USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 14
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For fees of city marshal (including deputy)
54-43
For repairing public buildings
50.68
For stationery and printing.
181.53
For office rent and salary of police justice, Cross
172.36
For making index to several vol. of deeds and mortgages in Reg office For fuel for jail, court house, &c
54.87
For illegal taxes
29.2 I
For salary of district attorney
366.66
For fees to clerk of circuit court
13.63
For part salary of clerk of the board of supervisors.
34.18
For services of board of supervisors
452.68
For services of inspectors and clerks of elections.
481.68
For canvassing election returns
6.00
For payment of Vermont Asylum for support of McGowen
100.00
For medical services with prisoners
27.00
For services of messenger to circuit court
7.50
For juror's fees 4.00
4.31
For witness's fees
For assisting clerk of court in drawing jurors
1.00
Aggregate indebtedness of county Sept. 23, 1848. $9989,33
18
60.00
For necessaries furnished jail and prisoners
150
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
The expenses of the county to acrue between Sept. 23, 1848, and the next annual session of the board of supervisors were estimated as follows :
For court expenses . 3000.00
For supporting prisoners and sheriff's fees 1800.00
For incidental expenses 1000.00
Making the amount to be met by taxation or otherwise $15789.33
It was also ascertained as per report of the committee on the treasury, that the debts due the county of Milwaukee, are as follows, viz :
From the sureties of S. W. Dunbar, county collector for the year 1840, for the de- falcation of said Dunbar . $758.25
Interest to September 10th, '48 376.68
Total $1128.1312 From Silas Griffith, late county treasurer, as appears from the report of the committee on treasury, under date of Feb., 1848, and by sub- sequent credits in the account of present treasurer . 2284.13
From the county of Waukesha, on joint account paid by Milwaukee county
100.90 72
From Chas. E. Tuttle, former police justice, as per report of com- mittee on police justice office, under date of Feb., 1848
116.78
From Daniel Wells, Jr., Joshua Hathaway, and others, on bond. 500.00
On bond of Belange, Burriss, Curtis and Cole $800-conditionally reduced to $400, by resolution of the board of supervisors.
400.00
For the sureties of Gray, on recognizance to appear at the Nov. term court -forfeited.
700.00
From the collector of the town of Mukwonago, on taxes of 1845. 20.33
From the collector of the town of Oconomowoc, on taxes of 1845- 71.21
From city of Milwaukee on taxes of 1846 329.II
IS47 519.20
$5870.30
Balance against the county. $9919.03
The committee on the treasury deeming it probable that only a part of the above $5870.30 would be collected in time to meet the county indebtedness, recommended the raising of a tax equal to 55-100th of one per cent. on the aggregate amount of taxable property in the county, as reported by the committee on asessments and equalization, to wit : $2,606,280.06-making a tax for county purposes of $14,354, from which deduct 7 per cent. collectors' and treasurers' fees, leaves $13,331.13, -a sum sufficient to redeem all the county orders outstanding on the 23d day of September, 1848, and 10 pay $3,341.80 of the above estimated current expenses. It would then be necessary to collect only $2,458.20 of the above $5,870.30 due the county, to balance the above estimate account. The above tax for county pur- poses was deemed by the board an ample provision to meet all the demands which would be made on the county treasurer, previous to the next annual meet- ing of the board, and was ordered to be levied and collected.
The committee on assessments and equalization reported the amount of property in the county, upon which a state tax is based, to be $1,601,682.56, which, at 412 mills on the dollar, produces a state tax to be paid by the county, of $7,207.57- and which, apportioned on the taxable property of the county, $2,606,280.06
151
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
makes a tax equal to 27,654. 100,000ths of one per cent. ; which was also ordered to be levied and collected, to pay the state tax due from the county.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES P. EVERTS, Clerk of the board of supervisors, Milwaukee county.
Some politicians objected to Shuney as light house keeper :
For the Sentinel and Gazette :
Mr. Editor :- I perceive from the proceedings of the common council, published in the city papers, that a resolution was adopted by them recommending old Shuney, "to the favorable consideration of the President of the United States" for the ap- pointment of light house keeper at this place. This struck me with astonish- ment. I immediately looked into the city charter to find some authority for this course of proceeding, and found nothing to warrant it. I have sought among the acts of congress in vain to find any law giving the common council board any interest in, or authority over the light house here, or its appointees. I cannot hear that the appointment of "Shuney" as light house keeper, was made an issue of the last charter election, and therefore can find neither precedent, warrant or justification for the act of the common council. If our city fathers can, of right, determine who shall be light house keeper, they can, also, for any reason to the contrary which I discover, determine who shall be appointed deputy collector of this port, register and receiver of the public lands, U. S. district attorney, &c. I deny their authority. I protest against any and all attempts on their part to dic- tate to the President, or to the people here on this subject. Let the shoemaker stick to his last. Let the common council attend to their own business and legislate upon matters within their legitimate and appropriate sphere. It is enough that they have once, in the matter of a municipal court bill, arrested, for a short period, just and necessary provision by the legislature for a due and speedy administration of the civil and criminal law in our county, and branded our merchants abroad with the character of dis- honest debtors, without undertaking to think and decide for both people and President, who shall hold office amongst us.
