USA > Illinois > Cook County > Palatine > Palatine centennial book: history of Palatine, Cook County, Illinois > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
The fare from the village to Baldwin Road was 10c. This Baldwin stop caused a great deal of trou- ble to a gentleman from Tennessee who traveled 300 miles to Palatine to get a train to "Baldwin." When he learned that this "Baldwin" was only a crossing and not a town near St. Louis, he was slightly irritated. No one ever did find out how the Baldwin Station on the P.L.Z. ever got into a large
railroad guide. Sometimes unscheduled stops were made, too, if the train crew saw a rabbit or so that they wanted to shoot.
Wrecks on this railroad were not uncommon, the most frequent being the spreading of the rails at the "hairpin" turn just east of Deer Grove station. "Maud" would go off the track on these occasions, but service could be restored without too much de- lay. Literally thousands of people would come from Chicago to take the PLZ&W for Deer Grove, Lake Zurich or Wauconda for the weekend. The two passenger cars were not large enough to accommo- date the crowds, so the overflow rode the freight box cars and hung onto the steps.
Louis Schoppe and Henry Longrehr often acted as conductors when there was a big picnic or outing and special help was needed. One of the two cars purchased was a standard combination passenger and baggage car, weighing 30 tons. The baggage compartment was 25 feet long, and it and the passen- ger car seated 34 persons. The Enterprise said : "Equipment included a modern steam heating plant, gasoline lamps, automatic ventilators, panta- sote covered seats, double air brakes, plate glass windows 26-29" and automatic couplers. This was car 102. Car 101 weighed 25 tons and seated 58 people. The inside finish was quartered oak head- ings painted olive green. The outside finish of both cars was Tuscan red, striped in gold and black. Both cars were inscribed Palatine-Lake Zurich-Waucon- da.
By October of the first year there was special service between Palatine and Lake Zurich. First train left Palatine at 10 and continued every 90 minutes until 4 p.m. Last train left Lake Zurich at 7:30 p.m. Roundtrip fare, 30c. One Sunday over 100 people from Lake Zurich visited Palatine and be- cause 30 of them missed the last train home, the railroad made a special trip.
Lake Zurich and Wauconda business men were enthusiastic about receiving freight shipments 24-40 hours earlier than before possible. Another engine was purchased and named "Molly." "Maud" of course was named for the mule comic strip charac- ter popular at that time. However, the increased use of motors for passenger and freight transporta- tion was too heavy competition for the local road, and by 1915 it was in financial difficulties. Several economy measures were employed including a motor truck which pulled 30 passengers, and a five ton trailer loaded with freight. This trailer was roofless and if there were too many people aboard the ladies got the seats in the passenger car and the men stood in the trailer with their heads and shoulders above the sides. Once this trailer left the tracks, too, and went bouncing along, carrying a bunch of men wearing unhappy expressions.
Sale of the road was ordered by the court for May 15, 1918 at 2 p.m. at the Palatine depot. There were unpaid operating expenses of $23,000 and other claims of $125,000. There was no sale that day, but the group of men including Charles Quindel of Pala- tine, took the road over and tried to keep it going. However, the new management met the same dif- ficulties as the previous one and the North Western did not take the road over, as some hoped that it would. So the P.L.Z.&W. dissolved in 1920 alive only in the memories of the stockholders. The rails were later taken up and sold for junk.
61
Fires and Railroad Wrecks
Thousands of dollars damage occurred early one Sunday morning when the Brick Block was ruin- ed by water, although the walls of the structure were not seriously damaged. Present day fire fighting methods would have cut down the loss.
The Modern Woodmen of America had met in the hall on the third floor Saturday evening. The hall was heated by a large stove and the fire is supposed to have started in that corner.
Ambitious firemen played tons of water on the blaze, which quickly froze. Great damage was done to the general merchandise stock of Theis & Co. and to the ice cream parlor which, with the bank, occupied the first floor.
Following the fire there were many rumors that the building was unsafe, and after months of delay a new floor was laid for the top floor. It was so sel- dom rented that the building was later torn down and Palatine lost a landmark.
Palatine sold its hand pumper fire engine to Schaumburg on the strength of the showing it made when the steeple of the Schaumburg Lutheran church was struck by lightning and caught fire on a stormy night. Schaumburg appealed to Palatine for help. The story of that trip is told by Harry. Schoppe as follows :
Palatine firemen decided that by the time they got to Schaumburg in the dark and rain there would be no fire to fight. Schaumburg called a second time and appealed for help.
Bill Ost and Harry Schoppe got Henry Schoppe and his coal wagon over to the old fire station. They rolled the old pumper up on the wagon on boards. Then Harry and Bill each carrying a lantern walked to Schaumburg in front of that wagon so that Hank Schoppe could see where to guide the horses.
There wasn't even a spoonful of gravel between Palatine and Schaumburg and with all that rain it would be easy to get a heavily loaded wagon mired in the deep ruts. When they got to Schaumburg they were in time to help save the church which still stands. The fire had started in the steeple and trav- eled down slowly. The Palatine firemen returned home at noon the next day.
*
* *
Between 2 and 3 a.m. January 18, 1892, night watchman Toppel discovered a fire in the southwest corner of the flax mill and gave the alarm. The residents, awakened by the ringing of the fire bell, quickly responded. The fire had gained such head- way in all parts of the mill that firemen and other citizens abandoned the hand pumper, and tried to move the stored stock of flour and other commodi- ties from the warehouse next door to the mill.
This, too, soon caught fire and was swallowed up by flames, as was Charles Ost's barn east of the mill. This flax mill, built in 1878 by H. C. Batter- man, was located south of Chicago Ave. and west of Greeley St.
A railroad wreck with blocked crossings, wreck- age strewn over three tracks and boxcars piled 60 feet in the air November 9, 1950, brought spectators from miles around to Palatine. This freak wreck
occurred about 7 p.m., and although a few cars parked near the right of way were damaged, there were no lives lost.
It is thought that a broken axle on the 19th car of the North Western freight, which was carrying gravel from Janesville and Beloit to the Proviso yards, caused this car to sag. Those cars behind it cracked up and piled into a twisted, jumbled mass.
A gasoline tank car also exploded and the flames shot 50 feet into the air. Although firemen quickly extinguished the blaze and washed the spilled gaso- ine down the sewers, the area was guarded by po- licemen who strictly enforced the "no smoking" rule.
National Guard members served as guards until the wreckage was cleared away. Drug stores sold quantities of bottled water, since the impact had shattered the village's main water line. This lack of water also gave the Palatine schools a holiday. School buses were used several days to shuttle com- muters from Barrington to Des Plaines.
*
Harry Schoppe remembers the railroad accident on Palm Sunday, 1887. The North Western was then operating on a single track. One train was taking water in the tank. It was stated at the time that the engineer of the second train had fallen asleep.
Harry and his two brothers, Louis and Henry, missed death by inches. They had joined a crowd at the Brockway St. crossing. When Louis climbed to the top of a wrecked railroad car, he warned his two brothers to stay away.
Fortunately, Henry and Harry thought they could use a better vantage point to see what was happen- ing. They had only gone a few feet when a band on the water tank broke. Thousands of gallons of water and big timbers engulfed those who were standing beneath the tank.
Frantic efforts were made to get the dead and injured out of the wreckage. Among those who died were William Garms, 14, who had been confirmed that day, Edward Wenegar, 13, and William and George Meyer. The two Schoppe brothers were car- ried along 200 or 300 feet westward by the 4 ft. wave of water. It was a narrow escape and they felt lucky that they got off with only drenched clothes. They did not dare go home in that condition and stopped at the Robinson store for dry clothes and hid the wet ones behind a hedge.
*
The Abelman, Batterman and Ost grain elevator was burned to the ground May 24, 1904. It was lo- cated west of the Comfort yard south of the railroad between Greeley and Smith streets. The fire was supposed to have been started by engine sparks.
A stiff breeze from the north scattered burning embers several blocks setting fire to a number of other buildings.
The alertness of the firemen and the citizens en- abled them to extinguish all blazes except the one on a large barn four blocks distant, occupied by Andrew Lytle which was a total loss.
In telling of the incident, T. C. Hart says he was one of those who led horses out of the barn.
62
Microfilm Files
Microfilm files of Palatine Enterprise tell the story of important events in Palatine occurring prior to 1921. Time did not permit continuation of the re- search work after that date.
1873
Among the many improvements noted this week the most valuable is the remodeling of Filbert's Drug Store on Brockway St. The store room will be double its former size and when it is stocked with a large and splendid variety of choice goods now enroute from New York and Boston, it will certainly be one of the most complete drug and fancy goods establishments within many miles of Chicago.
Our enterprising citizens who are awake to the best interests of Palatine, have long decided to perfect a plan of periodical meetings in the town as a board of exchange between the farmer and the merchant. $221.00 was subscribed. Officers are James Chapman, Pres., and E. Prellberg, Sec. They passed a resolution calling for the organiza- tion of a Market Day Association to hold monthly markets or fairs in Palatine. All farmers are in- vited to bring their stock, products etc., for sale.
1901
Dr. Rush Putnam, dentist, renovated the old Putnam homestead on Chicago Ave. for his of- fices. The residence was built in 1864.
Dick Lytle has moved to a farm at Libertyville.
1902
While Palatine was sleeping Barrington has near- ly captured that electric line which rightfully be- longs to us. If we should induce that electric railway to come through Palatine, all the people along the line could have electric lights cheaper than kerosene.
Henry Bergman raised his brother Dan's barn. He invited the whole town of Palatine to the rais- ing. The cornet band furnished the music and everybody had all they wanted to eat and drink. Fred Haemker, boss helper, did a good job.
Dr. Clausius, who had been an Army surgeon in the Philippines, opened general practice in the offices formerly occupied by Dr. Muffat in the Batterman Block.
An engineer exhibited to the editor maps showing the route of a proposed Electric Road. It fol- lows the section line south from Fox Lake almost straight to Wauconda, thence as direct as possible to Lake Zurich, parallel the highway to Cook Co. Then straight south on the section line down Plum Grove Ave. to Whipple's corner (Plum Grove and Slade east) east on Slade St. to Herschberger's corner, thence south to St. Paul's Church and par- allel the C. & N.W. R.R. to Des Plaines. C.&N.W. is to be crossed near Mt. Prospect. The river is to be followed to Oak Park and the Lake St. Ele- vated used to enter Chicago. These long stretches of straight track would allow high speed safely all the way. They will survey the line as soon as they decide definitely on the route. If the proper- ty owners hold them up for unreasonable prices they can deviate the route and go through Long Grove instead of Lake Zurich.
1903
The Masons purchased for their new building the
property at the corner of Plum Grove and Chicago Ave. from Mrs. Meyer for $400.00.
Principal F. C. Newton's salary as principal was $1,000 this year.
1904
The Palatine telephone service is now so extensive it is necessary to call by numbers. Please ring off promptly when through talking. The Chicago Telephone Co. has started work on three branch lines out of Palatine. The farmers are fast getting all the advantages enjoyed by city people.
Palatine celebrated the Fourth of July by firing the cannon from early morning until 6 o'clock at night.
Peter Knowe finished excavating for the new 75,- 000 gallon reservoir at the pumping station. In November of this year Dr. Owens' wife and son perished in the Iroquois Theatre fire.
1906
"Uncle Josh," a comedy drama rendered by home talent under the auspices of Palatine M.W.A Forester teams, was given Friday evening in the Batterman Opera House. W. H. Brockway took the leading role as "Uncle Josh" from Vermont, who comes to New York to see the sights. Under the able direction of Mrs. Ray Wilson, the play was a huge success. Many went home declaring it to be one of the best home talent dramas ever given in Palatine. Dancing was enjoyed after the drama. The cast included Henry Schroeder, Frank Knigge, Richard Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. R. Lewis, Delia Knigge, Blanche Schierding, Stuart Paddock, Ray Wilson and Adolph Godknecht.
1906
To the Public: Having secured Miss Margaret Godknecht as telephone operator, I respectfully solicit the kind consideration of the public while she is becoming acquainted with the work. Patrons will please call by number and give their number when calling. Respectfully, Mrs. Torgler, Manager.
1907
"Old Pacer is Dead." The one time cham- pion, Westmont, was buried with honors in the pasture back of the Patten residence. His record of 2:0134 hitched with a running mate was a nine days wonder in the harness horse world when it was made at the Garfield park track in Chicago nearly a quarter of a century ago. Westmont was bought by Mr. Patten 20 years ago and was 31 years old. Matt Daniels (colored) cared for him for many years.
A high grade moving picture and stereopticon show is billed for Palatine Opera House every Tuesday, commencing June 11. Nothing objec- tionable, just a good two hours of fun, pathos and mirth. Admission 15c straight.
The 4th in Palatine-Business men contribute for celebration. There will be fireworks, prizes, the band concert. Rag-a-Muffin parade at 12:30 Race events for men, ladies, boys and girls of dif- ferent ages on Brockway st., south of the tracks.
63
Ball game at 3 p.m .- Big display of fireworks in the evening from the park in front of Matthei's store.
Palatine Public Fountain-suitable for man and beast. The fountain which cost $175 is located on the west side of the railroad park. It stands 4 feet 3 inches high allowing horses to drink without un- checking. The main bowl is 4'7" across and 17" deep. A small bowl on the side accommodates children and pedestrians without allowing the drinking cup to come in contact with the main bowl. A dog bowl is near the base.
