USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 47
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The Union Mortgage Loan Company is a Wisconsin corpora- tion with a paid-up capital of $100,000.00. It is owned and con- trolled by bankers, capitalists and business men well and favor- ably known throughout the state. The business of the company is to loan money on first mortgages seenred by improved real estate. They make no other investments, place their own money. and accept only the very best loans. Lands and loans are care- fully investigated, abstracts examined by experts and papers care- fully executed and recorded. They make loans in Wisconsin. Minnesota and the eastern and northern parts of North Dakota. and guarantee the collections on securities sold.
The directors are J. T. Barber, George L. Blum, B. A. Buffiing- ton, C. T. Bundy, W. L. Davis, N. C. Foster, J. T. Joyce, E. S. Hayes, A. H. Hollen, O. H. Ingram, S. G. Moon, H. T. Lange, George W. Robertson, J. Rosholt, president, and K. Rosholt, vice- president.
Phoenix Furniture Company. Among the foremost manufac- turing institutions of Eau Claire is the Phoenix Furniture Com- pany, manufacturers of bank, office, store and church furniture and fixtures. This company was organized in 1899 and incor- porated under the laws of Wisconsin with a capital of $40,000.00. Their factory which contains about 42,000 square feet of floor space is located on 9th avenue and Broadway, where they have shipping facilities for all the railroads entering Eau Claire. They employ an average of fifty hands, and their products are shipped throughout the United States and Canada. The affairs of the company are guided by R. J. Kepler, president ; T. A. Hobbs, vice. president, and S. Damm, secretary and treasurer.
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National Granite Company, of Eau Claire, F. C. Magadance, manager and proprietor, was started in Eau Claire April 1, 1913, with a capital of $500,000.00, and is one of the largest and best concerns in northwestern Wiseonsin engaged in the manufacture and sale of high grade and artistic monuments, mausoleums and large granite work, in the manufacture of which only the best granite to be obtained from the well known quarries is used, and thirty men are required in the production of these finely eut monuments, etc., which are sold direct to the public in this and other states.
The Paper & Pulp Industry. This industry had its inception in Eau Claire in 1882, in which year it was incorporated as the Eau Claire Pulp & Paper, and was formed by citizens of the city of Eau Claire. Its officers were II. II. Hayden, president ; William Carson, vice-president : S. H. Wilcox, secretary and C. F. Mayhew, treasurer.
In 1890 the mill was giving employment to about forty men, but soon thereafter passed into the hands of a receivership. In 1894 this property was purchased by O. H. Ingram and the pres- ent company, The Dells Paper & Pulp Company, was organized with a capital of $75,000, and was officered as follows: President David R. Davis, Viee-president O. Il. Ingram, Secretary C. A. Chamberlin, Treasurer C. H. Ingram. This new company thoroughly remodelled the plant in the fall of 1894, at which time the capacity of the mill was about 60,000 lbs. per day of 24 hours. The plant has since that time been enlarged and improved, until the average per day now is approximately 170,000 lbs. In 1900 the Ingram interest was sold to the Davis Brothers. The com- pany employs between 350 and 400 hands, and the pay roll amounts to about $250,000 per year. The capital of this company was increased July 31, 1894, to $125,000; Febuary 12, 1895, to $150,000; January 31, 1898, $250,000, and December 31, 1908. to $1,000,000.
In the manufacture of raw materials, that is ground wood pulp and sulphite pulp, about 35,000 cords of pulp wood are used per annum, using Spruce, Hemlock, Balsam, Pine and Poplar. The product of this plant being News Print paper, and Fibre and Manila Wrapping paper.
The present officers of this company are W. L. Davis, presi- dent; S. R. Davis, vice-president; J. A. Stilp, secretary ; J. T. Joyce, treasurer.
This industry is the largest in the city of Eau Claire, and is in a very flourishing condition.
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Horn & Blum Manufacturing Company was established in January, 1911, and incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin with a capital of $25,000.00. Their main factory 48x110, of which they occupy two floors, is located on Dewey and Bridge streets, and they also occupy two floors of the Heubs Laundry building. They employ on an average of seventy hands and manufacture overalls, jackets, shirts and extra heavy and durable clothing for lumbermen. Their plant is equipped with the latest and best ma- chinery. They turn out a completed garment every forty seconds, and their product is sold by their eight traveling salesmen in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, North and South Dakota, Mon- tana, and Minnesota.
CHAPTER XXXV. THE RAILROADS.
By MISS A. E. KIDDER.
In 1856 a grant of land was made by Congress for the con- struction of a railroad from Portage City to LaCrosse on the Mississippi. The scheme collapsed. In March, 1863, several business men of St. Croix, Dunn, Chippewa, Eau Claire and Jack- son counties, among whom were D. A. Baldwin, Capt. William Wilson, J. G. Thorp, H. S. Allen and W. T. Price, promoted a new organization to construct the road. It was incorporated under legislative powers at the date named, with the title of the Tomah & St. Croix Railway Company. The first meeting was held at Durand on June 9 of the same year. At the next session of the legislature the land grant was conferred upon the com- pany with the right of way and the privilege of locating the line on its present course. This grant was renewed and the land exempted from taxes until 1870 by Congress. The preliminary expenses in surveying the route, etc., were $20,000. D. A. Bald- win, of Hudson, had sufficient confidence in the success of the undertaking to advance the money. The work was done and the necessary maps prepared in 1864-65. The next step was to find capitalists who would invest the requisite funds to construct and equip the road. Mr. Baldwin was selected by the directors of the company to carry on the negotiations in this direction. After trips to principal eastern cities, and the Atlantic twice crossed, Mr. Baldwin's efforts were, after the labor of two years, crowned with success. Mr. Jacob Humbird, of Baltimore, a pros- perous railroad contractor, furnished the entire funds to com- plete the first thirty-two miles of track to Black River Falls, the payment of which, and all other contract work, was secured by first mortgage on the roadbed. Before commencing operations the name of the company had been changed to the West Wis- consin Railway by an act of the legislature.
The road was completed to. Augusta early in 1870, and in the following August the welcome sound of the locomotive which connected us with the east was heard in Eau Claire. It was
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made the occasion of such a rejoicing as has never been equaled in Eau Claire. A meeting of citizens was held at Marston's Hall on the evening of July 25, and the following committee appointed to make arrangements to celebrate the event in a proper man- ner: Alexander Meggett, H. P. Graham, Daniel Shaw, George A. Buffington, John Woodworth Nelson, Martin Daniels, Texas Angel, O. H. Ingram, D. E. Brown, Ole Bruden and Matthias Leinenkugel. The reception and entertainment took place in Randall Park on the west side. Provision was made for the free entertainment by private hospitality of not less than 300 persons for not less than two days. The amount raised by voluntary subscription was $1,500 and was sufficient to defray the entire expense of the occasion. Committees on reception, finance, invi- tations, entertainment, refreshments, toasts and music were appointed. The officers of the day were selected as follows:
President, Joseph G. Thorp; vice-presidents, Eau Claire rounty, Daniel Shaw, II. P. Graham, D. C. Clark, H. W. Barnes, J. F. Moore, S. Marston, O. II. Ingram, A. Kidder, W. T. Gallo- way, R. F. Wilson, John Gunn, Thomas Barland, Simon Randall, R. F. Stone, R. E. Scott, E. W. Robbins; E. Gesner, J. G. Cleg- horn, G. L. Frizzell, F. R. Skinner. Seth French; Chippewa county, H. S. Allen, A. Jackson; B. F. Mannahan, R. Palmer, J. Brunett, J. I. Gilbert, L. C. Stanley, A. E. Pound; Dunn county, William Wilson, William Carson, B. B. Downs, Walter Crocker, D. Weston, C. Lucas; Pepin county, F. W. Dorwin, H. P. Farrington, J. Fraser ; Jackson county, W. T. Price, James O. Neill, C. Boardman ; St. Croix county, H. L. Humphrey, John Comstock, H. A. Taylor; Pierce county, J. S. White, M. A. Ful- ton, Senator Edward II. Ives : marshall, H. Clay Williams ; assist- ants, A. M. Sherman, E. M. Bartlett, Victor Wolf, G. A. Buffing- ton, J. B. Stocking. Not less than one thousand invitations were issued freely offering the hospitality of the city to all who should choose to come. Among those invited were our state officers, judges, senators, representatives, members of the legislature, the press of the state, the boards of trade in the cities of Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and LaCrosse, and many distin- guished citizens of this and adjoining states. The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon, in which the citizens of Menomonie assisted with a finely mounted and well-manned brass piece.
People from up and down the Chippewa Valley poured into town to swell the throng, while Menomonie was headed by such representative men as Captain Wilson, John H. Knapp, S. W.
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Hunt, S. B. French, Wilse HIeller, W. W. Winterbotham and others. The Chippewa Falls delegation, headed by their brass band, comprised upward of seventy teams, and as a distinct delegation was the largest from any one locality. Twenty vehicles, each drawn by four horses, and earrying banners with appropriate mottoes were interspersed at proper distances throughout the procession bearing the following inscriptions : "Chippewa Falls to Eau Claire, Greeting: We Rejoice in Your Prosperity ;" "Energy and Enterprise Combined-Humbird and Baldwin:" "West Wisconsin Railroad, Now by St. Paul, the Work Goes Bravely On;" "Eau Claire-Twenty Minutes for Refreshments, Change Cars for Chippewa Falls and Lake Superior." The leading citizens of the Falls helped swell the ranks of the procession and congratulated Eau Claire over the mutual advantages to be gained by the completion of the West Wisconsin Railroad to this point.
Long before the arrival of the first train thousands of people were gathered to witness and hail its approach. At 10:30 its coming was heralded by the firing of eannon on an eminence commanding its first view. A momentary suspense followed this announcement, when round the eurve it came. Its arrival at the depot, crowded with guests, was welcomed with the wildest enthusiasm by three rousing cheers. A second train soon arrived ; ample arrangements had been made to convey the guests to the park and in a short time all were on the way to the place of festivity. There not less than 4,000 people had gathered, and on the platform were D. A. Baldwin, president, and Jacob IIum- bird, superintendent of the West Wisconsin road; G. L. Beeker, president of the St. Paul & Pacific; E. F. Drake, president of the St. Paul & Sioux City ; J. C. Burbank, president of the Chamber of Commerce; O. E. Dodge, secretary ; General Sanborn, C. D. Strong, H. S. Moss and P. Berky, St. Paul; Governor Fairchild, General Atwood, Judge Cole, Judge Orton and Attorney-General Barlow, of Madison; General Rusk, of Viroqua; Mayor Joseph Phillips, Councillors C. M. Sanger, John Black and Alderman E. Durr, of Milwaukee; on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and citizens, John Nazro, chairman; Senator Denster, Professor Jewett, L. Everingham, A. R. Matthews, G. W. Chandler, C. A. Battles and wife, C. A. Fulsom, H. Niedecken, F. D. Inbush, W. J. McDonald, D. D. Goodrich and others from Milwaukee : from LaCrosse, Mayor Rodolf, Judge Lord, Capt. Joe Elwell, W. W. Jones, J. J. Cole and A. E. Tenney ; Captain Condit and Thomas Tyler, of Sparta; Senator Kershaw, of Adams county ;
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Senator Price, D. J. Spaulding and J. V. Wells, of Black River Falls; Senator Satterlee Clark, of Horicon; Captain Wilson and J. H. Knapp, of Menomonie; A. Pound, J. A. Bate, H. S. Allen, and the old pioneer, John Brunette, of Chippewa Falls; Webster, of the Chamber of Commerce, Chicago; O. E. Britt, J. D. Inbush, John F. F. Adams, E. D. Chapin and many others representing Milwaukee. The representatives of the press were: Horace Brightman, of the Milwaukee Sentinel; P. V. Duester, of the Su Boti; F. A. Moore, of the Wisconsin; B. F. Wright, of the St. Paul Pioneer; J. H. Gates, of the Press; O. E. Dodge, of the Dispatch ; I. L. Asher, LaCrosse Republican ; Lute A. Taylor and Frank Hatch, LaCrosse Leader; Cooper, Black River Falls Ban- ner; Brown, Augusta Herald; Sid. A. Foster, Durand Times; George C. Ginty, Chippewa Herald; J. O. Culver, State Journal ; S. W. Hunt, Dunn County News.
