SAUNDERS, Charles J. W.

SAUNDERS, Charles J. W. (Bonnfeld, Germany, Aug. 12, 1852--Hollywood, CA, Aug. 3, 1939). MAYOR. Saunders, an acquaintance of famed western figures "Wild Bill" Hickok, "Texas Jack," and William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, served as mayor of Dubuque from 1891 to 1893 following the resignation of Robert W. STEWART. (1)

Known to Dubuque residents as "California Charlie," Saunders came to America prior to the CIVIL WAR. At the age of twelve he enlisted in the Army and served as a bugler with the Union during the Shenandoah campaign. At the end of the war, he was mustered out and returned to his home in Philadelphia where he worked eighteen months as a cigar maker. (2)

Saunders re-enlisted with the cavalry during the Pawnee campaigns in Kansas, the Sioux campaigns in Kansas, Texas and Colorado and ended up fighting the Apaches in Arizona where he was discharged from the Fifth Cavalry for disability. As a bugler, Saunders had to know all 120 bugle orders including the field calls. He always rode with the captain or the second lieutenant. Because of their importance in sounding orders to the troops, two buglers rode with military units in case one of them was wounded or disabled.

Saunders was discharged from the military in San Diego, California. He began buying cattle and shipping them to other sites in California. He continued that business for ten years in addition to acquiring a ranch in Arizona which he still owned in 1880. His travels, it was claimed, gave him some proficiency in German, Spanish, French and Italian. (3)

He married a Dubuque girl, Elizabeth Streinz, and in 1880 both returned to Dubuque to live. Saunders operated a meat market at 22nd and Jackson and later the corner of Eleventh and Main STREETS. (4) He was also involved in real estate. In February, 1891 he advertised that he had fifty lots, 50' by 100' or larger, in Fairmount Park Addition for sale at $100 each to people who would build a home within eighteen months. (5)

During his military career in the West, Saunders was member of the Fosyth Scouts, seven soldiers under the leadership of William F. Cody. (6) Cody and a group of actors presented "Knights of the Plains" in the Opera House on September 5, 1879 to great applause. (7) When Cody began his famous "Buffalo Bill's Great Wild West Show and Congress of Rough Riders," Saunders persuaded him to bring the extravaganza of more than two hundred fifty authentic Native Americans and cowboys to Dubuque. The program remained a favorite of Dubuque residents every four years until 1912. On every visit Cody sought out his friend at Saunders' meat market. The two would reminisce and tell tales of their days riding after renegades. (8)

For three terms Saunders served by appointment on the Soldiers' Relief Commission of Dubuque County. He was honored with a number of offices; for two terms served as Alderman from the Fifth Ward, was elected Mayor in 1891 and 1892, and for four years served on Governor Boies' staff with the rank of Colonel. Socially, he was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows. (9)

In August 1891, Saunders broke a tie vote among the councilmen to give Joseph A. RHOMBERG a long-awaited right-of-way for the DUBUQUE ELECTRIC RAILWAY, LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY. In the same month, he was highly critical of the street commissioner and how he ordered work done without council approval. The auditor reported finding $14,500 worth of bonds issued in 1853 and 1858 on which no interest had been paid. (10)

In January, 1892, the Diamond Jo Line of steamers was granted the right to occupy and use a certain part of the public levee and to erect and maintain thereon a warehouse and office. This ordinance was vetoed by the Mayor and was passed over his veto. The Mayor's veto was based upon the opinion that the city did not receive for this franchise just compensation. (11)

Mayor Saunders said in his valedictory in 1893:

           I also wish and hope that the incoming council will at an 
           early day get used to that double issue of political life, 
           namely: Petitions signed by prominent citizens for the opening 
           of streets, etc., that would be a very large expense to the city 
           and then in less than three months afterward the 'prominent' 
           citizens shout their lungs weak for reform." 

See: CHARLES J. W. SAUNDERS--2518 BROADWAY

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Source:

1. http://samanthastone.proboards.com/thread/6131

2. Ibid.

3. "Mayor Saunders a Linguist," Dubuque Daily Herald, August 18, 1891, p. 4

4. http://samanthastone.proboards.com/thread/6131

5. "Special Inducements to Get a Home," Dubuque Daily Herald, February 1, 1891, p. 8

6. http://samanthastone.proboards.com/thread/6131

7. "Buffalo Bill," Dubuque Herald, September 5, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18790906&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

8. http://samanthastone.proboards.com/thread/6131

9. Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 127

10. "After Many Moons," Dubuque Daily Herald, August 4, 1891, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18910804&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

11. Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. 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-27-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml