| 154
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
BLUFF CITY LODGE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
June 8, 1855, dispensation was issued by A. R. Cotton, grand
master, assisted by T. S. Brown, grand secretary of Grand
Lodge of Iowa, A. F. and A. M., to L. L. Bowen, P. J. McMahon,
S. H. Riddle, A. V. Larimer, W. C. James, Wm. Clancy, L. W.
Williams, Samuel Knepper, Rufus Beall and J. C. Fargo, to
form and open a lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
of Council Bluffs, by the name of Bluff City Lodge, and appointing
L. L. 'Bowen, W. M.; P. J. McMahon, S. W., and Samuel Riddle,
J. W.
July 21, 1855, the first lodge meeting was held. June 4,
1856, charter was issued by Grand Lodge of Iowa, A. F. and
A. M., to Bluff City Lodge No. 71, A. F. and A. M., signed
by John F. Sanford, grand master, and T. S. Brown, grand secretary.
December 6, 1856, twenty Master Masons residing in Omaha,
Nebraska territory, exemplified the work in Bluff City Lodge
No. 71,' A. F. and A. M., and asked for, and received a recommendation
to form a capital lodge at Omaha, Nebraska.
May 5, 1860, a resolution presented at a former meeting to
surrender the charter of the lodge was voted on and carried
in the negative.
January 23, 18'69, Geo. W. Lininger and other brethren exemplified
the work and received the recommendation to form Excelsior
Lodge in Council Bluffs.
The cornerstone of the Masonic Temple was laid by Geo. B.
Vansaun, grand master of Iowa, October, 1883. The lodge held
its first meeting in Masonic Temple December 16, 1884.
December, 1905, Masonic bodies bought Masonic Temple and
made substantial improvements, including installing an elevator.
Present membership (1907) is 250.
Officers of Bluff City Lodge, September 1, 1907, are as follows:
D. E. Stuart, W. M.; J. G. Wadsworth, S. W.; Geo. E. Williamson,
J. W.; H. W. Binder, treasurer; G. W. Lipe, secretary; H.
E. Doolittle, S. D.; T. B. Lacy, J. D.; J. M. Morrow, S. S.;
G. H. Nicoll, J. S.; C. A. Bailey, tyler.
June, 1860, Thos. H. Benton, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was
elected grand master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
June, 1893, Thos. B. Lacy was elected J. G. warden Grand
Lodge of Iowa.
June, 1898, G. W. Lipe was elected J. G. W. Grand Lodge of
Iowa.
IVANHOE COMMANDERY NO. 17, K. T.
Charter was granted October 17, 1871.
Officers: C. E. Walters, commander; R. C. Peregoy, generalissimo;
S. F. Shuart, captain general; G. W. Lipe, senior warden;
C. W. Perdum, junior warden; W. S. Baird, prelate; C. Konigmacher,
treasurer; G. H. Jackson, recorder; E. E. Smith, standard
bearer; J. E. Lundine, sword bearer; W. E. McConnell, warder;
J. Anderson, sentinel. Finance committee-C. E. Walters, R.
C. Peregoy and-. S. F. Shuart. Past commanders-T. B. Lacy,
F. J.
155
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAM IE COUNTY
Pierce, G. W. Lipe, Geo. H. Jackson, V. Jennings, H. W. Binder,
C. M. Hart, P. H. Wind and J. C. Mitchell. Past grand officer-To
B. Lacy, P. G. commander. Membership, 87.
STAR CHAPTER NO. 47, R. A. M.
Organized July 5, 1869.
Officers: F. J. Pierce, M. E. H. priest; G. H. Nicoll, E.
king; W. H. Miller, E. scribe; C. E. Price, treasurer; G.
H. Jackson, secretary; J. C. Madsen, captain host; G. W. Lipe,
principal sojourner; J. E. Lundine, R. A. C.; P. H. Wind,
M. third vail; G. E. Gould, M. second vail; H. E. Doolittle,
M. first vail; J. Anderson, guard. Finance committee--F. J.
Pierce, G. H. Nicoll, W. H. Miller. Past high priests-Po H.
Wind, A. McMillen, T. B. Lacy, H. W. Binder, C. Konigmacher,
J. C. Mitchell, C. M. Hart, G. W. Lipe, J. C. Madsen and C.
E. Walters: Past grand officer--To B. Lacy. Membership, 119.
JOPPA COUNCIL NO. 15, ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS.
Date of charter October 8, 1902.
Officers: F. J. Pierce, T. I. M.; C. E. Walters, D. M.; P.
H. Wind, P. C. W.; E. Kretchmer, treasurer; G. ;E. Jackson,
recorder; G. W. Lipe, captain guard; A. McMullen, C. of C.;
H. V. Battey, steward; J. Anderson, sentinel.
Finance committee--F. J. Pierce, C. E. Walters and P. H.
Wind. Past T. I. masters--Thos. B. Lacy, G. W. Lipe and F.
J. Pierce. Membership, 51.
HARMONY CHAPTER NO. 25, O. E. S.
Organized December 21,1878.
Officers: Mrs. Blanch Killpack, worthy matron; W. H. Killpack,
worthy patron; Miss Crystal Dingle, associate matron; Emma
G. Potter, secretary; Mrs. Jennette Ott, treasurer; Miss Jesse
Caldwell, conductress; Miss Blanche Arkwright, conductress;
Miss Blanche Arkwright, A. conductress;
Mrs. Carrie Van Fossen, Adah; Mrs. Emeline Williams, Esther;
Mrs. Helen M. Wheeler, Marthal; Mrs. Lillie Cook, Electra;
Mrs. Barbara Tucker, warder; J. Anderson, sentinel; Mrs. Mattie
E. Witter, chaplain; Mrs. Esta M. Conrad, marshal; Mrs. Clara
Williams, organist. Past matrons of Harmony Chapter--Mrs.
Lizzie Huntington, Mrs. Maria Jackson, Mrs. M. Duquette, Mrs.
Jennie P. Gray, Mrs. Ada Morgan, Miss Emma G. Potter, Mrs.
Harriett Stevenson, Mrs. Barbara Tucker, Mrs. Charles E. Walters
and Mrs. Jennie Wilkins. Past patrons of Harmony Chapter--Ephraim
Huntington, Wm. Highsmith, G. H. Jackson, Chas. E. Walters,
Peter H. Wind and Andrew McMillen. Finance committee--Geo.
H. Jackson and Mrs. Harriet Stephenson. Relief committee--Miss
Maggie McMillen, Mrs. L. M. Shubert, O. J. McManus. Past grand
officers--Mrs. Maria Jackson, P. G. matron; G. H. Jackson,
P. G. patron; Emma Potter, P. G. Ruth. Membership, 170.
156
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAM IE COUNTY
EXCELSIOR LODGE NO. 259, A. F. and A. M.
Dispensation was granted February 1, 1869. Chartered June
2, 1869, with the following charter members: G. W. Lininger,
T. A. Megath, J. Lyman, P. J. McMahon, B. Newman, W. J. Brainard,
Leech Clark, Thos. J. Evans, Richard Gray, H. W. Goff, J.
H. Keatley, J. W. Vinacke, A. J. Bond and J. Brewster.
First officers were: G. W. Lininger, W. M.; T. A. Megath,
S, W.; J. Lywan, J. W.; P. J. McMahon, treasurer; B. Newman,
secretary; J. W. Brainard, S. D.; Leech Clark, J. D.; T. J.
Evans, tyler.
In 1907 the membership had grown to 145, with the following
officers: Will. S. Baird, W. M.; Charles H. Conrad, S. W.;
Harry A. Lenox, J. W.; John S. Kinkle, treasurer; Thos. McMillim,
secretary; Edward D. Carr, S. D.; John B. Sherman, J. D.;
C. M. Maynard, S. S.; G. Gail Garretson, J. S.; Jas. McMillen,
tyler. . Trustees-George H. Jackson, Dell G. Morgan and Samuel
Payne. Membership, 145. Past masters--C. M. Harl, P. H. Wind,
W. A, Highsmith, G. H. Jackson, Samuel Payne, H. E. Spoor,
D. G. Morgan, A. McMillen, S. G. Culver and James I. Henry.
The following are the directors of the Masonic Temple Association:
G. W. Lipe, F. J. Pierce, W. E. McConnell; V. Jennings, J.
McMillen, G. H. Jackson, J. G. Wadsworth, W. S. Baird and
P. H. Wind.
Officers: President, G. W. Lipe; vice-president, P. H. Wind;
treasurer, F. J. Pierce; secretary, J. G. Wadsworth. Executive
committee--J. McMillen, V. Jennings, G. H. Jackson and W.
E. McConnell.
THE MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA.
Is a fraternal benefit insurance association. Hazel Camp,
No. 171 was organized February 6, 1886, with sixteen members.
Its growth has been continuous, until at the present time
it has a membership of 630.
It has distributed to the widows and children of its deceased
members ninety-four thousand dollars ($94,000).
It includes in its membership many of the foremost business
and professional men in the city.
FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES.
The Council Bluffs Aerie was organized December 28, 1900.
First past president, S. P. Wadsworth; first president, John
Lindt; second president, W. H. Ware; third president, Steve
H. Connors; fourth president, Thos. Metcalf; fifth president,
Chas. Nicholson.
The organization at present (1907) is as follows: President,
J. J. Klein; recording secretary, J. H. Bryant; financial
secretary, F. C. Hendricks; treasurer, Geo. S. Davis.
The present membership of this Aerie is 700.
The benefits distributed since organization have averaged
$3,000 per annum.
157
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
COUNCIL BLUFFS LODGE NO. 49, 1. O. O. F.
The charter of Council Bluffs Lodge No. 49, I. O. O. F.,
was granted October 26, 1853, by the Grand Lodge of Iowa,
and record shows that from December 21, 1859, no meetings
were held until July 11, 18'-67, when the following brothers
met for the purpose or reorganization: J. P. Casady, D. C.
Bloomer, J. Smith Hooten, W. L. Biggs and J. D. Test. Brother
J. P. Casady being appointed by the grand secretary. District
deputy grand master ordered an election of officers, and the
following brothers were elected and installed: Brother J.
Smith Hooten, noble grand; Brother D. C. Bloomer, vice grand;
Brother J. P. Casady, secretary; Brother W. L. Biggs, treasurer.
At the following meeting July 19, 1867, the following brothers
were elected by card: ,J. H. Stewart, T. H. Stewart, I. N.
Chapman, B. Newman and A. H. Orr.
The present membership is 195, and the present officers are:
G. W. Eckert, noble grand; Thos. Q. Harrison, vice grand;
J. V. Howard, secretary; O. W. Dachtler, treasurer.
Hawkeye Lodge No. 184, I. O. O. F" was instituted December
10, 1869, by Past Grand W. L. Biggs, D. D., G. M.
Charter was granted October 20, 1870. The charter members
were as follows: J. W. Peregoy, noble grand; Robert George,
vice grand; J. S. Sayles, recording secretary; A. H. Orr,
treasurer; G. W. Wilcox, Ben Newman, R. H. Kells and R. R.
Kirkpatrick. .
The present membership is 148, with the following officers:
J. R. McPherson, noble grand; J. R. Ezra, vice grand; J. F.
Spare, secretary; A. D. Van Horn, treasurer. .
The five-story brick temple now occupied by the several lodges
was built in 1896.
Park City Lodge, No. 606, 1. O. O. F., was instituted October
20, 1894 with the following charter members: A. N. Lund, J.
A. Heflin, F. A. Grout, Geo. W. Skinner, P. B. Griffith, E.
A. Pippin, Geo. D. Clark, T. H. N. Peterson, Geo. Shoemaker
and Geo. H. Scott.
The first officers were: F. A. Grout, noble grand; Geo. D.
Clark, vice grand; A. N. Lund, secretary; Geo. Shoemaker,
treasurer.
The grand officers who instituted this lodge were: A. D.
Van Horn, past grand of Hawkeye Lodge, No. 184, Dist. Dept.
G. M.; C. E. Tucker, past grand of Council Bluffs, No. 49,
grand warden; Fred Knapp, past grand of Humboldt Lodge, No.
