The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, December 9, 1888 pg. 2 DENISON: from 1872 to the Present Day Chronological Record of Local Events An Epitome that will be interesting to Old-Timers 1873 Feb. 6 - Millers first addition to Denison was placed on sale Feb. 14 - Daily News established by B.C. Murray Feb. 19 - Opening ball at Col. Dilworth's Opera House Feb. 20 - Col. Dilworth's two story opera house on Houston street was blown down. Feb. 21 - Messrs. Kirkley & Kearns arrive in the city to commence the manufacture of brick. Feb. 21 - Messrs. Gunn, Stevens, Darwin, Warren and Bond, M.K. & T. Ry. officials, was in the city. W.B. Boss, Jacob N. Pinto and John W. Jennings dissolve partnership in lumber business. None of the parties now live in Denison. Feb. 22 - Alamo Hotel open to the public Feb. 23 - The Masons applied for a dispensation to establish a lodge. Col. L.S. Schluter takes charge of the Denison Building Association - shares 200. Weekly assessments 25 cents Feb. 24 - Manning's minstrels commenced a series of entertainments at El Darodo Hotel Feb. 25 - Marshall McDowell killed an attacking party in the M.K.&T Saloon. Feb. 26 - Mammoth weekly edition of The News issued. Feb. 28 - A man named Jackson found dead in an old potato house near the Park. He was from Smith Paul Valley. March 1 - Mrs. Imbody goes for the Mayor. March 4 - Hull, the only banker in town, skipped, leaving us all poor. Report reached here of the killing of Rev. Mr. Cochran, the original organizer of the Baptist church at this point. March 5 - Letter from Hull, the absconding banker, found in his safe. The same old story - too trusting. March 7 - W.H. Day, W.B. Munson and J.G. McElvaney obtain charter for a real estate and building association. The whole sale liquor house, next to Furber's Hotel, on Skiddy street, was closed. March 8 - Last night Manning's minstrel troupe left town and took all their belongings; also the spreads from the beds of the tavern where they were entertained. March 9 - Miss Craighead opens a millinery store on Skiddy street. March 10 - An enthusiastic correspondents writes, "Denison has equaled and entirely outstripped Cheyenne and Duluth in population." At 7 o'clock p.m. the first train on the Houston & Texas Central rolled into Denison admist wild cheers and enthusiasm. Mayor Owings telegraphed the mayors of the leading cities of the Nation, from Galveston to Boston, of the fact. March 11 - Horse thieves too plenty - our editor loses a span worth $2,000. He (the editor) has blood in his eye. March 13 - First meeting of the first City Council, S.L. Owings, mayor; J.M. Stratton, B.C. Murray and W.H. Day councilmen. J.C. McDowell was elected marshal, T.M. Wright, assistant marshal, and W.D. Kirk city clerk. March 15 - Denison Beer Garden opened - Brown, Hily & Co., proprietors March 16 - Mr. Slater, of the M. & M. Bank, Sherman, kicks at some strictures made by The News. March 17 - E. Perry appointed city Treasurer. August Uhlig puts out his big boot sign, and puts in a little "ad." March 18 - Sealed proposals for building jail ordered to be advertised. Important ordinances passed the city council. Opening of the Alamo Hotel. Col. Bob Stevens, general manager of the M.K.&T., runs his special car, "100," loaded with Sedalia's fairest favorites to Denison to take part in the ceremonies. Attached to his car were several Pullmans containing other Sedalia people to the number of hundreds, many of whom are living to-day to vouch for the fact that no more elegant or richer affair had ever happened on the banks of the Red River above the raft. March 20 - Leonard & Rush, of the Nelson House, sell out to Cunningham, Michie & Beach. Geo. E. Maurice opens an agency for Osage coal. Waterman, Weil & Star open a branch house in Ft. Worth. Judge Charles E. Maurice, of the recorder's office, presides with great dignity. Our files show that The News, during these young days of the Infant Wonder, had a regular Kansas City correspondent. One Baker from Topeka, Kansas makes claim for the postmastership of Denison. The News is disgusted and repels the claim, at the same time endorses our present mayor, H. Tone, for the position. March 22 - Murray, of The News, tells Mayor Wholegan that if he (the Mayor) calls him a liar and scoundrel again, he must fight. This unpleasantness between the two gentlemen is brought about in advocating the interest of the two candidates for position as postmaster. Hull, the absconding banker, is back, in charge of Marshal McDowell, and is negotiating for a compromise with his creditors. March 24 - Citizens present Marshal McDowell with a