USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 23
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The eagle-eye of Capt. Cotton, however, finally detected the cheat. The boat ran alongside the the pier where a landing was effected in safety.t The troops formed in column of attack and after being re- minded that the eyes of the world were upon them, the order " en avant " was given, and led by the gallant McManman, started for the shore with vizors down, bayonets fixed, where, upon their arrival they were received by the aforementioned infantry, by whom they were escorted to the Durkee House where they took sucktion, (I think that is the proper spelling) and partook of a few army biscuit left
*Tradition has it that such was the excitement in Milwaukee when the call was made for troops, on account of the reports of those who were in the interest of Hutchinson, that a call to go into a regular battle would not have caused any more dread, some of the guards resigning rather than go, and that one actually hid under a bed, from where he was dragged and discharged for cowardice. This the writer had from one of the ecompany who went, and who certainly is no coward. It was a rich affair and has often been the subject of laughter by the troops themselves even up to to-day.
+The only occupant of the pier at the time the landing was made (except the aforementioned artilery) was a son of Erin who was sealed upon his dray in ex- pectation of a job, at whom McMannan rushed, sword in hand, and ordered him to clear out of that, or he would cut his horse in twain ; upon which the frightened drayman left in haste for the shore as fast as old dobbin could travel.
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over from the Black Hawk War, in order to render them bullet proof, after which they were marched to the warehouse (escorted by the Kenosha infantry) around which they formed a cordon. (This is a French military word and means to surround) in order to pre- vent Mother O'Neil from going inside and cleaning out all the local officers of Kenosha. Here they remained until the wheat was all delivered aboard the vessel, when, the war being over, they returned to Milwaukee covered with glory and wheat dust, marching to their barracks, upon their arrival, to the music of " Johnny Comes March- ing Home."
POLITICAL.
The spring election was a very exciting one; three tickets were in the field, viz: Democratic, Whig and a Law and Order ticket, or people's ticket, resulting as usual in a Democratic triumph.
PEOPLE'S TICKET.
Election Monday, April 1, 1850.
For Mayor-John B. Smith.
For Treasurer-Allen W. Hatch. For Marshal-William A. Hawkins.
No candidate for city attorney or police justice.
Aldermen-First ward, Wm. P. Lynde, Nelson Ludington and Samuel S. Daggett.
Assessors-James Johnson, Wm. Brown Jr., and E. B. Dickerman. Street inspector-Peter Lynch.
Justice of the Peace-John P. McGregor.
Constable-Andrew Lienhart.
Aldermen, Second ward-Royal D. Jennings, Cicero Comstock and Charles Hepp.
Assessors-Richardson Houghton, Robert Gunyon and Joachim F. Greunhagen.
Street inspector-Jehoiakim F. Lurk.
Justice of the peace-E. L. Phelps. Constable-Chas. C. Brockett.
No ticket in the Third Ward.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Aldermen, Fourth ward-Charles H. Williams, James Saville and Sylvester Pettibone.
Assessors-Ira E. Goodall, Sidney L. Rood and John H. Tesch. Street inspector-Wm. Radtke.
Constable-John Mitchell.
Aldermen, Fifth ward-H. A. Hayden, George H. Walker and Michael Page.
Assessors-Martin Delany, Henry Shaw and Francis Newkirk.
Street inspector-Amos Loomis.
This ticket was a sort of a calithumpian affair.
The following was the result as well as the proceedings on the 11th, when the new board came in :
CITY ELECTION.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
Thursday Evening, March 11, 1850.
Ald. Greulich, from the select committee on election returns, reported as fol- lows :
The committee to whom was referred the election returns, report :
That D. A. J. Upham has received the highest number of votes for mayor ;
That Charles Geisberg has received the highest number of votes for city treasurer ;
That Timothy O'Brien has received the highest number of votes for city mar- shal ;
That J. B. Cross has received the highest number of votes for city attorney.
Your committee are not aware of any law that makes the office of city attorney elective, and recommend to refer the matter to the next board of aldermen.
The following persons have received the highest number of votes for alder- men :
First ward-William Pitt Lynde, John B. Juneau and Nelson Ludington.
Second ward-Francis Huebschmann, Charles G. Boisselier and Jacob A. Hoover.
Third ward-John P. Englehart, Edward Button and Edward McGarry.
