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DIAMOND JO LINE: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:diamondjo.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Advertisement from ''Dubuque Trade Journal'' September 20, 1882.  Photo Courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:djpc.jpeg|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy: Larry Friedman]]
[[Image:images-2.jpg|right|thumb|600px|Official stationery of the Diamond Jo Line.]]DIAMOND JO LINE. In December 1977, the former Diamond Jo Boat Store and Office, now property of Inland Molasses Company at Jones and Terminal [[STREETS]], was added to the [[NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES]]. The building, which once had an office at the end facing the river and a steamboat warehouse behind it, is the only remaining building in Dubuque traceable to one of America's great steamboat companies.  
[[Image:abcx.jpg|left|thumb|300px|]]
[[Image:djl2.png|left|thumb|300px|]]
[[Image:djletter.png|left|thumb|300px|Official stationery of the Diamond Jo Line.]]
[[Image:dja.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Book given to passengers so that they could collect signatures of other passengers as a memento. Photo courtesy: Dave Thomson Collection. Online: http://steamboats.com/museum/davet-illustrationsdiamondjo.html]]
[[Image:djad1.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Advertisement. Photo courtesy: Dave Thomson Collection. Online: http://steamboats.com/museum/davet-illustrationsdiamondjo.html]]
[[Image:dja2.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Book given to passengers so that they could collect signatures of other passengers as a memento. Photo courtesy: Dave Thomson Collection. Online: http://steamboats.com/museum/davet-illustrationsdiamondjo.html]]
DIAMOND JO LINE. In December 1977, the former Diamond Jo Boat Store and Office, now property of Inland Molasses Company at Jones and Terminal [[STREETS]], was added to the [[NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES]]. The building, which once had an office at the end facing the river and a steamboat warehouse behind it, is the only remaining building in Dubuque traceable to one of America's great steamboat companies.  


[[Image:quincy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The familiar Diamond Jo sign on the steamboat Quincy. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:quincy.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The familiar Diamond Jo sign on the steamboat Quincy. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:stpaul.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Observers watch the St. Paul, another ship of the Diamond Jo Line. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]


The company was named for [[REYNOLDS, Joseph "Diamond Jo"|Joseph "Diamond Jo" REYNOLDS]], a prosperous businessman who made fortunes in milling, tanning, [[RAILROADS]], [[MINING]], and shipping. The origin of his name, often the source of wild stories, came from his habit of surrounding his name Jo, for Joseph, with four lines suggesting a diamond. Another name remembered for his connection to the company was Captain [[KILLEEN, John F.|John F. KILLEEN]].
The company was named for [[REYNOLDS, Joseph "Diamond Jo"|Joseph "Diamond Jo" REYNOLDS]], a prosperous businessman who made fortunes in milling, tanning, [[RAILROADS]], [[MINING]], and shipping. In 1855 he and his wife, Mary E. (Morton), moved to Chicago, where he established a tannery. Customarily, he supplied his business with hides and furs by touring Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Originally, he addressed his shipments to himself as J. Reynolds. But when he discovered that Chicago had another J. Reynolds, he developed his distinctive trademark of a diamond shape enclosing his nickname "Jo." (1)


[[Image:dubuque-1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The "Dubuque." Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]Reynolds felt that he had been treated badly by other business interests along the Mississippi. In 1860 he began his business buying grain, hides, and furs.  His business expanded so quickly that he thought it necessary to have his own boats.  In 1862 he purchased the steamer, "Lansing."
His career change to wheat dealer for the Chicago market prompted him in 1860 to move to McGregor, Iowa, a major wheat market. To establish an efficient purchasing and shipping system, he invested in railroad line elevators in Iowa and Minnesota and entered steamboating to collect wheat along portions of the upper Mississippi. (2)


Before he had operated it for long, the Minnesota Packet Company operating between Dubuque and St. Paul convinced Reynolds to sell them the boat while promising him that his business would be treated fairly. Before the end of the season, he found these promises to be worthless.  
He had his first steamboat built at Lansing, Iowa, in 1862, but generally until 1868 he paid other boatmen to transport his wheat. Before he had operated "The Lansing" for long, the Minnesota Packet Company operating between Dubuque and St. Paul convinced Reynolds to sell them the boat while promising him that his business would be treated fairly. Before the end of the season, he found these promises to be worthless. (3)