gold badge. Passengers from the South, on the Central, are carried by Denison and landed in the brush at a place called Red River City. The air in that vicinity is still blue from the curses. March 27 - DIED, Dellie Hotchkiss, daughter of Hattie S. and C.W. Hotchkiss. April 1 - F.P. Baker took charge of the post office as postmaster. Denison city post office rated third-class with a salary of $2,900 per annum. April 10 - A rabbit gambling on Main street created much fun. The firm of Perry, Shepherd & Co., dissolved April 11 - Walls of the First National Bank building are up, and the roofing commenced. April 12 - John Nevins, lately elected city treasurer, gives $5,000 bond. Henderson Jones, on Skiddy Street, sells 4,650 pounds bacon, 3,774 pounds of hams, and 1,100 pounds of shoulders to farmers. April 14 - Messrs. Euper & Co. open an ice cream parlor on Main Street. Col. E.J. Strong, U.S.A, arrives and takes charge as quartermaster at this point. Polly Turnover, a notorious creature, hands in her checks, much to the delight of the better people. April 20 - The Central Railway Company notify the M.K.&T. that no freight or passengers will be transfered from their trains at Denison, thus making Red River City the point of transfer. The News advises the Mayor of Denison to trot out his cannon and stop the Central trains here at all hazards. The First National Bank is now open; deposits yesterday $84,780.03. April 24 - The Town Company donate two lots, corner Sears street and Rusk avenue to the Catholic Society of Denison. The boundaries of the Park are indicated by a rail fence. A train of government wagons, loaded with supplies, leaves for Fort Griffin, Texas, in charge of our present ice king, Wood McMillin. April 30 - Dr. A.W. Acheson advertises for sealed proposals for the construction of the First Presbyterian Church. One of the polite ushers at the Eldorado dance house cracked a man's skull for applauding too boisterously. May 5 - The News says the grocery house of Fitzhugh Bro's. has gone "where the woodbine twineth." Deputy Marshal Wright is building on Burnett avenue, fronting the Park. Orders were sent to Chicago for a few corpses to start a grave-yard with. May 6 - Assessment of property in Denison for the ad valorem tax shows a value of $829,000 - pretty good for a six month's old city. May 8 - Mayor Tom Ocheltree of Galveston was in town but told no lies. Boys arrested for shooting quail and doves in the Park. May 8 - Captain Hyatt awarded contract for furnishing ties for the first fifty miles of the southwest branch of the M.K.&T. J.M. Stratton is handling nearly all the cotton which is pouring into this market. A lively game of baseball played back of the Densmore House (now the Thompson House). May 10 - City subdivided into four wards May 16 - Mayor Owings presents his resignation - ill health the cause. Ezzell & Morgan start a lumber yard, corner of Crawford street and Rusk avenue. The Central Railway Company stopped work on their hotel at Red River City. W.W. Biddell leases store room in National Bank block, and will put in a stock of dry goods. Mayor's proclamation giving notice that an election will be held June the 9th for Mayor, Recorder and City Council - Judges, John Nevins, T.J. Pollard, Dr. H. Mozley, and J.H. Guy. Col. Tom Lipscomb holds up single handed and alone a large picnic party and compels them to forego the picnic and follow him to his house, where he and his good wife entertained them while the rain poured down in torrents. May 18 - The murderous Bender family camped at the springs in the north part of Denison. Census completed, showing total population of Denison to be 3,917. Christy & Field rent the Nelson House. A.F. Currier, proprietor of the Palace Beer Hall, shot and killed in Dallas. Messrs. Koehler & Keffer were successful bidders for the construction of the Educational Institute; their bid was $19,850. Bidders for city market were A. Frahm, Koehler & Keffer, Jas. Murphy, Mc Q. Green, and H.G. Langdon. May 19 - James H. Leonard repurchases the Nelson House. At a meeting of tax payers held at Warren & Biddell's office the following names appear in the report: Joe Perry, Col. Rodgers, J.C. Montgomery, M. McElvaney, Mr. Knight, Mr. Hughes, S.A. Cook, Chas. E. Maurice, Jas. A. George, John Nevins, J.K. Miller, P.D. Pollard, J.E. Streeper, B.C. Murray, J.M. Stratton and J.H. Guy. C.M. Pettibone of Wisconsin bought two lots, corner of Main street and Austin avenue, for which he paid $3,500. May 19 - Contract to build public school house made with Koehler & Keffer. Consideration $19,850. May 23 - Nominees for mayor were S.A. Cook, J.M. Stratton