174, grand secretary; S. S. Keller, past grand of Council
Bluffs Lodge, No. 49; grand treasurer.
Five of these original charter members are still connected
with this lodge. All the charter members are living except
P. B. Griffith, who died some years ago.
The present membership is 168. Present officers are: W. F.
Johnson, noble grand; F. R. Starr, vice grand; Walter C. Joseph,
secretary; I. N. Parsons, treasurer.
158
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
St. Albans Lodge, No. 17, K. of P., was organized June 12,
1872, by a delegation of Knights from Nebraska Lodge No.1,
of Omaha, with the following list of charter members: J. J.
Monell, Jr., Edwin J. Abbott, F. W. Bennett, A. M. Wickens,
W. H. Lafferty, J. W. Jacobs, G. W. Taylor, H. C. Van Brunt,
C. N. Beyers, F. Gandy, J. Armstrong, J. E. Riley, W. P. Windel,
C. Hummel, R. George, O. D. Boomer and Will H. Hoxie.
The first chancellor commander was J. J. Monell, Jr., and
Edwin J. Abbott first master of exchequer, and J. W. Jacobs,
K. of P. and S. past chancellor. Edwin J. Abbott and J. W.
Jacobs are the only charter members connected with the lodge.
The lodge is in a flourishing condition. Its present officers
are: Julius R. Cummings, C. C.; Ray Cook, V. C.; Geo. Hunter,
prelate; A. W. Huber, M. of W.; Edwin J. Abbott, K. of P.
and S.; C. A. Tibbitts, M. of finance; A. C. Lane, M. of E.;
S. J. Culver, marshal; H. Danells, J. G.; J. W. Jacobs, O.
G. Trustees--Ed. Carr, C. W. Atwood and Thos. Pilling.
PROTECTIVE AND BENEVOLENT ORDER OF ELKS.
Council Bluffs Lodge, No. 531 was organized in the fall of
1899, and on the 27th of December the first meeting was held,
when 245 charter members were duly initiated, being the largest
charter membership of any lodge ever instituted up to that
time.
The following were the first officers of the lodge: Hon.
John N. Baldwin, exalted ruler; Dr. T. B. Lacy, esteemed leading
knight; W. J. Davenport, esteemed loyal knight; Emmet Tinley,
esteemed lecturing knight; H. Z. Haas, secretary; F. A. Buckman,
treasurer; E. A. Troutman, esquire; N. E. Terryll, tyler;
Rev. Geo. Edward Walk, chaplain; E. C. Brown, inner guard.
Trustees--Lucius Wells, three years; Wm. Arnd, two years;
Geo. E. Smith, one year. .
In the fall of 1900 an Elks' building association was formed
and stock was issued, sold, and money raised to purchase ground
and erect a lodge building and club rooms, and on October
21, 1900, the corner stone was laid with ritualistic ceremonies
of the order, and on April 19, 1901, the building was properly
dedicated and opened for the use of its members. From that
time h) the present the lodge has been in a most prosperous
condition, having at the present time 600 members in good
standing. The cost of building and ground was $30,000.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
Fidelity Council of the Royal Arcanum, No. 156 of Council
Bluffs was organized by Thos. G. Magrain, August 12, 1878,
with nine members, viz.: Dr. John Green, Thomas E. Weeks,
Albert B. Nicholas, James P. Goulden, Thomas Bowman, B. F.
Baldwin, Co1. D. B. Daily, Thomas E. Cavin and Orvil M. De
Kay.
This was but one year and two months after the organization
of the supreme council of Boston, and was the first council
organized in Iowa. .The splendid impetus given the new society
by these enthusiastic young business men launched it upon
a most successful and honorable career, and in
159
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
twenty-nine years of its history 650 members have claimed
its protection. Its present membership is 252.
There have been forty-three deaths among its members, and
the material benefits distributed to the widows and orphans
of the deceased members amount to $126,000.
The total membership of the order is 249,000, and the total
benefits paid $112,000,000.
Of the original nine charter members of Fidelity Council
only, three are now living, viz.: Hon. Thos. Bowman, T. E.
Cavin and A. B. Nicholas.
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD.
Council Camp, No. 14, Woodmen of the World, was organized
September 8, 1891, by Deputy S. L. Waid in the Red Men's hall,
corner of Broadway and Main street, with a charter list of
175 members.
The first set of officers were: Consul commander, Dr. D.
Macrae, Sr.; advisor lieutenant, Dr. C. H. Brown; banker,
Dr. V. L. Treynor; clerk, H. A. Baird; escort, Dr. D. Macrae,
Jr.; sentry, Jas. A. Harlan; watchman, L. E. Roe; managers,
J. I. Lutz, Dr. F. S. Thomas and C. A. Tibbitts. The camp
moved from the hall in September, 1893, to what was known
as Peterson's hall, on Upper Broadway, which was rented, and
remained the W. O. W. hall. This they occupied until January,
1906, when they moved to their present quarters, corner of
Broadway and Park avenue.
The present officers are as follows: Consul commander, C.
E. Barry; advisor lieutenant, M. R. Jones; banker, C. A. Tibbitts;
clerk, Del G. Morgan; escort, E. W. Corlies; secretary, E.
A. Aspinwall; sentry, J. H. Carsley; watchman, E. E. Grimes;
physicians, Drs. P. J. Montgomery, C. H. Bower, O. V. Hennessy
and J. H. Gasson; managers, J. G. Bradley, W. J. Lauterwasser
and A. C. Lane. .
The camp has a well drilled uniformed company of sixteen
men under Captain W. C. Smith. One of the features of the
W. O. W. plan is the placing of a monument over the grave
of every deceased member.
Council Camp has forty-one monuments placed, mostly in the
city cemeteries.
The camp has paid out up to this time (1907) $42,000 in death
benefits.
The present membership numbers 440.
ABE LINCOLN POST, G. A. R.
Was organized in December, 1880, and held its first regular
meeting on the 7th day of January, 1881, with E. H. Harrison,
W. H. Campbell, J. Lindt, E. J. Abbott, Lewis Souvreign, Ed
F. Holmes, R. P. Seely, J. Daugherty, A. Austin, Wall McFadden,
Geo. B. Miles, Geo. Carson, L. S. Russel, C. J. Beckman, D.
B. Daily, E. Casey, W. H. McGinnis and J. A. Spaulding as
charter members.
The first commander was C. N. Harrison; first adjutant E.
J. Abbott.
The post and its members have been prominent in the Grand
Army affairs of the state, Past Commanders John Lindt and
J. J. Steadman having been
160
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
department commanders of the state of Iowa, and General G.
M. Dodge is delegate-at-large to the national encampment,
Post Commanders L. B. Cousins and" D. R. Witter have
served as inspector generals, and E. J. Abbott as adjutant
general and judge advocate of the department, and many of
the members have served as aids to the department and national
commanders.
The officers of the post at present are: Past commander,
C. S. Hubbard; S. V., commander, S. H. Alexander; J. V. C.,
Fitch Smith; adjutant, E. J. Abbott; Q. M., Samuel Johnson;
chaplain, John Hutchings; surgeon, James Hoon; officer of
the day, Wm. Roper; officer of the guard, Elmer Packard.
The post is also owner of the burial lot in Fair View cemetery
on which the Kinsman monument stands, and also the part reserved
for burial of old soldiers free of cost.
THE WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS, NO. 29.
Was organized in 1889 as an auxiliary to Abe Lincoln Post,
G. A. R., by Mrs. Hannah R. Primpton, a national officer.
;
The first officers were: President, Nettie Brown; secretary,
Annie Campbell; treasurer, Emma J. Clark; conductor, Flora
A. Spera; assistant, Elizabeth Ward; senior vice-president,
Mary C. Hoon; junior, Mary F. Foster; chaplain, Mary L. Irwin;
guard, Hattie L. Cramer; assistant, Josephine Knight.
The corps is in a prosperous condition, spending considerable
amounts yearly in donations to the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown,
the Memorial University at Mason City, Memorial Flag fund,
Southern Memorial fund, California sufferers, and our own
post.
The present officers are as follows: President, Mattie E.
Witter; senior vice-president, Mary Kelley; junior vice-president,
Amy Reed; secretary, Elizabeth Ward; treasurer, Leona Brown;
.chaplain, Ella Liles; conductor, Augusta Cook; guard, A.
Pagenstecher; assistant conductor, Amanda Mullen; assistant
guard, Martha Case; patriotic instructor, Huldah Steepy; press
correspondent, Carrie Bennett; musician, Ethel Thornton; color
bearer No: 1, Stella Talbott; color bearer No.2, Favorett
Weatherbee; color bearer No.3, Mary Smith; color bearer No.4,
Alice Rhodes.
THE NATIONAL UNION VETERAN LEGION, ENCAMPMENT
NO. 8.
Was incorporated August 9, 1886, with twenty-six charter
members, and consists of men who enlisted prior to July 1,
1863, and served not less than two years continuously unless
discharged on account of wounds received in line of duty.
At first regular meeting John Fox was elected colonel; lieutenant
colonel, D. B. Daily; major, J. R. Reed; officer of the day,
E. F. Holmes; adjutant, C. H. Warren; quartermaster, D. J.
O'Neil; officer of the guard, Henry Genhimer; chaplain, B.
W. Hight.
The first death was that of A. Van Order, March 13, 1889.
. During the eighteen years since, out of an enrollment of
one hundred and ninety-three, up to June, 1907, fifty-five
deaths have occurred, and out of said enrollment, sixty-three
were wounded.
The present number of members is seventy-five.
161
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
LADIES' AUXILIARY TO UNION VETERAN LEGION.
The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Union Veteran Legion was organized
September 23, 1891.
The first officers were as follows:
President, Mrs. Mary Crisp; senior vice president, Mrs. Blan9h
Loveland; junior, Mrs. Etta Miller; secretary, Mary R. Anson;
chaplain, SarAh Watts; conductor, Mary Steigal; guard, Elizabeth
Sherwood.
The society was reorganized August 4, 1903, and the following
officers elected and are serving at the present time (1907):
President, Nellie Burrows; senior vice president, Bitha Bolton;
junior, Martha Hobbs; conductor, Ada Martin; chaplain, Addie
Mitchell; secretary, Theducia Williams; treasurer, Catharine
Hess; guard, Nancy Cadwell; color bearer, Clara Whitell.
The present membership is forty-two.
THE DODGE LIGHT GUARDS.
The first military company formed in Council Bluffs as a
part of the Iowa National Guard, according to the records
in the adjutant-general's office was known as Company A, Fifth
Regiment, and was mustered into the state's service May 4,
1887, by Captain M. H. Byers of Company C, who was detailed
for that service by the adjutant-general of Iowa. Captain
Byers was afterwards appointed adjutant-general of the state;
and has been succeeded in that office by Captain William H.
Thrift, Company A, Fifty-third Regiment.
In a reorganization of the Iowa National Guard, the Council
Bluffs company became known as Company L of the Third Regiment
and was known by that name until the regiment was called into
the service of the United States in 1898.
The following is the roster of the original Company A of
the Fifth Regiment: Captain, Wm. S. Messner; first lieutenant,
Charles Highsmith; second lieutenant, Hugh W. Patterson, with
thirty-one rank and file.
The Fifty-first Regiment, of w}:lich the Council Bluffs company
was a part, left Des Moines for San Francisco, June 5, 1898,
arriving at Camp Merritt June 11. On July 29 they were removed
to Camp Merriam, remaining there until November 3, 1898, when
they left Camp Merriam and returned to San Francisco and embarked
on board the transport Pennsylvania. The transport reached
Honolulu November 16. Arrived at Manila bay on December 6,
1898. After nearly a month in Iloilo bay, the transport departed
for Cavite, arriving at that place January 31, 1899, where
the troops went into quarters.
