History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 105

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

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Some time after the disease had abated, Mr. I. Hodges and G. R. Laughton engaged Dexter Palmer to drive them to Galena. They arrived at their destination late in the afternoon, when they put up at the American Hotel, of which A. Rossette was proprietor. During the evening, David Seeley and J. Allen Barber began to joke them at the danger that was entailed to the town by their presence, and created the most wide-spread and indignant excitement. When the Plattevillians retired, the ladies in the hotel attended npon Mr. Rossette in a body and demanded their expulsion. This summary process was postponed until morning, when Mr. Hodges, upon descending to the first floor, was confronted by the Boniface with a request to "March right on, Mr. Hodges; you don't owe me anything, but please vacate at once." The gentleman ad- dressed appreciated the situation of affairs, and, rousing Mr. Laughton from his morning nap, both procured breakfast at a cellar restaurant, which was hurriedly eaten, after which the team and driver were placed in readiness, and the party slid out of town in time to avoid the vengeance of a mob, which had gathered in the meantime and threatened dire results.

With the opening of spring, emigrants and "suckers " came in together and prepared to remain as long as the climate continued genial. The canvass held for appointment to office this year was quite exciting, and many a hand-to-hand contest resulted as the outgrowth of differ- ences of opinion. William B. Vineyard was recommended for Sheriff against E. S. Baker, and their friends were not only ardent and aggressive, but inclined to be pugnacious, in which latter particular the candidates themselves were not averse to taking a hand. After a heated struggle, during which James R. Vineyard and Wilson engaged in a struggle for physical supremacy, neither prevailing, however, Baker secured the prize, and his friends proceeded to Platte Mound, under the leadership of Hanmer Robbins, and announced the result to the residents of Lancas- ter by an immense bonfire.

THE BEVANS LEAD.

In July of this year, Lorenzo Bevans discovered a lead in Maj. Rountree's land south of the present site of the stone schoolhouse, which not only enriched himself, but profitted the gen- eral public. The history of Mr. Bevans' labors, in what proved to be a lucky find, is tinged with a color of romance rarely experienced without the pages of fiction. It seems that he had been working the lead for some months, meeting with returns the reverse of encouraging, but still confident of the existence of large quantities of mineral. He finally became absolutely im- poverished, withont means to procure the necessaries of life for his family, or material indispen- sable to the prosecution of his labors. Those latter were supplied by a generous-minded mer- chant, as also the means to hire an assistant for a limited period. On the day he tapped his " bonanza," he had paid the hired man until noon, which exhausted his exchequer, but sug- gested that he remain until evening and receive his pay out of the proceeds of the day's labor.

The " hand " consented, and after their noon lunch the twain re-commenced work in the shaft with redoubled energy-the one in the desperate hope of realizing his cherished object; the other by the knowledge that his rewards would be measured by the quantity of mineral his industry would aid him in bringing to the surface. While pegging away, along about 2 o'clock on the afternoon of a sultry day in July, Mr. Bevans suddenly thrust his pick into the clay

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bank, which lined the avenue wherein he was at work, which being withdrawn, developed such positive evidence of the existence of wealth as to cause him to labor with increased diligence, conscious that he had at last reached the acme of his ambitions. A few strokes of the pick and shovels of clay, encrusted with ore, cast one side, at length displayed a vein of mineral, in com- parison with which all previously discovered in the vicinity had been insignificant rather than inferior. Further labors served to dissolve all doubts regarding the enormous value of the lead. His patience, perseverance and abiding faith in his judgment had been more than requited.

Within one hour after the first discovery of lead was made, many tons of mineral were raised, and the embryo city was alive with excitement. Nearly every one became cognizant of the facts, and nearly every one hurried to the scene, bent on ascertaining for himself and herself, for the multitude was made up of men, women and children, the truth concerning the things whereof they had been informed. Before an hour had elapsed, Mr. Bevans was offered $50 for an interest in his mine, which was soon increased to treble that amount, but both offers were refused. During the afternoon, Hanmer Robbins sought to purchase a share in the venture for $500, which was declined, and when the men ceased operations at evening, that gentleman was intent on buying a moiety for the consideration of $1,000, without results. Upward of two millions pounds of ore were taken from the lead which was discharged in 1845, not before the fortunate discoverer had become rich, as also his friends and the merchants in the village from its profits.