and J.E. Streeper; for recorder, Chas. E. Maurice. The firm of Munson & McElvaney dissolved. May 24 - Mrs. Eliza Clark used kerosene in stimulating a fire. Her funeral took place the next afternoon. Major Duxbury returns from the East. Owen McCarthy bought two lots, corner Main street and Rusk avenue; he paid $2,300 for them. May 26 - Mayor S.L. Owings resigns. Councilman J.M. Stratton elected mayor ad interim by the city council. June 2 - F. Schrader elected mayor. June 3- Turnverein Society organized. John G. Gnase elected president. James A. George wants to be mayor. D.W.C. Davis runs the most extensive hardware store in North Texas. June 7 - Harry Moulton died, aged 8 years. Barney Daniels offers himself as candidate for mayor. June 8 - Election returns show that Schrader received 106 votes for mayor; Cook 88; Jas. A. George, 15 and Barney Daniels, 4. For recorder, Maurice got 111 votes against Streeper's 103. June 10 - The usual squabble and talk of contesting the election. Mr. Streeper's friends claim fraudulent votes were cast for his opponent. June 11 - First meeting of city council under the Schrader administration. H. Mozley, T.P. Dinsmore, J.H. Guy, J.K. Miller, G.A. Cutler, councilmen. H.M. Harman chosen city clerk, T.L. Farmer, Marshal, and R.S. Salmons deputy. June 17 - R.C. Crowell sold one lot, corner of Skiddy street and Austin avenue to F.R. Brown for $1,350. Moodie, Owens & Co. received 1,000 barrels of salt. Dudley & Dexter dissolve partnership, W.J. Scott purchasing Dudley's interest. June 19 - Lone Star Lodge F & A.M. organized under the dispensation from the Grand Lodge, with J.W. Jennings, W.M.; J.C. Feild, S.W.; G.J. Dexter, J.W.; B.C. Murray, Treasurer; A.B. Bowman, Secretary; and H.M. Harman, Tyler. June 20 - Eight months only have elapsed since the first shanty was put up in Denison, and what was then a howling wilderness is changed to a thriving city of 3,000 people June 21 - Avery, Rosecrans & Co. advertise a large stock of groceries in their stone store on Main Street. John Holford and Geo. Loving shipped 30 car loads of cattle. No money in city treasury. Pratt Mathews purchases lot on Morgan street and contracts for building a fine residence. Rev. Mr. Milligan is speculating heavily in real estate. July 3 - F.P. Baker notifies the public that he has sold his interest in the Denison Journal to his partner, George A. Cutler. July 4 - The Fourth passed quietly. A big crowd picnicked at Colbert. A hop at the Sendell Hotel was largely attended. Forty carriages carried an enthusiastic crowd and a brass band around town, and the newly elected city officials were serenaded. July 9 - Lone Star Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Denison, was organized. Captain John Sullivan left for Chillicothe, Missouri. Contract for building the Presbyterian Church awarded Mc. Q. Green. A petition is being circulated asking that the mayor's salary be raised from $800 to $1,000 per annum. Ed. Perry will give $20 for the body, dead or alive, of him or her who enters his garden, and steals his cabbages. July 10 - Jerry Nolan advertises fine liquors and cigars at the Cottonplant Saloon. City scrip refused by the Marshall in payment for city dues. Mayor Schrader thrown from his buggy and one or more ribs broken. The new city officials have relaxed from the severity they started in with, in regard to the gambling fraternity. Machinery for Boss, Jennings & Co. arrived. W.B. Munson decides to build a 2-story brick building on the corner of Gandy street and Rusk avenue. July 22 - Swett's jewelry store robbed of gold and silver watches to the number of 40. Avery, Rosecrans & Co. succeed Deland & Bacon in the flour and grain business. July 29 - The machinery in the Lone Star mill was given a trial, and found to work admirably; steam was raised for the first time in the boilers. August 4 - F.A. Hyatt disposes of his interest in the Alamo Hotel to his partner, Mr. Fuller. The M.K. & T. road is completed to Hannibal, and trains run through to that city. August 7 - A baby boy at the house of E.E. Latta. Mrs. R.H. Pearce died at her residence on Austin avenue. The Houston & Texas Central will soon abandon Red River City, and make Denison their Northern terminus. August 8 - At a meeting, largely attended, at the corner of Main street and Austin avenue the official action of the mayor and recorder denounced, and these officials asked to resign. Mr. Harry Lovell and Miss Kate Weaver were married by Parson Milligan. Daniel Webster arrived. August 26 - Colonel W. H. Day purchased half interest Owings' livery stable. August 27 - Post office moved from