History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 958

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In 1860, from general reports, it appears that the schools were never better or in a more prosperous condition. At this time it will be remembered the city was one school district, con- trolled by the eity authorities, in accordance with the charter of 1857. Such portions of the town as belonged to the old district, that were not within the city limits, were set off and united with other districts ; satisfactory arrangements were effected with regard to the division of, and pay for, the joint property. In accordance with a charter, a City School Superintendent was appointed, and after the purchase of the seminary property and the Presbyterian Church, a reg- ular system was adopted, the schools being divided into seven departments ; one high school ; three intermediate and three primary. This condition of things did not last long, for in an arti- cle published by the City Board, of March 12, 1862, they announce that the high school depart- ment will be conducted for a few months by Mr. Pillsbury, as a private school, the parents having agreed to supply any defieieney that might arise in the payment of the tuition fees. Eventually the public school system was resumed, and has been continued successfully to the present time.

On the 5th of November, 1861, the City Council, upon a petition of the School Board, submitted the question to the people as to whether a tax of $4,000 should be levied or not to build a new schoolhouse. This project was defeated by a vote of 125 against 103. The exigencies of the war arising at that time made such a demand upon the resources of the community that the idea of erecting a new school building was abandoned for the time. Nothing further was done in the matter until 1867 ; then, in response to a petition, the City Council announced a special vote to be made on the 2d of April of that year, for the purpose of authorizing a $5,000 tax and loan to erect a new school building. The ballot resulted in a three-fourths majority in favor of the tax, so this was finally decided. Very soon after, the contract for erecting what is known as the Second Ward School Building was let. and within a year the structure was com- pleted and a school under full tide of operation. During this year, the brick schoolhouse and the Lots 11 and part of 12, in Block 23, of M. M. Strong's Addition, connected therewith, were sold to the Methodist Episcopal society for $1,000. This brought the building actually in nse, to accommodate the school, down to the present number, for the old brick schoolhouse was then being rented, and subsequently was sold, with the lot on which it stood, at auction, for $200.

In September, 1875, a meeting of the people was called, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, approved that spring (Chapter 233), to decide upon having a free high school. under the law. The vote being favorable, the board immediately instituted this department where the former high school had been conducted. W. W. Ray was the first teacher here at $1,200 per annum.

Since the establishment of the city schools, the reports of general progress have been uni- formly excellent. the standing having been kept up to the best known throughout the State. The number of pupils, in average attendance in the high school department was, during 1880. thirty-two, all of whom are on the free list, or residents of the town. In the city, during last year, there was an attendance of 542 children between the ages of four and fifteen years, who find ample accommodation in the various departments, which are provided with three

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

male and female teachers. There are also three private schools in the city that are attended by six female teachers. The school buildings now in use are creditable to the charac- ter and intelligence of the people, being commodious and neatly furnished, as well as being well heated and ventilated, no means having been spared to make them all that can be desired.

EARLY TELEGRAPHIIC COMMUNICATION.

Up to 1849, the only means of communication with the outside world afforded to the citizens of Mineral Point, was through the mails or by special messengers. In view of the nature of commercial life and transactions, this condition of things often subjected the business men here to a great inconvenience and ofttimes absolute losses, which could have been avoided by quick communication with the large trade centers. Thus it will be readily surmised, that when a prop- osition was made to erect a telegraph line, by the operatives of the old Hotchkiss Telegraph Company, the people were not only interested, but a liberal pecuniary support was extended by the representative business men of the place.

During the summer of 1849, the company being satisfied with the encouragement given, began the work of erecting the line, and by the 1st of December of that year had it completed ready for transmitting messages. The office was situated in the old Miller building on Lot 40. The Tribune was then located in that building, and its editor, G. W. Bliss, was appointed tele- graphic operator. The line which extended to Dodgeville was in operation several days before the main line was open.

At 9 o'clock P. M., December 1, the circuit was opened, and the signal I. I., O. K. & D. I .. was received at Mineral Point. The first message transmitted was one complimentary to the Madison editors from G. W. Bliss, of the Tribune, to which H. A. Tenney, of the Argus, an- swered with exchange of greetings. The company failed, and the line was abandoned after about four years, and thus ended the first telegraphic enterprise with the exception of the Dodgeville end, which is still in operation.

