Henry County IAGenWeb |
1851 |
EARLY CITY COUNCIL ARRANGED FOR HIRING CEMETERY SEXTONMt. Pleasant's city council records contain many interesting accounts. Here is a summary of the proceedings at a meeting. Notice the instructions for digging graves.At a meeting of the Mayor and Councilmen-elect of the town of Mount Pleasant held at the Court House, on Monday, April 14th, being the second Monday in said month, all said officers being present. Mayor, William Thompson, Councilmen Titus V. Taft, Harpen Riggs, Alvin Saunders and John S. Green. Recorder, Henry H. McMillan. Officials took the oath of office. An Ordinance: Be it ordained by the Mayor and Councilmen of the town of Mt. Pleasant that an election shall be held by the qualified voters on Monday, the 28th day of April for the purpose of electing a marshal, assessor and treasurer. And be it further ordained that said officers shall hold office for one year. This ordinance to take effect and be in force after its publication in either of the two papers published in the town. Passed April 14th, 1851. Milo C. Shaw was elected marshal, John S. Bartruff, treasurer and Chas. M. Snyder, assessor. At the regular meeting of the council, May 5th, 1851, they were sworn in and the council passed an ordinance defining their duties. Regular meeting June 2nd, 1851, several ordinances were passed, it shall be the duty of any person or person who may extend to exhibit or show any animal, wax work or other figures, rope or wire dancing, circus riding, theatrical performance, sleight of hand shall pay a license of $50.00 per month. The office of sexton was created, “whose duty shall be to prepare suitable graves for all deceased persons. Shall prepare a grave five feet deep for adults and four feet deep for all persons less than four feet long.” Sexton shall “furnish temporary headstones, keep a record of burials, keep the graves in good order and for compensation shall receive the following fees: for digging graves, attending funeral, filling up grave, furnish temporary stone, $2.50; for setting up permanent stone, $1.00.” Oliver Miller was appointed sexton. ["Mount Pleasant News", Tuesday, September 25, 1934] |
1857 |
Excerpts – Minutes of Mount Pleasant City Council Meetings – 1857April 30th, 1857.A petition was presented asking for a road leading southerly from the public square, which at a later meeting was granted. John F Baker was elected street comm. at $2.00 per day. A petition of certain people on N Main Street asking that the new plank side walks be laid so as to not injure the trees that have been set out was granted. Claim of White & Bros of Burlington for City Seal was allowed. Meeting of June 4th, 1857. Alderman Lash presented the petition of Col Dewey asking that the citizens of Mt. Pleasant subscribe $50,000.00 stock in the Keokuk, Mt. Pleasant & Muscatine Railroad. Claim of Samuel McFarland for printing was allowed. Also $50 was allowed [sic] Bradish on his contract for McAdamizing Jeff St. Meeting June 8th, 1857. Ordinance for paving around the square was repealed. Meeting June 18th, 1857. Street Comm. ordered to construct approaches to county bridge on W Wash St. extension and to improve the extension on W Clay St thru Coles Add. And to employ such persons that are willing to work out their taxes and to obtain money from those that are willing to advance it on their taxes. He was also ordered to remove that portion of VanVosts & Howes building that projected over the sidewalk on Jefferson St. The Marshall was ordered to build a pen in which to lock up all hogs found running at large. June 22, 1857. Porter & McDowell addressed the council on the subject of a loan for city improvements. Ald. Arms offered the following resolution: …that it is inconsistent with the city charter to levy a direct tax for the benefit of any RR Co. and therefore can not grant the petition of S.L. Howe and others for the council to submit a proposition to the citizens of MtP. to levy a tax of $50,000.00 for the benefit of the K., MtP. & M. RR Co., Adopted. Ald Lash offered the following resolution which was laid on the table: …that the city take $50,000.00 worth of stock in the K., MtP. & M. RR provided the money be expended within Henry Co. June 24, 1857. Council again took up the matter of taking stock in the K., MtP. & M. RR and on motion of Ald. Arms, the council walked out to see the grade staked out by the engineer. On their return the RR committee offered an ordinance … an order for a