History’s Mysteries : General Houston

Posted on February 20, 2008 by SCblogger

Part One 

On February 22, 1876 one of the first truly disastrous fires in Davenport began when fourteen buildings, including what was known as Hill’s Block, went up in flames. In less than two hours, a half block of Brady Street businesses and nearly that much on Third Street were consumed by fire. According to an article in the Davenport Democrat newspaper of February 24, 1876:

Probably Gen. Houston, the barber, is a more severe sufferer for his means, than any other one party, by the fire. He lost all his furniture, bedding, gloves, carpets, and his wife’s clothing, etc. and a great deal of his shop stock. His loss will be over $800 with no insurance and no money. With what he saved from his shop, he has located in a room on Fifth between Brady and Perry streets, where he would like to see all his old customers again.

A quick check of the Davenport City Directory for 1876 confirmed Houston’s business location and noted that he was a person of color. Since February is Black History Month, it seemed the perfect serendipity for further investigation of General Houston.

Dr. Craig Klein of Scott Community College has researched African-Americans of the area and offered some helpful newspaper citations providing clues to Houston’s life. One of the articles, from November of 1909, included General Houston’s photograph and more snippets of information about the “Brady Street Tonsor”.

General Houston, although now engaged solely in the practice of chiropody, was at one time owner and proprietor of one of the leading tonsorial parlors in the city…. at that time General Houston was known far and near as one of the best masters of the art then engaged in the profession. …. Later he was called out of town and upon returning did not think that a resumption of his former profession would be consistent with the later years of his life. He accordingly adopted the profession of which he is now an adept exponent and which is now his pet hobby and means of sustenance.

Hmmm. First a barber, then a foot doctor. Called out of town? And what about that name – General? Did he serve in the military? Details – we need details. An obituary often has some good ones.

Dr. Klein’s information had listed Houston’s year of death as 1910, and a quick check in Abstracted Names from the Davenport Democrat and Leader revealed an article pertaining to his death. Success! The obit said he had been born a slave, ran away to Illinois, enlisted in the 29th United States Colored infantry and earned his nickname “General” by reason of his bravery there. His slavery name was Houston Smith but after gaining his freedom he dropped the name of his master and retained that of Houston.

Excellent! The name issue has been cleared up. He did serve in the military. Verification of his enlistment and information about his service was easy to obtain by utilizing the library’s subscription database AncestryLibrary. Houston enlisted as a Private on February 13, 1864 and received a disability discharge from the U. S. Colored Troops on March 15, 1865.

There might be interesting information if he filed for an invalid pension from the federal government. Again, using AncestryLibrary the pension file index revealed an application for both an invalid pension and a widow’s pension. It would sure be fun to order copies of those from the National Archives some day!

Sarah Houston had filed for the widow’s pension. Finally – a name for his wife. A second look at his obituary in the Democrat confirmed he was survived by a wife and one granddaughter, but no son or daughter was mentioned. Thinking it might be an accidental omission, a check of the other newspaper seemed appropriate. The Daily Times obituary indicated that more was omitted from the General’s story than just the name of his child!

Houston had married a woman in Illinois shortly after the war. The Times obit went on to say he married a second time and thereafter shot … wait! He did what? Was charged with what? In little West Liberty, Iowa? I’ll say he got called out of town! This really IS a history mystery! Too long for one blog entry…. tune in next week for the rest of the story!!

Read More: Part 2  // Part 3 // Part 4

Davenport Weekly Democrat and Leader 55, no. 13 (January 13, 1910): 7

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St. Valentine’s Day and Marriage — a Shot in the Dark?

Posted on February 12, 2008 by SCblogger

Mrs. W. G. Donald, circa 1910

Valentine’s Day is a time of romance.  We think about flowers, candy, and cards non-stop for weeks in advance (probably thanks to the many commercials and ads we see).  The legacy of Valentine’s Day was already well-known in the United States by the 1870s.  Newspapers counted down the days and local stores placed information in the papers on their Valentine card stock a week or two before the 14th.  By February 15th, the post office released the number of valentine cards processed the day before.  Several thousand valentines passed through the Davenport post office during the 1870s.

Occasionally, the papers of that time also mention the names of those who had taken out marriage licenses around this romantic day.  A quick glance through Marriage Records, 1870 – 1879, Scott County Court House, Davenport, Iowa shows that while many marriage licenses were obtained on or around February 14th, this did not mean those headed for wedded bliss intended to celebrate the day with St. Valentine.  On average from 1870 – 1879, about three out of thirty marriages in February actually occurred on the 14th.  So, while Cupid’s arrow might jump start a man into springing for a license on the most romantic day of the year, weddings were far too serious a matter to leave to the dubious aim of the little winged dickens.

However, most couples didn’t wait too long: February actually was one of the busier months for marriage in Davenport in the 1870s.  And the slowest, you might ask?  That would be July–who wanted to wear heavy wedding clothes during the hottest month of the year, a century or so before air-conditioning?

Jumping ahead fifty years to the roaring twenties, we find newspapers detailing the marriages of those who chose to be married on St. Valentine’s Day  While the numbers actually appear relatively similar to those of the 1870s, the day seems much more connected to the idea of love and romance in the flowery description provided by the papers.

As you peek at other wedding announcements, it becomes obvious that young couples probably felt Cupid’s arrow just as strongly on their chosen day as if they were being married on St. Valentine’s Day.

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Davenporters of Note: Milton Howard

Posted on February 4, 2008 by SCblogger

Mr. Milton Howard, an African-American, was a man with a unique story.

He was born as a free person in Muscatine, Iowa about 1845 (different sources offer different dates). However, as a child, he and his family were kidnapped and taken into the south and sold as slaves.

When the Civil War started, he ran away and joined the Union army. After the War, he came to Davenport to live. In 1866, he got a job at the Rock Island Arsenal where he worked for fifty-two years.

According to an article published in the Davenport Democrat on April 18, 1915, Mr. Howard could speak both French and German. He learned French while he was a slave, and when he came to Davenport he studied German, a language spoken by many who lived here. He was often asked to give guest sermons whenever a pastor in one of the city’s African-American churches was not available, earning him the nickname “Deacon.”

One day while he was out, he came upon General Flagler, the commandant of the Arsenal. The general had been walking on some ice near the dam and had fallen through. Mr. Howard came to his rescue and saved his life.

In 1921, Mr. Howard was sent with three other men who had worked at the Arsenal for half a century to Aberdeen, Maryland, in recognition of their years of service. They received gold medals. He worked at the Arsenal for 2 more years before retiring

On March 18, 1928, as he was entering church, Mr. Howard had a fainting spell. He was taken into the church where he died a short time later.

He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery.

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Captain Barney’s War

Posted on January 30, 2008 by SCblogger

dplvm89-000636.jpg

Over 76,237 Iowa men fought in the Union Army during the Civil WarOne of these, Captain Chester Barney, from Davenport, fought with the 20th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. After he resigned his commission in November of 1864, he wrote a book about his experiences and paid the job rooms of the Davenport Gazette to print it up. Two copies have found a permanent home in our collections.

recollections.jpg

The title says it all, and then some: Recollections of Field Service with the Twentieth Iowa Infantry Volunteers: or, what I saw in the Army; embracing accounts of marches, battles, sieges, and skirmishes, in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Texas, and along the northern border of Mexico.

War is a serious business, and Captain Barney describes the daily life of Union soldiers, the aftermath of battles, and the hardships his company faced, including, at times, a lack of supplies as basic as food and footwear. Throughout the book, however, our Captain shows a wry sense of humor that probably helped him through the worst days and nights.

Here are two of our favorite examples:

“Resuming our march, we reached ‘Slippery Bottom Creek’ and 8 o’clock A. M.—the most appropriately named creek I have ever met with. A temporary bridge had been constructed by boards laid across, the ends joining and resting on large smooth boulder stones; in crossing on these, which many attempted to do, they were found better adapted for the purpose of a ‘plunge bath’ than bridge. Those who waded were no more fortunate, as the bottom of the creek was covered with large smooth stones on which we slipped, and were treated to as good a bath, but with less plunge.” (p. 105)

“One of my men brought me a fine piece of fresh beef, and while I was discussing a nice steak, [I] received instructions to arrest a number of men in Company K, which were charged with killing cattle. This produced a sudden decline in my appetite, as I felt assured that the steak I was then relishing was contraband . . .
“On arriving at Company K, I found a sergeant with a squad of men busily engaged . . . the grounds repesenting the appearance of a division butchering establishment. The first intimation these men received of this proceeding being discountenanced at headquarters was their arrest. I made some arrests from other regiments, but my rich steak at breakfast had been so well relished that I felt little disposed to make very rigid search, as most of the men seemed to think it was no crime to confiscate rebel beef to satisfy the cravings of hunger.
“Some of them seemed now to have frail memories, for they had forgotten not only the names of their regiments and officers, but even their own names. Strange freaks memory will play sometimes.
“[The men] were kept under arrest, but on being told that prisoners were not subject to duty, nor allowed to carry guns, they bore their misfortune with cheerfulness.” (pp.39-40)

Recollections (SC 973.7477) can’t be checked out, but you are welcome to spend the afternoon in a warm, comfortable library and read this account of the Civil War from a man who fought in it.

