James Burt (22nd Mayor of Dubuque) 1871

BURT

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 12/27/2016 at 10:37:19

BURT, James. (Schenectady, NY, Feb. 3,1809--Dubuque, IA, Aug. 7, 1886). MAYOR. Burt served two terms as an alderman and held the office of mayor in 1871.

On July 31, 1871, the first water pipe in Iowa was laid between Main and Iowa on Seventh. The great fire at Chicago in October called out a big mass meeting here; a thorough organization for relief was effected through- out the whole county. Mayor Mason, of Chicago, wired here: "Can you send us some bread and cheese for 100,000 people?" The council appropriated $2,500 relief. By October 23 there had been shipped from Dubuque 471 boxes and barrels, mostly clothing and provisions.

The new waterworks were fully completed in October, 1871, and tested; the capacity of the reservoir was 250,000 gallons; its height above low water was 1291 feet. It was seen that a new reservoir would be necessary and one holding 2,000,000 gallons was planned. It was about this time that steps to build a suitable monument to Julien DUBUQUE were taken; this had been talked of for many years, but nothing definite was done until this time. Funds were raised by subscription, but the monument was not yet erected.
Considered a leading member of the bar, Burt served as an Iowa District judge for eight years. Fluent in several languages, he was often employed as an interpreter in court proceedings.

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