1855 October Council ProceedingsSeptember 29, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Marshal to store the furniture and other articles belonging to the city at the hospital
October 1, 1855
Petitions
Petition signed by Goodrich and Brothers praying the Council to change South Dodge Street by maiing it 80 ft wide
John Wildes estate and what is known as Graffords field
best ground to the city limits
James Gillespie's house
survey and plat of proposed change
Reports of Officers
Contracts for paving and macadamizing Main and 7th Street
Recorder to advertize
October 1, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Macadamizing 5th St. between Main and Locust Streets
Petition of H W Diltse relative to the openings of Lake Street from Orange to Jackson Streets
Proper steps not taken in declaring the street a public highway
Suit is now pending in the Supreme Court
James Potter City Engineer
October 1, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Grade of Air Hill Street
Profile of Air Hill Street from Julien Avenue to 8th Street
The grading of small and insignificant streets without having reference to the Main Avenue is impracticable
Grade of 11th Street accompanied by a profile
Bluff Street westward, no grade easy enough for travel can be obtained without ruining the adjacent property
October 1, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Grade of 5th Street west of the old corporation line and for Hill Street from Julien Avenue to 5th Street
City Attorney giving a list of the Ordinances of the City now in force in compliance with a resolution
Committee to revise Ordinances
Contract between Michael McKeon and the City for the filling of 1st St.
An Ordinance to provide for the protection of the Harbor Improvement Bridges
Committee on the celebration
George W Jones, F V Goodrich, and L Clark
Rail Road Celebration
Celebration was a public affair
October 1, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Committee on the celebration
George W Jones, F V Goodrich, and L Clark
Rail Road Celebration
Celebration was a public affair
Resolved paid for purpose of defraying the balance of the expenses of late celebration
Resolved that the Marshal remove a barge now laying against the Jones Street bridge
October 4, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Committee on Illinois Central Rail Road
means to remedy the grievances suffered by the citizens of Dubuque and the travelling public
Company has no established agent in Dubuque
cross the river to Dunleith unnecessary expense and loss of valuable time
dangerous to cross the river in fall and winter
mail train cars arrive at Dunleith between 9:00 and 10:00 at night
October 4, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Illinois Central Rail Road Committee
Company to change the arrival of the cars at Dunleith to an earlier hour to cross the river in day light
Communication to Illinois Central Rail Road
President of the Company at Chicago
Petition signed by James Huff and property holders on Iowa Street praying the City to grade and pave the sidewalks from 6th to 14th Streets
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Shields absent on account of sickness
Petitions
David G Scott and others bad condition of Hill Street and praying some improvement is made
A McDaniel on behalf 7th Street Harbor Company accept work
City Attorney contract executed
F Parsons and James Guttridge lease a portion of the levee near the foot of 3rd Street until April 1, 1856 for the depositing of coal
R Gai and J F Claney Directory of the City
George W Scott establish the grade of Air Hill Street
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Reports of Officers
City Auditor statement of fiscal affairs for the three months ending October 1, 1855
July 1 to October 1, 1855
list of City Scrip to be cancelled
Coupons due August 1, 1855
Abel Hawley fail to meet this rate, suit brought against him if the money can be collected by doing so
David G Scott, City Auditor
Hawley note transmitted to Lakin and Steevers of Milwaukee for collection
Harbor Improvement bridges
Facts relative to the bridges of the Harbor Improvement companies
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Facts relative to the bridges of the Harbor Improvement companies
Harbor Bridges performance and durability of three bridges
Contraction of the bed of the river during times of high water to the width adopted by these improvements
Current under the bridge currently is much swifter than in the ordinary bed of the river
same volume of water has to pass in a very contracted space
current will deepen the channel sufficiently to allow the same quantity of water to pass through the bridges
Bridges be accepted on condition that the companies secure the bed of the slough
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Committee on streets, improvement of Clay Street
Petition of Peter Kiene, macadamizing and paving of Clay Street between 6th St. and 7th St.
same conditions as Main St.
Cannot recommend the work in consequence of the state of our finances
Petition of Charles Corkery and others
Streets around the Public Square
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Petition of Charles Corkery and others
Streets around the Public Square
graded so as to carry off water
construct a sidewalk
Assistance is promised from some of the citizens who have signed the petition
Improvement of 14th St. west of Bluff St.
W J Neely and others
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Change in 17th Street not to be made, west of Mineral St.
M B Cullen
power to change streets should be exercised with great caution
Practicability and expedience of making a $100,000 loan
Our paper is now at ruinous discount, vast amount of public work under contract
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
$100,000 loan
the payment for which will soon become due
City is rapidly filling up with an enterprising and industrious population
erecting buildings as fast as they can procure the necessary materials
Create a debt
Those who enjoy the benefits and prosperity secured by our City Government should pay their proportion of the expenses
of the public works completed now which will ensure their benefit
call for election for proposed loan
October 8, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Advertizement for paving and macadamizing of 7th street and Main street renewed
Resolved Marshal to move all and every obstruction of streets, alleys, and sidewalks
Resolution
Resolved right of the city to occupy the grounds now leased by the city for market purposes
Title to Market Grounds
W C Mace, Deputy Marshal
John Blake's contract for the improvement of Mineral Street
October 10, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Subscription of the City to the stock in the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
Communication from the company
subscribe $100,000 additional stock in the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
August 18, 1853 election of the city
Contract containing the conditions on which the city will subscribe the stock of the company and issue its bonds
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Rules suspended in order to take up the subject of the subscription by the City of the capital stock of the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
Mayor had subscribed the sum of $100,000 additional stock
Resolution
Resolved June 6, 1853 election to take stock in Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
Authorized the mayor of Dubuque to subscribe for said stock subsequent to said vote
Jesse P Farley, mayor 1853
Resolved that the City Council does hereby recognize and ratify the act
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Resolved that the City Council does hereby recognize and ratify the act said Jesse P Farley in subscribing for the stock aforesaid
Authorize the issuance of $100,000 City Bonds to pay for said stock bearing ten per cent interest
running not more than 20 years
Contract between the City and the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company relative to the taking of the stock
$200,000 of the bonds of the City in payment for stock
Contract
Articles of Agreement
Issue their bonds for the said sum of $200,000 payable one fourth in 17 years, one fourth in 18 years, one fourth in 19 years, and one fourth in 20 years
bearing interest at the rate of 10% per annum
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Contract between the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
Articles of Agreement
Issue their bonds for the said sum of $200,000 payable one fourth in 17 years, one fourth in 18 years, one fourth in 19 years, and one fourth in 20 years
bearing interest at the rate of 10% per annum
bonds shall be issued and deposited with Caleb H Booth
Trustee for the parties
Trustee is to hand over the Rail Road Company immediately the sum of $10,000 in bonds
first Division
Mayor and Recorder appointed by the contracting parties to act with Caleb H Booth
Examine each month the books of the Rail Road Company
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Contract between the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
Articles of Agreement
interest shall be paid until Rail Road in full and complete running operation throughout the First Division
Western line of Dubuque county, 30 miles
Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company are to issue to the City of Dubuque immediately and without delay certificates of their stock
deposited with three trustees
Frederick W Kentgen, Gustav H Kissell, and Caleb H Booth
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Contract between the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
Articles of Agreement
Completion of the first division of the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road
Give them further and additional security that they will comply with the provisions of this agreement
faithfully apply the money subscribed
Mayor instructed to sign the contract and the Recorder to attest
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Resolution
August 17, 155
Additional $100,000 in stock in the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
October 8, 1855
John G Shields, Mayor
subscribed for the said amount in stock in said rail road
Resolved authorize issuance of bonds to pay for additional stock
Under the city seal
bear interest at the rate of 10% no longer than 20 years
Reports of Officers
7th Street Harbor Company Contract Attorney
Harbor Improvement
Between the city and H Langworthy, Lincoln Clark, and others
First - 7th St. intersects with Orange St. to the Main River, certain map
the surface of the road as filled out
Second - construct two bridges, one across the canal and the other across the Main Slough
one span, not less than 50 feet, for the passage of rafts
July 1, 1855
Date of Agreement: March 3, 1855
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
September 3, 1855
building of the bridge across the canal
two double track bridges with side foot paths
main slough
question whether the company has complied
Orange St to Main Channel
completed by July 1
J S Blatchley, City Attorney
70 feet of ground formerly donated to the city
North side of lots No. 96 by Charles Miller for market purposes
Grade of Locust St. near 10th St.
Report of City Engineer
Make gutters and set curb stones on 10th Street
Levelling for the established grade south of 10th, west of Locust
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
stand in a pool upon them even in the driest weather
recommend that the present grades on 10th and Locust be lowered
James Potter, City Engineer
Notice of proposed change of grade
Extension of South Dodge Street
plat of proposed extension
preliminary survey of South Dodge Street Extension to the City limit terminating at Gillespie's on Old Military Road
small piece of land belonging to John Gaffney
More equal division of lot
Division line between Wilde and Grafford
James Potter City Engineer
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Bankers and Brokers License
Ordinance Licensing and Regulating Brokers and Loan Offices, Land Warrant Dealers, and others dealing in money
May 24, 1852
trouble in collecting the license from persons engaged in the businesses
Ordinance found on page 31 of the book of Ordinances to the last clause of Section 3 and all of 4
Marshal report to the Council the names of all persons required to pay the license
An Ordinance to license Brokers and Loan Officers
Bridge across the culvert on the sidewalk at the corner of 8th and Locust Streets was much needed
City Attorney to draft an Ordinance regulating drays, carriages, and hacks running within the City Limits
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Committee on Harbor Improvements
Acceptance of Jones and 7th Street Company
bridges constructed according to contract
dangers of high water according to contract
Special Committee on the petition of James Guttridge and Co.
propriety of venting a portion of the levee to Messrs Parsons and Guttridge for the purpose of storing coal for sale
use of said ground for the period of five months
Resolution
Resolved Whereas Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
issue to them immediately the bonds of the City
meet their engagements with the Contractors
$10,000 a month of said bonds to be signed and attested by October 18, 1855
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Resolution remitting the fine of Owen Donahue for alledged disorderly conduct
5th Ward School House
Recorder presented returns of the census in different wards of the city
population as follows
Children between 5 and 21 years
whole population
Population 1st Ward 3210
Population 2nd Ward 1914
Population 3rd Ward 2006
Population 4th Ward 3076
Population 5th Ward 1844
Total Population 12056
salary of census takers
Bills allowed
John Blake Mineral St. contract
John Palmer Madden Hollow Road
A Leathers cleaning and oiling Fire Engine
J W Clark Market Master
J S Blatchley salary as attorney
Emerson and Shields earth filling on 4th St.
F Kruse articles for hospital
Herman Tensch making locks
James Potter pay of engineer
J E Smith and Co clock for hospital
William Rebman lime
Farley and Rouse ball and chain
F Schumacher and Brothers
John Paul work for Marshal
John Flynn work for street commissioner
John Cosgrove
Frank Klopper
A Langanger
October 15, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Bills allowed
Jacob Helmiller work for street commissioner
Timothy Ryan
William Cleary
Anton Helmiller
Lawrence Helmiller
P Consadine
Jerry Rigel
Patrick Lang
Michael Flanagen
Martin Flanagen
William Coleman
October 22, 1855
Petitions
Edward Keas and others improve Bluff St. between Dodge and First street
George Zumhof and others alley between Clay and White Street and between 5th and 6th Streets
D G Scott and others Hill St improvement
October 22, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
City road tax in the improvement of Hill Street
James Mullin remit the payment of his merchants license
Communication from the Auditor
6 months interest on $2000 bonds issued to Michael O'Hern and others will be due in New York November 1, 1855
No money in the treasury
Opening of streets on the Bee Branch Road accompanied by a plat of streets
Petition of Charles Street
September 24, 1855
Plat by Mr. Brown
October 22, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Reporting the Health of the City at present to be good
List of cases attended by him at the hospital
City Attorney draft of an ordinance regulating the rates of fare on carriages, cabs, drays
Owen Donahue arrested and fined upon a charge of disorderly conduct
remit the fine
arrest was unneccesary
October 22, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Report Committee on Harbor Improvements
7th Street Improvement
deeding to company the lands specified in the contract
filling up of 7th Street to the general level of the island
Company executed the contract
street is of specified width
Deed be executed to 7th Street Harbor Improvement Company
fulfillment of the first condition
executed by the Mayor and Recorder
Bill of H V Gildea
October 22, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Bill of H V Gildea
Communication from John N A Griswold, President of the Illinois Central Rail Road Company
Letters between Charles Gregoire, Esq.
