On the River

 

Muscatine, Iowa

Rivermen

 

Part III

Book
compiled and copyrighted by
Georgeann McClure
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	photo McClure Mississippi Queen steamboat under the Muscatine, Iowa bridge.

 

Palmer, Jim

Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911,

PALMER'S TAVERN.

A frame building was built by Suel Foster on West Second street, just east of McQuesten & Sawyer's store in 1838. It was one story high and the roof sloped down to the front and over a porch, which was supported by posts or pillars. It stood a little back from the street. This became Captain Jim Palmer's tavern. Captain Jim was kind and courteous, like Landlord Stein, but his house was not quite so quiet, as he kept a bar. But Captain Jim knew his business and usually kept his customers in hand. It was a good place to stop. When a man had no money he was treated as well as the man who had plenty. His sign, erected on a crooked stick, was the most prominent object on Second street.
Captain Jim Palmer was a large, rather fat old man. He was a good customer at his own bar and was a character in a way.

Capt. James Palmer, known as " Capt. Jim," was a large, rather fat old man. He was a good customer at his own bar. Here is a sample of his advertisement in the Bloomington Herald of 1841:

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, I, Capt. Jim, long a dispenser of food to the hungry and a couch to the weary, as well as a "horn" to the dry, having taken possession of the large and commodious house on Second street, Bloomington, Iowa, formerly the residence of His Hon. J. Williams, do hereby declare and make known to the world that I am now prepared, at the sign of "Capt. Jim," to accommodate those who may call upon me in a satisfactory manner, otherwise they go scot free. That this statement may the more prove fully true, I hereby declare and make known that the following are my charges, for all of which the best the market can afford are furnished; Single meal, 25 cents; board per day, with lodging, 75 cents; three days, per day, 62 1/2 cents; per week, $3; one horse feed, 12 1/2 cents; horse, per night, 25 cents; horse per week, $1.62 1/2 cents.

All other bills in proportion. I, the said Capt. Jim, do hereby further declare to those indebted to me for eating, sleeping, drinking, or upon contract of any kind whatsoever, that unless they come forward immediately and make settlement, Michael Scott was never in Scotland if I don't sent a constable after them to bring them to "taw." so look out for Conklin or Ward.

Thankful for past favors, he hopes to receive a share of public patronage corresponding with his efforts to minister to the tastes and render comfortable those who may favor him with their patronage. Capt. Jim Palmer Bloomington, Dec. 3, 1841.--6tf.
Pardon me for relating an anecdote told by Dan Rice, the noted showman. He says that when he first started out he visited Bloomington, and stopped with " Capt. Jim," and had his exhibition at his hotel. "Capt. Jim" insisted on having his pay in advance, but he compromised by making the Captain door-keeper. At the close of the entertainment he reported no money. Dan inquired how it came. The Captain's reply was, " he had so many friends that he had to invite whom he could not charge, and thus he received no money." This left Dan $6 in debt, and no money to pay with.

 

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Peto, Capt.

Davenport Democrat August 13, 1901

Muscatine Journal;

Capt. Peto returned to Rock Island this morning where he is running the Ocean Wave. He said that he did fairly well in Burlington, but not as well as he will in Rock Island. He reports the Muscatine people who are living in Burlington are very much disgusted with the city. And that they nearly all signified their intentions of returning to Muscatine as soon as convenient. The captain was much elated over what he said was a fact, that he had ordered a new automobile of a St. Louis firm. He said it would carry six people and that he would have the pleasure of being the first to purchase one of the “infernal machines.” He will take in the Winfield

*Capt. Petos home and picture of his family can be found in the Grosshiem collection, at the Musser public library.

Giles Pettibone, Ferryman

Giles Pettibone, born January 10, 1812 in Connecticut married Asenath Day, born 1816, in Vermont. They had three living children, in 1850; Harriet 8, Francis 6, and Jonathan then 2. In 1836 he was one of the earliest settlers to what was then Bloomington. He had many accomplishments, farmer, Street commissioner , and he along with his partner L.C. Hine built the first jail. In 1856 We find him as ferryman in the Muscatine city directory. He aligned his ferry business with A. J. Fimple, creating Fimple and Pettibone steam ferry boat service.. After remodeling the ferry boat into a packet he went into the south, according to the old settlers volume1, where his boat sank and Giles was never heard from again.

(*Catherine Gaines, 25, from Pennsylvania and Theresa Day 18 from Vermont live with the Pettibones in 1850.)

C. L. Phelps

 
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 404

JOSEPH P. PHELPS, photographer and proprietor of Phelps' Lightning Enameling Process, was born in Muscatine, April 1, 1848, and is a son of Capt. Clark and Pascolina ( Paul ) Phelps. His father was born in Hartford Conn., in 1816, and his mother in Natchez, Miss. They were married in the latter city in 1842. His father was a steamboat captain, and was master of various steamboats on the Mississippi River. Prior to 1855 he was engaged in merchandising in Mississippi. After spending many years on the river he retired on account of old age, and spent the last ten years of is life at Cairo, Ill., where his death occurred in November, 1885. His wife died in October, 1881.

