Читать книгу Atlanta And Its Builders, Vol. 1 - A Comprehensive History Of The Gate City Of The South - Thomas H. Martin - Страница 14

Things went very well in Atlanta after the forces of disorder and insubordination were subdued. The young city became quiet, so far as law and order was concerned, but not quiet, by any means, as to enterprise and growth. The place was nothing if not bustling. Its trade had steadily expanded, and its reputation as a cheap trading point extended far and wide. Atlanta was known as a cash town in contradistinction to the credit policy so prevalent and so ruinous in the older cities of the state. At a very early period in her history Atlanta laid the foundation of her great commercial supremacy and rapid upbuilding by adopting the plan of trading on a cash basis strictly and selling at a narrow margin of profit.

It was in 1850 that Atlanta experienced her first fire. Two fires, in fact, occurred simultaneously, one in a business house on Alabama street and one in a cotton warehouse a little out of the business center. These fires were extinguished by an improvised bucket brigade made up of well-nigh the entire male population, but not, however, until several bales of cotton had been consumed. The night of the fires the money drawer of the Georgia Railroad depot was broken open and its contents stolen. The general opinion was that the fires had been started by incendiaries for the purpose of creating an excitement, in the midst of which they could loot unprotected property. It was known that some suspicious characters were sojourning in the town, and after this occurrence, the police quietly notified them to leave, which they did with alacrity.

Thus warned, the property-holders, who for some time had been agitating the organization of a fire department, met in mass convention and went about the proposed organization in a practical way. The legislature was applied to for a charter, which was granted under the name of Atlanta Fire Company No. 1.

The charter members were: W. W. Baldwin, W. Barnes, C. C. Rhodes, G. R. Frazer, H. Muhlinbrink, B. T. Lamb, Reuben Gardner, S. Frankford, P. J. Immell, C. W. Hunnicutt, John Kershaw, T. J. Malone, H. M. Mitchell, W. J. Houston, L. J. Parr, J. F. Reynolds, C. A. Whaley, A. C. Pulliam and J. S. Malone. The act of the legislature was approved by Governor Herschel V. Johnson, and the company was soon in fire-fighting trim. There was some difficulty in raising the funds necessary for the equipment of a company with a hand engine and 500 feet of leather hose, but by dint of much perseverance the good work was accomplished. The next step was to secure the location for the engine house. A suitable site was found on Broad street, between the old calaboose, which extended to the railroad, and the public market on the other side, which extended to Alabama street. The original building on this lot is said to have been a fine old Southern mansion, the home of Ewell Wright. The yard of the residence occupied the whole square between Alabama street and the railroad, and was very attractive, being filled with lordly shade trees and beautiful flowers. Here was built the little one-story engine house. As other companies were formed, they built houses for the apparatus in other parts of the city, but No. 1 house was known as the general headquarters, and the first alarm bell was put in there. Before the bell was installed in its place, another story was added to the structure and a tower built for the bell. The same bell used a half century ago is still used by the fire department in its handsome headquarters on West Alabama street, and every Atlantan is familiar with its resonant tones. From this little building the protection of the city from fires was directed by the volunteers until the paid fire department was organized about 1877. The old hand engine was called "Blue Dick," and all the country for miles around gathered with no little curiosity to see it perform its work. Fire engines were a decided novelty in those days. The first exhibition was voted a success, and from that day the proud firemen were the pets of Atlanta, the city always evincing much enthusiasm in its support of fire measures. Few of the charter members of Atlanta Fire Company No. 1 are now living. W. W. Baldwin was the first president of the company and was elected chief, which office he held two terms, declining re-election for a third term. H. Muhlinbrink was the first treasurer, and was succeeded by Henry Kuhrt, Sr. A number of the early members of the old volunteer fire company are prominent businessmen and citizens of Atlanta at this writing. Among them are Major John H. Mecaslin, J. H. Ellsworth, "Uncle Tom" Haney, Henry Haney, foreman of Engine House No. 4, Thomas W. Haney, chief of the Jacksonville, Fla., fire department; John Berkele, Charles Heinz, Charles Heinz, Jr., John M. Heinz, Peter Lynch, Charles Klassett, Jemmy Mann, Jacob Emmel, Mike Emmel, William Erskine, George H. Deihl, John K. Weaver, and others. As near as can be ascertained, the old volunteers sold their apparatus to the city in the early spring of 1882, and since leaving active service, the company has been perpetuated with Major Mecaslin as president; George Deihl, vice-president; J. M. Heinz, secretary, and John Berkele, treasurer. Before dismissing the subject of the organization and early history of Atlanta Fire Company No. 1, it is interesting to add that a few years ago the old building partly collapsed and the north end, with the tower, fell over the embankment upon the railroad tracks. It was repaired and transformed into a one-story building again, and was rented out as a store, its tenant generally being a produce commission merchant. It was the remnant of this historic building that was torn down in the summer of 1901 to make room for Hugh Inman's handsome modern structure. For a number of years prior to the partial collapse of the old engine house, one of the interesting features about the place was the grave of a dog, located on the extreme edge of the embankment in a grass plot kept green by the firemen. The grave was marked by a weather-stained wooden board on which was inscribed simply the name "Jeff." The dog belonged to Jake Emmel, of the volunteer company, and was a favorite with the firemen of long ago, running with the company to all fires.

There were a number of substantial citizens in Atlanta by this time. Er Lawshe, who came sometime in 1848, and John Silvey, who came the following year, were leaders in all movements looking to the advancement of the city. The Lynches, energetic Irishmen of sturdy qualities, were among the prominent newcomers. There were five brothers of them. Patrick Lynch was a stone mason who knew his trade thoroughly and, during his lifetime, had the distinction of building more foundations and stone walls in Atlanta than, perhaps, any dozen masons. He built the Georgia Railroad machine shops in 1850. John and James Lynch were well-to-do grocers.

The banking agencies established in the city were either railroad or branch institutions. A regular bank was now organized by George Smith, a gentleman from Chicago who had large financial connections. The capital stock was $300,000. The local management was in the hands of J. R. Valentine.

The Catholics and Episcopalians by this time had substantial church structures erected. The first priest of the former church was Father Quinn, and the first rector of the latter church was John J. Hunt.

The council elected to serve under the mayorship of Jonathan Norcross was composed of Julius A. Harden, John T. Humphries, D. McSheffrey, W. W. Roark, John Jones and Paschal House. The salaries and bonds of the several officers appointed by the new council were fixed as follows: Marshal, salary $350, and bond $3,000; treasurer, salary one and one-half per cent, of all moneys received and disbursed, and $6,000 bond; deputy marshal, salary, $300, and $2,000 bond. On the 23rd of February. 1851, an ordinance was passed consolidating the two offices of clerk and tax receiver and collector. The salary of this official for acting as clerk was to be in accordance with the ordinances, and for acting as tax receiver and collector it was fixed at two and one-half per cent, on all moneys received and disbursed. The bond of the consolidated office was placed at $6,000. At the election on January 24th, William McConnell had been elected marshal; Oswald Houston, treasurer; Benjamin J. Williford, deputy marshal; Adam N. Jones, clerk and tax receiver and collector.

On February 14th council adopted an ordinance which required each building within the city limits, kitchens and other small houses excepted, to be furnished with a ladder, and each store and dwelling to be supplied with two buckets to be used in the emergency of fire. On February 21st O. H. P. Canant was elected city sexton, and Mr. Humphries was given authority to proceed with the plotting and enclosing of the lots in the new cemetery. On the 28th of March Mr. Frankford appeared before the council to urge the great necessity of digging wells to supply the necessary water in case of fire. Subsequently council authorized the committee on wells to proceed with the digging of a well at the corner of Whitehall and Mitchell streets, to be eight feet square and hold fifteen feet of water; another of the same dimensions to be dug at the corner of Marietta and Peachtree streets, in front of Norcross's store, and one, also, of the same dimensions, at the corner of Whitehall and Hunter streets. These three wells were to be covered with two-inch plank. At the same time, a large reservoir fifteen feet square and fifteen feet deep was ordered dug on Alabama street, below the Holland House. On April 11th, the foregoing well ordinance was repealed, and as a substitute an ordinance was passed ordering wells to be dug in the four places specified, to be five feet in diameter, to contain ten feet of water, and to be covered with wood. It was further ordered that wooden cisterns be built in connection with each well, not more than three feet distant, to contain ten feet of water.

On June 4th the vexed Pryor street opening matter was adjusted by the following action: "This meeting was called to consider a communication just received from John P. King, president of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company; W. L. Mitchell, chief engineer of the Western and Atlantic Railroad Company, and Isaac Scott, president of the Macon and Western Railroad Company. This communication had reference to that part of Pryor street lying between the public square in the city of Atlanta, belonging to the state, and the depot lot of the Macon and Western Railroad. The action of council in the premises was taken in the following words: In consideration of the urgent necessity of the respective railroad interests occupying that portion of said street for tracks, etc., and in consideration of having a more convenient and equitable arrangement of depot buildings upon said square, we do hereby resolve and agree to relinquish and surrender up to the railroad companies and interests in this city, all claims to the aforesaid portion of said street. Be it further resolved that we deem it absolutely necessary for the satisfaction of private claims and interests adjoining the public square, as well as the interests and claims of the citizens generally, that the respective tracks and depot buildings of the respective railroads be so arranged as to do equal justice to all the public and private claims as the convenience of the respective railroads will allow of being done.' "

In accordance with the foregoing agreement on the city's part, the mayor and clerk were required to execute a relinquishment of that portion of Pryor street lying between the public square and the Macon and Western Railroad depot lot, and such part of said street as crosses the railroad tracks, to the respective railroad companies whose roads terminate in this city, and to the state of Georgia.

For some months, the question of building a city hall had been agitated, and at the session of June 4th a committee was appointed to confer with Dr. Thompson with regard to the sale of a lot suitable for its location. The lot was purchased for that purpose from Dr. Thompson, and at a meeting of council held on September 20, 1851, the erection of a substantial brick city hall was determined upon. The plan of the proposed building was as follows: Length, seventy feet; width, fifty feet; building to be two stories high; lower story to have a passageway lengthwise through the building, ten feet in width. In the front end of the building, on the east side of this passage, was to be a room forty feet in length, for an engine room, and the other thirty feet was to be made into rooms for city guard house. The space in the other side of the building was to be divided in the same manner. A justice's court room was to occupy the front room, and the other two rooms were to be occupied by the clerk's office and a guardhouse. The council chamber and mayor's office and court room were to occupy the upper story. The structure was to have large windows at each side and each end, and it was specified particularly that the sashes were to be hung with weights, to slide up and down. This was a new wrinkle in architectural convenience and evidently appreciated as a progressive departure. The lower story was to be twelve feet in height, and the upper one fifteen feet in the clear.

At the city election in January, 1852, I. F. Gibbs was elected mayor, with the following councilmen, viz.: Stephen Terry, I. O. McDaniel, L. C. Simpson, Jonathan Norcross, R. E. Mangum and Mr. Grimley. The proceedings of the council for this year seem to have been lost. The principal question of public interest during this administration was the building of a new city hall, but the question was how to raise the necessary fund to build it. The plan was to expend between $15,000 and $20,000 for this purpose.

While such an extensive public improvement as the city hall was about to be put under way, it will prove somewhat diverting to read, in the Atlanta Intelligencer of February 19, 1852, what a wretched condition the streets and sidewalks of the little city were in. By the way, the Intelligencer was by this time a daily. This paper said under the head of "A Word to Strangers": "If you arrive in town on any of the numerous railroads that terminate here, it will probably be just before dark. After refreshing yourselves with a hearty meal at some one of our well-conducted hotels, you will feel a desire to take a stroll about town, at least through Whitehall street. Starting from the vicinity of the railroads you can proceed fearlessly till you come to the first cross street, called Alabama street. Don't think of walking out of your direction to walk up that street, unless the moon shines particularly bright, or unless you can hang to the coat tail of some friendly guide; as without such aids you would probably find yourself in about two minutes at the bottom of a pit, fifteen feet in diameter by eighteen feet deep, which occupies the center of the road, and thus occasion considerable trouble to those who happen to be near, in procuring ropes to drag you out; and in such case, you might besides be inclined to form an unfavorable impression of our city regulations, as did a gentleman last week, who was hauled out of the pit pretty severely injured.

"Passing this point, you can continue in Whitehall street, but by all means take the right-hand side, as on the left side are two deep trenches dug out for cellars. We are not informed whether the cellar doors are built, or whether they are intended to extend to the center of the street, or only across the sidewalk. At present they are admirably adapted to catch unwary passengers. In one night last week, during a severe rainstorm, they caught no less than five — two ladies and three gentlemen returning from a concert. One of these was a stranger in the city, and while spreading himself before a blazing fire, in the Holland House, to dry the red clay with which his garments were beautifully covered, gave way so much to his feelings that he was observed very much upset at the mention of our venerable city council.

"Proceeding on the right-hand side of the street, you will have a very comfortable walk until you come to Cook's corner, where the pavement ceases. Here you had better turn square n »und and walk back, for directly in advance is another pit, fifteen by eighteen feet, ready to take you in. In some parts of the town we believe these holes have been covered over. The one in front of Lloyd & Perryman's store, where a man fell in and broke his neck some weeks since, we are credibly informed was promptly covered after the event.

"P. S. — Since the above was put in type we are gratified and delighted that each of the pits mentioned have been temporarily covered with plank, so as to avoid the recurrence of further accidents."

It was during 1852 that the Atlanta and West Point Railroad into Alabama was finished, being chiefly constructed by the Georgia Railroad Company. J. P. King was the first president of the road, and W. P. Orme, secretary, treasurer and auditor. There was quite a little opposition in Atlanta to the building of this road, its opponents arguing that it would result in cotton passing through Atlanta to Augusta that was now waggoned to Atlanta and for that reason a source of commercial support. Many who did not actually oppose the building of the Atlanta and West Point were suspicious of the effect of the road in the respect mentioned and inclined to be afraid of the consequences. Such, indeed, was the effect for a few years, and the importance of Atlanta as a great wagon cotton point declined considerably; but what was lost in this respect was compensated for many times over by the greatly increased general commerce and traffic that the new line brought to Atlanta. As Colonel E. Y. Clarke said of the completion of the Atlanta and West Point: "It proved only another feeder to the young" giant, which was fast developing a muscular power destined to thrust aside all its rivals, and pass them in the race for commercial prosperity and metropolitan dimensions. In fact, with the completion of these roads, Atlanta needed but one other element of success to assure a triumphant career, and that was the element of pluck, energy and enterprise in its inhabitants. To what a nervous extent they possessed this element of success, will readily appear in the course of their history. Their railway system, though not complete, was sufficiently so to secure superiority, and to justify the prediction of John C. Calhoun and the bright visions of its most sanguine citizens."

In this year, the Christian church was organized by State Evangelist Daniel Hook, with a mere handful of members, but the zeal of the little band was so great that they built a neat and commodious church structure the following year. In 1852 also the handsome new First Presbyterian church was dedicated. It occupied an eligible site on Marietta street, a little way from the original business center, upon a lot donated to the congregation by Judge Cone. The building committee was composed of Judge Cone, Major Merry, Richard Peters, and Julius A. Hayden. Rev. John S. Wilson, the pioneer clergyman of Atlanta, was the first pastor.