special election, giving the council authority to subscribe to the capital stock of the RR, and to make a loan for city improvements. June 30, 1857. The following men were appointed as night watchmen: Jas. B Lynch, A.G. McCormick, H.J. Penny, Thos. Stockton, Wm. P. McClure. July 16, 1857. Ald. Arms offered a res. to increase the city watch to 12 men, four on duty every night and be allowed $1.50 per night. Adopted. The proposition of W.P. Brazelton for a contract with the city for construction of a sewer was referred to the comm. on improvements. Thos. Stockton, Jas. Lynch, Wm. T. McClure, Henry Penny, David Fischer, John Taylor, O.H. Price, O.K. Service, T.T. Tarbot, J.S. Stockton, Edward Dougherty, … Swan were sworn in as night police. July 20, 1857. Comm. on sewers declined entering into contract with W.P. Brazelton for the construction of a sewer… “it is inexpedient for the city to construct any sewer until in possession of means to construct a general system of sewers.” August 15, 1857. Ald. Arms offered a resolution directing the city treas. to deposit the city funds with the Banking House of Jas. Craig. Adopted. September 3, 1857. Street Comm. was instructed to suspend all work on all improvements until the council could find means to pay for what had been done. October 1, 1857. J.B. Shaw resigned as city clerk and Theron W. Woolson was elected in his place. Complaint was made of a nuisance in the shape of a slaughter house on S. Main St. by the cemetery, belonging to Ketchum and others. Bill of Hotchkiss & Richardson for sidewalk lumber. November 5, 1857. Claim of Allen & Renshaw for a keg of nails, H. Ambler for work on streets and D. E. Elliott for city printing were allowed. November 21, 1857. The following names appeared on the city payroll: Wm. Torrent, Sam Holland, Mike Gahen, Tim Nolan, Jerry Sullivan… |
1858 |
Minutes of Mount Pleasant City Council Meetings – 1858 |
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[from “The Mt. Pleasant News”, Saturday, June 20, 1970] Streets, sewers and money were problems of the city of Mt. Pleasant 112 years ago as they are today. Further gleanings from the city council minutes of 1858 are given. Streets, Sewers, and Money on the AgendaApril 19, 1858 – A comm. which was appointed to investigate the subscription lists of the different newspapers reported as follows: they were informed by H. L. Robinson that he published a weekly paper called the Mt. Pleasant Advertiser and that he prints from 200 to 600 copies but that he had no subscription list. That his paper was left at various store and houses in the city, and copies sent to the country, and that some who have received it have paid and he hopes to get up a good subscription list on his terms, which were $1.00 per year strictly cash in advance.That the Home Journal has a bonafide subscription list in the city (including 140 subscribers in the outskirts of the city who receive their papers at the office) of 381. Your comm. did not examine the mail book to see the number of country subscribers, but were informed by the printers that they printed weekly 40 quires of paper making 960 as the actual circulation of the Home Journal. Mayor was instructed to contract with The Home Journal for the city printing. Question of the completion of the McAdamizing Jefferson St. was referred to the Street and alley comm. The Marshal was instructed to enforce the ordinance preventing from running at large in the streets, alleys and public grounds. Report of the City Auctioneer, Alvin Chatterton, read as follows: Sale of foreign goods $235.00. Goods belonging to the city $900.00. A resolution was passed to increase the width of Monroe St. between Marion St. and Saunders branch to 78 feet to correspond with the rest of Monroe St. Bill of Michael Brensan for 20 3⁄4 perch of stone at 75¢ a perch for a bridge on White St. was allowed and Timothy Keenon received 75¢ a perch for laying the same. Special meeting April 23, 1858 – Petition of Dr. Berkey for improvement of alley in block 7, was referred to street and alley comm. Regular meeting May 3, 1858 – The comm. on city script report as follows: To get up and issue the requisite amount of script and to get it to general circulation as currency it will be necessary to procure blanks either in the form of notes or checks, of such design and mechanical execution as will make them equal in appearance to the scripts issued by the cities of Burlington and Wapello and Keokuk. The cost of steel or copper plates of suitable design, of the denomination of one, two and three dollars has been ascertained by the Mayor by correspondence with engravers in New York, to be as follows: For $1,000 in ones, twos and threes including paper and plates - $337.27 for the best style and for second rate $180.00. For $5,000 in one dollar notes, $201.55. In view of the expense and uncertainty of its obtaining extensive circulation, however elegantly it may be gotten up, the comm. doubt the expediency of issuing script at this time. The committee recommended that in lieu script the Mayor procure some blank forms of city orders of handsome design and style of printing as can be obtained payable to bearer at 10% interest. Also that the assessor be instructed to make the assessment of taxable property and the lists be placed in the hand of the city marshal for collection by June 15th. S. Swan was authorized to erect a hay scale on the north or east side of the square and was allowed to charge 20¢ per load for weighing. Mr. Kelly was allowed $1.50 per day as assistant city engineer. Chauncey Sacket, C. Booker, D. Hooligan, M. Cauhan were allowed $1.00 each per day for labor on the streets. Special meeting May 22, 1858 – Petition of T. E. Corkhill asking that a piece of ground at the north end of Main St. in the College addition be vacated, which was granted. Sanitary comm. was ordered to abate certain nuisances in streets and alleys and on certain private property. Surveys were ordered made for sidewalks on E. Monroe St. Adjourned meeting June 11, 1858 - A side walk was ordered built on the east side of Adams Street between Washington and Green. Committee on ordinances was ordered to inquire into the expediency of regulating by ordinance the speed of cars on railroad within the corporate limits. T. W. S. McClaren, E. Stafford, J. W. Smith, J. P. Baugh and Barton Dawson appeared on the pay roll as night watches. The rest of the meeting was devoted to the discussion of the city printing. Reg. meeting June 21, 1858 – The Mayor was ordered to divide the city printing between the two papers at 25¢ per square, providing that they would print the council proceedings free. Regular meeting July 6, 1858 – An ordinance was passed regulating the speed of locomotives and cars within the city limits. Sanitary reported on nuisances that existed around certain buildings on the east side of the square – “such a quantity of filth and stench cries and smells aloud for redress and is altogether too horrible to be longer endure.” Ald Craig offered a resolution “Whereas the complaint has been made that the Mozart Saloon is a fundamental nuisance, therefore be it resolved that the Mayor be instructed to abate it.” Bids were called for the building of sidewalks where the property owners had failed to do so. A petition in the shape of an ordinance from the Temperance League was read. Regular meeting July 19, 1858 – Several petitions ask that “tippling houses” be declared a nuisance and abated. Wm. Smith was authorized to erect a hay scale and charge 25¢ per load for weighing. Dodds & Buchanan asked for exemption from taxes. |
1858 to 1859 |
Minutes of Mt. Pleasant City Council Meetings |
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[from “The Mt. Pleasant News”, Saturday, June 27, 1970] Mt. P. City Council in Action in 1858 Special meeting July 27, 1858 – Railroad speed ordinance was passed and the city engineer was instructed to erect suitable stakes where the railroad tracks crossed the city limits. Regular meeting Aug. 16, 1858 – A petition of W. F. Ross auctioneer was read. James Harlan, A. Saunders, and Dr. Berkey asked permission to construct a drain north on Jefferson St. to drain their cellars. An ordinance entitled “An ordinance for the suppression of intemperance and to provide for the prosperity and good order of the city” was read. Ald Lash offered an amendment by striking out the words – “Medicinal”, “mechanical” and “culinary” – which was adopted. Ald Stebbins moved to amend as follows: Strike out the words “as authorized by law to be sold for certain purposes” and in their place insert the following: “As the people of Mt. Pleasant wish to drink or get drunk on”. This motion was lost and ordinance referred to committee. All city work except what was being done under contract was ordered suspended for lack of funds. Regular meeting Sept. 20, 1858 – A petition with many signers was presented to the council asking the passage of an ordinance prohibiting