After music by the band the vast assemblage was called to order by the president, Hon. J. G. Thorp, who introduced Alex- ander Meggett, Esq., chosen to deliver the congratulatory address. Being a resident of the city from an early period and familiar with its steady rise and progress he was well fitted to perform the duty. He set forth in a vivid manner the advantages of the valley; its unbounded facilities for manufacturing; its central and commercial importance; its agricultural advantages with its many other claims to distinction and closed with a deserved tribute to Messrs. Baldwin and Humbird, to whose energy, zeal and financial ability the city was so greatly indebted for the consummation of this important event in her history. A brief but felicitous response to this address was made by Hon. John Nazro, of Milwaukee, in the absence of Hon. Matt. Car- penter, who was unable to be present.
Music by the band followed, then the announcement of din- ner at the grand pavilion, prepared for the occasion on the other side of the park. A large "wigwam," open at the sides and roofed with evergreens, held ten tables, each seating seventy persons and presided over by the representative ladies of the city. They were spread with linen, silver and dainty food from their homes, decorated with flowers from their gardens and the feast was enjoyed to the fullest extent by the guests, who voiced their appreciation enthusiastically.
Nearly three thousand people were dined in a most systematie and satisfactory manner. Then came a return to the pavilion for the speakers and the post-prandial toasts. Space will not admit of a recital of the responses, admirable as they were. The
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first toast was this: "The President and Officers of the West Wisconsin Railroad: Today we celebrate the successful progress of this work. The first reward of persevering labor and per- sistent hope and energy that met and conquered opposition and crowned the work with victory. Such men can never know defeat." D. A. Baldwin, president of the road, responded in a brief but telling speech. Senator Clark, in his usnal humorous vein, to "The Ladies." Senator Price to "The Old Stage Coach -to let without money and without price-dearer than ever on this our parting day." Governor Fairchild to "The State of Wisconsin" in a happy manner, and equally so was Mr. Nazro in his response to "Milwaukee-May the iron bond that now connects ns serve to unite us socially and commercially." "St. l'aul and Milwaukee-Representative cities of their respective states. Soon to become twin cities, so united that no envy will disturb, no jealousy sever." To this responded Gen. John B. Sanborn, and Mr. Drake, president of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad, "Chicago-Queen City of the West-rival of the Ocean City of the East." In response to this Mr. Webster, of the Chicago Board of Trade, made a short, witty speech. "The Gate City-LaCrosse." In answer to this Mayor Rodolph, of LaCrosse, made a speech filled with good hits. Gracefully acknowledging that his city would suffer from the completion of the West Wis- consin, with a good-natured inimitable sarcasm he so used the fact as to make telling hits and secure abundant applause. "The Western Terminus of the West Wisconsin Railroad, soon to be united closely with the Chippewa Valley and the East. May the acquaintance of the past ripen into friendship in the future." Captain Wilson, of Menomonie, was called out by this toast and responded briefly and to the point. Judge Orton, of Madison, made an able and comprehensive address in reply to the toast, "Onr Country-tried as by a furnace of fire, she still lives-the embodiment of republican institutions." General Atwood, of the State Journal and member of Congress for the Second District, responding for "The Press," and Judge Cole, of the Supreme Court, for the judiciary, were listened to with great interest and frequent applause, and these closed the serious part of the program. Then Gen. Ossian E. Dodge, secretary of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, gave evidence of his won- derful powers as an improvisator. Ile composed and sang a song which was a complete report of the entire celebration, including the speech of Judge Cole just concluded. It was received with uproarious demonstrations of delight. The song
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over, the vast throng began to disperse, carriages were brought into requisition, distinguished guests and strangers from abroad seated in them and driven through portions of the city on the west side to the site of the railroad bridge aeross the Chippewa and thence to the depot. Here "good-byes" were interchanged, and as the train moved off Eau Claire received from her depart- ing guests a hearty round of cheers, which evinced their satis- faction with the day. This road afterward became a part of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway, and still later a part of the Northwestern system. Now through trains run through Eau Claire from Chicago to Los Angeles, Cal., over the Northwestern road in connection with the Northern Pacific over a double track road.
Eau Claire, March 7, 1910 .- Editor Telegram .- A few days ago you printed an article calling attention to the fact that this year marks the fortieth anniversary of the completion of the first railroad into Eau Claire, and suggesting some sort of a celebration to mark the event. The idea is a good one and we hope it will be aeted on. It would be a deeided improvement over the street fair of recent years.
You spoke of the railroad celebration of 1870 having been "one of the greatest ever held in the city." That is not putting it strong enough. Although a much smaller city than now a celebration was held that in point of attendance and notables present has never been equaled in the history of Eau Claire.