John Bergman, village engineer, decided that dogs and cats needed to drink as well as horses, so he made a basin near the bottom of the trough for the small animals. Water was supplied from a faucet which could be turned on when the basin needed refilling.
1908
The ladies of Palatine threaten to strike until the streets are sprinkled. The dust is ankle deep in most streets.
H. A. Abelmann purchased 100 pair of roller skates for the rink in Abelmann Hall. The rules specify that gentlemen skate with hats removed. Only ball bearing skates may be used. Liquor of any kind is prohibited and tobacco is allowed in the smoking room only. Skaters 25c; spectators 10c. P.L.&W. hauled between 2,500 and 3,000 passen- gers one weekend.
Palatine Manenerchoir has 25 members, Henry Schultze, leader.
William Wilson is new postmaster.
Liveryman Deverman tipped over in deep snow and gave up attempt to take passenger on three mile trip. Ernest dug his horse out of snow bank and stayed with Fred Nagel all night.
Young Darrel Perry will shine shoes for 5c.
17 inches of snow fell in the worst storm in years. The first train south got stuck in the cut between Mt. Prospect and Arlington Heights, and three combined engines couldn't get through. The first train from Chicago arrived at 10 o'clock in the morning, and the 3:01 train was 7 hours late. A train of empty coaches was stalled north of the Heights from 8:30 Wednesday until 3 o'clock the next morning, when 150 men got it shoveled out. Palatine Social Club has been organized and rent- ed furnished rooms in the Schering building. The club has 35 members and is purely social.
Rules have been adopted to prohibit gambling and disorderliness.
1909
Dr. Black's Holsman auto arrived this week. It is the first of the buggy autos owned in town and the result of its action on bad roads will be watched with considerable interest.
1910
An ice cream social will be held on Aug. 5th, at the bandstand for the benefit of the baseball team. Ice cream and cake 10c. Music by the Palatine band.
Boosters Club organized. J. A. Burlingame, presi- dent, circulated a paper to raise money to oil the streets in the village.
October-Electricity for streets in Palatine.
Terry's Uncle Tom's Cabin Tent Show July 21. Parade 12 o'clock, Band Concert 7 p.m. Perform- ance 8:00 p.m. Admission 35c.
An ordinance was introduced providing for the execution of a contract with the North Shore Elec- tric Co. for the lighting of the streets of said vil- lage by electricity. Passed.
1911
Staples corners school building was sold for $44 at auction.
The village of Palatine has for sale, for $5 each, pressure gasoline lamps formerly used on the streets.
Due to crowded condition in the grades, the 8th grade has moved into the High School space.
Flagg stock farm has been sold to Mr. Wolf. It will be remodeled into a general livestock market and a switch with the North Western put in.
A mass meeting was held in Knigge's hall for voters of School Dist. 15. The new vote for the school was favorable.
Charles H. Seip will build a 40'x80' hall and Lodge building on the east end of property fronting on Bothwell street, of concrete block construction, (now Economy Store).
All Palatine business men signed an agreement to close their place of business at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
The high school boys protested having school on Washington's birthday. Armed with a drum and some flags, the entire enrollment paraded around the home of Pres. R. L. Peck and encircled the flag pole, where they cheered and sang as the flag was raised. The school board held a special meet- ing that night when they reprimanded Principal Smyser for allowing the incident to occur. Result : No school on Washington's birthday for many years thereafter.
A tribe of gypsies consisting of 16 wagons camped for several days at Plum Grove until they were requested to move on by the village officials.
1912
An Old Fashion Clam Bake was held at Deer Grove Park Sept. 8. Full dinner including chicken was priced at $1.25. High School students pub- lished the Mirror in 1912.
John Mangels called the first square dance in Seip's Hall.
1913
Paddock consolidates 6 newspapers and 4 printing offices. Here's opportunity to buy surplus equip- ment cheap.
Over $25,000 has been subscribed for the new State Bank, whose officers are H. C. Matthei, Henry Wildhagen, and H. C. Freise.
Bruhns and Danielsen have the Mercury Agency. The medicine show left Palatine after a run of hard luck, financially. The total take for one eve- ning's performance was all of $7.00.
Frank Bicknase, A. G. Smith, Gil Shaddle
and Charles Yates bought a 16 ft. gasoline launch to go to the St. Louis Exposition. They started at Chicago and motored through the Illinois Canal to the Illinois river and on to St. Louis. For some un- stated reason they returned by rail.
