Grundy County, Missouri - Chapter 14: Something of a Boom, 1881

Chapter 14: Something of a Boom

The Elmore House and other first-class buildings showed the energy and enterprise of the Trentonians, and the year 1872 proved a boom in the building line. Trenton expended $101,000 that year to increase her residence and business property. That was progress, and progress of that kind makes history.

The business of Trenton in 1872 amounted to the handsome sum of $502,- 000. In excess of that tlie freight paid on shipments and receipts amounted

There were fines assessed for the year 1872 amounting to $560.50, and the amount the city received from licenses, from saloons, billiards, circuses, etc., reached the sum of $1,091.50. By order of the city council this last sum was appropriated for the grading and repairing of the streets and sidewalks, and this history records the tact that it would be a great improvement to the city of Trenton if more saloons were in full blast, if thereby the sidewalks could be improved. In choosing between the evils of saloons and the present condition of the sidewalks, all will favor the saloons. The sidewalks are simply execrable.

In August, 1873, the stave factory was started by J. M. Robertson and J. M. Leedy, and it was for a while one of the institutions of the city.

The house known at that time as the Central Hotel, near the depot, was opened in August, 1873, with D. S. Miller as proprietor. The house is known at this date as the Trenton House.

The first fire-company was organized in Trenton April 2, 1873, with thirty-eight members. The following oflScers were selected to take charge of the company and look to an increase of membership: Foreman, Levi Greer; first assistant, James Guerin; second assistant, George W. Smith; secretary, Robert A. Collier; treasurer, J. W. Smith; and the name given it was the '' Trenton Fire King." In June of the same year the organization had increased to sixty members on the roll, the limit being eighty,

An Association

One of those wild vagaries which always strike a gi-owing town got a slight grip on Trenton in the year 1873. The town was growing and thei-e were man}" new projects started. They had secured a railroad, machineshops, even put up a first-class hotel and started a national bank, and not finding anything more of a practical nature and within the scope of their financial resources, concluded to step outside of both, and the grand idea culminated in the organization of a grand building association, with a modest capital of only $600,000. To be sure the real and personal property of Trenton had been assessed at just $445,467 the same year, but there was not a particle of doubt that the citizens, or rather the incorporation could, after taking in the city and its assets, secure the small sum remaining of $155,000, or thereabouts, to make up their capital stock. It was a " big thing," and the wealthiest men in the city were put in as directors to give the association a handsome start. The idea was worthy of the genius of those who love to build air-castles, but to the plain, matter-of-fact business man, just where tlie money was to come from, or where the profit would come in, was past their judgment, and so they looked on and wondered at the magnificent scheme, but kept their grip on their pocket-books. They took a just pride in the fact that sucli a rich corporation or association could be started, and even the suggestion of such a scheme caused them to feel proud of their leading citizens. Still they preferred to get rich by the sweat of their brows, and the author of this history is sorry to record that the association was a dead failure after six months of a not over healthy existence. The following were the first and last directors of the association : W. B. Eogers, E. O. Carscadin, Robert P. Carnes, C. E. Dudley, E. Eeams, J. E. Eupp^ E. V. Young, George W. Smith, W. T. Beachem, John Tannehill, Joseph McMullen, Solomon Stewart and J. M. Leedy. The capital stock, as before stated, was $600,000, divided into 1,200 shares of $500 each. Directors were to be elected annually, on the first Monday in May of each year. The board of directors were to elect their own officers from the directory, which would secure a close corporation. Those who couldn't pay all down for a share could do so in weekly installments. Notwithstanding this last accommodation the scheme failed, and in November, 1873, the most magnificent project ever offered to the citizens of Trenton "passed in its checks."

In the winter of 1873-74 a brewery was built just outside the city limits on the banks of the Grand Eiver, not far from the river bridge, and on the corner of what is known as the Gilham farm. The building was in size forty by eighty feet, the machinery was received December 12, 1873, and it commenced operation as soon as it could be arranged. Its proprietors were Messrs. Bauer, Kraner & Schaub, and they were from Ottumwa, Iowa. Mr. Schaub took the active management of the business, and for a year succeeded very well; but the business seemed to decline after that and he lost all he had, and what his partners put in they lost. The brewery burned down in the fall of 1876, and the ground fell into the hands of the Shanklin & Austin Bank. The unfortunate termination of this business venture made it the last as well as the first brewery in Trenton.

Financial Crash

The crash of 1878 and 1874, which swept thousands of business men into bankruptcy and ruin, and brought other thousands to the verge of starvation, passed Trenton with scarcely a breath of its destroying force. What proved in some parts of the county a simoon, carrying poison in its breath, and wilting all that came in its path, passed Trenton as mildly as a zephyr.

Buildings continued to go up, business prospered and the growth of the, town kept pace with its business. The coal mines and the machine-shops came to the front, and with the money they distributed monthly kept stagnation away from the doors of its citizens. All around was the crash felt.

Chillicothe felt its poisonous faiifrs sink dce]> into its business vitals, and she lies tu-day a wreck, scarcely a hundred more in population than a decade ago, and the value of ])roperty far below its former price. Trenton was growingand it has continued to grow, and in this year 1881 nearly rivals in population and wealth her sister city, Chillicothe, while a decade since she had but one-fourth of her population. This is the age of progress, and the city or the man that waits for something to turn up, is destined to be badly left in the race for wealth - wealth that is so necessary to build a town or secure a home. Trenton continued to move forward, adding to the area of her boundary, building business houses and residences, and making sure by active work that her progress should not be impeded or her future become less promising.

In 1875 the demand for new buildings continued, and it was seen that a more extensive building arrano-ement would have to be made than at first contemplated. Many new-comers found rents high while many more were forced to board, because vacant houses could not be found. With this demand on its hands, Trenton put forth her exertions and by January 1st, 1876, had put up buildings to tlie value of $71,850. That was what the year 1S75 brought and it added w^onderfully to the growth of the city.

The railroad property was assessed at $98,246.51 within the city limitsof Trenton. There were paid out for telegraphic dispatches by the citizens of Trenton for the year 1875, $1,551.75, and right on top of that lightnino- business a " silver cornet band" was oro-anized, but it died, and those living in the neighborhood where they practiced uttered thanks and sangpaeans of joy.

A cold blooded murder was committed on the 15tli day of October, 1875,^ by a rough, named Dick Mitchell, and the victim of the shooting and of his brutal revenge, was a Mrs. Jane Sayers, alias Fitzgerald, a courtesan.

Railroad Business

The railroad business of Trenton, for 1875, amounted to 452 car loads shipped, and the sum of $35,722.07 was taken in on freight received, and on shipment the amount was $33,911.24. In the passenger department tickets to the amount of $12,349.20 were sold during the year.

The amount of money paid out for labor, which included all making their home or stopping at Trenton, the machine-shop workmen, engineers, etc., was $93,806.

There were used by the engines and shops at Trenton 13,360,000 pounds of coal the same year. There were also used at this point 13,396 gallons of oil, and 19,116 pounds of waste.

Car Loads Shipped Public Library

An attempt was -made January 4, 18Y6, to establish a public library in Trenton, and a meeting of gentlemen took place at the office of Luther Collier. A committee was appointed to seek subscriptions of membership, which was placed at five dollars. Another committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and after some talk, and further matters considered, the meeting adjourned to meet at the same place in one week, January 15th. It never met, if it did it is not recorded in the papers of that day, or by any other sign, that a library association was ever one of the institutions of Trenton. Yet good men attended that meeting, men -of attainment and public spirit, but they were too few, and they are still too few for Trenton's good. However, this attempt was undoubtedly the starting which gave to Trenton her public school library, which was secured the following 3'ear. *

Miscellaneous

The fourth of July, 1876, and the centennial day of our national existence came along, and while all the people could not attend the Philadelphia Exposition and see the wonders of man's genius from all parts of the globe, they could come to Trenton and enjoy themselves, and air their patriotism, which was just as strong and enduring as if the}' had exhibited it in the halls of the World's Exposition. It was the biggest " fourth of July " ever seen in Trenton. The day was splendid, and the celebration was carried on in a magnificent manner. It wasn't exactly a centennial for old Grundy, but she put in four decades of life and celebrated it by one of the most attractive features of the day, and that was a short but very interesting history of Grundy county, from its first white settlement to that day, by Geo. H. Hubbell, and added to that was a centennial poem, read by its author. Dr. Cole. These were productions of high merit, and both the gentlemen were handsomely complimented by the large concourse of people, for the rich literary treat given tliein. Thiis, with fireworks, ended the centennial fourth in Trenton, and it will be to those who were there to enjoy it, the " fourth of July " of their history and remembrance.

Gas Works

A proposition was made the same year to the city of Trenton, to build gas works. The city council met, discussed the merit of the proposal, and concluded to accept it. The party or parties were notified that while Trenton boasted a supply of the article manufactured from wind by some of her best legal and oratorical lights, that it was a poor quality for illuminating purposes, so to speak, and that coal gas for lighting the streets would be preferal)le, and their proposition was accepted. Just what scared the j^ersons who made the proposition was not known, but they were not heard of afterward, and Trenton still glories in her street lamps, and the illumination of Qoal oil.

Of course it is not known whether the people of one generation are like another, but while the following may not be exactly history, yet future generations, who may happen to have the style of people mentioned below, will know they bloomed and flourished in earlier days, and that this class of people, like history, repeat themselves.

" It is remarkable to see how easy it is for some men to raise money to hire a horse and buggy to go out and see afoot-race, who never have a nickel to give to the Sunday-school or church."

Undoubtedly it is somewhat remarkable, while it is a solemn fact, yet such is life, and Grundy county and the city of Trenton probably have their full share, and history will so record it.

In December, 1871, the night of the 16th, a meeting was held to inaugurate the building of a first-class hotel. Mr. J. M. Eoberts, of Centerville, Iowa, was present, and offered to take from $8,000 to $10,000 worth of stock in a building of that kind. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions, but the project fell through. The matter, however, was not allowed to die out, and in June, 1872, the plan for the Elmore House was accepted, and the work begun. The house was to be of brick, three stories high, 70x100 feet, and substantially built. The owners were Spitler, Herring ct Elmore, the house being named after the latter gentleman. It was finished in 1873, and met with varying success, changing hands several times in the matter of landlords, until June 1, 1878, when it was leased by L. D. Baily, of the Baily Brothers, the popular dry goods merchants of Trenton, and since that day the house has continued to grow in popularity.

The '' Elmore Honse,'" under its present able management, has achieved a wide-spread reputation as a first-class hotel, and Mine Host " Baily," has proven himself a prince among landlords.

American Hotel

In April, 1877, Mr. J. Meloney, who owned the property, gave out a contract to build a hotel on Water Street, near the Chicago, Kock Island & Pacific depot, and the contract was taken by Mr. C. Hall. Mr. Meloney and his father-in-law, who was with him, came from Washington, Washington county, Iowa. Mr. Hall finished his work, and announced August 1st that the building was completed. It was named the " American House,'^ and Mr. Meloney took charge as landlord and proprietor. The house had cost rather more than contemplated, and beyond Mr. Moloney's financial ability to meet, and he gave up the property and returned to Iowa. The property is owned by Mr. Milton Crow, and lie leased the house to Mr. Thomas B. Harber soon after. The hotel has sustained a well merited reputation, is quite a favorite with the traveling public, and Mr. Harber has realized a handsome competency by his successful management- In July quite an addition was added to accommodate an increased patronage.

Ohmart House

This well-known hostelry is the oldest of the trio which find their locacation near the depot of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. It was built in 1860, by the Patterson Brothers, who, also, became the landlords and held sway for some eighteen months. At the end of that time they traded the house to Mr. Ohmart who assumed its management at once and gave it his name. The house has held a very steady run of customers, is known far and wide among the traveling public and has been the source of a steady and remunerative patronage to its proprietors. It is still owned and under the management of Mr. Ohmart. The Patterson Brothers came from Ohio; one is dead, the other is a resident of the State of Iowa.

Union House

This is one of the oldest hotels of Trenton, and has always received a fair and steady run of custom. The house was built in 1871 by Jas. G. Benson, who conducted the same until the fall of 1878. He died ]S"ovember 22d of that year and since that time his widow has taken charge of the house and been successful in its managment.

Cloud As House

This is the oldest hotel in Trenton, a frame building built in the oldfashioned style, low ceilings and windows with 7x9 and 8x10 glass. The house was erected in 1844, and the corner upon which it stands was, when the hotel was built, about the center of the town or the business portion thereof. It is now on what might be considered the west end and be called a rural and out of the way corner. In its long career it has seen many strange customers within its walls, and it has had many landlords to welcome its guests. It has had its name changed several times and it is now named as at the head of this article, Mr. Milton Cloudas having kept tlie house a couple of years. Its landlord is now llobt. McAfee a genial host and pleasant gentleman.

Trenton House

This house was built in 1874, by D. 8 Miller, and was kept by him for a short time. He sold to Ed. Landers who in turn sold to O. G. Newton, present proprietor, who took possession September 20, 1877. In the spring of 1878 he added nineteen rooms to the building and it is now, with the exception of the Elmore House, the largest hotel in the city. At the time it was purchased by Mr. Newton the house was kept by James Corett. The house is located near the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad depot and is receiving a fair share of the patronage of the traveling public.

The National

This hotel was opened in the fall of 1875 by Messrs. Colley and Wilson, who continued as proprietors until 1870 when the partnership was dissolved by tlie death of Mr. Colley, the father-in-law as well as the partner of Mr. Wilson. The latter still continues its management.

Pacific

It was in 1873 that this house was first opened as a traveler's inn to the public, and was then the property of O. G. Newton, now of the Trenton House, who added six new rooms and continued its proprietor until 1877, when he sold it to Mr. Edward Landers, the mother of the latter gentleman assuming the proprietorship of the property. It is now conducted by Mr, N. A, Phillips, who is making it a pleasant home for travelers.

Mr. Bradley was made president, Geo. W. Moberly vice-president, and Robt. P. Carnes, cashier. It continued business until the summer of 1876, when it gave up its charter and turned its business over to the Union Bank as its successor. The hist statement of its assets and liabilities was given May 12, 1876 and is as follows.

Union Bank

The closing up of the First National Bank of Trenton brought into existence the Union Bank, the president of the bank, Mr. Bradley, drawing ing out his interest and returning to Iowa. The Union Bank, on its organization, elected George W. Moberly, vice-president of the First National, to the office of president, and Mr. George Gilraore, the late cashier, to the same position in the new bank. These gentlemen are still, in 1881, respectively the president and cashier of the Union Bank. The resources and liabilities of the bank on the first of January, 1881, are found in the following sworn statement of its ofiicers:

Shanklin & Austin Bank

This is the pioneer bank of Trenton, and holds an enviable position in bankinor circles as well as at home. The bank was started under the State banking laws in the year 1869, Col. J. H. Shanklin, a native of Virginia, assuming the role of president, and his partner, James Austin, that of cashier. This banking house has been uniformly successful, and is still a sort of a family institution, one son of each of the proprietors holding responsible positions with credit, with the careful supervision of Mr. James Austin at the helm.

These banks, like a majority of corporations, believe in a light assessed valuation when the taxes are rather heavy, and it is found of record that on April 10th, 1879, J. H. Crowder, assessor, files notice that the valuation of $14,500 for the Shanklin & Austin Bank, as given in by them, was not correct, and the same was raised to $45,459, upon which the3'^ were compelled to pay taxes. The same assessor reports the Union Bank, on the 17th of April, as following the example of the first named, and the board of equalization promptly raised their assessment to $43,868. Since that time real values and assessments have kept closer company in the history of bank taxation.