The writer has a pamphlet, published at the time, which gives a complete account of the celebration with the names of those who took part in it. So far as we know it is the only account in existence. Your readers may be interested to see the names of the officers and committees, also of the ladies who had eharge of the tables in Randall Park, where free dinners were served to over three thousand.
Following are the names:
Committee of Reception-G. G. Thorp, R. F. Wilson, O. H. Ingram, H. W. Barnes, Daniel Shaw, G. A. Buffington, Charles R. Gleason, C. A. Bullen, IF. C. Putnam, William Gans, A. W. Bos- worth, E. M. Bartlett, Stephen Marston, William B. Esterbrook, DeWitt C. Clark, William II. Smith, Milo B. Wyman, G. B. Chapman, L. Slingluff, E. R. Hantzseh, H. Sommermeyer, II. Schlegelmilch, James Reed, Vietor Wolf, II. T. Jones, L. W. Far- well, T. Malone, II. Clay Williams, H. Stocking, John Gunn.
Committee of Finance-W. F. Bailey, C. C. Spafford, Peter Truax, John Woodworth and Matthias Leinenkugel.
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Committee on Invitations-Henry Cousins, James F. Moore, Ira Mead, H. C. Putnam and Texas Angel.
Committee on Entertainment-Martin Daniels, J. G. Calla- han, A. A. Kidder, C. A. Bullen and D. E. Brown.
Committee on Refreshments-George C. Teall, J. F. Weber, C. E. Chandler, S. S. Kidder and Ole Bruden.
Committee on Toasts-W. P. Bartlett, G. E. Porter, L. M. Vilas, William F. Bailey, Rev. Mr. Dudley, Rev. Mr. Lockwood and Rev. Mr. Aitehison.
Committee on Music-J. P. Nelson, Matthias Leinenkugel and W. W. Day.
First Table -- Hon. George C. Teall, assisted by E. S. Chase, W. A. Teall, Mrs. George C. Teall, Mrs. J. G. Callahan, Mrs. R. F. Wilson, Mrs. Clarence Chamberlin, Mrs. William T. Weber, and Mrs. Arthur Ellis, Mrs. Stephen V. Wyckoff, and Miss Mary T. Meggett, Miss Libbie French, Miss Ella Blair and Miss Mary Marston.
Table Second -- Mr. S. S. Kidder, assisted by D. F. Crabbe, A. R. Watson, Mrs. S. S. Kidder, Mrs. James F. Moore, Mrs. G. A. Buffington, Mrs. A. V. Mayhew, Mrs. D. F. Crabbe, Mrs. A. M. Teague, Miss Augusta Kidder, Miss Sarah Cole, Miss Martha Kidder, Miss Nellie Kidder, Miss Sarah Kidder.
Table Third-Mr. John Gilman, assisted by Nelson C. Wilcox, Arthur Smith, Mrs. G. E. Porter, Mrs. D. R. Moon, Mrs. H. C. Putnam, Mrs. II. P. Thomas, Mrs. N. C. Wilcox, Mrs. J. P. Nelson, Mrs. Dan Chandler, Mrs. Arthur Smith, Mrs. M. V. B. Jackson. Mrs. J. G. Lilman, Mrs. H. P. Graham, Mrs. Sam C. Putnam, Mrs. C. Chandler.
Table Fourth-Mrs. Chauncey E. Chandler, assisted by D. E. Brown, Arthur J. Chapman, William Dean, Mrs. C. E. Chandler, Mrs. Sam Ellis, Mrs. George Grout, Mrs. H. Clay Williams, Mrs. B. Demorest, Mrs. P. Anderson, Mrs. Thomas Kenyon, Mrs. D. W. Day, Mrs. A. Buel, Miss J. Smith.
Table Fifth-Mrs. J. F. Weber, assisted by Charles Hath- away, M. D. Buell, Mrs. M. B. Wyman, Daniel Hyleman, W. F. Burdett, Charles Hathaway, J. B. Randall, W. F. Bailey, Chet. Hall, Alexander Watson, Misses V. A. Parrott, Sarah Smith, Cushner.