Reynolds retaliated during the winter of 1862-1863 by constructing the steamer "Diamond Jo" and the barges "Fleming" and "Conger." He had other boats constructed and purchased others like the "Pittsburg" and "Gem City" from the Davidson line when it went out of business. The "Pittsburg" was renamed the "Dubuque."
Reynolds retaliated during the winter of 1862-1863 by constructing the steamer "Diamond Jo" and the barges "Fleming" and "Conger." (4) Once again the packet company convinced him to sell. This time he found the agreement workable until his business increased to the point that he again felt he needed his own boats. (5) Over a period of years, Reynolds purchased the twin-screw propeller, "John C. Gault" and later a stern-wheeler known as the "Ida Fulton." He repurchased the "Diamond Jo" and the two barges and bought the "Imperial" and other barges from John Robinson of Winona, Minnesota and the "Pittsburg," (renamed "Dubuque") and "Gem City" (renamed "Quincy) from companies on the Ohio River.  Reynolds also chartered the "Bannock City," "Lady Pike," and "John C. Chambers." (6) He reentered steamboating by forming the Chicago, Fulton, and River Line. (7) The company's four steamers, including the Diamond Jo, and accompanying barges operated in connection with the Chicago and North Western Railroad out of Fulton, Illinois. The two firms arranged for freight exchanges to supply wheat to the Chicago market and deliver a variety of goods shipped westward by the railroad.


[[Image:djl.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Telegraph Herald, Sept. 11, 1964. Image courtesy: Diane Harris]]
While based at Fulton, Reynolds's line became known as the Diamond Jo. However, the name was not formalized until the incorporation of the Diamond Jo Line in 1883.  
In 1874 a building in Dubuque was constructed as the main office of the Diamond Jo Steamers. Originally the company was primarily involved in transporting grain. As this declined, transporting passengers took on greater importance.


In 1878 the Diamond Jo Company spent about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and located permanently at Eagle Point. J. A. Johnston had charge of the yards at first ; seventy-eight men were employed in January, 1880. (1) The demand for quick river transit encouraged the Diamond Jo Company prepared to construct fast passenger boats to travel from St. Louis to St. Paul — all of steel and to be built here. Many steel barges were also considered. Six steel hull steamers were planned at once.
On February 12, 1874 [[WELLINGTON, William E.|William E. WELLINGTON]], representing the company, met with the mayor, a number of councilmen, and several businessmen to discuss conditions under which the firm's headquarters would be moved to Dubuque. (8) There were concessions made to the company from the city government to encourage the relocation. These concessions included: (9)


By July, 1885, the ice harbor was practically completed. The J. K. Graves, an iron hull rafter, was built in the ice harbor in 1885. The Van Sant & Musser Transportation Company built a large rafter built in Dubuque early in 1886; it was called Musser and was 137 feet long. The Diamond Jo Company built the upper part and the [[IOWA IRON WORKS]] constructed the iron and steel part. With Joseph Reynolds as president and general manager and [[DICKEY, Ernest M.|Ernest M. DICKEY]] the superintendent the Diamond Jo Line built a barge with a double steel hull in 1886.
          allowing a wharf boat in front of the lower levee where
            it is paved and north of any wharf boat that could
            later be placed along the levee for a term of five
            years,
          use of a portion of the lower levee not exceeding 150
            feet front for a coal yard,
          use of 500 feet front of the outer levee at the foot
            of Third Street and running north for a boatyard,
          exempt from wharfage (taxes) all boats, barges, and
            vessels of every kind owned by the company so long
            as the company complies with the terms of the
            contract and maintains its headquarters in the city
            for a period of ten years


With the death of Reynolds in 1891, the company belonged to and was operated by his brother-in-law, Jay Morton of Chicago.  
In 1876 this contract between the company and the city came under review. The committee on harbors found that the company had not moved the boatyard, general office, and repair and construction shops to Dubuque within four months of the signing of the contract and that the wharf boat of the company had not been kept open at nights and on Sundays for the use of the public to pass over to steamers of any other line. For these reasons, the council rescinded the contract. (10)


On February 3, 1911 the company was sold to the Streckfus Company of Rock Island. For $200,000 the Streckfus Company obtained the steamers St. Paul, Quincy, Dubuque and Sidney. In addition it received the wharves, warehouses and boatyards of the company.
In 1878 the Diamond Jo Company spent about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and located permanently at [[EAGLE POINT]] where the [[DIAMOND JO BOATYARD]] was established. Seventy-eight men were employed in January, 1880. (11)  In that year, the company was the largest single employer in Dubuque. (12) With seventy-five men employed in the boatyard, the company paid wages from $800 to $1,000 per week. In addition, the purchase of material in Dubuque added an estimated $150,000 to the local economy. (13)


