History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 109

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

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On Friday morning, February 8, 1877, the coining mill blew up instantly, killing Mr. John Stout, who was therein at work. At the time there was in the neighborhood of 250

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kegs of powder in the department, a great deal of it, however, in cakes and slightly damp. No one knows how the powder ignited, as there was no fire about the building. E. F. Newton, Superintendent of the works, and David Griffin, foreman of the mills, were on the ground, but cannot account for the calamity. They first saw a light flash through the windows and cracks of the mill, followed by a succession of explosions, a few seconds later. The sides of the building were blown out, the roof distributed around promiscuously, but, strange to say, the machinery remained standing just as it belonged, and continued operations until the water gate was shut down. The body of Mr. Stout was found outside of the mill, partly lying in the water, with every particle of clothing stripped from him, except his stockings and boots. His hair was singed off, his ears shriveled up, and the general appearance of the body as though it had been roasted. Loss to building and materials quoted at $3,000.

On November 8, 1877, the press mill blew up, and James N. McGranahan, who was wash- ing in the bath house, narrowly escaped death by plunging into the mill-race. As it was, how- ever, he sustained serious injuries, but recovered and resumed labors at the mill. The loss to the company by this explosion was $2,000.

On Monday evening, September 16, 1878, the most serious explosion of any that had pre- vionsly been experienced, occurred. It was so loud and startling that many citizens of Platteville thought it had occurred on their own premises. They were not long in determining the cause, for soon a dense black cloud of smoke rose up over the powder mills. Hundreds of citizens, and also many from the surrounding country, flocked to the scene of the explosion. The dry and packing house, containing 900 kegs or about 22,500 pounds of powder was found to be a total wreck ; scarcely a stone or a piece of timber of which it was constructed, including the foundation, was to be found on the place where it had stood. All the buildings belonging to the company were more or less injured, and the wash-house, house for drying lumber, keg factory, coining mill, old keg factory, old sorting room and store room were completely destroyed. One of the cylinder mills was considerably damaged, also the press and saltpeter houses. The coin- ing mill, standing at least 200 yards from the dry-house, was nearly as badly damaged as it was at the time it exploded, and Mr. Stout was killed. The wash-house stood about 300 feet from the dry-house, and was knocked to pieces. Here is where Mr. James McGranahan, the same who was so badly injured when the press exploded the previous winter, was at this time. He was stripped, taking his usual bath after his day's work. His cries were heard, and those who happened to be in the vicinity rushed to his rescue. He was so completely buried in the debris that it was with difficulty he was taken out. He was very badly cut upon the head and shoul- ders, and sustained bad wounds on the thigh. Daniel Schaffer, in company with some other workmen, were at work near the coining mill. While the building was all knocked to pieces none of them were injured. Mr. Tappes was with his team near the charcoal towers. The horses were stunned so that they fell down and the wagon was upset. Jacob Kramer was in the old store house, and is somewhat injured about the shoulder. Henry Dobson, the engineer, was in his house just across the Platte, about 200 yards from the dry-house. His wife had just awakened him to eat his supper, previous to taking his place at the engine for the night, and he was seated at the table when the explosion took place. He was thrown completely out of the chair to the floor. His wife was in the next room and she was thrown to the floor. The house was badly riddled, the windows being all blown out and the plastering knocked from the walls and ceiling. One large rock, weighing about one hundred pounds, was thrown so that it entered the side of the house, just below the window, and, striking the floor, bounding so that it wen out at the other side of the house near the ceiling, and dropping about fifty feet from the house. The bedstead was broken, and the chair which had been vacated a moment before by Mrs. Dob- son was shivered to pieces. George Dobson was in a building a few rods from his father's resi- dence painting kegs. The side of the building was blown out, and the paint-keg tipped over on him, completely covering the side of his face. The trees for several hundred yards were stripped of their leaves, and one tree which stood more than one hundred yards from the building was blown up. Daniel Schaffer lived in the large white house on the hill, not more than 400 yards

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from the scene of the explosion, and the windows and doors were nearly all blown out. Some of the furniture was moved and much of the plastering knocked off. A number of window panes were broken in Mr. Colman's house, also in Mr. Gollmer's house. The chimney on B. A. Jacob's house, nearly half a mile from the mills, was knocked down. A telegram was received the same evening from Warren, forty miles distant, inquiring whether the powder mills had not exploded, the shock, no doubt, being heard and felt at that place. The cause of the explo- sion is not known. Mr. Smith, who works in the packing house, had left it just an hour before, and stated that everything was all right when he left.

