USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 15
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Steamboats,
498
Propellers, .
248
Barques and brigs,
119
Schooners,
5II
Total
1376
Population in 1847, Dec. 15,
14,061
Estimated present population,
18,000
The exports of Milwaukee, which we glean from the Sentinel & Gazette have been as follows :
Pork,
2,650 bbls.
Lead,
1,883, 120 lbs.
Hides,
II,235
Ashes,
96, 104 lbs.
Pails and Tubs,
2,100 doz.
Furs,
12,714 lbs.
Wool,.
Copper,
25,039 lbs.
Broom Corn,
214 bales.
Pulverized Horn,
I35 bbls.
A SPORTING REMINISCENCE.
While standing upon the bluff, a few days since, watching the de-
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
parture of the train for the north, and contemplating the wonderful changes wrought in this portion of the city since 1836, and more particularly those which have taken place within the last ten years, and contrasting its present appearance with what it was, when in place of the beautiful and costly dwellings that meet the eye in every direction, that whole region was covered with a forest of scrub and timber, the scrub a lair for the rabbit and his enemy, the lynx, and the timber filled with larger game. The spot was a common hunt- ing ground for all the sportsmen in the town, prominent among whom was our distinguished fellow citizen, Dr. E. B. Wolcott, who has shot many a deer in what is now the First ward, from the back of old Gunpowder, (whom many of the old settlers can remember), after which he would attach the carcass to the old veteran's narrative with a piece of rope or bark (if no rope was at hand) and come dash- ing into town, in that novel way, with his prize.
It was a place where deer could be found almost any day up to 1840 and occasionally up to 1848, and many are the yarns that could be related, by the nimrods of those early times of their success with the rifle and shot gun, upon this classic spot. One of these stories, as an illustration of the wonderful powers of endurance that a wounded deer can exhibit, and which occurred in the winter of 1839, I will relate.
It happened that Luther Childs, now in California, Moses Donald- son, (now dead) and myself, were engaged that winter in cutting the timber from the quarter section of which Ferny-Brae is now a part, and in order to save time in going to and from our work we occu- pied an old log cabin built upon the land in 1835 as a claim shanty. Now Donaldson, who was a great, burly, gassy, lubberly, never-do- well as the Scots have it, was a great hunter, and of course took along his rifle, well knowing that the chances would be good for deer, as they came nightly to browse upon the tops of fallen timber, scattered over the ground where we were working; and so in fact it proved, for upon the fourth morning after we had commenced our labor, Mose took his rifle, and stole quietly up to the works just at daybreak, and was rewarded by the sight of a noble buck busily en- gaged in securing a breakfast. He was not long in putting an ounce bullet through his chest, which caused him to " light out " instantly,
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
leaving a bunch of hair and a stream of blood upon the snow, as a proof that he was badly wounded. Donaldson in great excitement came back to the cabin, related what had occurred, and could hardly be prevailed upon to wait for breakfast before going in pursuit of the wounded pachyderm. That over, we all started out, and after fol- lowing the " spoor " for nearly a mile, we started him up from his bed in the snow, (which was nearly two feet in depth.) He at once made off at a pace that showed he was still game, and as he disap- peared from view, like Father Watkin's old mare, he gave a parting shake with his tail which said plainly enough, " Farewell, Mose Donaldson, perhaps you've got me, and then, again, perhaps you havn't." He took down a ravine directly to the lake, into which he plunged and struck out boldly for Michigan. We watched him until he was out more than a mile, when he milled square round (as the whalemen call it) and headed for the shore, aiming for a clump of cedars that grew near the water's edge. Mose now thought he had a sure thing, and concealing himself behind the cedars, with rifle in hand, waited impatiently for the arrival of the " quarry." On came the poor victim, swimming rapidly. It was an exciting moment as he neared the shore. His large lustrous eyes were fixed steadily upon the cedars with a look that implied that he smelt danger there, and well he might. But whether he did or not, he came straight to the fatal spot, until within twenty feet of the shore, when his feet touched the bottom. Then he gathered himself for a leap on dry land. Bang! went the rifle, sending a bullet directly into his head, killing him instantly.
Did you get him? you ask.
Well, we d-i-d-n-'t. The force of the bullet, together with the fact of his discovering us at the moment of its delivery, caused him to give a backhanded somersault, turning completely over, and the wind being off land, he was out of reach before you could count six. In less than twenty minutes he was lost to view. To say that we felt cheap don't express it. As for Moses he fairly blubbered and watched the shore for days in hopes to get that deer, but he never did.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER. .
CURLING.
The following item concerning the origin and growth of this famous Scottish game in our city, was furnished by our well known citizen, John Dunlop :
A short time ago Mr. J. Williamson, of Portage, published in a paper of that village a history of curling in the state, in which the first games were set down as being played in Milwaukee, in 1847. This opening of the subject has brought about an overhauling of mem- ories among old curlers, several of whom still reside in Milwaukee. The first game of curling had in this city and in the state, these gen- tlemen say, was in 1846. At that time a club was organized with the following members : James Murray, David Ferguson, John W. Dunlop, Robert Gunyon, Findlay' McFadyen, Archie McFadyen, Thomas Kinney and Alexander McFarland. Mr. James Murray was president of the club. Among others who joined in an occasional game were William Harper, Rainey, J. Williamson and Gilbert Owen. The games were played on the river at the foot of what is now Mason street. The first curling stones ever put on ice here, according to the same authorities, were a pair owned by John W. Dunlop and a pair belonging to Mr. James Murray. The other players were obliged to fall back on cast-iron. The club continued in existence until 1851, when a fire in a building where the curling stones were stored ruined them beyond redemption, and the bonny game suffered a lapse until 1854, at which time the present club was organized. Of the members of the old club Messrs. David Ferguson, John W. Dunlop, Robert Gunyon, and William Harper, still reside in the city, and, as stated by one of their number, are still able to play a game. Thomas Kinney is in Ireland, Findlay McFadyen is in Green Bay, Alexander McFarland is in Waukesha county, and Gilbert Owen re- sides in Portage. James Murray and Archie McFayden died many years ago, and Rainey lost his life on the plains in 1849.
As to its present status, as well as the honors it has won and the different medals awarded its members the Hon. John Johnston has furnished the following :
The Milwaukee curling club embraces one hundred members, comprising many of the most influential business and professional men in the city. It was organized in the office of William Young on
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
October 26, 1865. The four officers were: A. McLaren, president ; William Young, vice president ; James A. Bryden, secretary and treasurer; Hugh Hair and James A. Bryden, skips. The only mem- bers now in the club which belonged to it originally are William Young, James A. Bryden, John Johnston, J. W. Dunlop and P. Mc- Geoch, five in all. The club has won trophies on many a hotly con- tested field, both in Canada and the United States, and its members point with pride to no fewer than fourteen gold and silver medals as rewards of their skill and prowess.
CHAPTER III.
1849.
Opening address-Improvements-Austin's Block-Political-Hotels-Fire -- Mr. Hawkins, memorial sketch of-Marshal & Illsley, Sketch-Miscellaneous -John Roberts, Sketch- Henry S. Burton-J. S. Fillmore-Hiram Mabbitt -Hotel Changes-F. Willmanns, Sketch-Political-Reports-J. E. Cameron -Complaints- Geo. Dyer, Sketch of-Hiram R. Bond-Improvements- Temperance Meeting-Fire Department-Thos. Shea, Sketch-do. H. H. West-Census-Dr. James Johnson-Leiter-Bridge-School Board-J. E. McClure-H. N. Hempsted-Manufactures-T. Litell-Cholera-Indian Names-Repudiation-Election-Attempt to Divide the First Ward-J. Van Buren, Sketch of- do. John D. Gardner-Financial Shipments-High Proof Whisky-Hunting Deserters-Geo. R. Dyer-Alfred Orrendorff-John Corbin.
Milwaukee at the close of 1848 had, as has already been seen, become a very respectable and enterprising city, and as they say in our day when speaking of the prosperity of a town, things were boom- ing. The past year had, as a whole been prosperous. A large num- ber of new buildings had been erected, streets graded, side-walks made, and aside from the usual number of chronic grumblers, with which every new city that is trying to go ahead, is cursed, no one had any cause of complaint.
True, the attempt to construct the Lake Bluff Park, as well as the widening of Spring Street, had been defeated, yet we were not left destitute, we still had the common council, which was something. And although "ethnologically"* speaking they were not a thing of beauty ; yet they afforded the citizens plenty of amusement during the winter months, (one session counting same as an old time horse race on the river.) Our population had now increased to 18,000, an in- crease of 4,000 since 1847.
We had 300,000 bushels wheat in store at the close of navigation.
*This is a Greek word and means diversity of species, and we had that, and had it bad.
20
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Our shipments as has been seen in the previous chapter, had been large and except with the politicians, who like the troubled sea are never at rest, all was lovely. The changes among the mercantile community were few, most of them remaining in their old quarters. The fall of 1848 had been quite mild, the first snow falling on the 23d of Novem- ber, the river remaining open until the 30th, when the winter set in in earnest, and from then until after the holidays the time was mostly given to amusements such as firemen's balls, New England suppers, concerts, negro minstrel performances, a species of amusement then just coming into notoriety, and of which Milwaukee had her full share for the next ten years, and even up to this day. But with the advent of the new year, the people settled down to business again. The politicians hied them to Madison to lobby for some pet scheme and thus the winter passed away.
IMPROVEMENTS.
As an illustration of what was considered a first class store in 1849, I will give a synopsis of an article from the pen of Rufus King in the Weekly Sentinel of February 7th upon the construction of the block yet standing upon the southwest corner of East Water and Detroit Streets and known as Nos. 283, 285, 287, 289 and 291 East Water Street, a mere shanty to-day, when compared with some of the mammoth stores, which article after giving Jas. B. Martin's new block (The Arcade*) a puff, proceeds as follows :
Mr. Geo. F. Austin has just closed a contract for the erection of five stores on the southwest corner of East Water and Detroit streets, which in the way of superior construction, material used, and architectural arrangements, will be equal to anything in the western country. This block is to be four stories in height (it is but three) the main building 60x100. The plan, as already drawn, displays much art and skill in design.
There are to be five large windows extending from the floor of the second story to the floor of the the fourth story, glass 12x14. The front and rear walls are to be supported by iron column with an iron balconyt projecting in the front of each opening in the second and third stories. The corner store will be 34 feet wide, having two openings, the other three are 19 feet wide in front and rear. The out-
*Now 369 and 371 East Water street.
+These, I think, were never put in, they certainly are not there now, neither do I think the long windows as shown in the cut were ever put in. They were probably put in the plan only, as they certainly are not there now.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
DRUGS & MEDICINES.
H.BOSWORTH& SON
DRUCCISTS
side appearance of the building cannot fail to be imposing, as it is to be decorated with sculpture of the finest order (this was never put on) in various places, while the internal decorations are alike calculated for the comfort and convenience of those who may occupy them. The carpenter work is to be done by Messrs. Shadbolt & Spaulding, (John Shadbolt, now of Shadbolt & Boyd, and the late James D. Spaulding). The mason work was by Frank Charnley .* We also understand that Mr. Ed. D. Baker will put up two stores adjoining on the south, Nos. 279 and 281, the coming season. t
Such is a brief sketch of these famous stores, that a Milwaukeean of to-day would not consider worth pulling down. They have had their day, as well as their history; have earned a large amount of
*Francis Charnley was a very prominent master builder. He built the present courthouse. This was his last work in Milwaukee. He left for Chicago in 1875, returned again in 1878 and went into the hardware business on Grand avenue, in the present library building. He was a native of England and a wide-awake, energetic man. In person he was short and stout. had a florid complexion, large features, and was verv impulsive. He died at Milwaukee June 30, 1881, and was buried in Forest Home.
+Mr. Baker, however only built 279, 281 was built by the late Richard G. Owens.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
money for their owners, past and present, and are all occupied now. They were, when built, to that corner what the Mack block is to- day to its corner, and fully confirm the old adage, "that Rome was not built in a day," and they will pass into history as the model stores of their time.
POLITICAL.
There was a public meeting held at the courthouse February I, to discuss the proposed amendments to the first city charter, for it is a fact that no sooner had the city commenced working under it, than the politicians commenced to tinker it. One of the amend- ments which they were in for was the removal of all limit to taxa- tion, just what the solons (heaven save the mark) of the present day want. "No restriction" is their motto .* This question was discussed by Messrs. Kilbourn, Greulich, Huebschmann and Alanson Sweet, in the affirmative, and Parcellett Potter, Dr. L. W. Weeks and Leonard Kennedy, against.
At the same meeting Mr. Tweedy presented the draft of a bill for the city to loan $100,000, to be increased to $250,000 if wanted, to aid in the construction of a railroad from Milwaukee to Waukesha, or to any railroad which would connect us with the Mississippi river, which was adopted. This may, perhaps, be considered as the first real step taken by the city in aid of the enterprise.
THE MEETING AT THE COURT HOUSE.
The meeting at the court house on Tuesday evening was, by the pressure of events, after a partial discussion of the proposed amendment of the city charter, turned into a railroad meeting. Although not present at the earlier part of the evening, we were in time to hear some very sensible remarks from Mr. Tweedy, Dr. Weeks, and others, upon the absolute necessity that lies upon Milwaukee to arouse from her apathy, and make strenuous exertions to secure the trade of the interior. But one sentiment was expressed on this subject, and the spirit and en- thusiasm with which the proposition, that the city should lend her credit to the railroad from here to the Mississippi, was received, gave good assurance that our citizens are awake on the subject. A committee consisting of Messrs. Tweedy,
*By this it would appear that the project of the present board is not a new, but an old idea revived. But, whether new or old, it is to be hoped that the good sense of the people will never let it become a law, for if they do, the city will be bankrupt inside of five years. Milwaukee wants no "Boss Tweed" to ever get his deadly grip on her finances.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Kilbourn, Jas. Kneeland, Weeks and Mitchell, was appointed, with directions to digest a plan to enable the city to lend her credit to an amount not less than one, nor more than three hundred thousand dollars, and to report the same, in the shape of a law, at a meeting to be held in the court house, on Saturday evening next. The character of the committee is such as to guarantee a judicious and well matured report, and all interested in the welfare of our city should be pres- ent at the adjourned meeting.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows, and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat ; And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures."
That tide invites us now, and if we neglect to take advantage of it, there is great danger that we shall be left a hulk on the strand.
The bill authorizing the construction of the Milwaukee and Waukesha railroad, now the Prairie du Chien division of the Chi- cago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, was passed at Madison February 27, 1847. The survey was commenced June 7, the same year, by Benjamin H. Edgerton and John B. Vliet. The annexed is the first official notice of the issuing of stock :
MILWAUKEE & WAUKESHA RAILROAD COMPANY.
The stockholders in this company are hereby informed that the certificates of stock are now ready for delivery, and may be had by applying to the secretary at the office of the company in Holton's block.
B. H. EDGERTON, Secretary.
Milwaukee, December 28, 1849.
The same paper also contained an elaborate article about James H. Rogers contemplated hotel, (spoken of in previous chapter) on the northeast corner of Wisconsin and East Water streets.
This building was to be 120 feet square, of brick, five stories in height, exclusive of the basement and attic. The bar-room sixty feet on Wisconsin and fifty on East Water street, was to have been in the basement, together with the bath rooms and barber shop. There were to have been three stores on the Wisconsin street front, and six on East Water. The front entrance on Wisconsin street was thirty-four feet in width, from which a circular stairway ascended to the attic. In front of this entrance was a portico with columns twenty-seven feet high and heavily ornamented. The Water
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
street entrance was six feet wide, with a private staircase on the alley. The dining room, to be 65x35 and twelve feet in height, was on the second floor, also the ladies' and gents' parlors, reading room and general office. Ladies' dormitory and bath room on third floor. It was to contain 327 rooms, heated by a furnace. There was also a balcony extending around the entire building.
This article is inserted here to show the present Milwaukeeans what a hotel was in contemplation in 1849, and, as can be seen, it would have been a very imposing structure, and had it been built, would have been a good investment for its owners. Geo. W. Mygatt was the architect.
This gentleman, so prominent as an architect and building super- intendent during the infancy of our city, finally had the softening of the brain and died at Cornwall Bridge, Conn., where he had gone to reside.
But no old settler could ever forget his pleasant face, or well known form, neither will the work of his hands, in the form of buildings, fail to be found in Milwaukee for years to come. He was a kind-hearted, genial and generous man, too much so for his own good. Peace to his memory. Mr. Mygatt was a half brother to David P. Hall and Mrs. Robert Menzies.
The Milwaukee Sentinel gave the following notice :
DEATH OF GEORGE W. MYGATT.
A private dispatch received here yesterday from Cornwall Bridge, Conn., an- nounces the death of George W. Mygatt, one of Milwaukee's oldest residents, and the pioneer architect of this city. Mr Mygatt started in business here when Milwau- kee was but a village, and carried on a very successful business until a few years ago, when he retired on account of age and poor health. He designed P'ly- mouth church, which for years was the grandest church building in the city, and also prepared the plans for several other large stores and residences. He was a member of Milwaukee Lodge No. 2, Order of Odd Fellows, which will take charge of the remains on their arrival here, and arrange for the funeral. The body will be interred at Forest Home Cemetery.
GREAT FIRE.
This May 17th, southwest corner of East Water ard Mason Streets, which destroyed every building on the west side of East Water Street from Mason (south) to what is now number 409 East Water. The annexed is the account of this fire :
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
GREAT FIRE IN MILWAUKEE.
FROM THIRTY TO FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF PROPERTY DESTROYED.
Between two and three o'clock on Thursday morning last, the alarm of fire ran through the city, and by sunrise from thirty to forty thousand dollars worth of property was destroyed. The fire began in the steam planing and stave factory of Wm. Hawkins, on East Water Street, it then communicated speedily to Davis & More's stage barn, and S. B. Davis's livery stable, all of which were nearly consumed before the engine arrived. The wind blew strong from the northeast, and when we reached our office the sparks and cinders were flying over the build- ing briskly. The wind soon changed more to the north, and blew down the river. Nearly thirty buildings were consumed before the fire was arrested. The Sentinel office, though in a fire-proof building, was in great danger, and plenty of persons were green enough to urge their services in breaking up the printing office and knocking the type into pi, but Mr. Fuller, the business partner, turned the key on the crowd, and coolly told the outsiders that the first one who entered the office to carry off anything, would be treated to a little " special jesse "-and his firmness saved the loss of hundreds of dollars. The two buildings next north of the Sentinel office, were saved, though completely gutted.
The fire department were very active and efficient, and did itself great credit. There was much pilfering during the removal of the goods. The fire was doubt- less the work of an incendiary, as there had been no fire in the building where it originated for some days. The mayor has offered a reward of $500 for the de- tection of the incendiary.
The names of the losers are nearly as follows :
William Hawkins, planing and stave factory. Loss between $4,000 and $5,000 -no insurance.
John Lassell's chair factory. Loss $600-no insurance ; he loses everything. William A. Prentiss, three buildings. Loss about 1,000-no insurance.
Davis & More, stage barn, blacksmith and waggon shops, several stages coaches, 12 stage waggons, and a number of stage sleighs, together with 4,000 bushels of oats. Loss about $6,000-no insurance.
S. B. Davis, livery stable. Horses and most of his carriages saved. Insured for $4,000, which fully covers the loss.
Owen Van Dyke, building and gun-shop. Stock mostly saved-no insurance. Casper Mier, saloon and billiard room. Loss small-insured.
A. H. Bielfeld, building partially burned-fully insured.
A. McFadyen, small building-insurance 200, which nearly covers the loss. H. Luther, three small buildings.
Empire saloon, estate of M. Cawker*, deceased. Loss about 1,500-insurance 300.
*Matthew Calker died the 28th of February 1849, but his estate owned the building.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER. .
Mr. Butow, merchant tailor, small building.
E. D. Baker, grocery store-insured for 4,000.
A. Young, boot and shoe store, goods mostly saved. Loss not known.
G. J. Fowler, large building-insurance 1,500.
Mr. Delliker's grocery store.
Mr. Betz, leather store, goods mostly saved. Loss not known.
George Dyer, saddler and harness maker, goods saved. Loss small-insur- ance.
George Metcalf, meat market. Loss from 200 to 400-fully insured.
E. Hathaway, three small buildings. Loss about 700.
Mr. Gillespie, grocery store, goods principally saved. Loss not known. Edwin Palmer, carpenter's tools. Loss 200.
As an illustration of how some people will become excited at a fire I would state that when it appeared probable that Mr. Dyer's store was likely to burn, the goods all or mostly all, having been re- moved, the late John La Point seized an ax, rushed into the building and commenced cutting down one of the center pillars, three of which run through the center of the store, as a support to the second story, and who, when asked by A. J. Langworthy in the usual classic language in vogue among the firemen when at a fire, " What in hell he was about," replied," O, this store is going to burn ! this store is going to burn!" He was quickly ejected by Andrew J, a la stogy and that foolishness stopped.
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