The Streckfus Company announced that it intended to remodel the Sidney into a first class excursion boat to take the place of the J. S. which was destroyed by fire near Trempealeau, Wisconsin during the summer of 1910. The Sidney was to be ready for the excursion season beginning on May 1st and would sail between Peoria and St. Paul during the summer and south at New Orleans during the winter. The other three steamers would be refitted and placed into regular packet trade between St. Louis and St. Paul during the summer and St. Louis to New Orleans during the winter.  While general offices of the new company would remain in St. Louis, it was announced that Dubuque would remain important since it was a midway point between there at St. Paul.
The boatyard built and repaired Reynolds's boats as well as those of other upper Mississippi operators. In an article published by the ''Dubuque Herald'' in January 1880, the reporter saw the following being repaired: (14)


          Annie Girdon-------Knapp, Stout and Company
          Louisville---------Knapp, Stout and Company
          Helen Mar----------Knapp, Stout and Company
          Pete Wilson--------Knapp, Stout and Company
          L. W. Barden-------unknown owner
          Josie--------------unknown owner
         
Working together, the Diamond Jo Company built the upper portions of boats and the [[IOWA IRON WORKS]] constructed the iron and steel sections.


Diamond Joe Line  
The financial difficulties of the rival Keokuk Northern Line Packet Company enabled the efficient Reynolds to expand. In 1879 Diamond Jo boats began offering St. Paul-St. Louis service, and when the Keokuk Northern went bankrupt in 1880, Reynolds turned from his previous freight business to the passenger trade. In the 1880s the most famous Diamond Jo vessels, such as the Mary Morton, were luxurious passenger boats. When the successor of the Keokuk Northern ceased operating in 1890, the Diamond Jo Line was the only remaining organized steamboat company between St. Louis and St. Paul. (15)


1867, called Chicago, Fulton and River Line, Headqtrs. Fulton, Ill.
In 1895 the company announced that it would move its headquarters to St. Louis so that all officials could be in one location. The company would maintain its boat-store house in Dubuque, a coal yard in East Dubuque, and the boatyard at [[EAGLE POINT]]. (16)


1874, Headquarters moved to Dubuque,
The Diamond Jo Line passed to his widow, and after her death on August 2, 1895, to a group headed by her brother, Jay. On February 3, 1911 the entire company was sold to the [[STRECKFUS STEAMBOAT LINE]]. (17) For $200,000 the Streckfus Company obtained the steamers St. Paul, Quincy, Dubuque and Sidney. In addition it received the wharves, warehouses and boatyards of the company. (18)
   
   
Owner: Joseph Reynolds
[[Image:dubuque-1.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The "Dubuque." Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[File:salon.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The main salon on the "Dubuque.". Photo courtesy:http://www.riverboatdaves.com/postcards/d/dubuque/dubuque.html]]
[[File:sidedeck.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The side deck on the "Dubuque.". Photo courtesy:http://www.riverboatdaves.com/postcards/d/dubuque/dubuque.html]]
[[Image:djwarehouse.png|right|thumb|250px|Diamond Jo warehouse. Photo courtesy: Murphy Library Special Collections, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  ]]


Officers: 1880, shortly after superintendent, Capt. John Killeen


Boats:  
 
Boats Constructed: (18)


[[File:lansing.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Lansing, 1864. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_L]]
[[File:lansing.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Lansing, 1864. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_L]]
        
        
[[File:diamondjo.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1864-83, DIAMOND JO.  At one point she was sold to competitor, then in 1868, repurchased. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_D]]
[[File:diamondjo.jpg|200px|thumb|right|1864-83, DIAMOND JO.  At one point she was sold to a competitor, then in 1868, repurchased. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_D]]
              
              
1867, JOHN C. GAULT, propeller driven towboat.  
1867, JOHN C. GAULT, propeller driven towboat.  
Line 51: Line 78:
1869, July, Chartered STERLING to help with enormous work load.
1869, July, Chartered STERLING to help with enormous work load.
        