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More New Vital Records Have Arrived!

Posted on January 25, 2008 by SCblogger

We are currently finding room in our microfilm cabinets for early vital records from five more Iowa Counties: Jefferson, Clayton, Jones, Wayne and Mahaska.

Please see our online catalog for details!  (hint: type  “County Name vital records” in the search window for the best results – for example, “Louisa County vital records” or “Jackson County vital records.”)

We are moving steadily west in pursuit of these resources, so please check back with us often!

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Davenporters of Note: Popcorn Pete

Posted on January 22, 2008 by SCblogger

Pete Duex made a career out of popcorn. Back in the early 1900s, Duex was a familiar sight on Davenport streets as he moved through the downtown area selling popcorn from a horse and wagon.

Time moved on and he made the transition to a Model “T”, which had a white portable lunch wagon mounted on the rear, where he sold sandwiches, hot tamales – he was also called “Hot Tamale Pete”–and, of course, popcorn. He would often park his stand near the Davenport Municipal Stadium or on the levee.

Eventually he established a lunchroom in the 1000 block of West Fourth Street, just east of the Coliseum Ballroom and later at 916 West 3rd Street. After he sold the restaurant, he established his popcorn business in a former service station at West Third and Myrtle Street. People would drive from all parts of the Quad-City area to buy popcorn from “Popcorn Pete”. He never lost the knack of making it “the tastiest in town”.

His death was reported on the front page of the Morning Democrat  on Thursday, February 25, 1960, as befitted the end of one of Davenport’s most popular businessmen.

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City Cemetery Sexton Records Found

Posted on January 18, 2008 by SCblogger

City Cemetery, 2007

One of the oldest cemeteries in our city is located in an area that is anything but peaceful. Cars and semi-trucks roar by the grounds where some of the poorest citizens of Davenport lay resting in a Potter’s Field and the wealthiest lay under intricately carved tombstones within carefully designed family lots. 

 City Cemetery family plot

The grounds of City Cemetery lie in this industrial area between Rockingham Road and River Drive, amazingly close to the Mississippi River. Tombstones have been displaced due to floodwaters, gophers and vandalism over the years. Efforts are being made by the City of Davenport’s Parks and Recreation Department to return the tombstones to their proper places, but the task has been made more difficult by a lack of documentation with regard to the burials. Enter an especially exciting discovery from the City of Davenport’s Archives!  

City Cemetery Sexton Record 1857City Cemetery Sexton Record 1857City Cemetery Sexton Record 1857City Cemetery Sexton Record 1857City Cemetery Sexton Record 1857

City Cemetery Sexton Record 1857City Cemetery Sexton Record 1857The City Cemetery Sexton presented a monthly report to the City Council, and these were recently discovered, the earliest found being from 1857! These lists provide names and ages of deceased, dates and cause of death, and locations of burials for city residents, many of whom were buried in unmarked graves in the Potter’s Field portion of the City Cemetery. What a boon for genealogists and local historians!  The staff is currently working to make the Davenport City Sexton records and other primary sources accessible to the public on our local history website, www.qcmemory.org and on the Upper Mississippi Valley Digital Image Archive, www.umvphotoarchive.org.

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Davenport Boys coast to victory!

Posted on January 14, 2008 by SCblogger

As winter snow blankets the Midwest, you can hear the cries of children as they careen down Iowa hills on their sleds.  In the late 1880s, children enjoyed sledding, or coasting, just as much–in fact, in Davenport, they not only zoomed down hills, but major streets as well.

 This innocent childhood pastime was not always appreciated by the city council or the police department.  In an attempt to curb the popularity of roadway sledding, the Davenport police confiscated the sleds of any children they caught.  Naturally, the children considered this an outrage.

 In response to losing their beloved sleds to the police, a group of boys took action.  On January 29, 1887, they met in John Chamber’s barn to discuss writing a petition to present to the city council.  An article on this youthful democratic process was granted front page billing in the January 30 edition of the Davenport Democrat.

A search of our 1887 City Council papers uncovered the petition:

To the Hon. Mayor and Council of the City of Davenport:

We the undersigned were appointed to a committee to present the following resolutions for your consideration.

Wheras, It has become necessary for even Iowa boys to protest against invasion of their rights; and

Wheras, We are proud of being Iowa boys, because Iowa tells all the world that her liberties she prizes and her rights she will maintain–and we boys do the same.

Whereas, We glory in being Davenport boys. She’s got hills. Her school houses are on hills. Our history says that boys who and born and brought up among hills and mountains, and near great rivers, make the smartest men.