Table Sixth-Mr. B. F. Teall, assisted by Charles Blanding, Stephen Smith, Mrs. William H. Smith, Mrs. W. P. Bartlett, Mrs. James M. Brackett, Mrs. S. M. Bangs, Mrs. R. W. Copeland, Mrs. Joseph Felton, Misses Sallie French, Laura Barnes, Maggie Bar- land, Isa Barland, Delia Boylen.
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Table Seventh-Mr. Roderick Elwell, assisted by James Hutchins, Abel Davis, Charles Hayes, Mrs. C. F. Mayhew, Mrs. John Randall, Mrs. William Grant, Mrs. James Hutchins, Miss M. Howes, Miss Hattie Bullen, Miss Florence Oliver, Miss Nettie Hutchins, Miss Libbie Hutchins.
Table Eighth-Mr. A. E. Angel, assisted by Melvin Wilson, Henry Wilson, Henry Randall, Mrs. John O. French, Mrs. F. D. Rathbun, Miss Julia Wilson, Miss Sarah Wilson, Miss Fannie Bliss, Miss H. Elder, Miss Lizzie Dennison, Miss Angie Allen, Miss Mary Congdon, Miss Hattie Ward.
Table Ninth-Mr. Ole Bruden, assisted by D. E. Brown, Arthur Chapman, William Dean, Mrs. Robert Tolles, Mrs. Albert Converse, Mrs. D. E. Brown, Mrs. Thomas Torrant, Mrs. Francis Campbell, Mrs. A. J. Chapman, Mrs. Frank MeDonough, Miss Alice Condit.
Table Tenth-Mr. E. Robert Hantzsch, assisted by Peter Meeran, Mrs. E. R. Hantzsch, Mrs. Peter Meeran, Mrs. Theodore Seehaven, Mrs. Phillip Herring, Mrs. IIenry Gross, Mrs. K. Oxford, Miss Augusta Hubner, Miss Elsie Winggen, Miss Pauline Krauser, Miss Ilenrietta Smith, Miss Lizzie Lang, Miss Mary Kalter, Miss Augusta Kitzman.
Chippewa Falls & Western Railway. In 1875 the Chippewa Falls & Western Railway Company constructed a road from Chippewa Falls to Eau Claire, which was connected with the Wisconsin & Minnesota Railroad from Abbotsford to Chippewa Falls in 1880.
Wisconsin Central Railroad, which has been taken over by the Soo Railway Company and now forms a part of this great system, came into Eau Claire up to April, 1890, over the tracks of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Com- pany's tracks for a mile outside the city, but since that time this railway has used its own terminus, its depot being on Dewey and Eau Claire streets.
The Chippewa Valley & Superior Railroad. This company began the construction of its line from Wabasha, Minnesota, to Eau Claire in 1881. The road was completed and opened for traffic in November, 1882, and was later transferred to the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company. It is now known as the Chippewa Valley Division of that company's system, and follows the Chippewa river course for fifty miles, having five or six stations on the way. The extension to Chippewa Falls was opened for traffic December 31, 1883, and has since been in operation.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THIE EAU CLAIRE STREET RAILROAD AND INTERURBAN LINES.
The Eau Claire Street Railway Company was organized and began running cars in 1879. These were horse cars, but after a time mules were also used. The road ran from Shawtown to the Omaha depot and followed the same streets it oecupies today, except for a few months, when the present bridge over the Chip- pewa river was being constructed, when it continued up the west side to Madison street and erossed the Madison street bridge. Also for a time it ran up Galloway street on the north side instead of Madison street, as it does today. J. R. Harrigan was the first superintendent and did much to keep up the effi- cieney of the road. One winter, in the early eighties, when the snow prevented the use of wheels, he ran sleighs over the Third ward line to keep up the service. He is still engaged in railway work. He was succeeded by Mr. Lawrence, the present efficient superintendent. In 1887 the electric system was installed under the old Sprague company. It was one of the pioneer electric railways in the United States, only three or four antedating it. In 1897 the road was purchased by Arthur E. Appleyard, and, on March 1, 1898, the Chippewa Valley Electrie Railway Com- pany was organized with a capital of $400,000, which was inereased to $600,000. That company built the road to Chippewa Falls. In October, 1905, the Chippewa Valley Electrie Railway Company and the Eau Claire Light & Power Company were pur- ehased by O. H. Ingram and his associates. The latter company came into existenee in 1897.
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