USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 30
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May 28th, the Courier announces that "The contractors have gone to work in earnest on the Winnebago Railroad between this city and and Ripon."
FOX RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
June II, 1856. "The work on the Lower Fox between this city and Green Bay has been so far completed that two boats, the Ajax and Pioneer, have passed successfully through the locks and canal from below Appleton. The steamer Aquila has for some weeks made regular trips between this city and Appleton, passing through the lock and channel at Nee- nah, so that our water communication with Green Bay is now open. It is hardly possible to over estimate the importance to Oshkosh of the completion and successful operation of this great enterprise."
October 31, 1856. "At a meeting held October 23, at Mark's Hall, for the purpose of the organization of an Engine Company, Mr. O. Cook, was called to the chair, and after a few remarks the company was enrolled as the Pioneer No. I, of the City of Oshkosh, Foreman, Wm. Wall; Assistant Foreman, Rob- ert Howell."
November 25, 1856. "No Eastern mail since night before last, and we are compelled to go . to press without late news of any kind. It has rained every day for four days, and the roads between here and Fond du Lac are impassible."
January 6, 1857. "Milwaukee market report: Flour, $5.50@$6.00, Wheat, winter, .95@ $1.00, spring, .88, Pork, $6.00.“
February 4, 1857. "Niagara Company, No. I, paraded yesterday for the first time, with their new engine, escorted by the Osh- kosh City Band. The appearance of the Com- pany was highly creditable to the public spir- ited young men of which it was composed.
* *
* The Company has been fortunate in the selection of its officers; Wm. Wall, Fore- man; Robert Howell, Assistant." * * *
February 4, 1857. "We understand that an arangement has been concluded between the Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company, and the proprietors of the land on the south side of the river, opposite the foot of Broad street, in the Third Ward, by which the Com-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1857.
pany are to have the right of way, and the free use and occupancy of about twenty-eight aeres for depot grounds, and other purposes con- nected with the business of the Company. The Company stipulate to establish and maintain both passenger and freight depots upon the land so eeded, and that they are not to estab- lish any other depots, either for freight or pas- sengers, in any other part of the city.
The work on the line of the road between this city and Fond du Lac is progressing finely; about one-third of the entire distance is already graded, and if the balance of the sea- son should be ordinarily favorable for opera- tions of this nature, the whole route will be ready for the iron by the first of June."
February 9, 1857. "The Common Council of the City of Oshkosh have received the nec- essary securities and will immediately issue the city bonds to the Ripon & Oshkosh Rail- road.
February 11, 1857. *
* * "Real estate is advancing steadily in value and will con- tinue to advance with the increase of popula- tion and business.
Among the buildings and other improve- ments contemplated, are the new church edi- fices, to cost from $6,000 to $10,000 each, a new court house, a railroad bridge across the Fox River, a new bridge at the foot of Ferry street, and another at the foot of Jackson street. " * * *
February 26, 1857. "Germania Fire Cons- pany, No. I. This Company paraded this afternoon, for the first time, with their new engine This Company is composed of about forty active young men, who made a fine appearance in their neat uniforms, and looked as if they were capable of doing good services in case of an emergency.
We have now two as good fire companies as any town of our size ean boast of."
May 1, 1857. "Our City. Never, since Oshkosh was first laid out, has its prospects been so encouraging as at present. Although navigation has hardly commenced yet, there are more new buildings in course of erection than ever before. Six or seven stages arrive daily, filled with passengers, most of whom remain permanently. Mechanics of all kinds are in demand at good wages, and day labor- ers can choose between two railroads and street grading, as all these works are going on.
The Fond du Lac Railroad is graded to within four miles of our city, and the remain- der will be done early, while the iron for the road is already on its way from New York. The
work will undoubtedly be finished by the first of September.
The Winnebago Railroad Company are making arrangements to finish their road as far as Ripon by the first of December, and to Portage City during the next season. The people along the line from here to Portage City are anxious to take hold of the matter with a will, as it offers them their most favora- ble route for a railroad. When this road is finished, it cannot fail to be of great help to our city in a commercial point of view, as it passes through the most productive portion of our State, which will take this route for an outlet, making this a place for transhipment. The offices of the road are to be located at this place, and with the business of building and repairing would build up quite a town of itself. Already there are two lumber yards at Portage City, furnished with Wolf River lumber, and in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, &c., on the completion of this road, a largelumber market will be opened up; not only at Portage but the whole line of the road will have to be supplied.
Our steamboats are all prepared to do a large business, and they will all be needed. There are eight steamboats owned at this place, all of which run from or to this point each day, besides one or two more owned at different places. During the boating season our doeks present quite a city like appearance on the arrival and departure of boats. Emi- grants from all parts of the world center here on their way either to the north, via Lake and Lower Fox River; north-west, via Wolf River; or west, via Fox River.
Our lumbering business is immense and increasing each year; acres and acres of logs are coming down Wolf River, and are either used up at our mills or are disposed of for the mills below us. The amount of lumber manu- factured and the capital employed in this city alone, would astonish even our own citizens. There are eighteen saw mills, running near one hundred saws altogether, besides shingle, lath and sash machines; two grist mills kept constantly going with custom work; two heavy foundry and machine shops; two large shops for the manufacture of agricultural imple- ments, besides a host of other manufacturing mechanical establishments. Our population has increased from four thousand one hundred and eighty-four, on the first day of June, 1855, to over eight thous- and at the present time, as ascer- tained by Messrs. Kohlmann & Brother, who heve been engaged in taking the census pre- paratory to getting out a city directory. Take
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1856-59.]
it all in all, Oshkosh is far ahead of any of its rivals, and is bound to take its position as the second city in Wisconsin."
CHAPTER XLIII.
Fires - Bonds Issued to St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad - Oshkosh in '56 - Great Fire of 1859 - Northwestern Rail- road Built - Railroad Accident - Items from The North- western - War Times -Oshkosh Volunteers - The Draft and Filling the Quota - The Close of the War - Good Times - Progresss in Improvements - The Fire of 1856 - Nicholson Pavement - High School Building and other Structures Erected - Improvement of the Streets.
N February 6, 1856, the planing mill of Phelps, Carlton & Co., and the saw mill of Joseph Porter was destroyed by fire. At the charter election April 6, 1856, Thomas A. Follett was elected Mayor; J. R. Forbes, City Clerk; D. C. Hicks, Treasurer; John La Dow, Marshal, and Edwin Wheeler, Superintendent
The corner stone of the Episcopal Church was laid June 30, 1856.
Another fire occurred July 1, 1856, destroy- ing the foundry of Williams & Stearns, and several other buildings. The loss was esti- mated at $12,000, and was severely felt at that time.
The Common Council, on the sixth of Aug- ust. 1856, authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to issue the bonds of the city to the amount of $150,000, and to deliver them to the Chi- cago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad Com- pany, on the condition that said Company pledge to the City of Oshkosh $200,000 of its first mortgage bonds as security for the faithful performance of the conditions on which such bonds were issued, and conditioned that the said Company shall expend the proceeds aris- ing from the sale of such bonds, in construct- ing the road from Fond du Lac to Oshkosh; that they shall pay the interest on said bonds as the same may become due, until the road is completed to Oshkosh, and shall make cash dividends to the city sufficient to pay the inter- est on said bonds, if the earnings of the road be sufficient to enable it to do so; and that the Company shall deliver to the city certificates of full paid stock of said Company to the amount $150,000; and provided, that the Mayor and Clerk shall not be authorized under the reso- lution authorizing the issue of said bonds, to deliver any of the same to said Company, until all the conditions above are fully complied with.
Oshkosh, in the year 1856, was making rapid progress; real estate was rapidly increasing in value, and improvements were visible on every hand. The future was promising, and every- body hopeful. It was a busy little city and made a good deal of noise and bustle even in that day.
The market report in the Courier of April, 1858, was as follows:
"Flour, $3@$3.25; wheat, 45c@52c; oats, 18c to 20c; potatoes, 18c to 20c; beans, 50c to 75c; butter, 16c to 20c; sugar, IIC; Rio coffee, I2c to 15c.
In 1859 S. M. Hay was elected Mayor, Geo. Burnside, Clerk and J. H. Osborn, Superin- tendent of Schools.
THE GREAT FIRE OF 1859.
On the night of May 10, 1859, the startling fire alarm aroused the citizens of Oshkosh. An unoccupied barn in the rear of the Oshkosh House was in flames, which soon communicated to other buildings and speedily spread until beyond all control. It was plainly seen that the city was doomed to destruction. A terri- fying scene now ensued as the flames spread with frightful rapidity, sweeping everything before them. Every building on both sides of Ferry street, from Ceape to Washington and Algoma Streets, were destroyed. This was almost the entire business portion of the city, which was in a few hours converted into a field of smoking ruins.
The courage of the strongest wavered under the disheartening effect of such wide-spread destruction, and for a moment the hope of the whole community was paralyzed at the inevit- able ruin which stared them in the face, as only a small part of the loss was covered by insurance. But the courage and energy of the people proved equal to the emergency. They were not a people to sit mourning in hopeless imbecility; and so, with praiseworthy effort, they set themselves resolutely to work to rebuild the city, and in twenty-four hours after the flames had subsided, the work of restoration had commenced. So rapid was the progress that in six months nearly the entire burnt dis- trict was rebuilt with a better class of buildings, and Oshkosh resumed her place in the business world. Such recuperative force, even in the West, excited general surprise, and established the fact of the great strength of her resources and expansive power, which the most disast- rous circumstances could not repress.
THE CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILROAD BUILT TO OSHKOSH.
The next great event was the completion to this point of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 19
146
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1859-61.
road. The first through passenger train arrived on October 13, 1859.
RAILROAD ACCIDENT.
Shortly afrer the completion of the road, an excursion party comprised principally of per- sons from towns on the line of the road, started on a trip to Chicago. There were four cars from this place filled with residents of this city and vicinity, the excursionists little anticipat- ing the tragical termination of their pleasure trip.
The train while going at full speed near Watertown ran over an ox that attempted to cross the track, when a number of cars were thrown from the rails and wrecked. A large number of persons were killed and wounded. Five from this place were among the number killed, and several more of our citizens were wounded. This heart-rending disaster plunged our entire community in the deepest grief; and following so soon atter the fire that destroyed the city, seemed to fill the chapter of calami- ties. Among the killed were some of the most highly esteemed members of this community - E. R. Baldwin, Charles Petersilea and John Lunt.
Their funerals were attended by an immense concourse of people.
In one year from the time of the fire, the burnt district was entirely rebuilt, and all traces of the fire had disappeared.
In the spring of 1860, the new court house was completed, and, at the time, was said to be the finest in the State.
In May, 1861, a fire occurred on the South Side, which burnt every building on the south side of Kansas Street, from the Seymour House to the river.
In 1861, the Northwestern Railroad bridge was built.
MARKET PRICES.
February 5, 1861. Wheat, club, 68 to 7oc; No. 2, 64 to 65€; rejected 45 to 52c; corn 20 to 25€; oats 17 to 20c; potatoes 18c.
Retail market: Flour $3.75 to 4.00; salt pork 10€; hams IIe; butter 16c; beef, dressed, $3.25 to 3.50; pork $4.00 to 5.50.
WAR-TIMES.
The breaking out of civil war now plunged the country into excitement. War meetings were held, and military companies formed and daily drilled. As the war progressed, it largely decreased the population; real estate shrank in value, and, at first. times were dull. Soon prices of all commodities began to advance, business improved, and the day
wages of working men rose to two to three dollars.
ITEMS FROM THE NORTHWESTERN.
April 13, 1861. "Yesterday saw the com- mencement of Civil War in this republic."
The surrender of Fort Sumter is announced, and the President's Proclamation, calling out 75,000 of the militia, to suppress sedition, and execute the laws.
April 17, a war meeting is called in Osh- kosh; the call signed by John Fitzgerald, S. M. Hay, Edward Eastman, Joseph Jackson, William R. Kennedy.
The Northwestern says: " We are informed that preliminary measures have been taken for a grand demonstration at Washington Hall to-morrow night. Let the hall be crowded to its utmost capacity, and make its walls echo with our renewed pledges of devotion to the Union. The country is stirred to its profound- est depths."
April 19, 1861. "Last evening saw the greatest and most enthusiastic gathering which ever assembled in Oshkosh. John Fitzgerald was called to the chair, and resolutions were reported by Chas. E. Pike, George Gary and others, which were adopted with great applause."
The war spirit was now fully aroused and the subject monopolized publie attention.
April 22, 1861. "The meeting of Fire Com- pany No. I at Washington Hall Saturday was a rouser. Large numbers were unable to gain admission. Short, stirring specches were made. The Company volunteered their ser- vices to the Governor and then enrolled their names. The list is headed by Gabe Bouck, Ex-Attorney General, and John Hancock, Circuit Court Commissioner."
"The Oshkosh volunteers were accepted for the Second Regiment, and received orders to be in readiness for marching to place of ren- dezvous at any moment."
"The drill in the city grove by Captain Bouck's Company is going on every day, and the success of the officers is very great. A finer set of men than the Oshkosh volunteers can rarely be seen anywhere, and we don't believe a better company will go from Wis- consin during the war."
DEPARTURE OF THE OSHKOSH VOLUNTEERS.
" The events of to-day have marked an era in the history of Oshkosh. Soldiers, enlisted from among our best citizens, have left their homes to take upon themselves the hardships of a campaign. Men of high character and position in society have gone to vindicate the honor of the National Flag, and to fight for the maintenance of the National Government. They have gone under no compulsion but that of duty. Their depart-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1861.]
ure, at any time, would be an occasion for remark; but, at such a time as this, and going upon such an errand as they do, the great heart of the whole community was deeply moved, and the multitude filled the public square and streets, and pressed the railroad station to give them a sincere God-speed and Fare- well.
The place of rendezvous, this morning, was the City Grove. At an early hour the people began to come together there, and at nine o'clock there were several thousand gathered to witness the ceremony of presenting the Flag which had been prepared by the ladies of this city for the volunteers under command of Captain Bouck. About nine, the German Rifles, Captain Scherff, made their appearance; and though few in numbers, showed their usual military excellence in their appearance and maneuv- res. Soon after, the Scott Volunteers came upon the grounds with full ranks, followed immediately by the Fire Companies No. I and 2, and by the Hook and Ladder Company. All these did escort duty for the day.
As soon as the Oshkosh Volunteers were formed in line, the united German and American brass band played " Hail Colum- bia, " followed by the "Red, White and Blue, " sung by a sel- ect choir under the lead of Mr. Chandler, assisted by a part of Weidner's Orchestra.
A committee of ladies was then introduced, bearing a beau- tiful banner made of silk and surmounted by an eagle.
Miss Carrie Weed here came forward and spoke as follows :
" GENTLEMEN : It is with mingled feelings of sadness and joy that we meet you to day ; sadness that our beloved country should be so rent by treason as to make our parting with friends necessary ; joy that, at the first call, so many bravely volunteer to defend what is dear to us all, our Constitution and Union.
Our hopes and prayers go with you ; and may you be incited to go forth earnestly and with dependence upon Him, who only can reward your efforts and save our country.
We now, in behalf of the ladies of this city, present to you the flag of our Union - firmly believing it will never be dis- graced by you, and fervently hoping that it may ever remain the proud emblem of an undivided, free and happy people. "
*The banner was then presented, and received with a military salute. After which Captain Bouck replied as follows :
Ladies of Oshkosh :
" On hehalf of the Oshkosh Volunteers I receive with many thanks the flag you have presented to them this day.
It is the flag under which most of us were born; the flag under which most of us have received protection from our birth; the flag to which we have all sworn allegiance; and whether born beneath its protecting folds or not, it is a flag which we shall always defend to the utmost of our ability.
And while doing all in our power to maintain the Govern- ment of which this flag is the emblem, we shall never forget that those whom we leave behind us are as generous as they are patriotic.
To those who have friends and relatives among these volun- teers, I wish to give the assurance, that I shall not only be their commander in the field, but everywhere, and at all times, especially in time of sickness and casuality, I shall be their personal friend. "
The "Star Spangled Banner" was then sung by Mr. Chand- ler, all the people present joining in the chorus, and also in singing the last verse of that admirable song.
The proceedings were occasionally interrupted by demon- strations of applause, but the prevailing sentiment was too apparent to permit anything like levity ; and the countenances
of friends and relatives gave unmistakable evidence of the depth of their emotion."
OSHKOSH VOLUNTEERS.
The following isa correct list of the names of the officers and men of 'Oshkosh Volunteers,' Company E, of the Second Regiment of Wis- consin Militia:
Captain-GAB. BOUCK.
Ist Lieutenant-John Hancock.
2d
-H. B. Jackson.
Ist Sargeant-L. H. Smith
2d = -James N. Ruby.
3d -Joseph W. Roberts.
4th
= -John J. Sprague.
5th -John B. Thompson.
1st Corporal-A. M. Thombs.
2d -M. R. Baldwin.
3d
.. -W. S. Rouse.
4th -J. W'sit.
5th -Renben Ash.
6th
-I. W. Potter.
7th
-C. E. Ford.
8th -Charles Graves.
Leader of Regimental Brass Band-H. S. Chandler.
Drummers-Ed. Finney and Hirsm Ming.
Fifer-Wm. Taylor.
PRIVATES.
Geo. Abrams,
Thos. Hudson,
Henry Adams,
C. M. Hngenon,
John Berch
H. J. Jacory,
David T. Buswell,
S. Karbsch,
E. L. Billings, Wm. Kellock,
James Bartlett,
Jonss Lesch.
John Banderof,
Richard Lester,
John Barton, J. Lull,
Wm. Boyd,
A. P. H. Martin,
W'm. Brene,
L. L. McIntosh,
Wm. Bryant,
H. McDaniels,
Wellington Bridge,
Pat. McDennouth,
Alvin Bughee,
J. F. Miles,
John Callshan,
J. L. Miller,
Gilet Carpenter,
Pst Merty,
John ('sry,
Charles Montgomery,
George Cowardine,
Edward Moscript,
Gilman ( lendenin,
George Nutter,
Augustus Clark,
Isaac Ostman,
Edwin Cooper,
Ole Oleson,
Nicholas Coslow,
S. Osterday,
Oscar. F. Crary,
L. J. Perry,
James Daugherty,
E. P. Perry,
John B. Davids,
S. D. Pitcher,
William G. Davis,
R. J. Richard,
Louis Defoe,
Henry Scovial,
Willism Dillon,
Louis Schintz,
E. T. Ellsworth,
John Sexton,
George E. Smitlı,
James Spencer,
Lotridge Firmin,
P. Simson,
Vincent Flanegan,
Horsce Stroud,
Matthew Ghenson,
S. Stever,
Charles Graves,
Robert Stever,
Steve Graham,
O. D. Tsplin,
B. B. Hart,
S. A. Turner,
M. Hay,
James Vanscork,
S. F. Hackett,
Chester Hngunin,
L. C. Wood,
J. H. Hamlin,
Benjamin Whitney,
S. M. Hays,
N. H. Whittemore,
Henry Heth,
Abraham White,
John Holland,
E. B. Wing,
Charles Howe,
F. A. Zahn.
William Holland.
GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.
"June 5, 1861. At this date the bills of
D. J. Ellenwood,
Luke English,
H. C. Weed,
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1861-65.
many of the Wisconsin banks were quoted at fifty and sixty cents on the dollar."
"John Fitzgerald, Mayor, issues a proclama- tion iu regard to the number of incendiary fires, and calls attention to the burglars infest- ing the city."
"Scott's Volunteers were sworn into the ser - vice on the sixth, instant, the members taking the oath kneeling.'
OSHKOSH AND GREEN BAY BOATS.
June 11, 1861. "The Fountain City, of this line, left on her first trip on Saturday, the 8th instant, having on board 104 tons of flour and wheat. Captain J. Lapham is in command, and we have no doubt that this boat will soon become a great favorite with the community."
"The Fannie Fisk alternates with the Fount- ain City every other day, in making trips between this city and Green Bay, affording an opportunity to passengers to ride easily from the terminus of the Chicago & N. W. R. R. to Green Bay, which no one will attempt to do the second time over the wagon road between those points.
July 23 to 27. "The greatest excitement and anxiety prevails in regard to the news of the battle of Bull Run. A letter received at this date gives a list of the killed, wounded and missing from this place. The fears of some are confirmed, and those of others par- tially relieved.“
August 14, 1862. "Two more military com- panies are now forming in this city. These two companies make seven that have been organ- in Oshkosh for the war, up to this date. "We have paid our war tax (of this sort) in advance all along."
"Our city committee collected and paid out to volunteers, as bounty money, $6,600 in two days last week."
"The Twenty-first Regiment at Oshkosh was the first regiment reported as full under the new call for volunteers."
"At a mecting it was voted to recommend to the merchants to close their stores at two o'clock, and devote their time to raising recruits."
Febrary 5, 1863: The unexpected death of the Hon. John Fitzgerald, long a prominent citizen of Oshkosh, occasioned universal grief in this community. His remains were brought here from New York, and the funeral services were conducted by the Masonic societies, with a large representation from abroad.
February 19th: A fire occurred which destroyed seven stores on lower Main Street.
January 22, 1863: Prices advancing, the market reports are: Wheat, Club, extra, 1.00
.
to 1.08; No. 1, 1.00 to 1.05; No. 2, 1.00 to 1.04; Retail Flour, 5.25 to 5.50; Butter 16 to 18; Potatoes, 30 to 40; oats, 40 to 45, corn, 44.
May, 1864. Wheat, 1.15; corn, .85; oats, ,58; potatocs, .80; pork 25.00 per bbl .; flour, 6.00; butter, .20@.25; lumber, clear, 25.00; lumber, common, 10.00.
August 1866. Wheat, 1.70@1.71; corn, 1.35; oats, .90; pork, per bbl , 40.00; flour, 9.00; butter, .30@.35, lumber, clear, .35.00; lumber, common, 12.00.
BANKS.
In 1852, the firm of Darling, Wright & Kellogg, opened the banking business in one side of Scott's jewelry store. In 1856, the firm was changed into that of Kellogg, Fitzgerald & Co., with a capital of $30,000, and in the following year organized under the general banking law of the State. In 1863, this bank reorganized as the First National Bank of Oshkosh, with a capital of $50,000. In 1865, Mr. Samuel Hay became President and has held the position to the present time. In 1872, the capital of the bank was increased to $100,000. The average amount held on deposit is $500,000. The First National Bank building is one of the finest structures in the city; (see view of same in this work.) It was erected after the great fire in 1875, and with the site cost $40,000. President S. M. Hay; Vice-President, P. Sawyer; Cashier, Chas. Schriber; Directors, P. Sawyer, S. M. Hay, Robert McMillen, Sumner Bartlet, J. H. Porter, R. B. Kellogg.
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