Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-01

Total receipts for year .............S Sis, 129. As
Fire Losses Small.
The fire loss during 1902 was remarkably
small and, although the department re-
sponded to seventy-three calls during the
twelve months, the total damage sustained
is estimated at about $4,000, the greater
part Of which was fully covered by insur-
ance. This speaks much for the efficiency
of the fire department. The Council Bluffs
fire department maintains four engine
houFes, and comprises nineteen men, of
whom John L. Templeton, a veteran fire
fighter, is chief. During the last year the
department purchased several new horses,
1000 feet Of new hose and all four OF the
engine houses were thoroughly renovated
and repainted.
The calls responded to during the year
were as follows: January, 4; February, z;
March, 7; April, II; May, 4; June. 4; July,
8; August. 2; September, 8; October, 3;
November, 7; December. 10.
Criminal Statistics.
The city during the last year was COM
paratively free from crime OF a grave ma
ture. The number of arrests was about
the same as in 1901 and most of the cases
were for minor o~ffenses, although there
was dDOuI lut uouhl uumDeT OI DuTkldTleS.
During 1902 the police department made
1911 arrests, as against 1921 in the pre-
vious year. The arrests during each month
of 1902 were as follows: January, IS;
February, 100; March, 81; April, IS; May,
1871; June, 1874; July, 14S; August, 1874;
September, 100; October, ia; November,
10; December, 101.
Health Statistics.
But for the epidemic of smallpox. which
was prevalent almost everywhere last
winter. Council Bluffs would have had a
good health record for 1902. AS it was
the number Of cases Of contagious dis
eases reported to the Board Of Health was
greatly in excess Of that for 1901. In adj
dition to smallpox there we're many cases
Of measles, as compared with the previous
twelve months. The death rate, however,
was smaller than for several years past
despite the large increase in the city's
population. The number OF contagious dis
eases reported to the Board Of Health for
1902 was Alb. as against 277 for 1901.
The mortuary statistics obtainable are
not the most accurate, as many cases are
never reported to the city clerk. For tho
last year S1S burial permits had been is
sued, as compared with 1888 for 1901, 344
for 1900 and 1896 for 1899. These permits
do not include those issued for persons
outside the city. The number OF deaths re-
ported each month was as follows: Janu-
airy, 81; February, "a; March. 35, April, 20;
May, 80; June, 22; July. 25; August. 81;
September, "a; October, %; November, 81;
December. 10.
Marriage License Clerk Busy.
Council Bluffs sustained during 1902 its
reputation as a veritable Gretna Green for
marrying couples and the records of the
clerk Of the-distT.ct court show there were
issued $50 licenses to wed during the last
twelve months, being four less than issued
in 1901. Divided in months they were as
follows: January, 46; February, 46; March,
As; April, Al; May, AZ; June, sc; July, 46;
August, Al; September, IS; October, s5i
November, 65; December, So.
While the record Of marriage licenses
issued shows that Cupid was not in any
way idle during 1902, the docket Of the
district court reveals the fact tina the
number Of divorce cases was above the
average. For the four terms of court
seventy-three divorce suits we're fled in
Council Bluffs and eleven In the court at
Avoea. making a total of eighty-four. In
the suits filed in Council Bluffs the women
appear as plaintiffs in hfty-one and the
men in twenty-five.
Cost of Caring for Poor,
The expenditure by the county for the
care Of the poor in 1902 was slightly in
excess of 1901. During the last twelve
months there was expended for this purpose
$21, 242 70, as against 500, IT'S .02 In 1901.
The levy for the county poor fund realized
1889. 81. the difference being made up by
transferring of money from the'county gen.
eral fund. The expenditures by months
were as follows: