" has been my motto I must leave to the pen

of the future historian to chronicle the deeds and sing the praises of

the present pastor of Immaculate Conception church.

ST. WENCESLAUS PARISH

St. Wenceslaus Bohemian Catholic parish of Cedar Rapids was established

in 1874. Those through whose prayer and cooperation this new and

independent field of activity was called into existence were chiefly

the following: Thomas Brouzek, Vaclav Charipar, Natej Charipar, Thos.

Chadima, J. Hajek, Fr. Horek, Joseph Kofron, Jos. Pivouka, Vit Kuba,

Fr. Kofron, Hynek Krejic, V. Lessinger, Jos. Pivouka, V. Hrebec, H.

Sindelar, Jan Stolba, V. Stolba, Jos. Sefranek, Jan Tomanek, Votja

Zaruba, Ignace Sindelar, Mathew Kofron, Frank Biskop, Jan Vanous, Marie

Tuba, and some others from the surrounding country districts.

A lot was purchased, and in August, 1874, the foundation of the first

Bohemian Catholic church in Cedar Rapids was begun. It was an eventful

day for the Bohemian element in the city. In 1875 money was borrowed

and collections made by parishioners, and all resources were drawn on

to obtain the necessary means of perfecting the work already begun. In

1878 the balance of the debt was paid by the united effort of a poor

but earnest people. In fact the donors, considering their

circumstances, were generous.

In those days of difficulty and want the parish was in charge of Father

Chemlar, who with all the zeal and earnestness of an apostle attended

to the varied duties and needs of the scattered and needy congregation.

From his limited salary of $200.00 he gave to the more needy and often

donated his time and talent without any consideration whatever. God be

with those days of disinterested and apostolic labors.

The old St. Wenceslaus church was a rock building 75×27 feet. It was

without a tower. The bell was erected on an improvised structure in

front of the church and its silvery tones seemed to more effectively

accomplish its mission and reach the hearts of the people, than our

costly and superior ones of today as they ring out from their costly

towers or tall minarets.