This discovery gave an impetus to mining, and many were the attempts made to duplicate Bevans' experience. The population of the town, which was quoted at 800 in 1844, visibly appreciated in 1845, by the influx of miners, attracted thither by news of his luck. But no other discoveries of importance succeeded their coming, and the number of inhabitants dwindled proportionately, leaving as a residuum only the best classes, whose efforts aided in the substan- tial growth of the vicinity, and the development of its resources.

In 1845, the brick block of E. Bayley on Main street was erected, the two brick school- houses in North and South Platteville commenced, and the brick Methodist Church decided upon. It was begun late in that year or early in 1846, and completed before the spring of 1847. Morally and educationally, the village surpassed expectations or comparison with sur- rounding towns. The academy built four years previous was conducted in a manner that attracted a generous patronage, and schools for the education of youth of more callow experience than those for whose improvement the academy was designed were springing up in various localities. Commercially, too, the village evidenced a spirit of progress, both permanent and gratifying, and through succeding years has maintained a prominence special and deserved. Considerable of the uncertain classes, here to-day and there to-morrow, had given place to a class of people who are invaluable to progressive communities. Farming in the surrounding country was revived and carried forward with increased vigor. This condition of affairs con- tinued until flattering reports from the Lake Superior copper mines, combined with the Mexican war, served to drain the village of many of its more enterprising citizens. July 4, 1847, was observed by a dinner in the public square, to which the patriotic, as also the liberally disposed toward the Presbyterian Church, then in progress of building, were invited and came in large numbers. On October 30, of the same year, a concert was given in the church edifice to defray the cost of pews and the purchase of an æolian for the same religious society. As an item of interest to those who attended, the programme is submitted as follows: Voluntary ; Hymn, tune, "Josiah," from the " Sacred Harmony;" Overture, from the French Boreldieu ; Anthem, " Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house ;" song, " The Irish Emigrant's Lament," Mr. Laugh- ton ; quartet, " The Wild Rose," Miss E. Wiley, Miss M. Durley, J. W. Stewart and J. Durley ; song, " There's a good time coming, boys," Ben C. Eastman, Esq .; Quartet, " Sweet the hour when free from labor," Misses M. and H. Durley, and Messrs. Colburn and East- man ; song, " And they lifted up their voice and wept again," E. W. Prentiss, of Hazel Green ; glee, "He who trusts in ladies fair," Messrs. Prentice, Stewart, Colburn and J. C. Eastman ;

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Hymn, tune, " Palestine;" duet, " Now at moonlight's fairy hour," Miss M. Durley and Mr. Prentiss ; Anthem, "Jerusalem, my glorious home.'

Part second was made up of solos by J. C. Eastman, E. W. Prentiss and Mr. Stewart; duet by Miss Wiley and Mr. Prentiss ; quartets by Mrs. Bancroft, Misses Durley and Wiley, and Messrs. T. Eastman, Covell, Stewart and Durley, in addition to hymnals and instru- mental music on the aeolian. The concert netted $120, and provided means for the purposes. mentioned.

The Mexican war came on about this period, but few residents of Platteville or vicinity being persuaded to enlist. It is estimated that from twelve to fifteen recruits were obtained in this township, in no comparison with the number who went to California two years later, which is said to have been upward of 200, and whose departure unquestionably retarded the growth of the city, diminished the volume of business for many years, and worked an injury to material prospects scarcely short of permanent.

PLATTEVILLE IN 1850.

In 1850, the population of the city is stated as nearly 1,500, an increase of nearly 100 per cent in about four years. There were three churches, the Methodist, Primitive Methodist and Congregational, and quite a number of merchants, prominent among whom were I. Hodges, Moore & Lane, E. Bayley, John Kemler, Mrs. Gridley and Dennis Clark. This year, the Hon. Benjamin C. Eastman was elected to Congress, the first and only Congressman Platteville ever furnished. The ensuing five years were dull, without any enlivening features to ripple the current of daily events. Along in 1855, however, business began to revive, a great many . people came in from the East and large amounts of money were invested in public lands. Buildings, too, were erected, and the Clinton House, erected at the corner of Main and Oak streets in 1846, ceased to be among the more prominent structures of that thoroughfare, Prior to the panic of 1857, farming began to revive and attracted the attention of husbandmen at the East and in Europe; as a consequent, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York furnished a large number of settlers, while Germany sent hither representatives of Teutonic thrift and industry, who have aided in the building up of the city, for most of them settled in the city and have be- come among its most substantial residents. The panic above referred to produced an effect in Platteville similar to that experienced all over the conntry. Times were hard and money scarce, notwithstanding which there were but few failures among the commercial circles. The campaign preceding the war was characterized by the absence of that rancor and fierce partisanship to be observed in some parts of the country, and previous to the commencement of actual hostilities, though there may have existed a difference of opinion as to where blame for the trouble rested, when the firing upon Fort Sumter inaugurated the trouble, there was no one who held back his tribute and support from the cause.

DURING WAR TIMES.

Meetings were held all through the war for the purpose of encouraging enlistments and raising funds, and from the first meeting convened opposite the Tyler House, in April, 1861, which was addressed by Maj. Rountree, N. H. Virgin, Hanmer Robbins and W. E. Carter, and when the first recruit, Billy Britton, enlisted, to the day when Lee surrendered, there was no holding back nor absence of patriotism on the part of citizens to promote success.

After the war, the village grew gradually, and improvements succeeded the rude structures improvised in the early days of the settlement for business and residence purposes. In 1849, the precinct of Platteville was changed into the town of Platteville, with Benjamin C. Eastman Chairman ; railroad enterprises were projected upon numerous occasions, having Platteville for their base of operations or objective point, but all proved failures, and nothing more than spec- ulation was indulged by enterprising citizens until 1867. In that year, individuals subscribed stock to the amount of $50,000, which was supplemented by subscriptions to the extent of $60,000, made by the town for the construction of a railroad from Calamine. In 1869, the town subscribed $60,000 additional stock, for which bonds were issued, payable in twenty

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

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annual installments, with interest at the rate of 7 per cent per annum. The following year, the road was completed, and has since been in operation.

THE PRESENT CONDITION.

In 1872, Platteville subscribed $32,000 to aid in building the narrow-gauge railroad, which has also been an outlet for the city and adjacent country since, and with these facilities the means of communication with distant points have been reliable and uninterrupted.

The city has been visited by two destructive conflagrations, one on the night of June 10, 1870, in which the Tyler House, Hodges' bank burned, involving a loss of $12,000; the other two years later, when the balance of the property contiguous to the site of the fire in 1872, was burned, entailing damages estimated at $12,000. Both blocks, however, have been re- built, and a reliable fire organization has been substituted for the " bucket brigade," providing security against a repetition of these calamities.

On March 4, 1880, an act providing for the chartering of the city of Platteville was approved, and to-day the city, with a population of 2,685, distances her rivals throughout the county in her religious, educational, social and commercial interests and enterprises.

By act of the Legislature approved February 19, 1871, all that part of Section 15, in Township No. 3, of Range No. 1 west of the Fourth Principal Meridian, in the county of Grant, was appropriated to and thereafter known and distinguished as the town of Platteville.

The roster is incomplete, owing to the absence of records. March 4, 1880, the city was duly incorporated, and the following officers elected, who are still in service.

OFFICIAL ROSTER.

Mayor, H. J. Traber, 1880-81; Aldermen, R. W. Laughton, G. W. Eastman, T. Jenkins, Jr., W. Meyer, Sr., N. Bevers and F. Libert, 1880-81; Clerk and Police Justice, W. R. Laughton, 1880-81; Treasurer, W. S. Northrop, 1880-81; Supervisor, Hanmer Robbins, 1880-81; Surveyer, J. C. Squires, 1880-81; Weigher, O. A. Boynton, 1880-81; Street Com- missioner, Curtis Barker, 1880-81; Marshal, J. L. Rewey, 1880-81.

The officers under village organization and previous were as follows :

1845-Samuel Moore, President.

1846-Samuel Moore, President ; Henry Snowden, J. H. Watts, William G. Spencer, S. N. Jones and Robert Chapman, Trustees.

1847-The board of the previous year held over.

1848-G. W. Lakin, President; S. Hawley, P. Stone, Thomas Stephens, N. Hutchins, H. C. Lane and Joel Potter, Trustees.

1849-S. O. Paine, President; N. Hutchins, N. Messersmith, T. Stephens, G. Hawley, H. C. Lane and H. Bell, Trustees.

1850-S. O. Paine, President; J. M. Alford, N. Messersmith, James Durley, E. J. Madi- son, P. B. McEntire and D. W. Clark, Trustees.

1851-A. C. Inman, President ; H. Hurlbut, P. B. McEntire, Noah Hutchins, James Durley, Nicholas Messersmith and D. W. Clark, Trustees. Leonard Coates elected President, September 22, 1851, vice A. C. Inman, deceased.

1852-Leonard Coates, President; Isaac Hodges, J. Pickard, William Grindell, John Kemler, H. C. Lane and N. Goodrich, Trustees.

1853-John Bevans, President; Joel Potter, William Grindell, H. Hurlbut, R. Snowden, Isaac Hodges and John Kemler, Trustees.

1854-John Bevans, President; H. C. Lane, E. Vanderbie, H. Bell, G. Hawley, J. T. Kirkpatrick and J. S. Marsh, Trustees.

1855-Samuel Moore, President; J. M. Alford, J. T. Hancock, Calvin Russell, Elijah Bayley, Daniel Richards and William Butler, Trustees.

1856-Noah Hutchins, President ; Frederick Hollman, George Hammons, Bennet Atwood, E. H. Stowell, Daniel Richards and Nehemiah Goodrich, Trustees.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

1857-N. H. Virgin, President ; O. A. Boynton, William Grindell, F. Frederick, Thomas Bender, John Kemler and Noah Hutchins, Trustees.

1858-Samuel Mitchell, President; Leonard Coates, J. Potter, Jacob Cramer, B. F. Chase, W. V. Murphy and James Kelly, Trustees.

1859-0. A. Boynton, President; Samuel Block, William Grindell, James C. Wright, Jacob Cramer, John Smelker and Samuel Nasmith, Trustees.

1860-Nelson Dewey, President ; Samuel Block, Samuel Nasmith, George S. Hammond, Henry Spink, Joel Potter and Henry A. Miller, Trustees

1861-Nelson Dewey, President; Samuel Nasmith, Joel Potter, John H. Rountree, W. G. Babcock, Jacob Cramer and F. Frederick, Trustees.

1862-John H. Rountree, President ; Joel Potter, W. G. Babcock, E. Vanderbie, S. Block, N. Stork and L. Coates, Trustees.

1863-Noah Hutchins, President ; J. F. Kirkpatrick, Henry C. Miller, Leonard Coates, Engel Vanderbie, William Grindell and L. L. Goodell, Trustees.

1864-John H. Rountree, President; Lonard Coates, Charles G. Marshal, William Grin- dell, E. Vanderbie, Joel Potter and Nicholas Stark, Trustees.

1865-S. O. Paine, President; N. Hutchins, E. Vanderbie, R. Straw, N. Stark, W. Par- mell and S. M. Devendorf, Trustees.

1866-S. O. Paine, President; N. Hutchins, E. Vanderbie, Joel Potter, James V. Holl- man, Richard Straw and Henry Hoyt, Trustees.

1867-J. H. Rountree, President; J. V. Hollman, Conrad Ketler, J. B. Penn, J. W. Smelker, Alexander Butler and H. Spink, Trustees.

1868-E. Vanderbie, President ; N. Hutchins, Joseph Minehardt, John Kemler, Richard Straw, Michael Stephens and Samuel Block, Trustees.

1869-E. Vanderbie, President; S. M. Devendorf, Joel Potter, F. R. Chase, Richard Straw, A. Ketler, J. Minehardt, Trustees.

1870-J. H. Evans, President ; F. R. Chase, Curtis Barker, John Huntington, Joseph Minehardt, Conrad Ketler and J. B. Penn, Trustees.

1871-J. B. Penn, President ; A. W. Bell, J. Huntington, C. Witenheller, Thomas Jen- kins, Samuel Block and John Kemler, Trustees.

1872-N. H. Virgin, President; C. Ketler, J. Kemler, L. J. Washburn, T. Jenkins, E. Bayley and R. Shaw, Trustees.

1873-N. H. Virgin, President; J. Kemler, C. Ketler, T. Jenkins, L. J. Washburn, J. B. Penn and R. Straw, Trustees.

1874-N. H. Virgin, President ; Thomas Jenkins, N. Hutchins, Conrad Ketler, C. Hen- ners, J. B. Penn and R. Straw, Trustees. .

1875-N. H. Virgin, President ; Thomas Jenkins, J. B. Penn, C. Henners, C. Ketler, R. Straw and N. Hutchins, Trustees.

Treasurers-Robert Chapman, 1845, 1846, 1847 ; Isaac Hodges, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851; Samuel Moore, 1852; Leonard Coates, 1853; R. W. Stevenson, 1854; Manville Comstock, 1855; H. A. Chase, 1856; William Butler, 1857; E. W. Covill, 1858; J. F. Kirkpatrick, 1859; Samuel Block, 1860.

Clerks .- J. L. Marsh, 1845, 1846, 1847; J. C. Eastman, 1848; William Zenor, 1849; R. Hodgson, 1850; Thomas Eastman, 1851; J. W. Van Orman, 1852, 1853; B. F. Wyne, 1854; James Durley, 1855; B. F. Wyne, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862.

Collectors .- A. C. Inman, 1848; R. Hodgson, 1849 ; A. C. Inman, 1850; no returns for 1851 or 1852 ; T. R. Chesebro, 1853; R. W. Stevenson, 1854; H. Bell, 1855; H. A. Chase, 1856-57; E. W. Covill, 1858 ; J. F. Kirkpatrick, 1859; Samuel Block, 1860.

Assessors .- A. M. Holliday, 1848-49 ; A. C. Inman, 1850 ; J. C. Campbell, William V. Murphy and Abel Conner, 1851; S. F. Cleveland, John Bayley and Isaac Richards, 1852; J. S. Clark, O. A. Boynton and W. D. Mitchell, 1853; C. T. Overton, 1854; H. Bell, 1855; George W. Henry, 1856-57 ; William H. Howard, 1858; B. F. Wyne, 1859; B. F. Wyne, 1860.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Constables .- A. C. Inman, 1848; William Zenor, 1849; J. B. Moore, 1850; Richard Hodgson, 1851; Thomas Chesebro, 1852; T. R. Hugill, 1853; R. W. Stevenson, 1854; no returns for 1855; H. A. Chase, 1856 ; William Butler, 1857 ; E. W. Covill, 1858; P. D. Hendershot, 1859 ; A. R. Young, 1860.

Marshals .- A. C. Inman, 1846-47; J. Grumley, 1848 ; no returns for 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853 or 1854; Manville Comstock, 1855 ; H. A. Chase, 1856 ; William Butler, 1857 ; E. W. Covill, 1858 ; P. D. Hendershot, 1859 ; A. R. Young, 1860.

Supervisors .- J. H. Evans, 1870-71 ; J. H. Rountree, 1872 ; E. Bayley, 1873, 1874 and 1875.

Weighmaster .- J. H. Parnell, 1874.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Previous to the extended and disastrous conflagration, which swept over a portion of the city on the night of April 15, 1874, the elements were stayed by more primitive means than those which have since obtained. That event, however, impressed citizens with the necessity for adequate means of protection, and, soon after its occurrence, a paper signed by sixty business men, called for a meeting to convene at Thomas Hall with a view to organized action. The meeting was largely attended, with Gideon Hawley presiding, and A. W. Bell acting as Secre- tary. The inadequate means at command to cope with fire was fully discussed, and various plans suggested to remedy the evil. Finally, Messrs. H. H. Virgin, A. L. Brown, W. H. Beebe. H. J. Traber and James S. Hammond, were appointed a committee for the purpose of taking the steps necessary to organize a hook and ladder company.

On the 6th of May following, this committee met at the office of the town clerk, and drew upon an application to the Town Board, which was numerously signed for the formation of the organization. This was submitted on the following day, and notice was served upon the appli- cants to meet at the Town Clerk's office on the 18th of the same month for organization. At that meeting, A. L. Brown occupied the chair ; W. H. Beebe officiated as Secretary, and the company was organized by the election of the following officers : H. J. Traber, Foreman ; H. H. Virgin and John Grindell, Assistants ; A. W. Bell, Secretary, and Thomas Shepherd, Treasurer.

The truck was built by Alexander Butler, of Platteville, and cost $300. It is nearly twenty-four feet in length, supplied with windlasses, spring bells, etc., and securely mounted. The company also has the tackle, apparel and furniture indispensable to its line of business, is composed of seventy men, and officered as follows : H. J. Traber, Foreman ; F. W. Newton and John Spink, Assistants ; J. F. Funston, Secretary, and Thomas Shepherd, Treasurer.

Mound City Engine Company No. 1 .- Soon after the organization of the hook and ladder company was completed, many citizens, realizing that the interests at stake were not entirely covered by the efforts thus far put forth, proposed the establishment of an engine company, and proceeded to effect arrangements looking to that end. In the fall, these efforts produced results, and secured the organization of the Mound City Engine Company with thirty members, and Jobn Grindell as Foreman. Immediately, the organization crystallized into shape, the company purchased a " chemical " in Chicago, of power and excellence, and have since been prepared to cope with the most formidable of enemies to prosperity and happiness. The present officers are James McCoy, Foreman ; H. S. Vaughn and Horace Chase, Assistants; W. Grindell, Treas- urer; J. Maloney, Secretary.

In the meantime, the fire department was regularly established as one of the departments of the city, and the following officers elected : Alexander Butler, Chief; H. J. Traber and H. G. Chase, Assistants ; John Grindell, Treasurer, and W. J. Funston, Secretary.

The department at present is composed of 140 men, embracing the best element of the city, on the alert for danger, and ever ready to encounter its suppression, free from the evils incident to more metropolitan organizations, and receiving, as it deserves, the confidence and support of a community for the protection of whose property " the boys " have volunteered. The present

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officers are Alexander Butler, Chief; H. J. Traber and J. B. McCoy, Assistants ; E. F. Newton, Treasurer, and Max Stickle, Secretary.

The department own property valued at $3,000. Elections are held annually, and meet- ings convene monthly.

The Mound City Engine Band, made up of members of the Mound City Engine Com- pany, was organized February 15, 1880, with twelve members and the following officers : Augus- tus Schmidt, President and Leader ; W. F. Grindell, Secretary and Treasurer.

Since that date, some changes have occurred in the personnel of the organization, which is constituted at present as follows : A. Schmidt, President and Leader; W. F. Grindell, Secre- tary ; David Grindell, Treasurer ; H. Cowduroy, B Cornet; A. Martin, Baritone; C. Mans- field, Second Tenor ; George Alcock, First Alto ; M. Stevens, Second Alto; William Mann and Oscar Henning, Bass ; M. Rose and C. B. Goldwood, Drums.

Meetings are held three times each week, and the society owns property valued at $300.

The Platteville Hook and Ladder Band .- As the name indicates, the composition of this musical society are representatives of the Hook and Ladder Company of the city of Platteville. It was organized in June, 1879, with H. C. King as President and Leader; E. J. Bentley, Treasurer, and W. J. Funston, Secretary, with a full complement of performers.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 105

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044