JAILER JIM JENSEN

'Jim' Jensen Long in Business Here

Served Public in Many Capacities

When Jens "Jim" Jensen retired this week after being county jailor 11 1/2 years, he end a long and varied career as a businessman and public official. Thursday he moved into his home at 2642 Avenue A.

Born in Denmark, Jensen came over to this country by himself at the age of 18. He lived at Avoca for a few months where he was a farm hand. He then moved to Council Bluffs and has lived here ever since.

In the 1890's he drove a freight wagon for the Omaha and Council Bluffs Transfer company. He had the job for 10 years.

"A wagon use to tip over on Broadway once in a while," he recalled. "In those days the wooden block pavement was rotting out. Omaha wholesalers used wagons for their Iowa trade. By sending their merchandise out of Council Bluffs depots they could get it off 24 hours earlier."

Twice Police Chief

Twice Jensen was appointed chief of police. He was chosen to head the force in 1918 and 1919 by Mayor Lou Zurmuehlen and again in 1932 and 1933 by Mayor John Myrtue. He was bailiff in district court 1 1/2 years before becoming jailor under Sheriffs Joe Perry, Riley Nelson and Jack Tyler.

"And the all three treated me fine." He added.

Jensen also was the second member appointed to the fire and police commission, which has developed into the civil service commission.

He thought his time as jailor was fairly routine. He wondered why the county maintained its "wreck of a jail although it's really none of my business."

Asked about disappearing prisoners, he explained "Every one in a while we would lose one. You get all kinds of prisoners. You never can tell what they will do. You just have to watch them all the time. We had an average run. It seems the most pleasant turn out to be the most dangerous."

Bought Cigar Factory

In 1910 Jens Jensen and Bill Hanson bought out the cigar making shop of Pete Jensen. The partners ran it ontil 1922 when Hanson became sole owner. Pete Jensen started up another cigar business three years after he sold out and operated it until his death this year.

Hanson ran the factory. Jensen did the outside selling. Their two grands, dating from 1882, were the "San Diego," with a broadleaf wrapper , and the "Turnpike," with a Sumatra wrapper.

"The first world war put a crimp in the business out in this part of the country." He recalled. "The homemade cigar sold on its quality, not price. Our best year was 1916 when we sold more than 1,000,000 cigars. Now three girls can make as many with a machine as 10 men used to."

In 1922 Jensen took over the retail cigar store of Pat Gounued at No. 10 Pearl Street. He bought his present house and hasn't lived in it much.

He will be 81 years old Oct. 22. Jensen planned to retire next spring. He left this week because of his wife's ill health. His job was taken over by Ed Anthony who was district court balliff.