        
[[File:imperial.jpg|200px|thumb|right|1867-73, Sometime between the line added a boat named IMPERIAL. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_I]]
[[File:imperial.jpg|200px|thumb|right|1867-73, The line added a boat named IMPERIAL. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_I]]
        
        
[[File:jro.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1867-70, Sometime between, the JEANETTE ROBERTS. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_J]]
[[File:jro.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1867-70, the JEANETTE ROBERTS. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_J]]
        
        
1871,  Chartered briefly, BANNOCK CITY
1871,  Chartered briefly, BANNOCK CITY
Line 71: Line 98:
[[File:marymorton.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1880-87, Built and operated MARY MORTON. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_M]]
[[File:marymorton.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1880-87, Built and operated MARY MORTON. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_M]]
        
        
1883-86, ST. PAUL
[[Image:stpaul.jpg|right|thumb|250px|1883-86, ST. PAUL. Observers watch the St. Paul, another ship of the Diamond Jo Line. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
        
        
189?-1901 WASHINGTON
189?-1901 WASHINGTON
        
        
[[File:dubuquex.jpg|200px|thumb|right|1896-1901, DUBUQUE. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_D]]
[[File:dubuquex.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1896-1901, DUBUQUE. Built in 1895. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_D]]
        
        
[[File:quincy.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1896-1911, QUINCY. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_Q]]
[[File:quincy.jpg|200px|thumb|right|1896-1911, QUINCY. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_Q]]


[[Image:djsteamer.png|right|thumb|250px|1886 promotional leaflet]]
[[Image:djsteamer.png|left|thumb|250px|1886 promotional leaflet]]
[[Image:djsteamer-2.png|right|thumb|250px|Pen and ink drawings of life aboard the steamboat in 1886]]
[[Image:djsteamer-2.png|right|thumb|250px|Pen and ink drawings of life aboard the steamboat in 1886]]
[[Image:poster.jpg|left|thumb|800px|Advertisement for a tour on the Diamond Jo Line.]]
[[Image:poster.jpg|right|thumb|800px|Advertisement for a tour on the Diamond Jo Line.]]
[[Image:jo.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
[[Image:jo.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]


[[Image:steamerpass.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Complimentary pass. Photo courtesy: Bill Pollard]]
[[Image:steamerpass.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Complimentary pass. Photo courtesy: Bill Pollard]]


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Line 90: Line 117:
Source:
Source:


1. Oldt, Franklin. '''History of Dubuque County, Iowa'''. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880. Online: http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-26-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml
1. Hudson, David; Bergman, Marvin; Horton, Loren. '''The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa.''' Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2008
 
2. Ibid.
 
3. "Sale of Diamond Jo Line; $200,000," Dubuque Herald, February 12, 1911, p. 8
 
4. "Dubuque, A Boat Building Center," ''Telegraph Herald'', August 21, 1910 Part II, p. 1
 
5. "Sale of Diamond Jo..."
 
6. Ibid.
 
7. Hudson, et al.
 
8. "To Be or Not to Be," ''Dubuque Herald'', February 14, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740214&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
 
9. "City Council," ''Dubuque Herald'', February 21, 1874, p. 2
 
10. "Municipal," ''Dubuque Herald'', May 5, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760505&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
 
11. Oldt, Franklin. '''History of Dubuque County, Iowa'''. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880. Online: http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-26-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml
 
12. "Diamond Jo," ''Dubuque Herald'', January 30, 1880, p. 5
 
13. Ibid.
 
14. Ibid.
 
15. Hudson et al.
 
16. "Removed to St. Louis," ''Dubuque Herald'', April 19, 1895, p. 8
 
17. "Diamond Jo Line Boats are Sold," ''Dubuque Herald'', February 3, 1911


"Diamond Jo Line Boats are Sold," Telegraph Herald, February 3, 1911
18. "Sale of Diamond Jo Line..."


Hudson, David; Bergman, Marvin; Horton, Loren. '''The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa.''' Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2008
19. Riverboat Dave's. "Riverboat Companies and Owners," Online: http://www.riverboatdaves.com/owners/d.html


[[Category: Steamboat Companies]]
[[Category: Steamboat Companies]]
[[Category: Postcards]]
[[Category: Postcards]]

Revision as of 01:14, 29 August 2017

Photo courtesy: Larry Friedman
Abcx.jpg
Djl2.png
Official stationery of the Diamond Jo Line.
Book given to passengers so that they could collect signatures of other passengers as a memento. Photo courtesy: Dave Thomson Collection. Online: http://steamboats.com/museum/davet-illustrationsdiamondjo.html
Advertisement. Photo courtesy: Dave Thomson Collection. Online: http://steamboats.com/museum/davet-illustrationsdiamondjo.html
Book given to passengers so that they could collect signatures of other passengers as a memento. Photo courtesy: Dave Thomson Collection. Online: http://steamboats.com/museum/davet-illustrationsdiamondjo.html

DIAMOND JO LINE. In December 1977, the former Diamond Jo Boat Store and Office, now property of Inland Molasses Company at Jones and Terminal STREETS, was added to the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. The building, which once had an office at the end facing the river and a steamboat warehouse behind it, is the only remaining building in Dubuque traceable to one of America's great steamboat companies.

The familiar Diamond Jo sign on the steamboat Quincy. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

The company was named for Joseph "Diamond Jo" REYNOLDS, a prosperous businessman who made fortunes in milling, tanning, RAILROADS, MINING, and shipping. In 1855 he and his wife, Mary E. (Morton), moved to Chicago, where he established a tannery. Customarily, he supplied his business with hides and furs by touring Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Originally, he addressed his shipments to himself as J. Reynolds. But when he discovered that Chicago had another J. Reynolds, he developed his distinctive trademark of a diamond shape enclosing his nickname "Jo." (1)

His career change to wheat dealer for the Chicago market prompted him in 1860 to move to McGregor, Iowa, a major wheat market. To establish an efficient purchasing and shipping system, he invested in railroad line elevators in Iowa and Minnesota and entered steamboating to collect wheat along portions of the upper Mississippi. (2)

He had his first steamboat built at Lansing, Iowa, in 1862, but generally until 1868 he paid other boatmen to transport his wheat. Before he had operated "The Lansing" for long, the Minnesota Packet Company operating between Dubuque and St. Paul convinced Reynolds to sell them the boat while promising him that his business would be treated fairly. Before the end of the season, he found these promises to be worthless. (3)

Reynolds retaliated during the winter of 1862-1863 by constructing the steamer "Diamond Jo" and the barges "Fleming" and "Conger." (4) Once again the packet company convinced him to sell. This time he found the agreement workable until his business increased to the point that he again felt he needed his own boats. (5) Over a period of years, Reynolds purchased the twin-screw propeller, "John C. Gault" and later a stern-wheeler known as the "Ida Fulton." He repurchased the "Diamond Jo" and the two barges and bought the "Imperial" and other barges from John Robinson of Winona, Minnesota and the "Pittsburg," (renamed "Dubuque") and "Gem City" (renamed "Quincy) from companies on the Ohio River. Reynolds also chartered the "Bannock City," "Lady Pike," and "John C. Chambers." (6) He reentered steamboating by forming the Chicago, Fulton, and River Line. (7) The company's four steamers, including the Diamond Jo, and accompanying barges operated in connection with the Chicago and North Western Railroad out of Fulton, Illinois. The two firms arranged for freight exchanges to supply wheat to the Chicago market and deliver a variety of goods shipped westward by the railroad.

While based at Fulton, Reynolds's line became known as the Diamond Jo. However, the name was not formalized until the incorporation of the Diamond Jo Line in 1883.

On February 12, 1874 William E. WELLINGTON, representing the company, met with the mayor, a number of councilmen, and several businessmen to discuss conditions under which the firm's headquarters would be moved to Dubuque. (8) There were concessions made to the company from the city government to encourage the relocation. These concessions included: (9)

         allowing a wharf boat in front of the lower levee where
            it is paved and north of any wharf boat that could
            later be placed along the levee for a term of five
            years,
         use of a portion of the lower levee not exceeding 150
            feet front for a coal yard,
         use of 500 feet front of the outer levee at the foot
            of Third Street and running north for a boatyard,
         exempt from wharfage (taxes) all boats, barges, and
            vessels of every kind owned by the company so long
            as the company complies with the terms of the
            contract and maintains its headquarters in the city
            for a period of ten years

In 1876 this contract between the company and the city came under review. The committee on harbors found that the company had not moved the boatyard, general office, and repair and construction shops to Dubuque within four months of the signing of the contract and that the wharf boat of the company had not been kept open at nights and on Sundays for the use of the public to pass over to steamers of any other line. For these reasons, the council rescinded the contract. (10)

In 1878 the Diamond Jo Company spent about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and located permanently at EAGLE POINT where the DIAMOND JO BOATYARD was established. Seventy-eight men were employed in January, 1880. (11) In that year, the company was the largest single employer in Dubuque. (12) With seventy-five men employed in the boatyard, the company paid wages from $800 to $1,000 per week. In addition, the purchase of material in Dubuque added an estimated $150,000 to the local economy. (13)

The boatyard built and repaired Reynolds's boats as well as those of other upper Mississippi operators. In an article published by the Dubuque Herald in January 1880, the reporter saw the following being repaired: (14)

          Annie Girdon-------Knapp, Stout and Company
          Louisville---------Knapp, Stout and Company
          Helen Mar----------Knapp, Stout and Company
          Pete Wilson--------Knapp, Stout and Company
          L. W. Barden-------unknown owner
          Josie--------------unknown owner
          

Working together, the Diamond Jo Company built the upper portions of boats and the IOWA IRON WORKS constructed the iron and steel sections.