Trenton Silver Cornet Band

In January, 1878, all other bands having ceased to exist, another was launched upon the rhythmic sea of melody. The new organization was named the "Trenton Silver Cornet Band," and owing to the failure of many others, the editor of the Reptiblicaii advised the " boys " " to stick like a Democrat to his politics." Tlie advice was good. The " boys " followed it, and the band has proven a grand success. The following gentlemen compose the membership: Walter Shanklin, Chauncey Hall, Lorenzo Race, Wm. Thomas, Ory Davis, John Conrads, Samuel Ohmart, Henry Comer, U. S. Hall, Wm. Thomas, Frank Iloff'man, Goodlander, L. Crowder, Wm. DeBolt.

The band has paid all its own expenses, purchased its own instruments, and dress suits, besides giving $150 to the railroad bonus and still have money in their treasury. They are good musicians.

It has been thought worthy of record, as the dry weather has caused all vegetables to be very scarce in this year 1881, and the prices high, that in June 28tli, 1878, new potatoes in the Trenton market sold for 25 cents per bushel, August 1881, one dollar per bushel.

The Catholics purchased, in Oct., 1878, six acres of ground for their cemetery from Daniel Metcalf, on the sloping banks of Grand River, southeast of the city just outside the limits.

The citi;jens of Trenton had cause to express their sorrow and sympathy this year in the death of an old and esteemed citizen, Mr. Jesse Boyce,, who departed this life July 11th, 1878. And some two months later, Sept. 14th, 1878, the body of W. W. Gordon was found on the Chicago,

Rock Island & Pacific Tlailroad track just north of the town with his head, severed from his body. Foul ])lay was suspected, but nothinnr was discovered, if a murder liad been committed.

It was soon after the Glendale train robbery, near Kansas City, that a few ventui'esome spirits started to Kansas City on a business and pleasure tour combined, but the train robbery and the perils of travel caused the editor of the Grundy county Times to offer up the following prayer for their safety: "May a merciful Providence guard their footsteps, and return them safely to a loving community." It is well to add that the gentlemen not only escaped the perils of railway travel, but the dangers of seeing Kansas City by gaslight as well.

The author has read of a couple of incidents which may as well be mentioned here. The editor of the Trenton Rejniblican is responsible for their truthfulness, as they were found in his valuable paper. One shows that the economy which so long held possession of the County Court was not entirely monopolized by them, and the other the care in which they guarded the morals of their public servants. The economist is thus reported: "A rusty looking agriculturalist entered our office recently, and, after looking around earnestly long enough to excite our curiosity, and to elicit an inquiry as to his business, our rustic friend replied: 'It was nothing much, but I left a large cucumber liere in the fall for a notice, and thought as how I was in town I might run in and get it if 3^ou was through with it.' " Whether Col. Rogers returned the cucumber or paid him for it was not mentioned.

" Bob. Collier, county treasurer, went to Jefferson City, and, returning after a few weeks' absence, arrived in Trenton at night, and the town had grown so that it took the second attempt before he could find his home." Without waiting to give the reader time to get over the astonishment of such a rapid growth, the editor publishes the sequel in this shape: "The Coimty Court, which granted licenses a few weeks ago, revoked them all this week."

It would seem the County Court took a queer view of "Bob's" reported growth of the town, and didn't propose to take the consequence of Bob's seeing double. This removing temptation from the path of adults is to be commended, and future County Courts have here a precedent they can follow without sin.

On Marcli 30, 1880, Mr. J. B. Crouch, an estimable man and citizen, a brakeman on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, fell from the

The city council, in March, 1880, concluded to abolish the backwoods signs so prominently displayed all over the city in shape of what they called awnings, but of every imaginable description, and an eye-sore to the good looks of the town. The ordinance was passed, and in twenty -four hours about one thousand dollars' worth of lumber and disfiguration of the city were removed. There was some objection from those who really had a respectable shade,, but they were so few that they were compelled to suiter with the many. The regret was short, as the looks of the town Avere so changed for the better that pride at once came to the relief of the pocket, and Trenton can now be called a handsome and pleasant little city.

The cit}'^ government rented one cell in the county jail for one year from the county for $50 ; it was afraid that the " most accomplished offenders'* might attempt to leave the not over strongly built lodging-rooms belongingto the city.

. The year 1880 closed a very prosperous one for the city as well as the county. Quite a number of new buildings had been erected, the town was^ spreading and rapidly tilling her waste places, and the near advent of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad to Trenton inspired all with bright hopes of a prosperous year.

What has transpired during the past eight months worthy of historical record will be found in the following ]>ages, and they have proven eight months of very important history to this country, of which Grundy county as a part has felt a deep interest. From January 1, 1881, to September 1,. 1881, will close this volume, replete with many important facts, but nonethat will remain longer in the records of the past or future than that which has transpired, so far, in the eventful year of 1881.

There had been a wish for some time expressed by the savants of Trenton to look at the interior of several mounds which lay some two miles from the city, and see if they could not find some relic of a prehistoric age. There were quite a number of periods which had marked of the world's progress, and with the tertiary age, the triassic period and the carbonifercTiis period, etc., they proposed to get some knowledge which would, perhaps, enlighten the world, or its living population. Just what they succeeded in finding out may be gathered from the Trenton Times., with the further remark that no more manual labor was performed in search of ancient relics,, or of sandstone or rock formation, which might refer to a period beyond the present information of man.

The Kksurrkction Day

'' The day of resurrection has come - to the bones in the mounds on the bluff across tlie river. A party of men. witli spades and otlier im]»lements used in di^jj^ing, made an excavation in one of the mounds one day last week and succeeded in unearthino' several basketfuls of bones in dift'erent states of preservation. Then, on last Sunday, another party labored to unearth some, and succeeded in Undin*^ some ornaments and jtretty pieces of pottery. The mounds in which these bones were found are about two miles northwest of town, on a bluff overlooking: the river. The indications are that the l)odies have lain there, in layers on each other, and all at one time, as though there had been a massacre or a battle, in which many met death together. TJie mound which was digged into is about thirty by sixty feet, and there are smaller ones near by. On each of these mounds are growing large trees, and the relics found indicate that they were made by a race of people who were more skilled in the arts than the American Indians."

Wind

On Mondav morniniJ-, June 27. about davlio-ht, a fierce wind-storm arose, accompanied by some rain, which caused (juite a commotion in the city, from the fact that numerous cyclones had been reported in the State and various sections of the country. The gale tore off the tin roof of Stein's store, quite a number of awnings took wing, and the old Presbyterian church was struck by lightning; but. with the exception of demolishing a chimnev, no great damage was done. The agricultural warehouse of G. D. Smith had one end blown out, and an unoccupied house was lifted from its foundation and partly turned around. While other sections of the State, and Kansas, liad severely suffered, Tren.ton escaped witli the above slight casualties.

A Gala Day

The long looked for Quincy, Missouri ct Pacific Eailway, due at Trenton July 1, 1881, by twelve o'clock, midnight, arrived about sundown. The force of tracklavers had worked incessantlv for some davs, a double force being necessary to accomplish the work on time, and so they had pushed it night and day. They were greeted on their arrival by full 2,000 people, and with their shouts and the incessant scream of five steam whistles, which awoke the echoes far and wide, attested to the ears of the people for miles around the fact that the completion of the above railroad ^vithin the Hmits of the city of Trenton was an accomplished fact. While the citizens rejoiced, there was no less rejoicing on the part of the railroad company, for the time specified to arrive here having been accomplished, they were entitled to a private subscription of ^iO.OOO, which was given them as a bonus. The last spike was driven at 7:15 o'clock in the evening, and five engines were on the track, ready to close up to the elegant depot, already completed. A coach, conveying the officers of the road from Quincy, was in the rear and was switched ofl:" on a side-track. When the almost unearthly scream of the whistles ceased, and the immense crowd had become quiet, Dr. Horton stepped to the front and made a short speech of welcome, which was responded to by Hon. W. G. Ewing, a lawyer of Quincy, in behalf of the company. Mr. Ewing praised the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific company, the Wabash company, and the people of Trenton, referring among other things, to the band, which had given $150 of its funds to aid in securing the road. After the speaking was over the company rolled out twenty kegs of beer to the hands who had worked so hard to get through.