VETO.
The annexed are the proceedings at the "Free Soil" convention, (a new political organization very popular just then,) held at the old court house, given as a part of the political history of the year and showing how much "bad tasting medicine" some of the old "stagers" were willing to swallow, if in so doing they could remain in office. By an old Milwaukeans, who knew the political status of most of the names in this, it will be read with interest.
152
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY CONVENTION.
Pursuant to previous notice, a mass convention of the Free Soil party of Mil- waukee county was held at the court house, in the city of Milwaukee, on Satur- day, September 23d, 1848. A large number of delegates were in attendance, and the meeting was organized by the appointment of Col. John E. Cameron as chair- man, and Charles E. Jenkins as secretary.
Mr. Stark moved that a committee of one from each senate and assembly dis- trict in the county, be appointed by the chair, to select a delegate from each of said districts to attend the Free Soil congressional convention to be held at Muk- wonago, on the 25th of September, and also a like number to attend at Madison on the 27th inst. The motion was adopted and the chair appointed the following gentlemen said committee.
First ward, Chas. James ; Second ward, Byron Kilbourn ; Third ward, J. B. Allen ; Fourth and Fifth wards, J. G. Barr ; Granville, Wauwatosa and Mil- waukee, Mr. Sheldon ; Lake and Greenfield, J. J. Mason ; Oak Creek and Franklin, Dr. Orton ; Eighteenth senate district, Mr. Newkirk; Nineteenth senate district, Ernst Prieger.
The committee retired, and during their absence the convention listened to a brief but eloquent address from Mr. Richardson.
The committee returned and reported the following list of delegates to the several conventions :
STATE CONVENTION.
First ward, W. L. Calkins ; Second ward, A. Higley ; Third ward, J. D. Weston ; Fourth and Fifth wards, E. D). Holton ; Granville, Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, E. Underwood ; Lake and Greenfield, Daniel Patterson ; Oak Creek and Franklin, Dr. Orton ; Eighteenth senate district, I. Codding ; Nineteenth senate district, A. H. Bielfeld.
CONGRESSIONAL CONVENTION.
First ward, H. S. Orton ; Second ward, Charles E. Jenkins ; Third ward, John Gale, Jr. ; Fourth and Fifth wards, J. E. Cameron ; Granville, Milwaukee and Wauatosa, C. Clifford ; Lake and Greenfield, John J. Mason ; Oak Creek and Franklin, Dr. Jennings ; Eighteenth senate district, John G. Barr ; Nineteenth senate district, Ernst Prieger.
The report was unanimously adopted.
On motion, the delegates selected were instructed to procure alternates to attend said conventions, in case of their inability to fulfill their duties.
On motion, the chairman appointed the following county committee :
A. W. Stark, Daniel Patterson, Garret Vliet, F. A. Luning, R. H. Hotchkiss. On motion the chair also appointed the following committee for the Eighteenth senate district :
Hubbell Loomis, Duncan C. Reed and E. D. Holton, and for the Nineteenth senate district, Charles E. Jenkins, Enoch Underwood and A. Henry Bielfeld.
153
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Messrs. Booth, Orton and Kilbourn, were then severally called on, and addressed the convention in support of the glorious cause.
On motion, resolved, that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Barnburner and Volksfreund.
The convention then adjourned sine die.
JOHN E. CAMERON, Chairman. CHAS. E. JENKINS, Secretary.
The following were put in nomination by the convention :
Sheriff, Dr. E. B. Wolcott ; judge of probate, Dr. James John- son ; district attorney, Harlow H. Orton ; clerk of the circuit court, Lansing Bonnell; register of deeds, Eli Bates ; county clerk, Leonard Brown ; treasurer, Jacob Oberman ; coronor, J. J. Mason ; surveyor, Garrett Vliet.
Here is the Whig ticket :
Sheriff, Owen Aldrich; district attorney, Peter Yates; judge of probate, Thomas L. Ogden ; clerk of the court, Priam B. Hill ; register of deeds, J. B. Zander ; county clerk, George E. Watson ; treasurer, A. W. Hatch; surveyor, W. S. Trowbridge ; coroner, Linus N. Dewey.
This was a mixture surely, but it will be seen that when the votes were counted the people's party, as usual, had drawn the "crow" and the democracy the "turkey."
The following were elected :
Judge of probate, James Holliday ; clerk of the court, Henry K. White; sheriff, Egbert Moseley ; district attorney, A. R. R. Butler ; register of deeds, Jeremiah B. Zander ; clerk of board of supervisors, Charles Lorenzen ; county treasurer, A. S. Sanborn ; coroner, Levrtet Kellogg ; surveyor, Fred T. Schumacher ; congress, W. P. Lynde.
Election November 7.
LOWNSBERRY'S TRANSPARENCY.
There came to Milwaukee in 1848, a little weazen-faced chap, bout 4 feet 6 inches in height, with arms of unusual length, broad oulders, a large head (with very little in it however, that was valu- Amc 15;), large dark eyes, long dark-brown hair, inclining to curl, his Amour " tout ensemble " being in fact peculiar, by the name of P. P. " :berry, who opened a new grocery and restaurant, at 119 East
now 317) in a small frame building then standing at that
154
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
number, which restaurant soon became a great resort for the boys for the purpose of playing "seven up" and other innocent games, in which " hot whisky punch " played a prominent part, as no doubt some yet living whom I could name can remember. Now it was the custom for all places of that kind to have some sign the peculiarity of which would attract attention, and the late John Lowther, who was quite an artist, was called in for consultation, who recommended a transparency* in which a goat should be the chief attraction, and was at once ordered to paint one which would be suitable for such a place as Mr. Lownsberry kept, which he did, and did it in such a way as to render it entirely unnecessary to consult a scientist, in order to ascertain its " gender." It had a beard that Lorenzo Dow might well have envied, and a pair of-well, never mind-if that was not a fully developed William goat then the writer never saw one. The first night it was illuminated it drew a full house, outside as well as in, among whom were several critics, who all pronounced it faultless, a little over-drawn perhaps, in some parts, but a William goat sure. Mr. Lownsberry could not understand why that sign should attract so much attention, but after its most prominent char- acteristics had been pointed out by a stock raiser who happened to be present, he saw the joke, set-em-up all round and closed his place for the night, after which he sent the following message to Mr. Lowther; " For heavens sake come down and paint the *
off the goat, or the boys will kill me," which he did, charging him $10 therefor. He left many years ago, but I often think, when passing the spot, of P. P. Lownsberry and his fam ons transparency.
F. L. Illsley, music, 27 Wisconsin Street. Mr. Illsley was a fine- looking man and a fine musician. He was the first organist of Plymouth Church and the leader of the choir for a few years. I be- lieve he is dead.
CORRECTION.
In Vol. 2, page 287, History of Baptist Church, A. J. Mas should be A. F. Mason. .SS. enth
*This transparency consisted of an oblong frame, about 2x4 feet cover sheeting upon which the goat was painted, same as upon the buck beer the present day, which was suspended directly over the door, illumin eteenth candle placed inside, and could be seen two blocks away. .Ifeld.
155
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
TAXATION.
The rate of taxation for 1848 was as follows: Ist ward, 31 mills ; 2d ward, 40 mills; 3d ward 26 mills ; 4th ward 3812 mills; 5th ward, 31 mills.
Of the above I per cent was for old debt in the (2d and 4th wards) made imperative by the charter until the debt was extinguished. Subtract this from the rate and the several wards are nearly on a par.
The following financial exhibit is inserted here as a part of this history for future reference.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT
OF THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING
APRIL 1, 1884.
GENERAL CITY.
Amount of outstanding orders April 15th, 1847.
$1783.67
Amount paid for building engine houses
Support of the poor
Dredging the harbor
537.00
66
66
Standard weights and measures
156.50
Rent of watch house, and salary of watchmen
104.33
Printing and advertising
530.93
66
Election expenses
100.00
Binding, stationery, rent, fuel and lights
183.88
Building city hospital
625.56
66
Costs and fees.
23.28
Mexican war and harbor and river convention.
50.06
Making and correcting tax list. .
167.50
66
Vaccination in 1846
338.25
66
Salary of physicians and board of health
394.38
66
Superintendent of almshouse
380 32
66
Harbor master
495.00
City clerk
477.00
Marshal
306.64
66
Grading on school lots.
5.78
66
Deficit in school fund of last year.
128.78
Treasurer's commission on general taxes
210.14
$12294.65
Amount of orders and tax certificates in treasury April 15, 1847
$143.77
Amount received for tavern, grocery and store license. 2452.03
Circus and theater license
95.00
66
Dog
41.00
Dray
45.00
Fine 66
1.00
66
Harbor light
61.53
Support of fire department
276.96
66
66
66
City attorneys.
547.00
66
66
1718.26
2691.90
156
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Amount of health, police and poor tax collected. 7765.75
advertising tax ... 107.30
66 received from county for election expense. 65.00
10715.85
Balance now due
$1578.81
Add amount owing to Hunneman & Co., for engine and
hose due December 30th, 1848.
1961.03
Total of city indebtedness. $3539.84
SCHOOL FUND.
Amount paid on orders of school commissioners
3101.50
66 Treasurer's commission. 63 15
$3164.65
Cash on hand April 15th, 1847
$453.07
Orders 66
31.86
Amount of school tax of 1847 collected.
3157.40
deficit for 1846, supplied from general fund 128.78
3771.1I
Balance on hand 606.46
The following sums were also due and outstanding against the several wards :
First ward.
$387.86
Second ward.
2013.50
(not including balance to old west ward debt.)
Third ward.
1002.77
Fourth ward.
1142.28
Fifth ward.
(not including old ward debt)
2918.50
The American Freeman of November 29, 1848, has the following article from the pen of the then editor S. M. Booth :
This number closes the 4th volume of this paper. It history, could we write it from the beginning, would be interesting. Of its birth and early progress, we know little ; with its condition during the last six months we are quite well ac- quainted. We understand that it was originally called the Milwaukee Democrat, that its name was changed while under the charge of C. C. Sholes, to the Ameri- can Freeman. The first part of the name was again changed from American to Wisconsin, and now for reasons satisfactory to ourselves, and to our friends as far as we know, we shall permit it quiently to go out of existence, and supply its place with a new paper, whose name shall indicate the character, object and spirit of the party of which we shall endeavor to make it a true and faithful advocate. In closing this obituary of the Freeman we shall not attempt to eulogise its life. That it has committed errors, we have no doubt ; that it has accomplished good, we know. It was born in agitation, rocked in excitement, fed on the field of bat- tle, dies triumphant. It began its course in adversity, and has outgrown all opposi- tion, and closes its existence in prosperity Indeed its prosperity is one cause of
157
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
its end. We therefore ask no friend to put on mourning for its deith. In truth it can hardly be said to be dead, it is simply transformed or translated to a better field of usefulness. Without any regret, therefore, the Wisconsin Freeman bids you good bye, asking you to welcome the Free Democrat, which we prom se shall be as good as we can make it. S. M. BOOTH.
Sherman M. Booth was just the man to edit such a paper as the American Freeman, or its successor the Free Democrat. Possessed of a good legal mind, and a strong physical constitution, he was a perfect Hercules in a fight and never so happy as when he had a battle in prospect. Quick to see, prompt to act, he was a hard man to circum- vent, and woe be to the "tenderfoot" (as the soft natured young men are called out west), who ventured to attack him in print. He would get such a scoring as would teach him better than to try that again. He was a power for many years in the editorial corps of Milwaukee.
EMBEZZLEMENT.
At a meeting of the common council held November 23d, Alder- man A. Sweet offered a resolution that the city attorney be instruct- ed to commence a suit against D. C. Bancroft, city clerk, for embezzlement of the city funds, which was done, and from a report made at the meeting held December 14th by Alderman Goodall it appears that they found about $700 gone from the Order Books without receipts, of which about $550 had been received by the in- dividuals to whom they were issued, leaving about $150 unlawfully abstracted and not accounted for. The finance committee reported a double issue to C. A. Tuttle, of $200, one hundred of which were returned, making a total of $250 missing.
They find due D. C. Bancroft on his salary, up to the day he left, assuming his salary to be $600 per annum, $146.16, leaving about $100 deficit.
The sums ascertained as not received, are as follows :
R. Murphy, General City Fund, $23 60
A. W. Hatch, for No. I. Engine House, 50 00
Wm. Arnold, Ist Ward General Fund, 25 00
Joel Hood, General City . 25 44
$124,04
Order on double issue of C. A. 'Tuttle not redeemed,
100 00
An order for sundries furnished the city while Treasurer, 9 83
$233 87
19
158
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
There were sundry amounts received for licenses and not paid over, which your committee are of the opinion only concerns D. C. Ban- croft and the individuals who paid the several sums. All of which is respectfully submitted by your committee.
MORE GRADING.
Some inquisitive tax payers wants to know when the grading on Wisconsin Street is going to be finished :
For The Wisconsin.
Mr. Editor-As your useful daily is the source of much information, and as editor are expected to enlighten the people on all dark subjects, I hope you will inform that inquisitive individual (the people) upon the following subjects.
Why is the grading of Wisconsin Street lowered every year several times, some persons of very retentive memories may remember how many ? The grade has after much engineering been fixed. The picks and shovels are again brought into requisition, carts put in motion, the newly graded and graveled streets are torn up again. Will you please inform us if the city dads are determined to bring Wisconsin Street to the level of Huron before they stop.
MANY PEOPLE.
We cannot answer our correspondent, but we know that the present system of grading is not only a nuisance, but is destroying the beauty of the city.
EDITOR.
That same problem is waiting for a solution yet. It beats the gem puzzle.
GRAND TAYLOR CELEBRATION, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH, 1848.
The day was welcomed by a national salute at sunrise.
At noon a salute of 16 guns, one for each Taylor State in the Union, was fired.
At 7 o'clock in the evening a grand salute of one hundred guns was fired in honor of the People's Triumph.
The Procession-The different wards assembled at points des- ignated by the ward marshals at half past 6 o'clock precisely. The several delegations, as soon as formed, were marched to the Rough and Ready quarters in East Water Street, which was the general rendezvous. The procession was there formed in order and moved through the following streets: Up East Water to Wisconsin; through Wisconsin, Jefferson, Mason, Van Buren and Oneida Streets to East Water, up East Water Street to the Red Bridge, across the
159
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
bridge, down Third and West Water to the Point, and thence back to the Rough and Ready headquarters, where the procession was dismissed.
It was requested of every Whig and every friend of Gen. Taylor that they illuminate their stores or dwellings, from 7 to 9 P. M, light- ing up when the evening salute commenced. Bonfires were lighted at suitable points along the route of the procession.
The several military and fire companies of our city were invited to join in the celebration and had places assigned them in the pro- cession.
A cordial invitation was extended to all our citizens, whether Whigs, Democrats or Free-Soilers, natives, or foreign born, to take part in doing honor to Gen. Taylor, the man of the people and the presi- dent of the people. Our fellow citizens from the neighboring towns were also cordially invited to come in and join in the celebration. The following gentlemen were elected as marshal and assistant marshals to take charge of the procession : Marshal, Rufus King. Assistants, First ward, David George; Second, W. Burke and E. Childs ; Fourth, J. P. McGregor ; Fifth, W. Kilham.
This was a grand affair.
Rochester House built this year by Edward Hasse, on the South- west corner of Reed and Florida Streets. This house now stands on the northwest corner of Florida and Barclay, and is used by the " demi-monde."
John Corse died August 29, 1848. Mr. Corse came in 1836. He built the frame store on East Water, at what is now No. 380. He was an old man when he came. He was the father of Byron Corse of the town of Lake.
Mr. Corse was a man of large frame and must, when young, have been a hard one to handle. He was very rough in his manner. He had a florid complexion, auburn hair and blue eyes. He was a great hand to tell stories and fond of fun, and had no great respect for sacred things. I can see him now in memory and often think of him.
AFTER THEM.
Some one went for Alderman Sayers and Moses Kneeland this year
160
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
in the Sentinel of November 3d in no very complimentary terms, but it did not disturb Moses much, or Sayers either. They were too strongly entrenched to be driven out by a newspaper squib.
COUNCIL.
November 23d, orders for grading Main street, east side ; 5th, 6th, and 7th on west side and Sycamore between 6th and 7th, and Lake Street from Hanover to South Water were also graded in part this year.
New England supper at United States Hotel December 22d, it being the 228th anniversary of the landing of the pilgrims. Among those known to be present were Jas. H. Rogers,* D. Wells, Jr., Elisha Eldied,* Wm. A. Prentiss, Philetus C. Hale, D. A. J. Upham,* H. N. Wells,* J. K. Bartlett, Eli C. Kellogg,* E. D. Holton, Wm. Brown,* John P. Perkins,* John Bradford,* H. P. Peck,* E. S. Marsh,* C. Comstock, Royal Jennings,* Abram F. Clark, John Webb, S. O. Putnam,* Franklin Ripley, Jr.,* F. Wardner, and E. Hopkins. Those marked with a * have all passed away.
The following is a synopsis of the shipments of 1848 :
ARRIVALS DURING THE SEASON OF 1848.
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