The financial difficulties of the rival Keokuk Northern Line Packet Company enabled the efficient Reynolds to expand. In 1879 Diamond Jo boats began offering St. Paul-St. Louis service, and when the Keokuk Northern went bankrupt in 1880, Reynolds turned from his previous freight business to the passenger trade. In the 1880s the most famous Diamond Jo vessels, such as the Mary Morton, were luxurious passenger boats. When the successor of the Keokuk Northern ceased operating in 1890, the Diamond Jo Line was the only remaining organized steamboat company between St. Louis and St. Paul. (15)

In 1895 the company announced that it would move its headquarters to St. Louis so that all officials could be in one location. The company would maintain its boat-store house in Dubuque, a coal yard in East Dubuque, and the boatyard at EAGLE POINT. (16)

The Diamond Jo Line passed to his widow, and after her death on August 2, 1895, to a group headed by her brother, Jay. On February 3, 1911 the entire company was sold to the STRECKFUS STEAMBOAT LINE. (17) For $200,000 the Streckfus Company obtained the steamers St. Paul, Quincy, Dubuque and Sidney. In addition it received the wharves, warehouses and boatyards of the company. (18)

The "Dubuque." Photo courtesy: Bob Reding
The main salon on the "Dubuque.". Photo courtesy:http://www.riverboatdaves.com/postcards/d/dubuque/dubuque.html
The side deck on the "Dubuque.". Photo courtesy:http://www.riverboatdaves.com/postcards/d/dubuque/dubuque.html
Diamond Jo warehouse. Photo courtesy: Murphy Library Special Collections, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.


Boats Constructed: (18)

1864-83, DIAMOND JO. At one point she was sold to a competitor, then in 1868, repurchased. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_D

1867, JOHN C. GAULT, propeller driven towboat.

186?9?, early spring?,-72, LADY PIKE

1869, July, Chartered STERLING to help with enormous work load.

1867-73, The line added a boat named IMPERIAL. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_I
1867-70, the JEANETTE ROBERTS. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_J

1871, Chartered briefly, BANNOCK CITY

1873-81, IMPERIAL a powerful towboat

1873, Built and operated JOSIE.. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_J
1878-99, Built and operated JOSEPHINE. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_J
1879, LIBBY CONGER, passengers and freight only. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_L
1880-87, Built and operated MARY MORTON. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_M
1883-86, ST. PAUL. Observers watch the St. Paul, another ship of the Diamond Jo Line. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

189?-1901 WASHINGTON

1896-1901, DUBUQUE. Built in 1895. Photo courtesy: https://wiki.cincinnatilibrary.org/index.php/Inland_Riverboats_-_D
1886 promotional leaflet
Pen and ink drawings of life aboard the steamboat in 1886
Advertisement for a tour on the Diamond Jo Line.
Photo courtesy: Bob Reding
Complimentary pass. Photo courtesy: Bill Pollard

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Source:

1. Hudson, David; Bergman, Marvin; Horton, Loren. The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2008

2. Ibid.

3. "Sale of Diamond Jo Line; $200,000," Dubuque Herald, February 12, 1911, p. 8

4. "Dubuque, A Boat Building Center," Telegraph Herald, August 21, 1910 Part II, p. 1

5. "Sale of Diamond Jo..."

6. Ibid.

7. Hudson, et al.

8. "To Be or Not to Be," Dubuque Herald, February 14, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740214&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

9. "City Council," Dubuque Herald, February 21, 1874, p. 2

10. "Municipal," Dubuque Herald, May 5, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18760505&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

11. Oldt, Franklin. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880. Online: http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-26-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml

12. "Diamond Jo," Dubuque Herald, January 30, 1880, p. 5

13. Ibid.

14. Ibid.

15. Hudson et al.

16. "Removed to St. Louis," Dubuque Herald, April 19, 1895, p. 8

17. "Diamond Jo Line Boats are Sold," Dubuque Herald, February 3, 1911

18. "Sale of Diamond Jo Line..."

19. Riverboat Dave's. "Riverboat Companies and Owners," Online: http://www.riverboatdaves.com/owners/d.html