Joseph P. Phelps was reared in Muscatine and educated in the public schools. In 1862 he began learning photography, and in 1865 bought out his former employer, and has connected with this line of business ever since. He was married at Natchez, Miss., in June, 1871, to Miss Louisa Walter, a native of Natchez, and a daughter of Jeremiah Walter. Five children have been born of their union---Florence, Effie, Ruth, Vivian and Laura. Mrs. Phelps is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Phelps is a Democrat. Since 1886 he has devoted his time to handling his lightning enameling patents, of which he has made a great success.

1856 City Directory Muscatine Iowa
Phelps, C. L. Master steamer Lamartine? ns Third e Iowa Avenue

1860 Muscatine County Census Sweetland Township

In the 1856 City Directory of Muscatine

Capt. C. L. Phelps is listed as the master of the steamer “Lamartine“. He lives at NS Third & Iowa Avenue.

Capt. Clark Phelps was born in 1816 in Hartford Connecticut. His wife, Pascolina nee Paul from Natchez, Mississippi, and he were married in 1842.

They have four children in 1860; Lorenzo, 19, asst. pilot, Alamanser ,17, Charles, 13, and Nancy, 6. Mary Riley, 38 from Ireland lives with them. Their post office is listed as Fairport. Three other children died in childhood.

After many years on the river Capt. Clark Phelps retired to Cairo, Illinois where he died in November of 1885. The Captain’s wife died in October 1880.

John Phillips, Capt.

The Palimpsest
BLOOMINGTON COMES OF AGE
Pg. 152

On April 23, 1841, the town recorder advertised in the Herald that the ferry lease would be let to any one furnishing a “good and sufficient steamboat. Captain Phillips was granted the ferry license when he provided the diminutive steam ferry “Iowa”, a vessel which was condemned and dismantled at the close of 1842. For the next two seasons Captain Phillips had to resort to a flatboat with oars. 

DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN PHILLIPS

Muscatine Journal
March 7, 1895

Capt. John Phillips, whose name was notorious in the early days of our city, died at Lettsville on Thursday, 25th. He was about sixty years of age. Capt. Phillips came to Muscatine (then Bloomington) from Burlington in 1843 with an old steam ferry boat, and having a charter for the ferry he ran it a number of years in a manner unsatisfactory to the citizens, causing a great deal of trouble and strife. Phillips was charged with nearly every crime in the catalogue, but he was shrewd and wary and always succeeded in escaping conviction in the numerous suits brought against him. On the morning of May 23rd, 1849, a German named “Old Nick”, was found dead near the old ferry house w3hich still stand on the opposite side of the river and which was then the dwelling of Phillips. His death was attributed by Phillips to a mob from the city, who he said, attacked his house during the night, and killed “Old Nick” in mistake for himself; but, on the other hand,, the murder was charged on Phillips in order to get the unfortunate man out of the way as a witness against him. The mystery has never been cleared up. The same cloud of uncertainty hangs over other unlawful acts attributed to Phillips and his associates, such as burning of houses, bridges, & in order to avenge himself on those who opposed his claim to the ferry franchise. About 1850 Phillips removed to Rock Island, and our citizens saw and heard but little of him for ten years. He then returned to this city and pursued a comparatively peaceable and quiet life, devoting his time mainly to obtaining soldiers pensions and picking up business as an attorney. On the 31st of October, 1868, he came again prominently before the public as a party in an affray with Jap. Hampton on the ferry boat, in which he shot Hampton, who narrowly escaped death. For this Phillips stood trial but was acquitted.
As we commanded to say nothing but good of the dead, we will say that the deceased was Plausible and pleasing to all he desired to win. He had a good share of natural talent, and under other circumstances might have been a man of much useful influence.

Transcribed by Georgeann McClure

Capt. J. A. Pyeatt

Mar. 1, 1903
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Biographical Section, 1879, page 651