Managment of the Dubuque and Dunleith Ferry
Correspondence to be published
Raise money to pay off the claim of John D Bush against the city
Petition of M J Sullivan abatement of assessment
Bids for macadamizing and paving of Main St, 7th St, and White St.
October 22, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Bid of John Blake, lowest bidder for Main St.
Arthur McCann, lowest bidder for 7th and White Streets
Payable in scrip
Bills allowed and paid
John Miller taking sick persons to hospital
M Flynn work for street commissioner
William Fye
J Quinn
E Lanahan
H Tema
Samuel Henry
Lawrence Trischler
Peter Lischet
Andrew Cosgrove
Michael Hardy
Anton Gell
Martin Ryan
Jerry Pigel
Michael Burns
October 23, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Certificates of stock issued by the Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company who reside in New York
were unwilling to receipt for the same unless the stock should be deposited in New York
Draft of an amendment to the contract
certificates of stock shall be held in Dubuque
Be and is so modified so that the said certificates may be held in the City and County and State of New York
Deposited in the American Exchange Bank
October 23, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Amendment to contract with Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
The Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company stipulate with the City of Dubuque that the said Rail Road Company will hereafter pass no rule, order, by-law, or regulation by means of which the said certificate in stock now issued to the City of Dubuque
shall be transferable without the act of all three of the trustees heretofore chosen by the contracting parties
Caleb H Booth of Dubuque IA
Frederick W Kentgen and Gustav H Kissell of the City of New York
Dubuque as a corporation and in its own right to the number of shares held by said City
any and all dividends that may hereafter be declared by said rail road company upon the stock now issued
paid by the Rail Road company to Caleb H Booth
October 23, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Amendment to Contract with Dubuque and Pacific Rail Road Company
Dividends if any are declared are to be entirely under the control of the City of Dubuque
Mayor and Recorder ordered to execute the contract on the part of the city
question of legality of W C Mace Deputy Marshal appointment
Election of 4 watchmen to fill vacancies in the night watch
John Brown, Michael Brown, O Rothlander, and Daniel Wall
October 29, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Returns of the special election held on the 27th
question of a loan by the City of $100,000 for public use
Two thirds of all the votes polled in the affirmative
Money in the treasury belonging to the Harbor Fund drawn and forwarded to New York to meet the interest
Replaced from the special interest fund when collected
Cost of improving the streets around the Public Square
Grading, macadamizing, paving, and curbing Bluff, Locust, 6th and 7th streets
October 29, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Total cost of improving the streets around the public square
$2008.70
Obstruction of Lake Street near the old nursery as obstructing the street
Committee on Claims
Farley, Christman, and Co bill certified by Marshal
Bill of Health Officer for medicines furnished to the sick patients at the City Hospital
Bill of V Herencount for sundries furnished by him for the city hospital by order of the Marshal
Communication of James Mullin exempt from paying Merchants license
October 29, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
James Mullin Merchants license
should not be released from paying license
Raise money to pay off the claim of J D Bush against the city
Committee on schools progress
Organize the City as a School District under the provisions of the last amendment of the charter
Salary of Health Officer
October 29, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Resolution
Resolved that the committee on streets examine 7th Street between Clay and Orange Streets in respect to the grade
Resolved that every officer under the City Government are bound to make a report of their offices at stated times
Resolved that special committee on loan confer with the banking houses in the city
ascertain whether a loan can be effected by them
City Printers proposing to publish the proceedings of the City Council from the last election to the end of the present year
Council Records in book form
October 29, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Communication from P Morgan bad condition of a portion of Clay St.
Improvement of Clay St.
Street Commissioner to replace the Ferry Bridge over the inner slough
Special Committee on Harbor Bridges discharged
City Attorney draft a deed to the 7th Street Company of the ground to be conveyed to them
guaranty from the Jones Street Company bridge will stand until the first day of May next
October 29, 1855
Shields, McNamara, Curran, Samuels, Spottswood, Ham, King, Nightingale, Pelan, Quigley, Connel
Bills
Bennett and Smith Globe hall
John Paul watchman
J Swearingen
Patrick O'Shaughnessy work for street commissioner
John Costigan
Dennis Dorgan
Patrick White
Thomas Johnson
Felix Schmidt
November 5, 1855
Petition signed by J C Higginson bad condition of streets between Main and Clay and 8th and 10th streets
Street improvements
Petition from Lawrence Hurley exempt from payment of city taxes