The old company was known as the "Hotchkiss Line, Milwaukee, Galena & Chicago Telegraph." The proprietors were Messrs. Hotchkiss & Powers. In communication with Mil- waukee, Waukesha, Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Madison, Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Shullsburg, Hazel Green, Galena, Beloit, Rockton, Rockford, Bel- videre, Racine, Southport, Waukegan, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, Boston, Washington, St. Louis, Port Washington, Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Fond du Lac.

From this time until 1868, although the railroad had been in operation for over ten years. there was no outside telegraph connection. Perhaps the town would have remained without it much longer, had not the Mississippi Valley Company sent their special agent here, J. W. Crouse, to confer with the inhabitants about establishing a line. The matter was at once taken in hand by the business men, and such substantial encouragement was extended by them that within a few hours after Mr. Crouse's arrival, the establishment of another telegraph was an assured thing. A subscription paper was circulated by Williamn T. Henry, and in one forenoon thirty-three subscribers were secured who took fifty-five shares, at $50 per share. They were as follows : William T. Henry, James Spensely, John Strachan, William Langon, Brewer and Penhallegon, A. B. Ferris, D. M. Platt, A. K. Johnson, John Spensely, Gumbert and Hughes, J. Graber, P. Lanahan, R. 1). Pulford, J. Gundry, P. Allen & Co., J. M. Hadfield, T. J. Clancey & Co., G. W. Cobb, Langan, Kinsman & Co., Josiah Langon, Gillman Brothers, Samuel Code, E. J. Cooper, A. Wilson, Powell & Lawrence, Amasa Cobb, J. J. Ross, John James, James Hutchison, J. Speilman, Argall & Walker, David Jacka and Gundry & Gray. The line was duly constructed according to agreement, but had only gotten fairly under opera- tion, when it passed into the hands of and was continued by another company. The stock- holders lost all they had invested, and would have lost more, as the original price of the shares was $100, had not Mr. Henry inserted a written proviso that they were to be but $50 each. The line is at present being operated by the Western Union Company. Thus, after a consider- able pecuniary loss upon the part of the people, a permanent line was secured.

CHAPTER XV.

MINERAL POINT AS A CITY.

FIRST CHARTER-SECOND CHARTER-THIRD CHARTER-STATISTICS AND NOTES, 1860 TO 1863-WAR OCCURRENCES-OLD SETTLERS' RE-UNION CELEBRATION-VARIOUS ITEMS-OLD SETTLERS STILL LIVING-WILLIAM T. HENRY'S GEOLOGICAL COLLECTION-ZINC WORKS-POST OFFICE- MANUFACTURING AND BANKS-AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-SECULAR SOCIETIES-RELIGIONS- CEMETERIES-OFFICIAL ROSTER-BUSINESS SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION-CITY DIRECTORY.

FIRST CHARTER.

In a majority of instances, the union of a village with a town, after a few years becomes burdensome to the former, inasmuch as certain restrictions are usually imposed, and have to be tolerated, that tend to retard the growth of a place that lias an ambitious or enterprising class of people. To this common feeling the village of Mineral Point was no exception when the pop- ulation had increased sufficiently to produce a marked change.

Early in 1856, the subject of altering the charter began to be generally agitated, and accordingly a meeting of the citizens of Mineral Point was convened, on the 26th of July, 1856, at the court house, for the purpose of considering the propriety of revising the village charter, or drafting a city charter. Parley Eaton was elected Chairman, and L. W. Whittlesy, Secre- tary. Judge Crawford and Messrs. Clary, Allen, VanDusen, Boyden, Messmore, Wilbur and Bracken addressed the people, recommending them to secure a city charter ; thiis being the best method by which they could effect a thorough change and remedy the defects of the village char- ter, which in its provisions had been proven entirely inadequate to the needs and growth of the place. The streets needed extensive improvements, the license measures were not sufficiently stringent. and the provisions for the punishment of misdemeanors were totally insufficient ; in fact, they were almost useless ; the village being virtually only a portion of the town of Mineral Point. Therefore, on motion of Judge Crawford, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Crawford, Clary, Messmore, Allen and Squires, was appointed by the chair, to draft a city charter, to be sub- mitted at an adjourned meeting.

In due course of time the city charter was drafted and submitted to a popular vote as pre- viously indicated, and was accepted, and by an act of the Legislature, approved March 2, 1857, entitled, " An act to incorporate the city of Mineral Point," the bill became a law.

This charter materially enlarged the boundaries of the place, the following amount of ter- ritory being added to that embraced by the village limits, viz .: The northeast quarter of Sec- tion 1, Town 4 north, of Range 2 east, and the east half of Section 36, of Town 5 north, in Range 2 east.

The city was divided into two wards. The land lying on the west side of Chestnut street, and that lying west of the west line of Bracken & Irving's Addition, constituted the First Ward, and that which lay on the east side of Chestnut street constituted the Second Ward.

The corporate authority of the city was vested in a Mayor and Board of Aldermen con- sisting of six members, three from each ward, who, with the Mayor, were denominated the Common Council.

The officers elected at large by ballot were the Mayor, a School Superintendent, a Treas- urer, a Police Justice and Marshal ; while three Aldermen, a Justice of the Peace, a Constable and Assessor were to be elected in each ward. The remaining officers required to transact the public business, as a Clerk, City Attorney and Street Commissioner, were to be appointed by

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

the Common Council. The elections were to be held in the wards on the first Monday of May of each year. A vacancy in the Common Council was to be filled by a special election, other vacancies to be filled by appointment.

Oaths and bonds for the faithful discharge of duty were exacted from the officers, as in former cases, and their duties designated. The fiscal, prudential and municipal affairs of the city, being vested in the Common Council, were subject to such changes as might be deemed expedient by the institution of various ordinances. However. the various articles of the chap- ter providing for schools, for the administration of justice and the maintenance of good order, for the prevention of fires, for the collecting of taxes, for improving the streets, etc., etc., were deemed sufficient to meet nearly all emergencies. From provisions made we note :

A jury of twelve freeholders was to be convened in case of laying out streets to assess and agree upon the value of the property taken.

The city was to constitute a separate school district, and, among the other provisions con- nected therewith, was an unusual one allowing the district to borrow $10,000, to be employed in erecting school buildings, etc. All property belonging to the district was vested in the city. Very stringent fire limits could be established under this chapter, and a fire company organized at any time.

After a year's experience, it was discovered that there were serious defects in the charter and improvements needed, and, by an act, approved March 28, 1858, chapter of 1856 was vari- ously amended. The Police Justice was dropped, and the Mayor was empowered to perform the duties or to appoint a substitute, while an Assessor was to be elected at large, and an Alder- man each year from the two wards. Other changes, not necessary to be detailed, were effected.

By acts of the Legislature, approved March 17, 1859, and March 9, 1860, the charter was further amended in a few particulars, embodied in the subsequent acts.

In October, 1856, while the Mineral Point Railroad bond furor was yet raging among the citizens of Iowa County, the citizens of Mineral Point Village and town, in response to an ap- plication for assistance, made to the different municipalities, by the Mineral Point Railroad Company, issued $60,000 of interest-bearing bonds in favor of the company, pledging the pub- lic faith in payment. Subsequently, those bonds became an elephant on the hands of the people, and proved a very effective element of disturbance between town and city, as well as a general bone of contention between the railroad management and the public authorities. Eventually, the city and town bond indebtedness was divided, and a final settlement was effected in 1870, when $33,101, the city's portion, was to be included in the assessment of taxes, this share of the debt being collected in ten annual installments.

THE SECOND CHARTER.

In the fall and spring of 1860-61. a move was made for an improvement on the old char- ter and its amendments, which finally resulted in the remodeling and revising of the preceding acts, by a draft for a new charter, compiled by G. L. Frost.

This bill was submitted to the Legislature in due form, in the spring of 1861, and, with- out opposition, by act of March 2, became a law. The boundaries of the town were left as be- fore. The city officials remained nearly the same, only there were a few slight changes made in the time and manner of electing the officers, also in the time of holding elections. A municipal Court was created, the Mayor being styled Municipal Judge. Some minor changes were made in the granting of ordinances, allowing the people to vote on the acceptance of some of thein. With a few other exceptions. the text of the new charter corresponded with the previous enact- ments.

The last charter had not been published a year before the restless genius of the place sug- gested a change, if not an improvement, which was effected by an act approved Marchi 22, 1862, and again, by an act approved April 16, of the ensuing year, an amendment was made, particu- larly affecting the school system.

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In accordance with the demand for bounty money which arose about 1863, an act was passed February 18, 1864, authorizing the assessment of a tax on the public property, the amount to be indicated by a special election, but not to exceed $200 for each volunteer, or for the family of such person. An amendment appertaining to the foregoing was made in February of the ensuing year.

THIRD CHARTER.

After securing the last amendment to the second charter, for eight years no changes or additions were made ; the affairs of the city being managed without dissension ; yet it must not be supposed that the people were entirely satisfied. A gradually increasing demand had been made for something different, which culminated, in the spring of 1873, in the present city charter.

This chapter is a re-draft of the original schemes of government, enlarged and improved to suit the exigencies of the times, by W. T. Henry, in response to the request of the city author- ities. The general provisions are very elaborate in detail, and cover nearly every desirable point to be embodied in a city charter.

The errors existing in the preceding forms were corrected, as nearly as possible, and several valuable additions were made, the most notable being a clause exempting the lands of tax-payers from assessment for any bonded indebtedness. By the institution of this wily proviso, the out- standing railroad bond judgments were effectually held in abeyance.

For further information, the reader will consult the act approved March 22, 1873, Chap- ter 237.

The chapter was amended by an act approved February 5, 1873, pertaining to the collec- tion of taxes, relating to Sections 5, 6 and 14.

An aet approved March 2, 1875 (Chapter 128), authorizes the Commissioners of School and University lands, and trust funds, to loan a sum, not exceeding $50,000, to the City of Mineral Point, at 7 per cent interest, the same to be paid annually, with 10 per cent of the prin- cipal, by a regular assessment and collection of taxes, the same as other taxes are collected.

It is said that change is the handmaid of improvement and prosperity in local matters as well as in national development. Such being the case, it may be safely said that Mineral Point is constantly expanding, as indicated by the numerous alterations wrought during the last forty- three years in the system of government. In all probability, no place of equal pretensions or importance in the Northwest has so thoroughly run the gamut of perpetual change in charters and amendments, and, doubtless, ere the lapse of many years, at the present rate of growth, another charter will be instituted.

STATISTICS AND NOTES OF 1860.

The increase in general business, if not in population, must have been very rapid after the advent of the railroad for several years, as shown by the statistics of 1860. There were, at that time, one bank, eight hotels, seventeen dry goods and grocery stores, nine boot and shoe stores, three harness and leather stores, three hardware stores, three drug stores, two jewelry stores, one book store, two furniture stores, seven blacksmith-shops and plow factories, five wagon-shops, two brass and iron foundries, two breweries, one grist-mill and three warehouses. In the imme- diate vicinity of the city were five lead smelting furnaces, one zinc furnace and a copper-mining company in active operation.

The amount of money involved in the various transactions embraced by the above firms and establishments was, in round numbers, above $1,000,000-a sum not largely excelled by that involved at the present day. The population of the place was about 3,500, all told. There were then five churches and good schools. Thus it will be seen that the place at that time was, in most respects, equal to Mineral Point of to-day, and, with regard to the work of mining, largely in advance of the present condition.

On June 23 of that year, the Good Templars started a lodge here with twelve members, probably the first one ever established in the city, but as to how long it existed or how great the influence or benefit arising therefrom, we have no knowledge.

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In November, 1860, a hook and ladder company was organized and recognized by the City Council in accordance with the charter provisions. The officers were L. S. Burnett, Engineer; M. B. McSherry and John Heron, Assistants. This company proved to be but a spasmodic effort in the right direction, for, after the organization was effected, nothing further was heard of it.

The only means of defense from fire now in the possession of the town, aside from the fire limits, are the hooks, ladders and buckets provided by the city fathers in 1866, at an expense of $235, and the four Babcock extinguishers which were purchased in 1870, at a cost of $200. The hooks and ladders lie stored in a shed back of the city hall, while the extinguishers have been extinguished or are scattered about town for convenience. Perhaps at some future time a fire of sufficient magnitude may come upon the town to arouse the inhabitants to the necessity of having suitable protection. Already enough valuable property has been consumed to have pur- chased several engines.

Of the numerous fires that have occurred here, we particularly mention but two, one of which occurred in November, 1860, and one on the 12th of March, 1862, both of them having been terrible conflagrations, and having destroyed a large amount of property. The fire of 1860 consumed some eight buildings before it could be extinguished, involving a loss of $8,400 above insurance. The fire of 1862 was nearly as bad, causing a loss of about $7,000. Thus, at either of those fires, an actual loss was sustained of nearly enough to have purchased a first- class fire engine, and to have built an engine house and tanks, with other necessary expenses. The fire that destroyed the old Franklin House, which occurred on Sunday, November 26, 1854, was also a very destructive conflagration and did a considerable damage, and therefore may be properly mentioned in this connection.

Not until 1860 had such a thing as a fully grown Christmas tree been seen here. But that year Mr. Prideaux determined, when the great fete day of Christendom came, he would attempt an innovation upon the ordinary customs of the place. Accordingly, a large-sized tree was prepared, and, when Christmas Eve arrived, it was illuminated as gorgeously as possible, and decorated in a very attractive manner, with such trinkets and bric-a-brac as could be obtained. Then the windows of the room on High street, where it was placed, were thrown open, to wit- ness the effect on the passers-by. The result was what might have been anticipated. Within fifteen minutes, a large crowd had gathered to see the show, and, for the next hour or so, the street was thronged with sight-seers.

WAR OCCURRENCES.

The year 1860, in the annals of this locality, stands peculiarly noted on account of the political excitement and stirring times which preceded the war. Four clubs were organized, known, respectively, as the Wide Awakes, the Douglas Club, the Breckinridge and Lane Club, and the Young Hickories. The contest was a strong one, but in the event at the Presidential election, the Republicans won not only, but for the first time in the history of the place, that party had obtained, at the annual election, a controlling voice in the City Council, a position which has since been maintained in nearly all political relations.

In February, 1860, the first shipment was made to the South-eighteen carloads of oats sent to New Orleans, while the war was raging at its highest. The trains on the Mineral Point Railroad were so generally employed by the Federal Government that the produce of the coun- try which came to this market could not all be shipped, and, as the crops were plentiful and prices high, farmers brought in their grain and sold, until nearly every available building was stored full. In fact, almost before the dealers were aware of it, the place was literally full to overflowing, a condition that maintained for a long time, and yet at that time we hear that the people were crying "Hard times !"

It is one of the natural inconsistencies of human nature to be forever finding fault with their pecuniary condition (if they have anything). But no greater fact stands out in connection with the years of the war in this section than this, that the city enjoyed a period of unusual pros- perity, a prosperity which largely benefited the greater part of the merchants, manufacturers,

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mechanics and laborers, and such as will not be experienced soon again, here or elsewhere. Yet, as it was bought at such a terrible price, it is no matter for congratulation, or to be desired again.

To Arms ! 1861 .- In 1861, the ominous cry of "To arms! to arms !" was wafted over the land, and came, with its forbidding elangor, to arouse the energies and activities of the eiti- zens of Mineral Point. Although there were many here, as elsewhere, who shrank with dread from the or leal of war, and, discouraged, by word and deed, the efforts of brave and true men, and spared no opportunity to heap derision upon the cause of the North and the patriotic dem- onstrations of their associates-yet a majority of the people were up and doing betimes, and to the honor of Mineral Point it can be said that one of the first companies to offer its services was enrolled here. For the next five years. the episodes and occurrences of greatest interest were connected with the great struggle; and how could it be otherwise? At the front were the flower of the land, bearing with them the hopes and aspirations of a nation, as well as the love and de- votion of home and friends. Many would never return, and no one knew whose turn it would be next to lose a father, brother, husband, son or lover. Oh, the bitterness of those days ! but, thanks to the all-wise Arbiter of the destinies of nations, although the sacrifices made on every hand were great beyond all computation, yet the cause of justice and freedom triumphed. The country was cleansed from the degradation of slavery, and a brighter, happier day was ushered in, for four million souls, than they had ever known, or could ever hope to know, while they were enthralled. The names of the men and women of Mineral Point, during those dark and trying times, who, by word and deed, were ever ready to sustain the exigeneics of each campaign, either at home or in the field, can only grow brighter, each year, in the galaxy of noble souls who fought, died. and unselfishly sacrificed, to preserve and to perpetuate the Union.

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 958

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 958