the sale of tobacco. This petition was referred to the sanitary comm. Cole & Hutton asked for an extension of S. White described as follows: Beginning at the end of White St. on the north line of sec. 16, running west to the east side of Saunders branch, thence southwesterly to the city limits at the best point to join with a county road that is supposed to be open down the branch. Regular meeting Nov. 1, 1858 – Special committee meeting on liquor ordinance entitled “An ordinance to license and regulate the sale of beer, cider and wine.” The street commissioner was ordered to remove the crossing west of Hon. James Harlan’s home at the corner of Jefferson and Madison Sts., or any other corner where crossings are not needed and construct a crossing on N. Broadway opposite the home of Hon. Wm. Thompson’s residence. Ald Clark offered his resignation to the council as he was moving from the city. Regular meeting Nov. 15, 1858 – Hon. James Harlan appeared before the council with a remonstrance against removing the crossing by his home. Referred to the street and alley comm. C. C. Housel, A. R. H. Allen, Jesse M. Smith, and Mr. Woolard asked permission to build a sewer beginning at Washington St., and running south on Harrison. The St. and alley committee reported in favor of leaving Hon. Jas. Harlans crossing stand. The ordinance for “the suppression of intemperance and to provide for the prosperity and good order of the city” was passed, the vote being as follows: Ayes, Craig, Jones, Stebbins and White. Nays, Frick and Lash. It prohibited “the sale of spiritous, malt and vinous or any other intoxicating liquors within the city limits, except the same are sold for mechanical, medicinal, culinary or sacramental purposes. Reuben Allen was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ald Clark. Regular meeting Dec. 20, 1858 – Petition of W. P. Brazelton for reduction of taxes on the Brazelton House denied. Thanks were tendered to the mayor and council of Burlington for a map, directory and beautiful lithographic view of that city. Regular meeting January 3, 1859 – Claim of McCormick & Willeford for building sidewalks was allowed. 15¢ to 17¢ per sq. ft. was paid for plank walks. Regular meeting February 21, 1859 – Ald Stebbins presented a petition asking the council to provide the necessary means to ascertain the sense of this city in regard to and Independent School District. March 12, 1859 – Alderman elect, R. Allen, Jas. Brunaugh, W. B. Chamberlain, R. T. Coburn, John Tyner and W. N. White were sworn in. Ald Lash was absent. Seems to be seven members on the council. Plans for laying out the city in four wards were discussed. Laurin Dewey president of the Keokuk, Mt. Pleasant and Muscatine RR was asked to publish in the papers a financial statement of his company. School election was held on March 21st and W. B. Chamberlain was elected president, Jesse Holmes, Vice Pres., A. Goan Sec., J. C. Lockwood Treas., directors, A. W. McClure, E. Crane, and J. A. Crane. A special election was called to decide for or against reducing license on billiard halls. Regular meeting April 4, 1859 – Comm. reported in favor of renting the 3rd story of W. T. Whites building at $25 per year for a mayors office. The action of the Grand Jury in appointing an agent to inquire into the finances for Henry Co. was discussed. T. W. Woolson, mayor elect took his oath of office. Regular meeting April 18, 1859 – Thos. H. Young asked for a side walk on S. Main St. from the cemetery to the city limits. Street and Alley Comm. “Respectfully report that we from an examination of the mayors very able and lengthy address to the citizens of Mt. Pleasant conclude that it will be utterly impossible for the taxpayers of said city to be able to raise any more money than will barely save her from bankruptcy; Consequently your committee feel it their duty to oppose in every shape the creating of any new debts until we can see clearly the way to save our beloved city from utter ruin and disgrace.” Regular meeting May 2, 1859 – Ald Chamberlain offered this resolution: Resolved that with the view of managing our city affairs with economy, the members of the council relinquish all claim for their services. This resolution was voted down 6 to 1. The marshal was ordered to enforce the dog ordinance. |
1860 |
Minutes of Mt. Pleasant City Council Meetings |
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[from “The Mt. Pleasant News”, Friday, Sept. 7, 1945] Jan. 2, 1860 – City marshal’s salary for 9 months, $37.50, was allowed. Bills of O. Miller & Co., A. Lee, and Wm. P. Smith were allowed. Proceedings of a mass meeting which was held on the subject of railroad bonds were read, and Henry Ambler was appointed agent to confer with the K. Mt.P. & M. RR Co., and ascertain the best terms on which the city bonds will be surrendered for the RR stock. Alderman Tyner offered a resolution asking that the County Judge be requested to clear the square of wood piles and rubbish and rebuild the fence and prohibit ball playing, to the end that the grass and shrubbery be preserved. Called meeting, March 2nd, 1860 – Col. Dewey, president of the K. Mt.P. & M. RR. Co. appeared with $2,000 worth of RR bonds, which were surrendered for cancellation as the company was unable to complete the road to Mt. Pleasant. Meeting March 7th, 1860 – Returns of the election were read and the following persons declared elected: Mayor, Theron W. Woolson, aldermen, John Tyner, W. A. Saunders, Jas. M. Kibben, John Estelman, Henry Musgrove, Harpin Riggs and Jacob Kauffman. A. Goan, Recorder, Henry Penny, marshal. Adjourned meeting, March 19th, 1860 – Fire limits were established one half block each way from the square. The marshal was ordered to clear away the wood piles from around the square. The Home Journal was given a contract for the city printing. Rules were changed so that the council would meet on the first Monday of each month. Regular meeting May 7th 1860 – Marshal Denny was allowed $2 for removing dead cow and dogs. Regular meeting June 4th, 1860 – The question of organizing a hook and ladder company was brought up. The marshal was ordered to buy lumber and make a hog pound. Street comm. was ordered to improve the road down Saunders Branch, but later reported that no such road existed. W. Bird asked for abatement of certain taxes. Regular meeting July 2, 1860 – A petition was presented asking for a bridge across Saunders Branch along the section line through McCoys addition, and for the vacation of all streets and alleys except one along the east and west section line. The bridge was granted but the council agreed that “too much caution cannot be exercised in the vacation of any street or alley and in no case be done only when public good requires it, and after all parties interested be notified.” Finance Comm. who were instructed to collect $18.25 from T. V. Taft on account of contract on public scales find that “equity and justice require that the same be cancelled.” The fire arm ordinance was amended, to allow manufacture of fire arms to discharge same to ascertain their correctness, providing that sufficient battlements be erected to receive the shots. A charge of 25¢ per head was made for hogs taken up in the streets and 10¢ per day for keeping them until called for. Hogs to be sold if not called for in 10 days. Marshal was instructed to arrest all hawkers, auctioneers, and side-show exhibitors on July 4th, who could not show a license. Adjourned meeting Aug. 20, 1860 – Be it enacted &c., that all of the streets and alleys in that part of McCoys addition lying north of the B & M RR Co. tracks be vacated except the street running east and west on the section line, and the streets surrounding and alleys running thru Block 33 and the street on the west side of fractional block 27 of said addition. A petition of some citizens for a market house was referred to the finance committee. Regular meeting Sept. 3, 1860 – Finance committee reported that they could not see their way clear to build a market house as the petitioners were already delinquent from one to three years on their taxes. Sidewalk matters were discussed and the sanitary comm. was instructed to inspect the old Cemetery with power to appoint a sexton and to procure if possible the records of former sextons. Regular meeting Oct. 1, 1860 – Sanitary comm. reported that they had procured the records but that there had been an entire neglect of recording burials by the present sexton, Abraham Fackler, so the committee discharged him and appointed Oliver Miller in his place and gave him instruction to clear the grounds under brush. Special meeting Dec. 17, 1860 – The comm. who were instructed to inquire into the expediency of organizing a fire dept., and furnish same with buckets, hooks and ladders and the propriety of building cisterns, etc., recommended the following: That a hook and ladder company be organized at as early a day as possible and that the city furnish as the first important step in the matter, 4 or 5 extension ladders, 4 hooks with necessary chain and cable, 6 to 10 hooks and pikes and wagon for storage and conveyance of same. The furnishing of buckets, cisterns, etc., we prefer to leave for further reflection of the council. We recommend that all the articles obtained be of the best quality and kind, sufficiently so to enlist the best efforts of our citizens in the organization, The city being entirely destitute of any implements for a successful extinguishing of a fire, it is hoped and confidently expected that the agents of insurance companies doing business in the city will aid by subscriptions, any well directed effort to carry out an efficient organization. The question of a night police and building a city prison were brought up. |
1863 - 1883 |
EARLY HISTORY OF MT. PLEASANT CITY ORGANIZATION AND COUNCIL MEETINGSThe following are additional interesting facts concerning early Mt. Pleasant history [taken from City Council Minutes] as given by Mrs. A.M. Van Allen in a paper read recently:On Feb. 23, 1863, Dr. Wellington Bird presented a bill of $14.50 for vaccinating 58 persons and J.S. Pennebaker $11.57 for vaccinating 57 persons. M. Robinson $8.00 for nursing sick was allowed $5. On March 6, 1863, Dr. John Irwin was allowed $12.75 for vaccinating 51 persons and Dr. E.G. Van Cise $8.00 for vaccinating 32 persons. Nov. 13, 1865, An ordinance was passed fixing a license for saloons and eating houses, same not allowed open after 10 P.M. Jan. 1866, McClure and McGregor were allowed $12 for burying two persons that died with small pox. On Jan. 4, 1869, The width of North Broadway was fixed at 70 feet. The committee reported they were unable to fix the width at 100 feet, as they had hoped to do, as this street passes the college grounds which in time will be improved and will be one of the beauty spots of the city. Nov. 6, 1871, Owing to a crime wave, six additional night police were put on. KEROSENE STREET LAMPS The first street lights were kerosene lamps on tall poles. Then later A.E. Swift, Neil Swift and Capt. J.D. Felton, husband of our Mrs. Felton, formed a company and started a gas plant where the present plant is located, and on April 13, 1871, an ordinance was presented providing for lighting the city with gas. The company to furnish gas at $5.00 per 1,000 feet until the number of consumers reached 400, then $4.50 per 1,000 feet when the consumers reached 500. The rate for street lamps to be $1.00 less. June 7, 1875, The mayor was instructed to hire as many policemen as he deemed necessary to protect the inmates of the Female Seminary and the adjacent citizens from the improper and boisterous conduct of the persons frequenting the beer garden east of the city. Sept. 3, 1877, A committee inspected the new sewer around the square, which was completed by the contractor, Chas. Martin. In January of the same year the city engineer was ordered to prepare a plat showing the connections on the new sewer. This was just a storm sewer and it is still in use. It would be of great interest to all of you to visit the new sewer disposal plant south of the park. VOTE ON LIQUOR QUESTION January 7, 1878, Alderman Hampton offered a resolution saying that since the question of licensing saloons had been one of contention and disagreement in the council for some time, that the whole matter should be turned over to the people to decide. Vote stood 320 in favor of saloons, 439 against the license. July 18, 1878, A Mr. Cavanee was allowed to let his shooting gallery and ball alley remain open until 11:30 p.m. August, 1878, Gas burners were installed on the street posts and one gas meter was installed on a pole in front of the Mayor’s office. The amount registered here was multiplied by the number of poles in use and thus the amount of gas ascertained. September 2, 1878, The Mayor was instructed to call a mass meeting of the citizens for the purpose of rendering aid to yellow fever sufferers of the south. Nov. 4, 1878, W.S. Shepp was employed to light the street lamps at $25 per month. Street lamps were lighted at half hour after sun down and burned until 10 p.m. SALOON QUESTION AGAIN February 3, 1879, The question of licensing saloons again submitted to people. Result – a majority of 155 against license. April 7, 1879, The ladies of the White Ribbon Club asked the council to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of ale, wine and beer within two miles of the corporation limits. June 2, 1879, A communication from Mrs. E.M. White asking the council to take into consideration the buying of Forest Home cemetery. The just mentioned Mrs. E.M. White lived in what is now the Dr. Farr residence on West Washington street. She was the grandmother of Mae Broadhead, wife of Henry C. Wallace, who served as Secretary of Agriculture in the Harding-Coolidge administration and now Henry A. Wallace, her son, is serving in the same capacity for the Roosevelt administration. I noticed in the paper the other evening that Mrs. Wallace, Jr., was the handsomest lady in the cabinet, so I thought, “Hurrah for Iowa.” July 7, 1879, Forest Home cemetery was purchased from Mrs. White for $1,500. Jan 5, 1880, Again the licensing of saloons bobs up, this time the votes stood 411 for saloon license, 462 against. You see more and more votes are cast favoring saloon license. May 1880, Sixteen new lamp posts were ordered installed. March 8, 1880, Presley Saunders purchased the circle in the Old City Cemetery, and it was platted by Mr. Van Allen’s father. Finally, in the summer of 1880 the ever occurring saloon question comes up again. This time the people wanting the saloon paid election expenses and the saloons were licensed for $600 per year, and they had to put up a bond of $1,000.00. Nov. 8, 1880, The college band asked for a donation from the city to buy instruments. Feb. 14, 1881, City Physician A.W. McClure, reported an epidemic of small pox in the city. OFFER REWARD On Feb. 24, 1881, The council offered a reward of $500 for the murderer of Chas. Gillis and $100 more to hire a competent detective. This murder occurred on West Monroe street in the house now occupied by Mr. McCabe. One evening Mrs. Felton, who lived across the street, heard two pistol shots, then a man scream, “murder”. She was too frightened at first to go to the door, as she was alone. Again another scream, then another, and she heard voices in the street , so rushed to the door and found out that her neighbor had been murdered. As quickly as they could, a group of men was organized, Mr. Van Allen’s father among them. They searched the town for the assassin, but to no avail. Years and years passed, and Mr. James Gillis, a cousin of our Mr. Gillis, received word that a man near St. Louis wanted to see him in regard to the Charles Gillis murder. Here he found an elderly man, on his death bed, who confessed the murder and said he, by mistake, had killed the wrong man, that the bullets had been intended for the city marshal, a Mr. McClure, who had locked him up with some negroes in the city calaboose. In March, claims amounting to $276, resulting from the small pox epidemic were allowed. At this same council meeting, the Female Seminary was exempted from taxes. SMALL POX EPIDEMIC In May of 1881, A well was dug on the old cemetery grounds and some hitch racks erected. S. Willeford presented a claim of $50 for the use of his house for small pox patients. The council allowed bills to the amount of $725.00 as a result of the small pox epidemic. In January of 1882, The Sanitary Committee was ordered to enforce vaccination throughout the city. Aug. 7, 1882, The new council repealed the ordinance covering the saloon license. Jan. 8, 1883, The Ladies Library Association asked the council to submit the question to a vote at the next election whether they shall avail themselves of the new law permitting a tax of 1 mill for the support of a free public library. This law was made over 50 years ago. Now we point with pride to our library, and I am sure all our ladies join me in thanking Miss Budde and Miss Van Hon for their patient, efficient and tireless help in the library. As you all know, the library had a very humble beginning, and a meager existence, but through the hard work of a small group of devoted women, in the early years, and later the persistent, untiring work of Mr. Kopp in securing the Carnegie gift, the constant effort of the L. L..A. and the library board, the library has developed into a vital force in this community, and has become an inspiration to, and a delight for, numberless people, who but for its facilities, would be wholly without many of the finer things of life. [“Mt. Pleasant News”, Tuesday, April 4, 1933, page 4] |
| Transcribed and contributed by Pat White, Aug 2019,
updated Sep 2019. Updated March 2024 with additions of 1858, 1858-1859, 1860 transcribed by Mary Anne Bainbridge. |
| Histories Directory *** Henry County IAGenWeb |