| December 31, 1871 | Daily Commercial | (Leavenworth, Kansas) |
Perhaps the most important public work now in progress in Leavenworth,
is the Kansas and Missouri bridge, which is designed to afford
direct communication with the east. The company who undertook
the construction of this bridge was incorporated Nov. 12, 1867,
and the necessary Congressional franchises obtained in September,
1868. Gen. Wright was appointed chief engineer, who immediately
set to work making surveys for the location of the bridge, and
preparing an estimate of the cost. These were presented to the
board of directors Oct, 31st, and approved. The work of construction
was awarded to L. B. Boomer &Co., of Chicago, but no commencement
was made on the bridge until July, 1870. The work was prosecuted
amid interruptions and delays, and by the July following the substructure
and approaches were completed. The substructure consists of pneumatic
piles, keyed to solid rock, with a solid masonry pier on the western
river bank, and a trestle work approach on the eastern shore.
The superstructure is to be built in three spans, and the first
span is already laid. The iron for the two remaining spans is
already prepared, and it is expected that the bridge will be ready
for the passage of trains by the first of March next.
Before we proceed to speak of the manufacturing industry of Leavenworth,
it would be well to devote a little space to the history of the
Leavenworth coal mine, which may be regarded as the most essential
element to industrial progress and development.
It is not certainly known who first suggested the probable existence
of coal in this locality. Mr. Sam Denman, who recently died in
Lawrence, father of Mr. H. B. Denman, claimed the credit of the
suggestion, while Mr. F. Haun, of this city, declares that the
credit is due to him, and that the first exploration for coal
was begun under the impulse created by his developments. It is
probable that the credit is due to Mr. Haun. But the point is
not a material one, as it requires but a superficial knowledge
of geology to discover that Leavenworth lies within the region
of the coal measures.
The first attempt at procuring coal was made by Samuel Denman,
Thomas Ewing, Jr., and Wm. H. Russell, who obtained, Nov. 13th,
1860, from the Secretary of War, what they supposed to be authority
to mine for coal under the Reserve; but the lease afterward proved
worthless. A boring was commenced under the supervision of Mr.
Samuel Denman, and after delays of various kinds, a depth of 450
feet was reached by the drill, and Mr. Denman pronounced further
effort useless. The project was hence abandoned. Mr. Haun hereupon
obtained a transfer of the mining rights, and having unshaken
confidence in the existence of coal, determined to make a second
attempt. To this end a company was organized Dec. 21st, 1863,
upon the basis of the Denman lease. Mr. Haun having a misgiving
that some mistake had been made in the boring, and believing that
a vein of coal existed within 300 feet of the surface, contracted
with A. C. Ellithorpe to sink an oval shaft, eight feet in diameter.
Mr. Ellithorpe sunk about ninety feet and abandoned the contract.
A new organization was made June 3d, 1865, by the following persons:
F. Haun, John Kerr, J. C. Hemingray, Lucien Scott, Wilison &Estes,
Ed. Russell, C. A. Logan, Tiffin Sinks and John McCarthy. This
company resolved to carry a shaft down and contracted with Jno.
McCarthy to do the work. After numerous disappointments the bore
reached a depth of 294 feet, where the company had hoped to find
a workable lead of coal. But the hope was not realized. They then
resolved to bore from the bottom of the shaft, and in the prosecution
of this work lost no less than three holes. The boring finally
demonstrated, as the company believed, the existence of two and
a half feet of coal at a depth of 540 feet, and the company resolved
to raise means to carry the shaft down to it. But here a new trouble
arose. It was discovered that the lease under which they were
operating was invalid, and that they were subject to the danger
of being put off the ground by a military force at any time the
government might order it.
This discovery well nigh broke down the movement. Under the urgent
appeals of some of the company, Dr. Logan and his brother, Thomas
A. Logan, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Cincinnati, were sent to
Washington as a forlorn hope, to procure the passage of an act
of Congress, if possible guarantying the company's rights. Their
mission proved successful, and Dr. Logan returned to Leavenworth
with an act passed July 28th, 1868, granting to the company not
only the exclusive and perpetual right to mine for all coal beneath
the Fort Leavenworth reservation, but the privilege of purchasing
in fee simple the twenty acres of ground upon which their shaft
is located. Discovering also that the city ordinance giving them
the right to mine the streets and alleys of the city was invalid,
Dr. Logan and Mr. Ed. Russell went to Topeka in 1869, and had
an act passed by which this right is also secured to them.
Being thus secure in their franchise, the Company then received
to make a fourth attempt at reaching coal, and a contract was
concluded Nov. 20th, 1868, with S. H. Daddow, of Pennsylvania,
to sink the shaft to a dept of 540 feet. This work was begun and
progressed with until July, 1869, when the specified depth was
attained, and an eight inch vein of coal was reached. These repeated
failures shook all confidence in the coal enterprise and an entire
abandonment of the search was threatened.
But there were a few resolute spirits, who would not let the work
fail, and by their persistent labors a fifth attempt was made
to find coal. This time boring from the bottom of the shaft was
attempted with a diamond drill. Mr. Daddow again being entrusted
with the work. The contract required him to bore 300 feet, but
at a depth of 170 feet from the bottom of the shaft, or 710 feet
from the surface of the ground, the present vein was reached.
Shortly afterward the drill was lost.
The sixth attempt to reach coal proved the hardest task of all.
No one had confidence in the enterprise; the people had been fooled
too often. Everybody said there was no coal down that immense
depth, and he always knew such to be the fact. But the same indomitable
will that had ever urged forward this adventurous company, was
still active and could not be repressed. The great trouble now,
was to raise money enough to sink the shaft down to the coal,
the existence of which had already been demonstrated. Capitalists
would not take hold; nobody believed in the representations made.
Appeal after appeal was put forth, effort after effort exhausted.
Private lenders, banks, building associations, and lastly the
City Council were importuned to loan money--but all with one accord
failed to see it. At last when hope had almost died but, ex-Governor
Thomas Carney was induced to endorse the company's note for $12,000,
and the note was discounted by Messrs. Hines & Eaves, the bankers.
The expense of sinking the shaft this remaining distance was carefully
estimated, and the sun furnished was found to be barely sufficient.
But it was determined to make the attempt, and the work was re-commenced
January, 1870. By the 22d of March the long sought treasure was
reached, and a few fragments of the immense coal seam were brought
to the surface to satisfy the minds of our citizens that the money
and labor which had been expended in the search had not been altogether
thrown away. Our readers will remember the large blocks of smooth,
glossy mineral exhibited on the corner of Delaware and Second
streets in the spring of '70, and the profound impression they
produced. Nothing so successful as success. Everybody now said
that coal was there, and he had always known it. There was no
trouble after this development to raise money. The work was put
into good shape, avenues driven, and all the necessary machinery
supplied. By October of 1870, our citizens began to obtain their
regular supply of coal from the Leavenworth mine, and the quality
of the coal as the opening is extended from the shaft, is found
constantly to improve. During the present winter, in consequence
of the coal famine which has prevailed through the State, the
mining force has been largely increased, (to 120 miners, we believe,)
and the hoisting machinery has been kept running steadily day
and night. Four thousand bushels per diem is the product
of the mine, which large supply is consumed in the city, is used
by the engines of the Kansas Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads,
and is shipped to Lawrence, Atchison, and other neighboring cities.
The immense value of the coal mine to Leavenworth is shown in
the fact that while other cities have suffered the hardships of
a coal famine this winter, and the supply of coal has been found
quite inadequate to the demand, Leavenworth has had an abundant
supply of the best fuel at ordinary rates, and this terrible privation
has been spared them. The liberality and fairness of the Coal
Mining Company are entitled to great credit for this moderation.
We may mention that this Company have resolved to make still another
attempt to reach coal during the ensuing summer, there being good
grounds for believing that at a further depth of seventy feet
there exists a coal seam of four to five feet in thickness. The
seam now being worked ranges from twenty to twenty-eight inches.
The newspaper press of Leavenworth is devoted to the advancement
of the city interests and advocates manufacturing and commercial
progress with untiring spirit and intelligence. The following
is a list of the newspapers and other serials published in the
city:
The Daily Commercial, morning, (Democratic) daily, tri-weekly
and weekly, George F. Prescott, proprietor.