The loss to the property was $10,000. Just previous to the explosion, J. L. Rewey, in company with Mr. Frank Newton, the superintendent (to whom the writer hereby tenders his acknowledgments for courtesy and a safe conduct), had been inspecting the works and were resting at the office. "There," observed Mr. Newton, "you've seen all there is to a powder- mill except an explosion, but if you desire one I've only to know it to ring up the curtain." Before Mr. Rewey was able to respond, the explosion occurred, but, aside from a severe shock, he escaped injury.

The investment is regarded as representing a valuation of $25,000. A superintendent and sixteen men are necessary to the proper conduct of the mills, requiring an expenditure of $1,000 per month for wages alone, and forty thousand pounds of powder are turned out in the same period.

The present officers are : Solomon Turck, President; A. W. Higgins, Secretary ; Edward Greene, Treasurer ; R. H. Collier, manager of this department, and E. F. Newton, superin- tendent. The company have also works at Kingston, Newbury and Schaghticoke, New York ; Wayne, N. J., and at Pottsville, Scranton and Carbondale, Penn.

Alexander Butler's Carriage and Wagon Factory-Is located at the corner of Pine and Third streets, and an establishment wielding an important influence in the prosperity of the city. Prior to 1850, a mechanic named Mahaffey carried on a wagon-maker and repair shop in a small frame building near the site of the present brick structure. How long he had been there at the date of which mention is made, or the extent of business transacted by him, is not only not of record, but beyond the memory of the proverbial oldest inhabitant. Along in 1851 or 1852, Calvin Russell purchased Mahaffey's investment and good will and succeeded to the business. During his ownership, he erected the frame building now occupied as a paint-shop, opposite the brick structure, employed eight hands and worked up a prosperous trade, his manufacture, it is said, consisting of two hundred vehicles annually. In 1863, Alexander Butler, who had been for some years in the employ of Mr. Russell, purchased his employer's interest, and has since managed the enterprise. After six years of diligent enterprise, Mr. Butler found the premises transferred to him as too small to accommodate the demands of his increasing business, and, in August, 1869, he contracted for the edifice, which at present is devoted to the manufacture of stock. It is of brick, forty feet square, two stories high, and furnished with machinery and appliances adapted to the line of business carried on within its limits. It cost a total of $3,000, and fully meets the requirements its erection was intended to provide. Mr. Butler is largely engaged in manufacturing running gear of all descriptions, as also in repairing, and when run- ning to its full capacity his manufactory requires the services of ten hands, turns out 175 vehi- cles annually and does business to the amount of $25,000 per year.

Hawley & Son Carriage Factory .- The present flourishing business conducted by these gentlemen originated with the senior partner nearly forty years ago, when, as a member of the firm of Lane & Hawley, he began the business of framing wagons and sleighs on Main street, in the village of Platteville, where P. D. Hendershot's harness-shop now is. As can readily be imagined, elegance of design and finish in those days yielded precedence to strength and dura- bility, and the fact that settlers and miners, as also those who " teamed " over the unbroken prairies or almost impassable roads, realized their demands in that behalf, is to be found in the success which is said to have attended their efforts. The firm continued in existence until the spring of 1847, when P. B. McEntire purchased the interest of Mr. Lane, and was substituted