its first location, corner of Skiddy street and Austin avenue, to Main street, in the building two doors west of the News office. Sept 1 - Mr. Woodyard rents part of the post office building and starts a jewelry store. Sept 2 - The Weekly New South established by Dan. Webster and T.W. Ham. Sept 6 - W. A. McGriff, clerk at The Nelson House skips out with $370 belonging to a guest of the hotel. Sept 10 - First meeting of citizens held at the real estate office of W.M. Hughes, for the purpose of organizing public schools. Sept 13 - Messrs. Sydam & Waltz contracted with Texas & Atlantic Refrigerator Car Co. to build a slaughter house. Sept 17 - Patrick Fitzhugh, son of Col. Fitzhugh, since door-keeper of U.S. Congress, shot and killed. Sept 18 - An unfortunate encounter took place in Riley's drug store, during the melee young Fitzhugh received shot wounds, which proved fatal in a few minutes. Grand Southern Saloon opened by Raynal and Walters (the Red Front Clothing House now occupies the site.) Sept 21 - A company is formed and a gigantic cotton compress is an assured fact. Sept 23 - Today Denison enters upon her second year of existence with brilliant prospects. Mrs. Hall is building the White House. Actual number of residents, 3952 people, 451 wood buildings and eighteen bricks and stone. Sept 25 - The death of John Perry, brother of Mr. Ed. Perry, is recorded. Sept 27 - First anniversary celebration. The same having been postponed from the 23rd to accommodate a party of excursionists from the North, which party did not arrive. Sept 28 - First death from epidemic disease at the Kansas City House. Sept 29 - Gov. E.J. Davis made a political speech in Forest Park. Sept 30 - The postponed celebration of Denison's Natal Day took place in the park, but owing to rain was a partial failure. Oct 3 - Cholera scare. Mayor Schrader issues a proclamation in which he ignores the idea of cholera being in Denison, but stampedes for the north. The brave marshal also skips. Oct 4 - Acting mayor C.E. Maurice and Doctors Acheson, Berry and Mozley notify citizens that no epidemic exists in Denison, but those who can are getting out of town. Oct 10 - Meeting of citizens to discuss matters pertaining to the then prevailing epidemic. Oct 12 - Ed Chadick arrives from New York with material for compress. No new cases of cholera - scare is over - and business resumed in earnest. Oct 17 - Bunko men do a stranger for $300 gold watch and $1350 in money. Mr. Rankin shows the News man the refrigerating company building and yards. Oct 24 - Dr. J.R. Cook is waylaid on Main street by a would-be assassin, but is saved by a prompt use of his little gun. Oct 27 - The Sherman Patriot stirs up ire of the News by saying: "The cholera is abating in Denison and it is thought that in a few weeks Denison will be nearly free from disease." Oct 28 - The News offers apology for pausity of news, because there is a new gal at his house. Oct 29 - H.C. Terhune, cashier of The First National Bank, buys a house of W.B. Rose. Oct 30 - Jerritt Hasting, a noted horse-thief, shot and killed near Dr. Holder's place. Nov 7 - The News says that Libbe's Palace is a pleasant resort to while away leisure hours in a game of "pitch." Also about this time is giving the mayor, recorder, city attorney and treasurer particular fits for alleged irregularity in transacting the affairs of the city, strong language is used. Our 5000 inhabitants pay $6625 per month, or 15 cents every minute for the privilege of being governed by the present clique. Nov 8 - Captain Kirk, candidate for justice peace, knocks out his opponent D.J. Bell at Dugansville in two rounds, time three minutes. Winn's gunsmith burglarized, no clue. Nov 12 - Mr. Starr dies from effects of injuries received at the compress yesterday. Nov 17 - Mayor Schrader tenders his resignation, which is accepted. Mozley, mayor pro tem. Harry Harman clerk Nov 24 - First beeves slaughtered at the Refrigerator Car slaughter house. Nov 27 - Mayor F. Schrader resigned. H. Mozley elected mayor ad interim by city council. Nov 29 - Edward Perry is elected mayor with a majority of 401 over Guy, who got only 85 votes. Dec 2 - E. Perry elected mayor. Dec 8 - Alderman T.P. Dinsmore died. Dec 9 - M.L. Weiler, bookkeeper at the Star Store died. Dec 15 - W. McCullock appointed city clerk. City hospital closed. Dec 17 - W.G. Melville is superintending the construction of the machine shops. Dec 20 - Social evil ordinance passed. Dec 27 - Christmas day was observed in a quiet manner. Dec 30 - Misses Ginerva and Triphena Munson arrive from the North. 
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