Wheras, The police won’t let us use the hills, but run us in and take our sleighs when they see us coasting, if they can catch us, which they can’t do unless they get the bulge on us, but which is an outrage all the same, though they can’t help it, because the mayor and council make them do it; therefore,

Resolved, The we Davenport boys protest against these wrongs, because we’ve got a right to slide down hill, and nobody has a right to say we shan’t. We don’t say we should coast on sidewalks. We don’t say we should slide on all roadways, and there are roadways we can slide on and hurt nobody.

Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to present these facts to the mayor of the city with a request that he place them before the city council and ask that the council select certain hill streets on whih the boys of Davenport may coast without interference by the police, but with their protection, if necessary.

George Tyner
Burt Gurz
Charlie Dosh                 }Committee
Harrie Hasson
Harold Sanders

On the petition, it is written in another hand, “Feby 2, 1887 – Granted.”

Under ‘Items of Interest’ of page 4 of the Daily Morning Gazette on February 3, it was stated that “As a place for coasting will be designated by the chief of police, if the boys who had their sleds confiscated will call at the station the sleds will be returned to them.”

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The Trouble with Boulevards

Posted on January 8, 2008 by SCblogger

While searching through a carton of 1895 Davenport City Council documents, we found a protest letter written to the council by a Mr. Jacob M. Eldridge.

It seems that the City of Davenport planned to run a landscaped boulevard down the center of 16th Street as part of a city beautification project.  Mr. Eldridge, who lived at the corner of 16th and Farnum, objected exactly as follows:

My Objections to Boulevard in Center of Street.

1st. — The boys will gather there and use it for ball-grounds.

2nd. — If  a team backed up to curb to load or unload furniture or coal, or anything, no team can pass.

3rd. — It would grow up in weeds and be a grand nuisance.

4th.– It cost the property owners 50¢ a foot, which the city has no right to impose on them.

5th.– In case of a runaway team, you have but a small chance of getting out of the way.

6th.– If you live in the middle of the block, you have to go to the first street to turn around.

7th.– Two loads of hay could not pass each other, one would have to back out.

8th.– If your carriage was standing infront [sic] of your house, and a load of hay come along, it would scratch up your carriage, as a load of hay is generally about twenty feet wide.

9th, and last, the City has no right to obstruct the street infront [sic] of your house.

 J. M. Eldridge
for myself and others

Despite Mr. Eldridge’s best efforts, the Davenport Street Committee, the Paving Committee, and the Parks Board (who would be in charge of maintaining the new attraction) all decided to go ahead with the plan.

Soon after, the street was renamed Kirkwood Boulevard.

Kirkwood Boulevard, c. 1899Any problems with runaway teams, scratched carriages, or neighborhood ball games have yet to be discovered.

Of course, every July, thousands of people thunder down picturesque Kirkwood at various rates of speed during the annual Bix 7 Road Race, but it’s doubtful that even Mr. Eldridge could have foreseen that development—Bix Beiderbecke wasn’t even born until well after the beautification project was finished.

It isn’t known whether Mr. Eldridge changed his mind about boulevards, but he didn’t fume for long; he passed away in 1902.  Today, most of us like them just fine, and some even consider Kirkwood a lifesaver—after all, who could imagine running the Bix without those blessed shade trees?  And where would the volunteers stand to hand out water?

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17 is Enough — Maybe!

Posted on January 2, 2008 by SCblogger

On November 3,1907, the Davenport Democrat & Leader newspaper published an article offering a prize to the largest family in Scott County.   The newspaper believed that the contest would “bring out the fact that Scott leads the state in the matter of big families.”

 The prize was to be a dozen 11″x 14″ photographs taken by the Hostetler Studios of Davenport.  “Beside the value of the prize,” the newspaper says, “the winner will have the satisfaction of knowing that he leads the procession in grand old Scott.”

 One of the families showcased in the paper was the immediate family of Conrad and Margaretha (Puck) Dietz of Walcott, who had six daughters and nine sons, all grown.  There were apparently also several grandchildren, though an exact count was not reported.

 A proud Mr. Dietz is quoted in the article: “I believe it is the largest family in all of Scott County.  I certainly know it is one of the happiest.  I tell you, I have no use for parents who cannot point out a flock of children as part of their assets.” 

Mrs. Dietz was not quoted, but she was probably too tired to speak to the reporter.

 We have yet to find the article declaring the winner of the contest, but among our Hostetler collection of glass negatives is this group portrait taken under the name Conrad Dietz:

Dietz Family Ladies, c. 1910

It is most likely that these are the Ditez daughters–Meta, Tillie, Emma, Edith, Dora, and Martha–perhaps sitting for one of the contest prize photographs. 

So maybe seventeen was enough, after all!

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