In the city election of January, 1853, the officers chosen were: Mayor, J. F. Mims; councilmen, J. A. Hayden, J. Winship, W. M. Butt, J. Norcross, I. O. McDaniel and L. C. Simpson, It may be interesting to give the vote cast at this election. The officers for which the figures are given are those of mayor, marshal and deputy marshal. For mayor, John F. Mims received 369 votes, and T. F. Gibbs 193; for marshal, B. N. Williford received 217, G. M. Lester, 195, Harvey Little 112, and W. C. Harris 42; for deputy marshal, Paschal House received 236, E. T. Hunnicutt 215, James Coker 24, F. Wilmot 38, and 31 votes were scattering. The officers chosen by council were: Marshal, Benjamin N. Williford; deputy marshal, Paschal House; clerk and tax receiver and collector, Henry C. Holcombe; treasurer, J. T. McGinty. The salaries and bonds as regulated by the administration of 1853 were as follows: Salary of marshal, $400 and fees, with a $2,000 bond; of deputy marshal. $400 and a bond of $2,000; clerk and tax receiver and collector, two and one-half per cent, on all moneys received and disbursed, with a bond of $10,000; treasurer's salary one and one-half per cent, on all moneys received and disbursed, and $6,000 bond. The board of health for this year was composed of Dr. D. Hook, Dr. T. M. Darnall, Dr. T. S. Denny, B. H. Overby and R. Peters. G. A. Pilgrim was selected as city sexton.

On the 28th of January, council passed an ordinance to the effect that a night police squad should be elected by that body, in conjunction with the mayor, to consist of three persons, one of whom should be designated chief of police. Under this ordinance it became the duty of the night police to guard the city from the ringing of the council bell at night, and until sunrise next morning, and to enforce obedience to the ordinances and by-laws of the city. On February 4th treasurer McGinty resigned and was succeeded by Ambrose B. Forsyth.

This council hit upon a practical plan to raise money for the erection of the new city hall. At its session of February 9th the committee on finance submitted a report in which it strongly opposed the plan of advertising for the sale of city bonds, expressing the opinion that it did not consider it at all likely that a single bid would be offered if the bonds were advertised. As a substitute plan it submitted the following: That the mayor, at his discretion, borrow $10,000 for the purpose of erecting a city hall, and give the city hall lot and the city hall itself as security, and also such other property as the city might then own; and in addition to all this, such special tax as might be assessed for the purpose of erecting the proposed city hall. It was proposed to make the loan for a period of ten years, with semi-annual interest, the council reserving to itself the right to pay the entire debt in three, five or seven years. This plan met the approval of the majority of the council and was considered satisfactory by most of the citizens, if the local press reflected public opinion on the question. Many wanted at least $20,000 expended in the construction of the building, holding that while one so pretentious might be a little ahead of the city's progress, it was only adequately providing for Atlanta's needs a few years hence. The committee of council having the building in charge, however, thought that $10,000 or $15,000 at most, would be sufficient to erect a suitable city hall. Little else was talked about all summer, in municipal affairs, and it was not until the 26th of September that the plans and specifications offered were finally examined and a bid accepted. The plan presented by Mr. Hughes was adopted, and it was determined to begin the work without necessary delay.

The matter of lighting the city was also seriously grappled with by this council. On March 25th, 1853, a resolution was adopted which required that a lamp be placed on the Market (Broad) street bridge, and that street lamps be placed at such points as they were most needed, at the expense of the city, provided the citizens in the neighborhood of the lamps thus erected would agree to supply the lamps with the necessary illuminating fluid. Owing to the resignation of Mayor Minis in the fall, a special election was held on November 12th, at which William Markham, an energetic and thrifty New Englander, was elected mayor. On the 28th of November, a committee consisting of Daniel Hook, Thomas S. Denny, Richard Peters and Thomas M. Darnall reported to the council that in their opinion, all slaughter pens within the corporate limits were nuisances and should be abated instanter. This was done.

The report of the city's vital statistics made by the city sexton in 1853 for the quarter ending April 1st, shows: Deaths from pneumonia, 2; delirium, 1; complication, 1; old age, 1; measles, 1; typhoid, 1; pleurisy, 1; consumption, 1; cholera infantum, 1; not known, 3; colored persons, of diseases not known, 3; total number of deaths, 16. For the quarter ending July 1st the total number of deaths was 37; for the quarter ending October 1st, 57, whites 47, blacks 10; and for the quarter ending January 1st, 1854, the number of deaths was 48, making the total for the year 158. At the time the foregoing report was made it will be remembered that the population of the city was in the neighborhood of 6,000. Newcomers were arriving on every train and the town was full of strange faces.