The Daily Times Tuesday, April 16, 1946 Life Was Less Complicated Directory of Year 1878 Reveals Many Interesting Fact About Davenport, Then a City of 16,687-Had 109 Saloons Those were the good old days! No paved streets, and no auto mobiles, airplanes or federal income taxes offered bewildering complications. Life moved with a serene dignity not found today. No one worried about the atomic bomb back in 1878 in Davenport, and if one wished to "bend an elbow" with a friend it was only necessary to select one of the 109 saloons listed in the directory for that year which has been uncovered among relics at the Ladies Industrial Relief society. The population in that year was 26,687, based on a careful estimate, according to a preface by F. E. Owen, author and compiler, who dedicated the book to Tristram Dow, "in recognition of his public spirit and enterprise as a citizen." Mr. Dow incidentally, was president of the First National bank, the first of its kind to be opened in the United States. If you think 109 saloons a fairly large number for a city the size of Davenport 68 years ago, you will be right, for Davenport today, with a population of more than 70,000, nearly three times that of 1878, has only 134 taverns, as modern saloons are called. A study of the advertisements in the book reveals many interesting illustrations of a style of dress long since forgotten. Half-tones of many of the buildings, some of which are still standing, are shown. Editorial Matter An editorial description of prominent firms and individuals in the front of the directory provides a wealth of information. One, dealing with J. H. C. Petersen & Sons, forerunner of the present Petersen-Harned-Von Maur store, is typical. It reads: "As an illustration of what results are to be obtained by adopting the strictly cash basis in trade, it is but to mention the above firm, who only six years ago started in with a very small capital and now, with an immense establishment employing about 50 hands, do a business amounting to cash sales of over half a million dollars per annum. It is to this firm that Davenport is indebted for the fact-becoming well known-that nowhere on the Mississippi river can goods be bought so low as here. To step into their mammoth emporium on Second street, and see the eager rush of countless customers, reminds one forcibly of those large eastern concerns, such as Lord & Taylor, A. T. Stewart & Co., Field & Leiter, and others. One of the features of the directory is a brief history of the young city, and a chronology of events from the time of its incorporation in 1836 to the date of Publication of the book. Time "Born" in 1858 This chronology states that the first edition of "The Davenport Daily Times," forerunner of the present newspaper which was acquired by the Lee Syndicate in 1899, was published Sept. 1, 1858, thus making this newspaper 88 years of age. In the classified section of the directory The Times is listed under the general heading of "Newspapers" and under a sub-heading of "literary," with M. V. B. Phillips as editor and proprietor, and its location as the southeast corner of Brady and Second street. Among other items of interest in the chronology are the facts that: Notable Dates March 31, 1855. Young Men's Christian Association formed. Feb. 28, 1856, last span of the Mississippi bridge completed. May 19, 1857, seventy dollars was asked for a ton of hay. Dec. 16, 1859, the Odd Fellows new hall on Brady street, above Fifth, was dedicated, and Cook & Sargent's banking house suspended. June 25, 1860, "riotous and disgraceful proceedings at the election polls in the Sixth ward, during election for alderman. Sept. 25, 1861, "Death of Mr. Antoine LeClaire, aged 63 years, 9 months and 10 days. March 9, 1865, "Contradictory report received regarding the death of Col. Add. H. Sanders as he arrived safely yesterday at Annapolis, and is expected home soon-not dead, but alive and kicking." June 11, 1867, Ceremony of breaking the ground for the Episcopal cathedral. Sept. 27, 1874, Death of Bishop Lee from the effects of a serious injury from falling down stairs. Jan. 1, 1877, Annual review of the Gazette for 1876, shows building improvements, $214,250: total amount of manufacturers, $11,802,902.07; goods sold at wholesale, $5,387,000; grain receipts, 5,380,000 bushels. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES