Telegraph Herald
Sunday May 11, 1902

FAMILIES FUND INCREASES FAST


FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS SUBSCRIBED FOR RELIEF OF WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

SUBSCRIPTION STARTED BY THIS PAPER MEETS WITH A HEARTY RESPONSE

Twelve Hundred Dollars Received Within a Half Hour On the Telephone

The subscription started by the Telegraph-Herald yesterday to establish a fund to be apportioned equally among the families of Firemen Fitzpatrick and Ganahl and Charles Wise, victims of the fire at the Iowa Iron Works last Thursday night now amounts to $1, 641.25.

Perhaps a recital of the effort put forth to start the subscription will interest not alone those who have already generously subscribed, but others who will contribute when they are impressed with the worthy motive. The matter of establishing the fund was discussed in this office as are other matters concerning newspaper policy. That an effort should be put forth to succor the dependent families of the dead men could not be gainsaid, but the question of means was the mooted topic; whether it should be left to the city council to make proper provision or whether the paper should on its own responsibility call on the people for contributions urging them to give all that their means could afford, or whether the task of raising funds should be left to the firemen, who were closest to the dead men. After some discussion the conclusion was reached that since the whole community mourns the sad and unfortunate ending of these lives, and that since they were sacrificed in the services of the public, it was but fitting that all the people should be afforded opportunity to contribute what they pleased to the relief fund this conclusion having been reached the next phase to consider was whether a committee should make a canvass or whether the simple announcement should be made and the matter left open for people to subscribe at will. This was deemed inexpidient, and finally it was decided to make a canvass by telephone.

The Wires at Work
Doubt that the response would be liberal was not entertained for a moment. Three reporters went to as many telephones, and as the names of firms and individuals occurred to them, they called them up on the wire. The statement of the object of the subscription was brief, but brief as it was, it occupied more time than the quick response of the subscribers. "How much do you want?", some asked. Then the reply flashed back that the subscriptions ranged from $100 down. "Put me down for_____." So the phones flashed the subscriptions, and in exactly one hour from the time the telephoning was begun, $1,200 had been subscribed. In great haste something is usually forgotten, and the form was just being locked up to be hurried to press when some eagle eye discovered that the Iowa Iron Works subscription did not appear. "Phone the Iowa," was the injunction shouted to one of the reporters, and the form waited for response. It was only a moment. The man at the telephone yelled, "The Iowa gives five hundred." The man at the tube leading to the composing room repeated the sentence, some one down- stairs shouted it to an operator, the machine ground it out and the foreman clapped it into place waiting in the form. It was a banner subscription; it insured a big fund, and the form was hurried to the sterotyper, he hurried it to the press, and the papers told the people what "the Iowa" and what others had done. It was good hours work and we doubt that anything its equal was ever accomplished in Dubuque.

It Was But a Beginning
The work didn't stop there, however, nor will it stop until everybody has been afforded an opportunity to help a worthy charity. One of the men stayed at the telephone and the subscriptions continued to come in. Last night they kept the business office busy, but not too busy, for too much can not be done for the widows and the helpless children of the firemen who died at their post of duty.

Reasons were urged in an article appearing last night why the response to the appeal for funds should be liberal and generous. It is unnecessary to call the attention of the people to the obligation resting on them. The subscriptions so far received demonstrate that they feel the obligation and that they will meet it. No one should think that he is excused from the donation. The substantial aid even in small amounts is welcome. Dimes make dollars and they soon run into big sums. Send in the small amounts. They will help.

In order to accommodate those who have not time on other days to call, the business office of this paper will be kept open this morning from 9 o'clock until 12, during which hours subscriptions will be received.