The Henry Pahlman lot directly east of the school (Wood st.) has been secured for the school garden. Each room will have a plot. Plans and seeds will be given out next week.
First Cook County Fair was held on Dean's farm, which is now Fairgrounds Park.
64
1914
Mrs. S. R. Paddock and Mrs. P. H. Matthei were the first Palatine women to vote under Women Suffrage Law in March 1914. This was a village primary and Precinct 1 was at Knigge Hall. Pre- cinct 2 was at Danielson's Store. Shall Palatine be Wet or Dry? The Drys lost by 283 votes and 23 more women voted Wet than voted Dry. Sa- loons will pay a $1,000 license fee.
Danielson and Toynton erected an ice cream fac- tory at the west end of Hackbarth property, West Wood, near Greeley.
Mr. Behling operates a cigar factory in the base- men of his Behling Hotel at the corner of Smith and Slade.
A huge Cook Co. Fair and carnival held 2 days at Palatine under the direction of the Palatine Com- mercial Association. Feature attractions were the needlework exhibit in a vacant store of the Brick Block, movies and vaudeville at Seip's auditorium. There was a large tent in front of Matthei's store and a fireworks display scheduled. Farm imple- ments were on view in the vacant lot south of Schoppe's, and fancy hogs and colts were at the Wilkening barn. Charles Dean was in charge of the racing program. This Fair was so successful and became such a large project in later years that it was held at Dean's Race Track.
1915
A moving picture show at Knigge's Hall Wednes- day and Thursday; admission 10c and 5c.
Mayor C. D. Taylor also closed all saloons in Pala- tine on Sunday.
Charles Dean Jr. drove in Panama Exposition Races at San Francisco. There was a purse of $20,000.
High school rented Hunneberg's Hall for basket- ball, also used by the Methodist Epworth League Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Hoof and Mouth disease-no Cook County Fair this year.
Dr. Malcolm and Dr. Starck moved their offices to the upper floor of the Kunze building.
The cornerstone from Batterman Block was placed on the grave of the builder, Henry C. Batterman.
1916
The Batterman Block, which had been closed ten years, was reopened after improvements had been made.
A. S. Olms painted new scenery for the hall and Charles Dinse rented the basement for a barber- shop.
Charles Patten's private bank was organized into a State institution.
An outbreak of scarlet fever closed all schools, churches and shows. Woodwork in all schools was washed; the barbershops, post office, and lodge halls were ordered disinfected.
Deer Grove Forest Preserve of 1200 acres was ac- quired by Cook County. Purchase price was be- tween $70 and $90 an acre. Ownership in the large wooded area rested with scores of Palatine residents who used their Deer Grove property as the source of their winter firewood.
During the depression years, relief labor made possible the construction of many of the roads, bridges and shelter houses in the preserve.
Women registered for the first time to vote for president.
District 15 enlarges Wood street property by pur- chase of Baker home for $1500.
Dr. Starck buys Kunze building and installs hos- pital bed.
Workmen install new street lights, 60 candlepower, 76 lights.
Receiver R. L. Peck pleased over earnings of P.L.Z. & W. during the winter. Train crew com- mended for the way they maintained their sched- ule during cold snaps.
Charles H. Patten, with others, secured charter from the state auditor, which gives them author- ity to open a State bank.
Village board decides it will be unable to obtain oil for streets because of lack of funds.
Popcorn-peanut machine installed by W. W. Stro- ker ready for summer trade and band concert nights.
Gas chamber for dogs. New fire alarm.
Batterman Hall redecorated at great expense. Mr. Abelman spent $1,000. A. S. Olms painted the curtain. Sanitary drinking fountains, etc.
Talk of electric line from Evanston to Palatine, taking over P.L.Z.&W ..
Unlawful to raise corn or other tall plants near sidewalks, must be 25 ft. away.
1917
There are to be no more free lunches in Palatine saloons. Bring your own sandwich and some ex- tra money to pay the increased price of drinks.
War: Ben Blum was the first to be called in August, 1917. Paul Patten joined Officers Train- ing Corps in May, 1917, so was the first Palatine man to go into service. Former members of the Athletic Club organized the Home Guards. W. R. C. raised money to purchase an ambulance for use in France.
Speed record on the P.L.Z. was broken when the train made a run to Wauconda and back in little over an hour.
A fire truck was purchased
1918
Businessmen decided that to save fuel and aid the war effort they would close stores at 6 p.m. every day except Saturday. Exceptions were bar- ber shops, ice cream parlors, poolrooms and drug stores. Meat markets are also to be closed on Sunday.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.