Trenton now is a town with two of the best manao^ed railroads in the West crossing here. She has direct connection with all principal points east and west by competing lines of transportation. Trenton and the people of the county paid over $40,000 for this competition, but they never made a better investment. It will be paid, and that willingly. And thus ended the reception of the second railroad by the city of Trenton.

Depot Burnt

On the night of August 24th the people were aroused by the cry of tire, which proved to be the depot of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Kailroad, at Trenton, a frame structure which was consumed with its contents. Some five hundred dollars' worth of freight in the building, their books, a supply of new tickets just received, and the railroad supplies in the supply building were destroyed. There was also one box and one platform car partly loaded with lumber partially destroyed. The loss aggregated $3,000. The fire caught in the lamp-room at about 1 o'clock a. m. on the morning of the 25th of August, 1881.

The new depot to be constructed in its place will probably be a handsome and substantial brick building, larger and better arranged for the increased business now doing;. The old building; was much too small. The Ohmart House was saved from the flames with difficulty.

The business of 1881, to July 1st, over the last six months of 1880, was fully 15 per cent. The books being destroyed, the exact amount of business done could not be ascertained, but the books when balanced July 1st, showed the above increase in a comparison of the aggregate amounts. W. M. Maxwell, from whom we have the above, has been the acceptable agent of the company and very satisfactory to the people for the past four years.

Telegraph

The telegraph business now reaches the sum of $200 per month, an increase of about $60 per month average over that of 1880, and the business

Trkntox'S Husinkss

From the first settlement of Trenton np to the year 1868 the business of the town concentrated on Water Street, west, or rather southwest of and opposite the court-house. The probable location of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific depot on the east side of the town gave a tendency to build that way, and business houses gradually pushed their way eastward. In 1871 the four corners east of the court-house were then about the center of the business of the town, but from that day the "West End" has been entirely deserted by the leading business houses, and the business center of the town will probably remain in and around what is called the "Five Corners." It will branch out on Elm Street more extensively, and should the town secure the machine-shops of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad Company, Elm to Prospect streets will, with the Five Corners, do the business of the town. One block more on Water Street toward the depot, and perhaps on Prospect Street in the same direction, might also be used for business purposes. The location of the depot of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad settles the question as to the resident population, and it will be north and northeast of the State line road.

The following list comprises the number and kinds of business being transacted in Trenton on the first day of September, 1881 : Eight dry goods two clothing, seven drug and four millinerV scores, one book and news store, one music, one jewelry, one boot and shoe, and three hardware and stove stores, one agricultural and seed store, one bazaar, "St. Elmo," seventeen grocery stores, two furniture, two musical instrument, and two saddle and harness stores, four sewing machine agencies, two merchant tailor establishments, two wagon manufactories, two marble yards, two grain dealers, two photographers, two lumber yards, one second-hand store, two undertakers, one coal yard (mine), one wood yard, one woolen-mill, three ilouring-mills, three watch and clock repairers, one gun shop, one novelty shop, three boot and shoe shops, four blacksmith, five barber and two paint shops, three meat markets, two bakeries, five restaurants, five saloons, two billiard halls, three ice cream and oyster saloons, twenty-four lawyers, thirteen physicians, three dentists, seven insurance agents - two life, one lightning lod agent, seven real estate agents, one high school, one primarj^ seven churches, eight hotels, two banks, three newspapers (weekly), three job offices, one amusement hall, three livery stables, one transfer line, two express offices, one telegraph office, five contractors and builders, two railroads, one machine and repair works, four laundries, one boarding-house, three ice dealers, two milk dealers.