The Daily Times, morning (Republican) daily and weekly,
D. R. Anthony, proprietor.
The Daily Call, evening (Independent) daily only, Joseph
Clarke &Co., proprietors.
German.--The Freie Press, (Republican) daily and weekly,
J. M. Haberlein, proprietor.
The Telegraph, morning (Republican) daily and weekly, F.
Braunhold &Co., proprietors.
The Kansas Farmer, (agricultural), semi-monthly, G. T.
Anthony, proprietor.
The Medical Herald and Journal of Pharmacy, monthly, Drs.
J. W. Brock and T. Sinks, proprietors.
Among the most important movements in our city of the present
year has been the organization of the Citizens' Association of
Leavenworth. Early in April a number of our most active citizens
conceived the idea of forming an association of the merchants,
manufacturers and business men of Leavenworth, with a view to
extend the manufacturing enterprise of the city, enforce economy
in our county and municipal government, and combine the energies
of all in promoting the general interest. The idea being communicated
to others, a wide-spread interest in its adoption was manifested.
A well attended meeting was held in Woolf's hall on the evening
of April 27th, to effect an organization. Temporary officers were
elected a set of rules and regulations adopted.
A second meeting was held May 2d, when the following officers
were elected: President, Hon. Ed. Russell; Vice President, R.
N. Hershfield; Treasurer, James Crow; Secretary, Frederic Lockley.
A membership book was then present signed their names. Committees
in finance, on manufactures, on navigation, on advertising, on
excursions, and our street railroads, were appointed, and the
time for the holding of regular meetings determined upon. As the
inception of the narrow gauge railroad, which promises such important
results to Leavenworth, will be of interest to most of our readers,
we will briefly narrate the part taken by the Citizens' Association
in procuring its successful adoption. At a meeting held June 6th,
Mr. James Crow mentioned that he had read an advertisement about
a new railroad project, and as some of the gentlemen who had signed
it were present, he asked that they be allowed to address the
meeting. This called forth Gen. Stone, who said the proposition
referred to was not his own, but for the information of the meeting
he would mention that it was proposed to build a railroad of three
feet gauge from Leavenworth to Denver, with branch roads connecting
with every town lying within a given distance of the trunk line.
The aid asked of the county was the $250,000 of Kansas Pacific
stock. In view of the diminished cost of constructing and operating
the narrow gauge road,the present evil of high freights and passage
would be avoided. After considerable debate, a committee of seven
was appointed to consider the proposition, with instructions to
report at the next meeting. On June 17th the committee made their
report, in which they favored the project, and expressed the belief
that the proposed road, if properly managed and run in the interest
of Leavenworth, would be worth more than all the railroads we
have at present, from the fact that freights and passengers could
be run over a road of that kind for a cost at least one-third
less than can be done over a broad gauge road. The local retail
trade that could be gained for Leavenworth from the adjoining
fifty miles, if passengers could be carried for three cents a
mile, would be of more benefit to our citizens than all the stock
owned by the county in all the other railroads combined. The report
was adopted, and the city papers all united in commending the
project. This discussion being noised abroad, delegations from
the counties west of here, through which the road was expected
to pass, began to arrive in Leavenworth and guarantied upon behalf
of the communities they represented liberal aid to the road.
The railroad excitement which then prevailed in our city, when
three propositions were before the county board for adoption,
and the district court room was daily thronged to hear the various
claims presented by the projectors of the different roads, is
too fresh in the minds of our readers to need recapitulation.
The action of the Citizens' Association being regarded as almost
a derisive in determining the fate of these rival propositions,
a railroad committee consisting of G. T. Anthony, George Einstein,
E. P. Willson and James A. McGonigle, was appointed by the President
of the Citizens' Association to examine into them and report.
At a meeting held July 1st, the committee brought in their report,
in which they enunciated the following views: That routes chosen
should open up, as far as possible, new and unoccupied territory.
The longest line with the greatest number of natural feeding branches,
should receive first attention. No encouragement should be given
to connecting links, or branch roads, unless required to perfect
a system centering in this city, or to complete continuous trunk
lines passing through it. The greatest possible diversity of interests
should be represented in the ownership and management, thereby
securing completion and a consequent minimum of rates. As far
as possible lines should be laid across the country radiating
from a common centre and equidistant from each other. Judged by
these rules, the Kansas Central narrow gauge proposition was shown
by much urgent argument, to offer the greatest advantage to the
city and county and its adoption was, upon these grounds, strongly
recommended. Shortly after the other two propositions were withdrawn,
and on the election held August 6th, the Kansas Central proposition
was adopted by a large majority.