The amounts subscribed up to 11 o'clock last night are as follows:

Iowa Iron Works 500.00
Telegraph-Herald100.00
Telegraph-Herald employees20.00
N. J. Schrup50.00
Jaeger & Lange10.00
J. J. McCarthy 25.00
Myers, Cox & Co.10.00
Tom Connolly 10.00
Bowen & Fitzpatrick 15.00
The Albee Bakery 10.00
Hoar & Murphy 5.00
T. W. Ruete 10.00
H. A. Schunk5.00
Jas. Levi 10.00
Rhomberg Bros5.00
James McFadden 10.00
Ott Mueser 20.00
John Weimer 5.00
W. J. Knight 25.00
Ott Mueser 10.00
Iowa Coffin Co. 25.00
Cash 1.00
Thos. Maguire, East Dubuque 1.00
Farley & Loetscher 50.00
John B. Ernsdorff & Sons 10.00
F. A. Miller 1.00
The John Ellwanger Co. 50.00
Herman Brinkman 5.00
Peter Seipple 20.00
McDonald & Morrison Mfg. Co. 25.00
Thos. Phillips 20.00
Dubuque Alter Mfg. Co. 10.00
Geo. Salot 5.00
A. R. Knights & Co. 5.00
Standard Lumber Co. 50.00
J. F. Stampfer 25.00
Dubuque Malting Co. 50.00
Boston One Price Clothiers 50.00
Adams Company 10.00
Geo. McLean 25.00
Klauer Mfg. Co. 10.00
Dubuque Cabinet Makers' Ass'n 5.00
Jos. Simmones & Co. 10.00
Kaep & Buechele 10.00
Matt Stafford 10.00
Dennis Bros. 15.00
Hill Mercantile Co. 5.00
H. B. Glover Co. 50.00
W. C. Keeley 25.00
A. G. Summerfield 5.00
Becker Bros. 1.00
Catholic Printing Co. 10.00
Byrne Bros. 15.00
Jas. Harrigan 10.00
Homan & Roehl 5.00
Lady operators of Dub. Tel. Co.12.00
T. Dill 10.00
Junior Bowling Club 30.00
Cash .25
T. F. Lange 10.00
P. J. Schroeder, Supt. Schools 5.00
Thompson Dry Goods Co. 15.00
Golden Eagle 5.00
G. C. Summerfield, shoe & clothing Co. 5.00
T. W. Parker 5.00
Total $ 1,641.25

The Evening Globe-Journal last night announced its readiness to receive subscriptions for the same worthy object. That paper says in its local columns:

"A fund for the benefit of the families of the firemen who lost their lives while nobly performing their duty has been opened by the Times and Globe-Journal and all who desire to aid a most worthy object will be given an opportunity to subscribe. Several contributions have already been sent in and the names of the subscribers will be published Sunday morning. any sum, no matter how small will be received. The sympathy of the people of Dubuque goes out to the bereaved families, and there is no doubt that the contributions will be liberal. It is earnestly hoped that all who feel able to aid this worthy object will do so. To do so will show appreciation on their part of the great sacrifice made by the men who gave their lives in the line of duty. They died like heroes and the people will not forget this fact. Let the subscriptions come in as soon as possible and let the fund be one that will be a credit to the people of Dubuque."

It is the hope of this journal that our contemporary's fund will be fully as large as our own, for certainly the people can not show too much substantial sympathy for the bereaved families.

Resolution of Condolence
At a regular meeting of Julien Lodge No. 379, International Association of machinists, held May 9, 1902, the following resolutions were adopted:

Whereas. In view of the loss the city has sustained in the death of our friends, Frank Ganahl, John Fitzpatrick and Charles Wise, and the still heavier loss sustained by those nearer and dearer to them, therefore be it Resolved. That it is but a just tribute to the memory of our departed friends to say that in regretting their removal from our midst, we mourn for them, who were in every way worthy of our respect and esteem.

Resolved. That we sincerely condole with the relatives of our friends on the dispensation which it has pleased Divine Providence to inflict upon them, and for consolation commend them to Him who orders all things for the best, and whose chastisements are meant in mercy.

Resolved. That a copy of this testimonial be sent to the relatives of the departed, be spread on the minutes of our lodge and be published in the papers of the city.

J. C. DYER,
T. O'DONNALL,
WM. WOODWARD,
Committee.