The Fifty-first Regiment participated in the occupation of
San Roque, February 29, 1899, and the various companies were
in a number of engagements during their stay in Cavite, losing
in battle and by death a total of forty-one men. The following
is a list of engagements in which the companies of the regiment
participated: Guadaloupe Church, March 5, 1899;
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Quingus, April 23, 1899; East and West Pullian, April 24,
1899; Calumpit, April 25; San Thomas, May 1; San Fernando,
May 5, May 25, 2'6 and 31, June 16, 22, 30 and July 4, 1899;
Calulut and Angeles, July 9, 1899.
On September 6, the troops broke camp and moved to Manila
preparatory to returning to the United States and sailed on
the transport Senator, September 22, 1899.
Here the Fifty-first Regiment was mustered out of the service
on November 2, 1899, and the various companies returned at
once to their various stations.
The home-coming of the Fifty-first was the occasion of a
great and memorable celebration in Council Bluffs. The company,
for a number of years, made its headquarters in rented rooms
until, through the generosity of Gen. Dodge, it was provided
with its present armory, located on the corner of Fifth avenue
and Pearl street. The armory was dedicated January 17, 1905,
and is one of the best in the state and the boys, as well
as the citizens generally, are proud of it. The present officers
of the company are: Captain, S. A. Green; first lieutenant,
A. M. Peterson; second lieutenant, Percy Lamson; first sergeant,
S. A. Walters; quartermaster-sergeant, R. H. Lackley; sergeants,
N. V. Sanders, J. F. Norman; cook, H. W. Snyder; musicians,
L. R. Kirkpatrick and Eugene Marr.
On July 14, 1904, pursuant to an order from the adjutant-general,
Dr. Donald Macrae, major and surgeon, organized a hospital
corps, which was temporarily attached to the Fifty-sixth Regiment.
Orders were sent out from headquarters at the same time for
the formation of three other detachments of the corps to be
stationed at different points in Iowa. The roster of the Council
Bluffs detachment upon its organization is as follows:
Dr. Donald Macrae, major and surgeon; first lieutenant, Dr.
C. W. McDermott, Spencer, Iowa; second lieutenant, Dr. John
Middleton, Davenport; first-class sergeant, W m. Anderson;
second-class sergeant, Arthur E. Lane; enlisted men, Dan.
P. Cowles, Jas. Macrae Jr., Ray B. Beardsley, Clement C Smith,
Harry B. Evans, Egbert D. Aylesworth, Harry B. Sackett, Merl
F. Warner.
The corps has its headquarters in the armory of Company L,
where all its equipment is stored, the men being drilled once
a week in their duties.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department of Council Bluffs had its beginning as
far back as 1853, after the disastrous fire that consumed
a large portion of the business houses as well as the merchandise.
This consisted of a hook and ladder company and a bucket brigade.
The hook has been kept as a relic by the department, but the
rest of the apparatus, like its members, has passed away.
On July 12, 1868, at a meeting at Johnson and Orr's shop,
the Rescue Engine and Hose Company was organized, with a small
hand engine and hose.
Competition now entered, and in August, 1868, the Bluff City
No.2 was organized, and a steamer and horse hose cart were
ordered by the city. The company was a strong one.
The Rescue had hoped to get this steamer but failed. They,
however, continued their organization and became a part of
the department.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
The old Bluff City steamer arrived here in September, 1868,
in charge of H. A. Sillsby, of the Sillsby Manufacturing Co.,
and was given a trial at the Sixth street bridge over Indian
creek, by W. Savage, an engineer from the factory and who
was retained in charge of the engine.
Bluff City Engine Company perfected its organization and
was officered as follows: Foreman, F. T. C. Johnson; first
assistant, O. P. Wickham; second, Ben Miller; president, J
ames McFee; secretary, R. B. Brown; engineer, W. Savage; fireman,
Thos. Homer. Heretofore the department had been independent,
but the city having purchased the steamer as well as the hose
cart, it appointed the officers of the department as follows:
Chief engineer, F. T. C. Johnson; first assistant, P. D. Moomaw;
second assistant, George Herbert. In January, 1869, a large
company was formed called the Protection Hook and Ladder Company,
and the same month the Confidence, afterwards called the Phoenix
Hook and Ladder Company, was organized, and being recognized
by the city council, was placed in charge of the truck, and
the Protection disbanded and became absorbed by the other
companies.
The city built a brick engine house on the corner of Pierce
street and Glen avenue for the Bluff City, and Sam Morrison,
an experienced stage driver, given charge of the team, while
an immense horse, weighing over 1,800 pounds was installed,
with Neil Voorhis as his driver of hose cart. This horse was
named Pat in honor of Chief Lacy, and for many years served
the department faithfully, out living his driver and finally,
in his old age, was degraded to sewer work. He was a favorite
with all the boys, and they gave him an appropriate funeral
when his labors were ended.
In the latter part of 1874 the city disposed of the old Rescue,
and for about nine months the company were without apparatus,
but they retained their organization, and on September 8,
1875, the department was increased by the arrival of a new
hand engine called the Rescue, which was given to the Rescue
company, as was also a hose cart that came at the same time.
This engine was used by the Rescue company until June, 1880,
when it was sold to the town of Griswold, Iowa.
The second steamer ever owned by the city arrived here in
June, 1880, and was given a trial on Upper Broadway and also
at the Scott street bridge, under the direction of G. F. Hawscotte,
vice-president of the Ahrens Manufacturing Company, builders
of the engine. The trial was entirely satisfactory, and it
was accepted by the city and named the Rescue, and during
the same month it was taken to the state tournament at Marshalltown,
where it took the first prize on time, throwing one hundred
feet in five minutes eight and one-half seconds from lighting
the fire. The best time ever made by an engine at a tournament
in this state was made by the Rescue at Sioux City in 1877,
time three minutes and fifty seconds. Up to the time of completion
of our waterworks this engine sustained her tournament records
in actual service. On the 22d of February, 1869, the Rescue
company gave the first firemen's ball ever given in the city.
It was largely attended, over two hundred couples being present.
The first parade of the department was on May 13, 1869, the
occasion being a double one, the welcoming of the first train
coming over the Rock
164
HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Island Railroad, after which the ceremony of laying the corner
stone of the Ogden House was performed.
Following P. D. Muma as chief of department came Ralph Guennella,
fourth, R. D. Amy; fifth, P. Lacy; sixth, John L. Templeton.
Mr. Templeton was in at the close of the volunteer and inauguration
of the pay department. With the completion of the waterworks
the old volunteer department, with its many pleasing association,
passed away, and while Mr. Johnson and Mr. Muma, the two first
chiefs, are still living, their successors, Guennella, Amy,
Oliver and Lacy, have passed away, as well as Engineers Savage
and Honier, and Drivers Morrison, Voorhis and Neely and many
of the others, officers and rank and file.
As chief in '84-85, C. D. Walters succeeded Templeton. In
'86-7 Templeton succeeded Walters and again in '88-89 Walters
became chief, to be succeeded by F. R. Levin during '90 and
'91. Charles Nicholson served as chief during '92-93-94, after
which John Templeton served during '95-96-97, to be succeeded
by John Bates during '98-99, when John Templeton was returned
and served during 1900-01-02-03, when Charles Nicholson was
again appointed and served two years, when R. W. Jones was
appointed and served until 1907, when Charles Nicholson received
the appointment and .at this writing, 1907, is serving in
the capacity of chief.
This department has been noted for its efficiency, but in
many instances has been handicapped from failure of pressure,
owing to mains being too small at a distance from central
part of city, also by the great extent of territory and unpaved
streets.
The department at this writing (1907), consists of chief,
Charles Nicholson; superintendent of alarm, James Bradley,
and twenty-two men stationed as follows:
No.1, South Main street and Eighth avenue, with four men,
hose wagon and team. A. Telfer, foreman.
No.2, West Broadway and Twentieth street, four men, hose
wagon and team. Charles Matheson, foreman.
No.3, intersection of North Main and Bryant, five men, combination
hose wagon, also chief's wagon. Frank Hitchcock, foreman.
No.4, Upper Broadway, six men, hose wagon and hook and ladder
truck. Foreman, C. Hough.
No.5, Eighth street and Nineteenth avenue, three men, chemical
engine and team: Foreman, Charles Withrow.
It is doubtful if a more efficient department can be found
in the state.
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