The prevailing influence of the Citizens' Association being thus
demonstrated, it was deemed expedient by railroad corporators,
as well as by the citizens generally, to have all railroad projects
submitted to that organization for their approval, before taking
any practical steps towards submitting them to the votes of the
people. On Saturday evening, Aug. 19th, at a special meeting of
the Association, Mr. A. M. Clark presented a proposition to build
a railroad as follows: A three foot gauge, to run from Leavenworth
to the Arkansas river, and thence southwest to the Atlantic &
Pacific railroad on the Canadian river. The route of be an open
question. The aid asked of the county was $300,000 of Cameron
stock, and $150,000 of county bonds. The proposition was referred
to the Railroad Committee. On the 20th Sept. the committee reported,
urging as objections to the adoption of the proposition that the
sum asked was too much, that it stipulated for the delivery of
bonds before a sufficient length of road was built, and that the
route was indeterminate, whereas a single proposed line should
be defined. This report being adopted at a crowded meeting, an
amended proposition was shortly after submitted, which was also
referred to the same committee. The objections urged against this
new proposition in the committee's report, were that it provided
for the delivery of the bonds before the construction of the road,
and that it gave no guaranty of the road being carried beyond
Leavenworth county. The committee laid it down as "the clearly
defined and determined purpose of this Association and the people
to favor no scheme securing less than fifty miles of new and independent
road, and the withholding of the subsidy until the completion,
equipment and operation of such distance." To exact less
than this, they declared, would be to repeat the blunders which
had proved so disastrous in the past. The concessions asked of
the corporators by the committee, were refused, and when the proposition
was voted on, December 4th, it was defeated by an overwhelming
vote.
Another important work taken in hand by the Citizens' Association,
is the reduction of expenses in the city and county government.
In order to take practical action in this matter. Dr. Morris,
at a meeting of the Association, held December 6th, moved that
a committee of five be appointed to look into our county affairs,
with instructions to report at the next meeting what action is
necessary to reduce expenses. The Secretary of the Association
also moved that a committee of five be appointed to revise the
City Charter, with a view to the reduction of the expenses of
our city government. As both motions prevailed, the committees
were appointed by the President, and on Wednesday, Dec. 20th,
a special meeting was called to listen to the reports of these
committees. The Committee on City Affairs, in their report recommended
the extinguishment of sundry offices (the Police Judge, the Wharf-master,
the Fire Marshal, the Street Commissioner, and the City Marshal),
and the curtailment of the salaries of the remaining officials.
They also recommended reforms in the School Board; payment of
city expenses in cash instead of scrip, and the amendment of State-tax
laws, so that taxpayers be taxed upon their average amount of
personal property, held in their business during the year, and
not as now, on what held on the first day of March. With these
reforms adopted, the committee expressed the belief that our city
taxes would be reduced below those of any neighboring city, and
that "capital and industry, instead of being driven from
us by reason of high taxes, would, of their own accord, come to
dwell amongst us, and the city would start anew on the high road
to prosperity." The report being adopted, with some trifling
amendments, on motion a committee was appointed to reduce the
recommendations into proper form, and when so prepared, our Representatives
in the Legislature were to be requested to urge the passage of
such recommendations into a law.
The Committee on County affairs presented their report on the
Wednesday following, December 27, the substance of which was a
series of recommendations to prune down salaries, employ competent
officers, appoint an auditor to strictly supervise the use of
our public moneys, and thus stop innumerable leaks which our too
great laxity has permitted to exist. While the adoption of this
report was under discussion i was suggested to equalize our burdens
capital should be made to bear its due proportion. That the returns
of personal property made to the assessor were fraudulent, and
this abuse should first be attended to. A resolution was thereupon
adopted to appoint a committee of thirty-five virtuous citizens
to thoroughly and exhaustively examine our city and county affairs,
and report all irregularities to the Association was recommendations
for their removal. It is now considered that the Association is
upon a fair way to accomplish much good, and great confidence
is placed in its spirit and honesty of purpose.
In concluding our hasty sketch of this very useful Association,
we might mention that several excursion parties to the city have
been hospitably entertained under its auspices, and that on the
occasion of the great Chicago conflagration, munificent aid was
promptly sent, by reason of its active efforts, to the sufferers.
But its greatest usefulness has been shown in the creation of
a concentrated effort to watch over and advance the general interests
of the city, and in the substitution of union of sentiment for
the former jealousy and dissension which have worked so much injury
to the city. With our railroad situation so much improved, our
manufacturing industry increased, and our commerce generally enlarged
(notwithstanding a season of unusual depression), it is pleasureable
to look forward to a future of healthy growth, and to regard the
coming greatness of our city as beyond all peradventure.
Below we give a careful statement of the wholesale business of
Leavenworth during the year just closing, obtained by diligent
inquiry, at the counting rooms of our merchants. As no similar
statement has been published in the city for several years, based
upon reliable data, we are unable to show by comparative figures,
whether the wholesale trade indicates any gain upon or falling
off from last year's figures. Our merchants have had serious difficulties
to contend with, and several of our safest houses show a reduced
return, from the reason that they have made no effort to push
business. The west is being rapidly depleted of money, notwithstanding
abundant harvests. A protective tariff which arbitrarily enhances
many staple articles fifty per cent in cost; high rates of transportation,
which derange the standard of values; and that rapid extension
of fixed capital, which is unavoidable, where farms have to be
opened, railroads extended, streams bridged, and cities built
up, necessarily absorb our money faster than we can accumulate
it by our one staple industry--agriculture. This condition of
things renders collections difficult, and a number of our best
merchants, during the past year, have made less effort to do business,
for the reason that they were unwilling to accumulate slow accounts
upon their books. Then with the general shrinking in values, the
margin of profits has a tendency to diminish. New avenues of communication
are constantly being opened between our own commercial towns and
the trading cities of the east, and to retain a fair proportion
of the State trade, increased effort has been necessary. This
tends to defeat itself, as the expense of keeping runners out,
in many cases exceeds the profits upon the business they gain.
There has been a loss in the clothing trade during the past year,
from the death of the late Adolph Cohen, who had long been at
the head of an extensive clothing house; and from the withdrawal
of the Messrs. Levy Bros, to their main establishment in New York.
The business of the late Adolphe Cohen has been [pur-] purchased
by Mr. M. Cohen, who is continuing it with great energy; and we
understand that Leavenworth's ascendancy in this staple branch
is to be maintained by the opening of an extensive clothing house
with capital supplied by our own citizens. We also learn from
a gentleman who has just returned from Cincinnati, that one the
most extensive clothing houses in that city have it in contemplation
to send one of their members to Leavenworth to open an establishment
for the manufacture and sale of clothing. The operations in this
branch show a falling off during the past year, for the reasons
above cited, but the field if favorable for the indefinite extension
of the business.
The dry goods trade has been active, and no changes have taken
place. Messrs. Stettauer &Einstein announce their intention
of closing out their extensive dry goods business in this city,
and retiring to their main house in Chicago, this winter, a step
imposed upon them by their serious losses in the late conflagration.
Mr. Einstein had devoted his entire energies to the Leavenworth
house, and under his judicious control the business has proved
remunerative and progressive, but the serious destruction of goods,
amounting to half a million dollars, has compelled them to take
in sail, hence they are led to concentrate their operations in
Chicago. We understand that negotiations are pending with one
or more parties in Philadelphia and Cincinnati, to open branch
establishments in this city, and the success which has attended
this retiring firm may be accepted as a guaranty that a profitable
opening awaits them.
The grocery business fully holds its own. One or two firms report
a slight diminution in cash operations, notwithstanding the fact
that they have handled more goods. The downward range of values
accounts for this apparent anomaly. This trade has received the
accession of the extensive house of M. S. Hall &Co., (now
P. P. Hall &Co.,) whose large supply business to the gangs
employed in building the Kansas Central Railroad, in addition
to their regular jobbing business, render this house an important
addition to the grocery trade of Leavenworth.
The lumber business has been seriously deranged by the Chicago
fire and the immense destruction of timber in the Wisconsin and
Michigan forest lands. So immense a wiping out of this staple,
with the increased demand occasioned by the necessity of rebuilding,
caused an agitation in prices, and Chicago holders for a time
became quite impracticable in their demands. But owing to the
fact that two of our best lumber houses had ample stocks on hand
to meet the business of the season, they determined to take no
advantage of the excitement, and hence our local market has been
undisturbed by the disaster. Our lumber trade has been reinforced
by the addition of Messrs. Chambers Bros. &Co., from Muscatine,
Iowa, the product of whose saw mills is made available to our
citizens by the recent opening of the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.
The provision business this winter has been irregular. The supply
of cattle has been abundant, but dealers have handled them with
extreme caution, in consequence of the low prices prevailing in
the east. The extensive fired in the western portion of the State,
which desolated the finest pasture lands, rendered the support
of the immense herds gathered in that country a matter of extreme
difficulty. Hence, when the cooler weather arrived, these cattle
were hurried into market, and packing operations were crowded
into a few weeks.
The pork business is also in an unsettled condition. Operators
last year lost heavily, and a considerable stock of mess pork
is left over. The supply of hogs this year is unusually large,
and hog products corresponding low. These circumstances combine
to render the business extremely risky, and operators have been
feeling their way along with great caution. A recent advance in
prices has induced a better feeling, and all hogs offered in this
market are meeting with a ready demand. The year's operations
in provisions will probably show a full average.
The grain and milling business has shown great activity this year.
The Leavenworth mills have increased their capacity; Messrs. Plummer & North having built
one of the finest flouring mills in the west, are running their
burrs constantly; and Messrs. Dilworth
&Co. and James McGonigle are making cornmeal and hominy
with great activity. The Perry Bros. of Weston, whose warehouse
on the levee, are also doing an unusually heavy business. These
heavy establishments create a large demand for grain, and not
only afford a market for all raised in this county, but make extensive
purchases of wheat along the lines of the various railroads centering
in this city. Hensley, Shelton
&Co. have been shipping heavily of their best grades to
Boston, and Messrs. Plummer &
North have sent numerous consignments to St. Louis. This branch
of industry has been largely increased during the year.
There has been a great extension in the fruit business this year
owning to the immense apple crop in the Western States. Two enterprising
fruit establishments, Messrs. Farrell Bros. and Archie
Cribbs, have gone heavily into the packing business, and for
three months last fall a daily average of two car loads was sent
west to Denver, whence this choice and wholesome fruit was distributed
all through the Territories by wagon trains. Messrs. Farrell carried
on their packing operations in Weston and Platte City, disbursing
thousands of dollars to the Platte county farmers, and Arch. Cribbs
bought of the farmers of this county, and packed at his extensive
warehouse in Fifth street.
In closing this hasty resume of the business of Leavenworth
during the year, we are pleased to find a healthy condition prevailing,
notwithstanding the difficulties that beset commerce. Our merchants
have preferred to do a safe business, notwithstanding that competition
from without was dogging their steps, and in making out their
trial balances this year we believe they will find as favorable
a showing in proportion to the amount of business transacted as
will anywhere be made.
The following table gives the aggregate wholesale operations of
the year as furnished by the books of our city merchants:
| Flour and corn meal | $ 900,000 |
| Groceries | 1,700,000 |
| Provisions | 750,000 |
| Produce | 50,000 |
| Dry Goods | 1,115,000 |
| Clothing | 800,000 |
| Boots and shoes | (no returns) |
| Hats and caps | 75,000 |
| Hardware | 500,000 |
| Wines and liquors | 720,000 |
| Tobacco and cigars | 550,000 |
| Furniture | 300,000 |
| Indian goods | 350,000 |
| Malt liquors | 115,000 |
| Lumber | 515,000 |
| Agricultural implements | 920,000 |
| China and glass | 125,000 |
| Hides and wool, leather and peltries | 810,000 |
| Drugs | 185,000 |
| Watches and jewelry | 570,000 |
| Fruit | 205,000 |
| Books and stationery | 125,000 |
| Harness and saddlery | 70,000 |
| Total | $11,460,000 |