USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 10
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BAD MONEY.
Some one made a bitter complaint in the Sentinel of January 6th, about the utter worthlessness of the currency then in circulation, and he was right, as with the exception of Mr. Mitchell's bank, the money was of little value ; and as for the city orders, in all the wards except the fourth, they were at a discount of from 10 to 20 per cent., and store pay at that.
BADGER FESTIVAL.
There was a festival held at Barr's Hotel, the present Ricketson House, southeast corner of Ferry and South Water streets, January 8th, at which the boys let themselves out in toasts and songs, some of which were silly enough to stop a clock. One, however, from Horatio N. Wells, had the right ring :
" Temperance is a gem, more valuable than agate, pearl or dia- mond. May it continue to be appreciated until all Columbia's sons shall become Sons of Temperance."
Alas, for poor Wells! For notwithstanding his zeal in the cause, at this time, he died from intemperance at last.
down in 1870. I think this mill has probably made more money on the capital invested than has any of its successors, or than any of them ever will in the same length of time.
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WANTED A VENIRE.
Among the humorous anecdotes related of Judge Wells was the following :
John L. Doran once applied for a change of venue for a client of his who was up for some violation of the law. "On what grounds?" asked Wells. "On the ground of prejudice on the part of the court." " Is your client present?" asked Wells. "Yes, your honor." "Tell him to stand up." Upon which a hard looking resident of the Third Ward arose in the back part of the court room.
Wells gazed upon the gentlemen a moment and then blurted out in a sarcastic tone :
" You can have the venire, for if I wasn't prejudiced before, by God, I am now !"
MURDER.
There was an attempt made by a "skezicks " named George Chaffee, January 17, 1848, to murder his wife and then kill himself. He failed in the first, but happily made a success in his own case by shooting himself in the mouth.
The wife was the widow of Moses Donaldson, a black-eyed Irish lassie of doubtful reputation, afterwards the wife of old man Cross, of the Town of Lake, for a few days (when he bounced her), and whose subsequent career many yet living can doubtless remember. Chaffee, although more of a sybarite than a celibate, himself, was so disgusted with the way she acted, that life to him became a burden, hence the act. He was a tall, round shouldered, dark-haired, sallow-looking, whisky drinking ruffian. A ship carpenter by occu- pation, very reticent when sober, but a perfect brute when drunk. He died in jail seven days after the shooting, being unable to swal- low anything during that time.
Henry Middleton removed to Lapham's block, 377 Third Street, January 1, 1848.
Mr. Middleton was one of the early men of Milwaukee, having come here in 1844. He was at one time a butcher and kept a meat market on the east side of market square. He is a man well calcu- lated to make friends and will go as far out of his way to do one a kindness, without any hope of reward, as any one I know, and, of
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course, has not got very wealthy. He greets every one with a pleasant smile always. He has held several small offices, including that of coroner and constable, all which he has filled with a credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the community. If he has any fault it is in doing too much while in office-a fault that the politicians never overlook or condone. He is a strong Republi- can and a strong temperance man and one of the land-marks of Mil- waukee. In person he is of medium height, dark complexion, very nervous, easily excited, and very much set in his way, as the phrase goes, has a voice low in tone, speaks quick and always looks you squarely in the face when speaking. He is also very polite and social, takes the world easy and if he should live a thousand years would not get rich.
CLARK A. PLACE.
This gentleman is a native of Rochester, N. H., where he was born in 1817. Came to Milwaukee from Lowell, Mass., in the fall of 1846.
Mr. Place, who is a born accountant, was not long in finding an opening in which to exercise his talent, as that old pioneer Alanson Sweet at once placed him in charge of his office, which he managed for seven years. Then ten more with the late Chas. H. Wheeler in same warehouse, (the old Sweet elevator). Then seven with the late J. B. Smith, in the old planing mill on West Water Street. And for the last eighteen years has filled the responsible position of pay-mas- ter for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, during which the amount of money he has handled would probably foot up $50,- 000,000. This is a wonderful record, and shows Mr. Place to pos- sess a most extraordinary gift as an accountant.
In person Mr. Place is of the average height, stoutly built and very muscular. Few men within the writer's acquaintance, of his weight, are more so. He is very nervous and very quick motioned. Has a large round face, a clear expressive eye, a pleasant counte- nance and a pleasing address. His bump of caution is very large, no " bunko-steerer " would ever get a " snide " watch on to him. He sees everything going on by intuition (apparently) as when on the street he walks very rapidly with his eyes cast upon the ground as
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though in a study about something, which he is, the vast mental labor incident to his business, requiring his constant thought and he never allows himself to lose the run of it. He was just the man for the position, and Manager Merrill could not have made a better selection for the duties to be performed, than he did when he ap- pointed Mr. Place. He is honest and conscientious. He is now, however, approaching the autumn of life and intends to retire from the road and take it easy for the remainder of his days. And that they may be many and happy ones, is certainly the wish of all who know him. .
GUSTAV STRECKWALD.
This gentleman who for some sixteen years past has been one of our well known business men, came from the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, to Milwaukee in 1848. His first employment was as a clerk and as such was employed by the late Henry Livingston, at 222 West Water Street, for several years and who he finally suc- ceeded in business. Mr. Streckwald is a good business man and does not believe in working for nothing or selling his goods without a profit (as his former employer used to do) ; he knows how to make money and how to keep it when made. He is a first rate judge of character, an observer of all that is going on, learns all he can about others, but keeps his own affairs very close. He is a very intelli- gent man, a great reader, is well posted in all the issues of the day, and will make and retain friends where many of his compeers would fail in both. His word is like gold, it is good. Neither does he ever make a promise that he fails to keep, or a statement that is not true. He is very cautious and never takes a doubtful chance or runs into debt, always paying as he goes, and if he lives 10 years will be a very wealthy man.
THE FIRST TELEGRAPH IN MILWAUKEE.
The first message ever sent over the wires from this city was Janu- ary 17, 1848.
A tariff, says the Sentinel of January 16th, has already been ar- ranged and twenty-five cents is charged for a communication of ten words, and ten cents for each additional ten words. For the name of the person sending the message no charge is made. Mr. Have-
13
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land the operator at this end of the line, and Mr. Cook at the other end, are both excellent operators as well as accommodating to all re- quiring their services, We were in the office Friday the 16th, when the following messages, the first sent over the wires were received and sent. And as the parties are all well known in both cities, we will take the liberty of publishing them :
CHICAGO, 3 P. M.
To A. SWEET .- Some of my friends are desirous of changing their residence from Chicago to the Queen City of the West, and before changing they wish to know whether you have made any provisions in your new constitution to reduce the rate of taxes at Milwaukee.
A. GARRETT, Mayor.
The reply :
To A. GARRETT .- Our constitution will contain liberal provisions for the bene- fit of rats desirous of leaving a falling house and the taxes will be graduated ac- cording to the necessities of the case by a well organized sliding scale.
A. SWEET.
Pretty good for you Sweet, but you always was ready for a joke.
To GEORGE H. WALKER, EsQ .- We are desirous of giving early information in the spring that the swamp lands have all been filled up in our city. Will you please have the goodness to tell the emigrants and foreigners on the arrival of the first boats that we have no more chills and fever.
GEO. W. DOLE.
The reply :
To G. W. DOLE, EsQ .- By lightning I greet you. Glad to hear of your city's progress. Ours is in a like prosperous condition. Some swamp holes left yet, which another year's emigration will fill. Walker's Point is rapidly improving, and your humble servant feels nicely.
Yours &c ..
GEORGE H. WALKER.
This reply was good but not as good as Sweet's.
GREEN AND BUTTON, DRUGGISTS.
Among those who came in 1848, and have been in business con- tinuously from that time to the present, were Thomas A. Green and Henry H. Button, the founders of the house of Green & Button ; Mr. Green coming here from Providence R. I., and Mr. Button from Wallingford, Vermont. Their first place of business was in what is now No. 405 (then 207) East Water street, as the successors of
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Henry Fess, Jr .* Here they remained until 1854, when having got well started, they concluded to enlarge their business, and for that purpose purchased the stock of Abraham F. Clark, (he retiring from business,) and moved into the store, then occupied by him; at what is now 367 East Water street. Here they remained six years, their business increasing steadily all the time, when want of more room compelled them to again change their quarters, which they did by removing in 1860 to the brick store that Daniel Wells, Jr., had erected a few years previous for Messrs. Bonnell & Williams,t now No. 297 and 299 East Water, which store they still occupy, having been in it over twenty three-years. Up to this time the status of the firm had remained unchanged, but now a change seemed
unavoidable, as the arduous labors, both mental and physical, which these 12 years had brought, had began to tell upon both, more particularly upon Mr. Button, whose nervous temperament made him more susceptible of fatigue than Mr. Green, and a voyage to Europe accompanied by his family was decided upon as being the one thing needed to bring his exhausted system once more up to grade, and in order that this might be accomplished without any detriment to the business, a stock company was organ- ized called The Green & Button Co., consisting of Thos. A. Green, H. H. Button, Chas. H. O'Neil, O. D. Barker, and H. S. O'Neil, Jr. Thos. A. Green President, H. H. Button Vice President, Chas. H. O'Neil Secretary, which continues to be the style under which the business is conducted to the present time.
From 1848 up to 1854, the trade of this firm was mostly retail, small jobbing sales being occasionally made to country dealers. This trade continued to improve gradually until 1860, when seeing the vast field opening before them, in the great northwest, they com-
*It was the intention of Mr. Fess when he sold out to Messrs Green & Button to return to his first love (Pittsburg) and go into business again there, but not find- ing things there as in former times, he went to New York City, purchased a large stock, returned to Milwaukee and reopened again, as has been seen in his sketch in the previous chapter.
The few years he had spent in the great west had completely unfitted him for the "slow coach" movements at the east, and he was compelled to come back to Milwaukee.
¡James Bonnell and Henry Williams, mention of whom, as well as of their store, was made in volume 2, page 119. The store was built it 1851,
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menced the business of wholesaling and their success has shown the wisdom of that step, as from that hour to the present they have done a vast business, and are to-day ranked among the most wealthy, as well as successful drug establishments in the country, the result of untiring industry, perseverance and good management. Mr. Green besides his business qualifications, has de- cided literary tastes, is fond of geology and botany and the fine arts, his residence being like Mr. W. H. Metcalf's, a miniature art gallery. Mr. Green is possessed of fine social qualifications, has a mind highly cultured, and is fond of the society of educated men. He has few intimate friends, and is as regular .in his habits as the sun; is not easily excited and has the bump of cautiousness largely developed. He walks, when on the street, with a regular measured stcp, greeting those whom he meets, that he knows, with a nod, if seen, which is not always the case, as when in the street, his mind is generally oc- cupied with the solution of some scientific problem, and at such times he seldom looks up. Mr. Button has a different temperament. He walks with a quick nervous step, and when in the streets, where he is seldom seen except when going to or coming from his residence, sees all that is going on, his eye taking in every movement there or in the store, and he is never taken off his guard. He too is fond of books and of investigating the mysteries of nature's laws, but will not follow any doubtful point as far as Mr. Green. Both of these gentlemen are methodical in all their doings, consequently the daily routine of business in their store moves along smoothly, and quietly, and they understand perfectly what they are about all the time ; each partner as well as employe has his own particular duties to perform and is not expected to attend to anything else. And as to their soundness, it is sufficient to say, that like Bradley & Metcalf, they have never had any paper go to protest, or failed to pay at sight any demand against them in all these thirty five years that they have been in business, a statement that few firms can truthfully make. There is also another peculiarity not found in every establishments of this kind, for which this firm is noted, and that is the fact that they seldom change their employees, being in this respect the counterpart Messrs. Ball & Goodrich. Such is the record of the two gentlemen who stand at the head of this well known drug house. The junior
John Bentley
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partners are as yet young, and have a record to make, which I doubt not they will do, as they have all made a good start. Mr. Button is a Republican but not a politician; he is also one of the main pillars in the Unitarian church, and has contributed largely to its support. Mr. Green is also a Republican and a Unitarian, but no politician, the tricks that are vain and the ways that are dark, neces- sary to understand and practice in order to be successful in traveling that thorny path, having no charms for them, they preferring a quiet life.
JOHN BENTLEY,
This gentleman, so well known in our city, and one whom its citizens have always delighted to honor, was born at Newton, Mont- gomeryshire, North Wales, England, March 22, 1822, from where he came to the United States in 1838, and to Milwaukee in 1848. Mr. Bentley is by occupation a mason, and the first work he performed after his arrival was upon Alexander Mitchell's present residence, as a journeyman, under the late Morgan E. Shinn. He also helped brick up the old Sweet elevator, and it was while working there that the writer (who was also working there) first knew him. His ambition however, would not suffer him to remain in a subordinate position long, and in 1851 he hung out his shingle as a contractor, which occupation he has followed to the present time with remarkable success.
The following are among the public buildings he has erected : Milwaukee Female college, on Milwaukee street corner of Division, St. John's church on Hanover street corner of Pierce, Fifth ward. Olivet church (now the Cathedral) corner of Division and Marshall streets, First ward; Fifth, Eighth and Ninth ward public school build- ings, the Newhall House, (burnt January 10th, 1883.) the Opera house, north west corner of East Water and Oneida streets, Academy of Music, north west corner of Milwaukee and Michigan streets, the Racine court house, the south wing of the Northern asylum at Osh- kosh, the First National Bank at Oshkosh, the Assembly Hall at Madison, besides a large number of stores and dwellings. The new freight house of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. on Fowler street, and have now under contract a new court house at
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Fond du Lac, the extension of the capital at Madison, the Insane Asylum at Travers City Michigan, a new church, St. Cassimir in the Eleventh ward of this city, (finished last year.) During the last ten years Mr. Bentley has been aided by his son. The present firm however, is Bentleys & Nowlan .* In person' Mr. Bentley is of medium height, has a thick-set and muscular frame, a head unusually large, hair inclining to stand erect, he speaks very distinctly, in a low tone (usually), looks you squarely in the face when speaking, or when being spoken to. His face which is large, has a pleasing ex- pression, indicating great kindness of heart, neither does it belie him. He has a very strong will, and when once his mind is made up, it is not easy to change it. He is quick to see, prompt to act, has good business ability, as his success has shown, is strictly honest, never breaks his word, and his good will is something worth having. In political faith he is a Democrat, has been an active and influential member of that party for many years. He has also been much in office, was a member of the legislature from the Fifth ward in 1863, 1878, 1879 and 1880, where he made a good record, his good practical common sense causing his opinions to carry weight with his fellow members of both parties. He has also served his ward as supervisor for two years, has been school commissioner for several years, and is now, 1883, sheriff of Milwaukee county. Mr. Bentley is that kind of a Democrat that the Republicans respect, a state- ment that cannot be truthfully made as to most of that party (po- litically.) His record is good, he commenced at the foot of the lad- der and has climbed steadily up until he has reached the top, finan- cially as well as socially, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors, and that he may long enjoy them, is certainly the wish of all who know him.
GREAT MILITARY PARADE FEBRUARY 22, IN MARKET SQUARE.
There was a large turn-out by the military and fire department. The Washington Guards, Capt. George, the German Rifles, yclept the "bob tails," Capt. Miller, Lieut. Wright's recruits, (regular army,) the Horse Marines, Capt. Ed. Wiesner, comprised the military, while
*Oscar F Nowlan of Janesville, who is interested in the outside contracts, Mr. B. furnishing the capital.
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Nos. one, two and three, of the fire department brought up the rear. Lots of fun these old volunteer military and fire department used to have in the olden time.
The ladies also had a leap year ball at the Washington House, (now the Republican,) this year on the 28th, and invited all the old bachelors, and as far as I know, this was the last one held in the city. The old bachelors were too wary to be caught that way.
THEATER.
The contract for the erection of Rice's new theater, on Main street, (Broadway), at about number 389, was let February 22d to Wm. Sivyer. It was of brick, 40 x 95, and 31 feet high. It was burned January 23, 1853.
This theater was for that early day what the Opera House is to the present day, and was a very popular place of amusement for the theater going part of our population, but was, as can be seen, short lived. Mr. Rice was a very smart man, (and unless running a the- ater makes a man immoral), a very moral man, and universally re- spected. He was very fine looking; very quiet and gentlemanly. The burning of his theater, however, broke him up, and as there was no encouragement to rebuild, he returned to Chicago. I remember him well.
STEAMBOATS.
Among the side-wheelers to run between Buffalo and Chicago, in 1848, were the A. D. Patchin, Capt. H. Whittaker; Sultana. C. Appelby ; Baltic, L. H. Cotton ; St. Louis, F. Wheeler ; Empire, Capt. Randall; Oregon, Geo. Chapman ; Hendrick Hudson, J. Innes ; Globe, James Sanderson.
PROPELLERS.
Delaware, J. W. Tuttle ; Boston, James Monroe.
FIRE.
A fire broke out about half-past Io o'clock Monday night, in the cabinet shop of Messrs. Newhall & Blanchard, on West Water street, a few doors above Spring street. The flames spread with great rapidity and in a short time had complete possession of the building in which the fire originated, as well as the ad_ joining one, occupied by S. Skinner as a grocery store. The depth of the mud in
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our streets retarded the engine somewhat, but all three companies, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, were speedily on hand and by their joint efforts soon subdued the flames. Lieut. Wright with his company of United States recruits, was early on the ground and rendered efficient service. Messrs. Newhall & Blanchard lost some $1000 worth of tools and stock, on which there was no insurance. The building was owned by Mr. Bosworth and fully insured. The adjoining building, owned by Mr. Bryant, was also insured, as likewise Mr. Skinner's stock in trade. It is worthy of remark that our firemen, in anticipation of Tuesday's parade, had just put their engines in complete order, and brushed up their caps and shirts, to show off to the best advantage. The alarm of fire called them out, in this holiday trim, through streets a foot deep in mud. And after working till midnight at the fire, they returned to their engine houses, and again put everything in order for the celebration. Milwaukee has good reason to be proud of the fire department .- Milwaukee Sentinel.
The following discussion was had in the papers, growing out of Mr. Rice's offer to give Mr. Newhall the avails of one evening's en- tertainment at his theater, this being the fourth time that he had thus suffered. The following is the communication of Mr. Newhall, published in the Sentinel and Gazette of the 25th :
MESSRS EDITORS :- Will you permit me, through the columns of your paper, to communicate with the public upon the subject which to me is one of much delicacy, and in which they are much interested. It has already been announced through your paper that a benefit would be taken, at the theater, on Monday next (28th), in my behalf, to aid in restoring partially the loss by fire I have so recently sustained. It is proper for me to say that I was waited upon by a per- sonal friend who tendered to me Mr. Rice's generous offer, and who urged its acceptance. Without reflection I concluded to receive the fund. It is painful for two reasons to decline to receive the proposed benefit as I feel called upon to do after mature reflection.
First, to reject a token apparently tendered from motives of generous philan- thropy. Second, the pleadings of my own necessitous circumstances. The public will expect of me a reason for this course. It arises from conscientious scru- ples. For a long time I have discountenanced the theater as immoral and per- nicious in its tendencies upon the public mind. I cannot, therefore, seem by any possible construction to give it countenance. Will Mr. Rice, who is a perfect stranger to me, accept my thanks for his generous offer and my best wishes for his temporal and spiritual welfare.
S. C. NEWHALL.
P. S .-- I feel sorry that I have been the means of offending any by consenting to receive the proposed benefit. There are but few who know the keen feelings of adversity.
S. C. NEWHALL.
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Mr. Newhall's loss had caused the public to subscribe quite a sum of money to enable him to start again, among whom was our then fellow-citizen, the late John T. Perkins, who, upon reading the above letter, sent the following to the Sentinel :
MESSRS. WILSON & KING :- I perceive by an article in your paper of this morn- ing (28th) that Mr. S. C. Newhall, though suffering from the keen pangs of ad- versity, concientiously declines the liberal offer of Mr. Rice on account of his ( Rice) moral character. Now, lest my moral character may not stand the test of his fastidious scruples, I beg leave to withdraw my subscription. Besides, I have heard that our Heavenly Father frequently inflicts such calamities upon his dear children for their benefit, and if this is one of the cases, I think it very im- proper for us to interfere and thwart Ilis designs by assisting to restore the loss. February 28, 1848
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