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in bis stead in the management of the concern. When the negotiations in this behalf were con- cluded as cited, the improvements of the firm, which have since their erection supplied every demand, were contracted for, and in the following year became a part and parcel of improve- ments then made in the growing and prosperous village. The main building is of brick, 24x30 feet, two stories high, and, with the additions made in 1859-69, presents an appearance both attractive and convenient. In 1855, Mr. Hawley acquired title to McEntire's moiety by pur- chase, and for twelve years carried on the business solus. In 1867, F. A. Hawley was admitted to an interest, the facilities for manufacture were increased, and business appreciated proportion- ately. The latter is still a partner in the enterprise, and, in 1871, took charge of a branch house established during that year at McGregor, Iowa, at an expense of $12,000. The manu- facture of the firm embraces every description of wheeled conveyance, from a light trotting wagon to a mineral " float," and when operated to its full limit furnishes employment to thirty-three hands, and enjoys a trade represented as worth $30,000 per annum, in all sections of this por- tion of the State.

Genesee Mill was built in the spring of 1857, by N. H. Virgin, and is located on the Little Platte, two miles from the city, by the road hence to Lancaster. Joseph Teasdale was associated with Mr. Virgin in the undertaking, and the premises were of the same dimensions, capacity and power, as the mill on Rountree's Branch, save that it was supplied with three runs of stone. In 1864, Julius Angustine purchased the interest of Mr. Virgin in the premises for $7,500, conducting it until 1869, during which interim he became sole owner. In the latter year, he sold to Stephen Carhart for $10,000, who run the mill a year, when it passed into the control of Burley Jacobs. That gentleman completed some improvements, and managed the concern until 1879, when it was sold under foreclosure proceedings, J. C. Holloway being the vendee. Since this transfer, the establishment has been operated at intervals, but is now idle, and is for sale.

Virgin's Flour Mills-Located on the road from Platteville to Galena, and in sight of the former city, were established in the fall of 1838 by the organization of a firm for that purpose, composed of J. H. Rountree, N. H. Virgin and Neeley Gray. Previous to that year, the in- habitants of the country comprehended within the limits of Platteville Township and the terri- tory contiguous thereto were, in a large measure, dependent upon the product of a mill of lim- ited capacity, at a distance of seven miles from Platteville settlement, operated by Stewart McKee. In the spring of 1839, Rountree, Virgin & Gray began the building of their mill with materials hewed out in the woods the previous winter. But slow progress was made during the summer and fall, and work probably suspended during the winter. At all events, the structure was not completed until the spring of 1840, and operations were postponed until fall, it being late in September before they began grinding corn. The building then was of frame, 36x40, three stories high, and supplied with two runs of stone driven by an overshot water-wheel. The capacity was 150 bushels every twenty-four hours. In 1843, Mr. Rountree withdrew, and the firm became Virgin & Gray, and so continued until 1849, when Mr. Gray retired and Mr. Vir- gin succeeded to the entire ownership. The old mill served the purposes for which it was erected for nearly a quarter of a century, or until 1863, when it was razed and the present edi- fice erected in its stead. It is of the same dimensions, power and capacity as its predecessor, owned and operated by N. H. Virgin, and cost, with improvements made upon the original de- sign, a matter of $10,000. The mill is worked continuously, requiring the services of two men, with an extended trade throughout Platteville and adjacent townships, and is valued at $25,000.

The McKee Mills-An old landmark which flourished when the genial climate, fertile soil, virgin forests, lovely streams and majestic hills of Grant County first furnished a rich and varied feast to the enterprising settler who came to avail himself of such privileges. In 1833, Stewart McKee, an energetic Irishman, visited the present city of Platteville, designing to locate a mill site and establish a residence. His trade was that of a millwright, in which capac- ity he was employed by the Gratiots and others of St. Louis and vicinity. Immediately prior to his advent into Grant County, he erected a mill at Shoal Creek, Ill., for the Rev. Samuel

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Mitchell, father-in-law of Maj. Rountree, and upon his arrival in Platteville was aided by that gentleman in selecting a mill site on the Little Platte, at a point in what is now Harrison Town- ship, about five miles southwest of the city. This being accomplished, McKee " put his shoulder to the wheel," and, before the season of winter had come with its mantle of spotless white, erected a saw-mill of limited dimensions and measured capacity, and began operations. At the time of which mention is made, settlers who had fled before the advance of Black Hawk into the wilder- ness, and emigrants who were attracted hither by the promise held out in the lead mines, as also in the waste of prairie lands, began to " come in," and McKee was kept constantly busy in supplying the demand for lumber from all portions of the Territory. The frame " shanty " and cabin, the " chinks" of which were filled with "mother earth," have long since given place to the luxurious farmhouse or the elegant villa, from a design by architects of national repute; the people who gave them birth alone remain. They have won the heritage they to-day enjoy, and cultivating it with industry and wisdom, yet find time to legislate for the common weal and pro- tect the common interests. The men of the type of McKee, who first settled in what crystal- lized into Grant County, are familiar to posterity as examples of virtue and ambition worthy of emulation. Men who, in war and peace, have been prominent, who have attained distinction in the camp and council, and whose reputations, too universal for appropriation by county or State, have long since become national.

In 1834, the existence of McKee's mill had been disseminated to the furtherest inhabited point of Iowa Territory, and his services were employed day and night to supply the wants of miners, farmers, builders and all others who began or contemplated improvements. Among the works that this mill furnished material for was the old capitol building at Belmont, the first frame building erected in Platteville, and those which followed in its wake. In 1836, Mr. McKee increased the capacity of the mill and supplied it with a "corn-cracker," and added the manufacture of "grits" and corn meal to that of lumber. About this time, he leased the property for one year to Adams & Co., which firm did an immense business, but, at the expiration of that period, re- sumed control and maintained the same until 1858.

During his early residence, the health of Mrs. McKee was precarious, and she returned to St. Louis to die. Prior to 1840, he married the Widow Deselhorst, of Elk Grove, but, it is re- ported, separated from her, and in after years made another matrimonial venture with happier results.

In 1858, or thereabouts, he discontinued his connection with the mill, which he disposed of to George Marshall, and returned to St. Louis, but subsequently removed on to a farm near Belleville, Ill., where he died, it is believed, ten years ago. His family, as editors, army officers, and in other lines of life, have acquired a reputation throughout the West, and the name in Grant County will ever be associated with the old mill on the Little Platte.

The last one to operate the undertaking is believed to have been a man named Zimmers, as lessee. But this was many years ago. Since then, the mill has gone on its pilgrimage to oblivion. Those who founded and supported it-very many of them, indeed-with tired lids and weary frames, have floated calmly out on the ocean of rest. The youth of to-day, standing in the Louvre, can gaze upon the Venus of Milo with feelings of rapture, but the old settler looks back on the old mill as the wanderer recurs to pleasant pastures and sweet waters, and while they live, that pilgrimage will never reach its destination. The ruins still survive the hand of Time, being located on lands owned by R. Wilmers, in Section 24, and, though cov- ered with the growth of rank vegetation and rapidly obscuring from sight, will always be remembered and referred to as "an old landmark " worthy of a better fate.

Bass' Mill is located on the Little Platte, about three miles from the city in a south- westerly direction, where it was built by N. W. Bass in the fall of 1847. It is of frame, 30x40, two and one-half stories high, and was erected at a cost estimated at $4,500. In the day of its building, mills that would furnish the luxury of bolted flour to consumers were limited in num- ber throughout this portion of the State. McKee's corn-cracker on the Platte further south still afforded accommodations, but the Bass mill was, comparatively speaking, a "new dispensa-

PLATTEVILLE.

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tion" to farmers and producers in Grant County. The machinery, which has since been exchanged for that more modern, was brought from New Orleans, and was cumbersome, inele- gant and imperfect, though the culmination of mechanical skill for the times in which it was constructed.

Mr. Bass operated the mills for many years, and the two runs of stone with which the premises are equipped furnished the immediate necessity, at least, with their supplies of flour and meal. In time, it came into the possession of Henry Pearce, who directed its interests for a season, when the mill was returned to its founder, who still owns it, though the same is rented and operated by F. C. Folts. During the fall of 1880, the old machinery was removed and that of the latest and most improved pattern substituted and other changes completed, which have enhanced the value of the property.

The present capacity is estimated at 160 bushels of grain per diem.

J. Cheever's Mill .- Located on the old Potosi road, though within the limits of the city of Platteville, was commenced by Mr. Cheever, in September, 1859, and completed during the following May. Originally it was 32x18 and two stories high, but in 1865, an addition 14x32, and in 1866, a further addition 8x32 was completed, making the improvements commodions and convenient, and costing, altogether, between $3,000 and $4,000.

As first furnished, the mill was supplied with two runs of stone, but at present, its capacity in that connection is reduced one-half, and will now grind fifty bushels of wheat or corn daily. In April, 1881, the premises which include the mill proper and forty-three acres of ground were sold to H. B. Phillips, of Independence, Iowa, for $2,000, since which date, the vendee has operated them.

Platteville Woolen Mills .- This property, which is located at some distance from the city, was originally owned by Fairchild & Davis, and was, with a saw-mill, burned early in the sixties, and re-erected in 1865, by N. W. Bass, who has been a resident of Grant County since 1865, and owns 378 acres of ground in connection with the mill.

The premises are of frame, supported by a stone foundation, and are supplied with every requirement of the business. The manufacture includes all grades of woolens, blankets, flan- nels, etc., and disposes of his product through agents in the surrounding country. Eight hands are employed in the manufacture at weekly wages of not less than $100; his annual sales aggregate $25,000, and the investment represents a valuation of $15,000.

Snowden's Foundry and Machine Shop-Located on Second street, between Rountree and Cedar streets, where it was erected in 1849, by R. & G. Snowden, and is claimed as the pioneer foundry of this portion of the Northwest, there being nothing of the kind at Dubuque, and but one of extremely limited resources then carried on at Galena. There was need of such an establishment in Platteville at the time, and this need was supplied by the Snowden Broth- ers in the building of their business headquarters. The premises are of brick, 25x36, one story high, and, though apparently of measured capacities, has been found equal to every requirement. The business comprehends the building of steam engines, water-wheels, both turbine and over- shot, mining and other pumps, patterns, mill, house and general building castings, etc., and furnishes employment to five hands when worked to its extreme limit. The trade now is con- fined to Grant and adjoining counties, being principally of a local character, but notwithstand- ing, this is valued at $12,000. In former times and before mechanical enterprises found ex- pression in neighboring towns and cities, the "Snowden Foundry " was known from Milwaukee to St. Paul, and its capacity taxed to the utmost, but since then, new dispensations have come in and taken root, its business, as stated, is of a local nature.

R. Straw & Co., Furnace .- One of the oldest furnaces in the county is located on the Dubuque road, in the southwestern portion of the city, and is in constant operation. It was first built in the spring of 1838, hy Leonard Coates and James Vineyard, who were prominently identified with the early settlement of Platteville, and closely allied with the several improve- ments in the present city each successive season gave birth to. The furnace was 20x40 in dimensions, supplied with one shaft and capable of smelting two "shifts " of mineral per day.

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It was constantly resorted to by miners, and its fires, like those in the temple of Vesta, were never permitted to become extinguished-that is, precious seldom. Coates & Vineyard carried on the business of smelting at this furnace for about four years, when they disposed of their re- spective interests to O'Hara & Hopper, for a consideration of $4,000, and relinquished the pursuit of wealth by that route. The vendees took possession and conducted operations until say, 1846, at the expiration of which period they in turn sold to Leonard Coates, Robert Chapman and Henry Snowden, the latter, however, never becoming actively interested. These gentlemen made some radical improvements in the building, and increased its capacity by the erection of a second shaft, at a cost of $1,500. The new firm, with these increased facilities for the convenience of miners and the public, attracted a large patronage, and in the four years during which they had charge, did an immense business. In 1848, Mr. Coates assumed entire ownership and charge of the venture, which he ran until 1851, when the title to the premises became vested in Straw, Spensley & Staley, who paid $1,800 for the privilege. Later the junior partner met his death by accident, and Straw & Spensley succeeded to his interest, becom- ing sole owners, so remaining up to the present time.

The furnace, is at present operated, possesses a capacity for two shifts, or sixty pigs of lead, each weighing seventy-two pounds, and requires the services of two men to conduct successfully.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 109

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