J. A. PYEATT, machinist and steamboat engineer, Nichols; born Sept. 6, 1822, in St. Louis; in 1836, commenced learning the blacksmith, Machinist and engineer's trade at Gaty's Foundry in St. Louis; in 1842, engaged as engineer on the steamer Bowling Green, under Capt. John J. Rowe; the following spring of 1843, she ran on a rock at the mouth of Osage River and sunk; crew all got off safely, soon after, went on the Pearl, running on the Illinois River, since which time, he has run on the Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio and all their navigable tributaries except Red River; most of the time on the Missouri River; was on the steamer Columbus in 1850, as engineer, when she collapsed her flues and blew out, killing and wounding about twenty persons; in 1857-58, followed farming near St. Louis, then went down to De Soto, Mo., on the Iron Mountain Railroad, where he worked at blacksmithing, and commenced building a steam grist-mill, but, on account of war, had to suspend; in 1862, engaged in the employ of Captain Eads in building gunboats at Carondelet; in 1864, again went on the river as engineer; in 1868, came to Muscatine on the ferry-boat Northern Illinois, which he ran for seven years, and the Ida May one year; since then, ran on the Diamond Jo most of two seasons. Married Miss Pina W. Lendrum, of Grayson Co., Ky., Nov. 27, 1847; she was born Sept. 22, 1823, in Madison County, Ky.; have an adopted son--Oliver Reynolds Pyeatt, a son of his wife's sister, whose mother died when he was about a year old. Mr. P. is the only one left of three or four engineers on the river who commenced when he did; he now owns a residence in Muscatine, valued at $2,000; is at present in company with his brother-in-law, J. W. Lendrum, running the St. Nichols Hotel. Member of M. E. Church
*The original Pyeatt home was on Bismarck Street

	Pyeatt Home West Third Street   *The original Pyeatt home was on Bismarck Street

Reece and Brooks

The Palimpest
BLOOMINGTON COMES OF AGE
Pg. 152-153

“In 1845 a horse ferry was introduced by Brooks & Reece. It was not until July, 1855, that the steam ferry Muscatine was placed in service. With the opening of the high bridge in 1891 ferry service was discontinued.”

Muscatine Journal
Jan. 13, 1865
DIED

At St. Louis, Mo., on the 6th instrument, HENRY REECE.

The deceased was born in Philadelphia, on the 19th day of April, 1815, and removed to this place in 1836, thru becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Muscatine County. He was well known to our citizens as a man of property and honor, having satisfactorily discharged the duties of several positions of public trust. He was Postmaster for this city during the administration of Mr. Pierce. In the political contest over the Kansas and Nebraska Bill, he arrayed himself on the side of Freedom, and there remained. He was not a perfect man, nor was he exalted above all others, but in his relations with his fellows, upright, and in the family circle best known and most beloved. He removed to St. Louis sometime in 1863, to enter Government employ. After a long illness, on Friday last he said to his family, “I feel very much better today, but for fear I exert myself, I will lie down.” He reclined upon his pillow, gasped, and while the “Old settlers” of Muscatine were commemorating, one of their number peacefully fell asleep, and joined the company of a loving daughter who had preceded him but a few weeks. May his family, alone in a strange land, thus bereft of its chief support, be comforted in this their hour of sorrow.

Muscatine Journal
Oct. 6, 1870
Pg. 4 (Mr. Brooks)

Sad result of Intemperance--

A Victim of Mania Potu Commits Suicide-- this morning our community was shocked by the report that Sherman Brooks, an old and once quite wealthy citizen of this place, had terminated his career on this earth,-- Starting out to investigate the report we found it too true. The facts in the case, as near as we can learn are as follows; Last evening about 10 o’clock Mr. Brooks was discovered by Mr. D. Washburn standing on the porch of A. Farnsworth’s residence, near school house No.1, fiercely brandishing a hammer and evidently laboring under an attack delirium tremors. Mr. Washburn immediately notified A. F. Adams, a neighbor of Mr. Farnsworth, of the condition of Mr. Brooks when the assistance of the police was summoned to take charge of him. Policemen La grille and Maurice soon appeared and, with Mr. Adams, preceded to take the unfortunate man in custody. He offered no resistance, but seemed almost paralyzed with fear, declaring that “they” wanted to kill him and that he was only protecting himself. He was lodged in jail for safe keeping and nothing more was thought of him until this morning, when Deputy Sheriff Hawley visited his cell and was horrified to find him lying across his bed, with face downward, in a lifeless condition. A handkerchief, with a stick twisted in it, was around his throat, furnishing almost conclusive evidence, that he had committed suicide, by strangulation. The body, was still warm, showing that death had taken place but a short time before,-
Several small wounds were visible on the head, supposed to have been caused by deceased falling or striking the walls of the cell. “the coroner was hastily summoned and an inquest was held over the remains, resulting in a verdict in accordance with the facts given.

The deceased was about forty years old and a bachelor. He had no relatives living here except a niece-Mrs. Stephen Knott. The only other relative he had to our knowledge is a brother in California. A few years ago he was regarded as among our wealthiest citizens, but his insatiate appetite for alcoholic stimulant gradually swept away his property until, at the time of his death he had comparatively little, and most of that is covered by mortgage. His untimely end furnished a sad commentary on the evils of intemperance.

Muscatine Journal
June 3, 1906

Jessie Mosier, a deck hand on the Helen Blair, fell overboard last evening, about a half mile above Fairport and was drowned before assistance could reach him.