Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
AUTOMOBILES
AUTOMOBILES (first). As late as 1905 local residents believed the hills of Dubuque would prove an insurmountable obstacle to automobiles. (1) It was true that ADAMS COMPANY (Encyclopedia Dubuque) was manufacturing automobiles, but these were being sold to people in the eastern United States. Charles Gordon, a builder of internal combustion marine engines, purchased a Haynes-Apperson, the first gasoline-powered auto to be seen in Dubuque. Two years passed before Charles Tibbals purchased an Oldsmobile from an out-of-town dealer. Another Oldsmobile was bought by Gordon who used it to replace his Haynes-Apperson. H. G. Boldt's 1903 Cadillac was later used by the Boldt Company as a delivery car.
In the early years, automobile ownership in Dubuque was often limited to those who already owned an auto and used new examples to replace their older models. Many of these people also belonged to the DUBUQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB. Popularity of automobiles for a wider audience of people began in 1906 after cars had been proven both dependable and fashionable.
In March, 1910 Dubuque drivers were reminded that the first ordinance regulating speed was in effect. (2) Passed on Setember 2, 1909, it was in response to many complaints passed along to the city council. The ordinance stated:
Section I. That no person shall operate a motor
vehicle on any street of other public highway
within the City of Dubuque at a rate of speed
greater than is reasonable and proper, having
regard to the traffic and use of the highway,
or so as to endanger the life or limb of any
person, or in any event in the closely built
up portions of said City at a great rate than
one (1) mile in six (6) minutes; subject,
however, to the other provisions of this section.
Upon approaching a crossing of intersecting high-
ways, or a bridge, or a sharp curve, or a steep
descent, and also in traversing such crossing,
bridge, curve, or descent, a person operating a
motor vehicle shall have it under control and
operate it at a rate of speed less than here-
to-before specified, and in no event greater than
is reasonable and proper, having regard to the
traffic, then on such highway and the safety of
public.
Section II. That any person operating a motor
vehicle within said City, shall, at request or
on signal by putting up the hand, from a person
riding or driving a restive horse or other draft
or domestic animal, bring such motor vehicle
immediately to a stop, and, if traveling in the
opposite direction, remain stationary so long as
may be reasonable to allow such horse or other
animal to pass, and, if traveling in the same
direction, use reasonable caution in passing such
horse or other animal, and the operator and
occupants of any motor vehicle shall render
necessary assistance to the party having in charge
said horse or other animal in so passing.
Section 3. That every motor vehicle while in use
on a public highway within said city small be
provided with good brakes, and also with a
suitable bell, horn, or other signal and be so
constructed as to exhibit, during the period of
one (1) hour before sunset to one (1) hour before
sunrise white light visible within a reasonable
distance in the direction toward which such
vehicle is proceeding and a red light visible in
the reverse direction.
Section 4. That every motor vehicle within said
City shall also at all times have the number
assigned to it by the secretary of state displayed
on the back of such motor vehicle in such a manner
as to be plainly visible, the number to be in
Arabic numerals, each not less than three (3)
inches in height, and each stroke to be a width
not less than one-half (1/2) inch, and also as a
part of such number the initial and terminal
letters of the state's name such letters to be not
less than two (2) inches in height.
Section 5. (Definition of terms used in the ordinance)
Section 6. Any person violating any of the provisions
of this Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine not
exceeding twenty-five (25) dollars for the first
offense nor more than fifty (50) dollars or
imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days for a
second or subsequent offense.
Approved September 4, 1909
H. A. Schunk, Mayor
On July 18, 1910 the Telegraph Herald began a campaign against "scorchers," a term referring to speeders. (3) The following day five-year old Alice Hughes was hit and injured by an automobile driver traveling eight-miles per hour. This resulted in three stories in the newspaper including a front-page editorial entitled, "Will Auto Speed Mania Subside?" (4)
By 1918 automobiles had become more than a novelty. State and local laws were passed that were often ignored. In response, the police department in Dubuque in July, 1918 announced that it would begin an active program to arrest "autoists." On July 12, 1918, owners of automobiles were given five days to obtain the necessary equipment for their cars. Chief of Police J. W. Giellis announced that the city and county attorneys would assist in the prosecution of all violators and that no excuses for non-compliance would be allowed. (5)
Many problems facing law enforcement. Automobile owners often operated their cars without license plates, only one license plate, with paper license plates, or using the dealer's number without actually applying for a set of plates. Other drivers operated cars at night without tail lights or with only one headlight. Glaring or blinding lights were also cited as violations of traffic laws. (6)
The lower the local number of automobile accidents, in 1930 the Dubuque Police Department joined the National Safety Council. In 1932, in competition with 92 other cities, Dubuque was awarded first place in its efforts to reduce automobile accidents. (7)
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Source:
1. "History of Dubuque and Dubuque County," Telegraph Herald, January 15, 1939, p. 1, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dtdBAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BaoMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5766,3140247&dq=dubuque+electric+company&hl=en
2. "Warning Given to Auto Drivers," Telegraph Herald, March 15, 1910, p. 7
3. "History of Dubuque..."
4. Ibid.
5. "Police Ready to Arrest Autoists," Telegraph Herald, July 12, 1918, p. 2
6. Ibid.
7. "History of Dubuque..."