PYNE, W. W.

PYNE, W. W. (Berkshire Co., MA, Aug. 23, 1840--Independence, IA, Sept. 17, 1884). In 1874 the KEY CITY HOUSE and its restaurant operated by Pyne became involved in an "eating house war" with the opening of the Julien. To attract customers, Pyne traveled to St. Louis to purchase an omnibus to carry customers from the ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD depot at no charge. (1) Pyne returned with a vehicle costing $900. (2) The Dubuque Herald on July 1, 1874 reported that the Key City free omnibus transportation had led to "considerable strife" among the hotels competing for business. The paper reported the flurry of claims to attract customers reminded it of the clucking of "laying hens," but that it was good for the community. (3) In 1877 Pyne leased the TREMONT HOUSE on the corner of Eighth and Iowa STREETS for $100 per month. (4)

Pyne retired from the hotel business in 1879 and began MINING and the cultivation of fruit. On ten acres of land on West Hill within the city limits, he cared for three thousand grape vines, cherries, and other small fruit. (5)

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Source:

1. "Key City House," Dubuque Democratic Herald, March 1, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640301&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. "Key City House Rented," Dubuque Democratic Herald, March 9, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640309&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

3. "A Free Buss (sic)", Dubuque Herald, June 19, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740619&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

4. "Tremont House Leased," Dubuque Herald, February 21, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770221&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

5. Oldt, Franklin T. The History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880. p. 860