History > Turrill Table of Contents

Source: Historical reminiscences of the city of Des Moines, together with a full description of the city and county. H. B. Turrill, 1857. Transcribed by Ralph Leonard.

The Author of this volume presents it, without apology, to the public, confident that, whatever are its merits or faults, they will be recognized and properly estimated. No effort at elaborateness has been attempted, but a plain and concise statement of facts, without recourse to rhetorical flourishes or wearisome reflections, has been presented. Errors in some particulars may have occurred, but, from the pains and labor which have been employed to guard against them, it is believed that they are few and unimportant.

The history of Des Moines does not, it is true, extend through the dim and antiquated legends of centuries past, revealing the ruthless deeds of barbarity and war. It embraces a period so recent, that even romance has not disturbed its quiet, with wild tales of what was so obscure as to become suitable for imagination to enlarge upon and mystify. Human memories can yet impart interest and truth to the statements, or correct the mistakes of the historian, who would place upon record those reminiscences of interest, afforded even by the brief existence of Des Moines. To preserve those reminiscences while yet they can be derived from the lips of men who experienced them personally, and who in a few years will pass from among us, is the object of this book. The flight of every year throws a shadow upon the past. "What now is clear will soon become dim, what now is dim will finally be impenetrable.

The descriptive portion of the work is intended not so much for the edification of the citizens of Des Moines, as to afford reliable information to those abroad, whose attention has been arrested by the progress already made, and enterprise evinced by our city, and whose co-operation

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iv                                                                       PREFACE

can only be expected, or influence, or personal presence obtained, by a detailed statement of the resources and present prosperity of the city.

As the capital of the State, Des Moines is a place of uncommon interest, and public curiosity is awake to know its advantages. The author has attempted to gratify that curiosity. To those who have kindly assisted him in rendering this work more interesting and attractive, the author acknowledges himself under the most unaffected obligations. His especial thanks are due to Hon. Curtis Bates, Benjamin Bryant, Esq., Rev. R. Weiser, Peter Myers, Esq., and W. R. Wheeler, Esq., for valuable aid, and to many others for advice and encouragement while prosecuting his arduous labor of collecting material for this work.

Des Moines, May 25th, 1857.