Fourth ward-Moses Kneeland, James H. Rogers and William Wedemeyer.
Fifth ward-George H. Walker, Michael Page and H. A. Haydn.
The following persons have received the highest number of votes for the office of assessors :
First ward-Andrew H. McCormick, Mathias Stein and E. B. Dickerman.
Second ward-William Reinhardt, Jacob Best and Robert Gunyon.
Third ward-Josiah A. Noonan, Thomas Burns and John Shortell.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Fourth ward-Sidney L. Rood and Ira E. Goodall.
Fifth ward-Henry Shew, Francis Newkirk and John Pierce.
The following persons have received the highest number of votes for justice of the peace :
First ward-Clinton Walworth.
Second ward-Charles F. Bode.
Third ward-John L. Doran.
Fourth Ward-Haven Powers.
Fifth ward- Oliver Parsons.
The following persons have received the highest number of votes for street in- spector :
First ward-Peter Lynch.
Second ward-Henry Suppus.
Third ward-Patrick Guerin.
Fourth ward-Michael Costello.
Fifth ward-Amos Loomis.
The following persons have received the highest number of votes for constable :
First ward-Augustus Seffert.
Second ward-Curtiss A. Brockett.
Third ward-Thomas Shaughnessy.
Fourth ward-John Mitchell.
Fifth ward-John McAffery.
'The following is the vote on school house and fire loans :
SCHOOL LOANS. For. Against.
FIRE LOANS.
First ward.
IIO
22
95
25
Second ward
53
6
53
3
Third ward
108
3
70
I
Fourth ward
21
I
25
I
Fifth ward
95
00
86
I
It appears that John H. Tesch and William Radtke each received the same number of votes (227) for assessor in the Fourth ward.' Your committee there- fore recommend that the election between them be determined as provided in the 8th section of the city charter. All which is respectfully submitted.
Ald. Williams moved that the council determine by lot, the election between John H. Tesch and William Radtke. Carried.
The name of John H. Tesch being drawn, he was declared assessor of the Fourth ward.
VOTE FOR MAYOR.
Upham. King.
Smith.
First ward
512
155
170
Second ward
581
122
98
Third ward.
384
78
26
Fourth ward
321
SI
61
Fifth ward.
183
120
30
Total
1981
556
385
For.
Against.
3I
1
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
FOR TREASURER.
Geis- *Hatch. berg, D.
First Ward
509
317
Second ward
580
216
Third ward
367
115
Fourth ward
321
I37
Fifth ward.
167
154
Total
1944
939
FOR MARSHAL.
O'Brien, D. * Hawkins. Lannon, I. D.
First ward
587
3II
28
Second ward
566
210
21
Third ward.
336
91
59
Fourth ward.
301
I34
14
Fifth ward
174
65
35
Total
1694
811
157
Samuel E. Foot, clothing, was in the arcade 369 East Water in the fall and winter of 1850. Mr. Foote was a prominent business man and Democratic politician for a number of years. He was a short, thick- set, broad shouldered man, fond of talking and blowing. He went to St. Louis, where I believe he still resides. He was not a man you could trust always, as he had a habit of being tricky occasionally, and would not hesitate to beat his best friend if he got a chance.
WANTED HER RIGHTS.
In the Sentinel, of April 14, I find the following spicy note, which might apply with justice to some of the city dads of to-day. It was directed to the Common Council.
GENTLEMEN : I have now been living nearly eighteen years on the corner of Martin and Market Streets, during which time I have paid $150.00 in taxes, while the street has remained pretty much as it was eighteen years ago, viz: a morass. I would respectfully remind the proper authorities, not merely to improve the property of speculators, but to remember the widow and orphan. I take this method to remind the so-called lords of creation, who declare that all men are born equal, that they have no right to refuse a woman, who pays taxes, the right to express her wishes at the ballot box.
CATH. TRAYSER.
No doubt Mrs. Trayser's property had been badly neglected, and speculative property improved instead, as that is the custom to some extent even now and always will be. Money is power.
*Run on two tickets-the Whig, and the Law and Order.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
STEAMERS FOR 1850.
Niagara-1,150 tons-Captain W. T. Pease.
Louisiana-900 tons-Captain Wm. Davenport. A. D. Patchin-1,000 tons-Captain H. Whitaker. Keystone State-1,600 tons-Captain Wm. P. Stone.
Queen City-1,000 tons-Captain T. J. Titus. Empire State-1,700 tons-Captain M. Hazard.
Hendrik Hudson-900 tons-Captain J. Imson.
Sultana-950 tons-Captain G. Appleby.
Empire-1,250 tons-Captain H. Randall.
Albany-Captain C. L. Gager.
St. Louis-Captain -.
Globe-Captain - -.
G. P. Griffith-Captain J. W. Tuttle.
Baltic-Captain C. H. Ludlow.
FIRE.
Annexed is the account of the fire on Spring Street :
About 3.30 o'clock yesterday morning the brick block next west of the American House was discovered to be on fire at the west end, in No. 37 Spring Street, occupied by Dr. Mulloy, as a drug shop below, and dwelling above. The fire spread rapidly upwards and consumed most of the contents of the Common Coun- cil room occupying the 3d story of the block. A wooden building, No. 39, next to the block, also took fire and was mostly destroyed. The latter was occupied by Mr. H. Clark, as a grocery store and dwelling. We are glad to learn that nearly all the City Records, Tax Lists, and other valuable papers were saved, many of them considerably damaged.
Nos. 35 and 37 were occupied by F. Shaw, boot and shoe store, G. F. Oakley, livery office, and Dr. Chambers, physician. No great damage done in these rooms, as the fire did not get through to the first floor on the east end of the block. The upper part of No. 37 was occupied as a dwelling by Mr. Pierson, who lost con- siderable furniture.
The block was owned by Messrs. Plankinton & Northrup, and insured in the Columbus Co. by Mr. Plankinton $1,000, and by Mr. Northrup $600. Probably damaged to the extent of $1,400.
Mr. Clark, we learn, had an insurance of $400 on his goods in the Howard Co. There was also an insurance of $200 on the store. Dr. Mulloy was insured East.
There was great danger of the fire spreading to the livery stable of Mr. Oakley,
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
and the American House was in critical vicinity to the burning building, but, by the efforts of the firemen the progress of the flames was stayed.
The building is supposed to have been struck by lightning, a fearful crash of thunder having been heard, and a blinding flash of lightning seen just before the fire broke out.
P. S. We have heard it suggested that the fire might have been caused by the spontaneous combustion of the Mayor's late " Police Report." We doubt the story.
The Mayor had made a report about the Police that many thought a very combustible document.
June 13 .- Great Land Reform meeting at Military Hall, Oneida Street.
The Public Square indicted, May 16, 1850 :
THE PUBLIC SQUARE.
The grand jury, on Thursday, did a good thing in presenting the Public Square as a nuisance. The conduct of our city authorities for successive years has been disgraceful, in allowing this munificent gift of Mr. Juneau to remain, as it has remained, a waste, and worse, a miserable mudhole. The following is the com- munication of the grand jury ; we only hope it may not be too late : TO THE COURT:
The grand jury, of the county of Milwaukee, present the Public Square of the city of Milwaukee, opposite the Court House, as a nuisance, and recommend that measures be taken to have the same filled, fenced, and improved.
The grand jury for other reasons recommend the improvement of said Square, from the fact that your grand jury are credibly informed that there is some proba- bility of the Public Square reverting back to the original proprietors of the city of Milwaukee, unless some immediate action is taken in this matter.
JAMES JOHNSON, Foreman.
D. UPMANN,
L. KENNEDY,
HIRAM CLARK,
J. H. CORDES,
WM. STUPINSKI,
JOHN HAYDEN,
WM. FURLONG,
J. A. WEBBER,
BERNARD MALONE,
JOHN POUNDER,
HENDRICK GREGG,
MERRICK MURPHEY,
MATHEW WALSH, JOHN DYRE,
WM. J. FISHER,
JUSTIN EASTMAN.
Composition roofing was first used in Milwaukee this year.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
Shortly after midnight, Thursday, an alarm of fire was sounded in the Fourth Ward. It proved to be the saleratus factory of Mr. E. D. Holton, just south of
257
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Spring Street, and in close proximity to the row of buildings fronting on that street and to the extensive lumber yard of Clark & Loomis in the rear. The flames spread rapidly, and though the fire department was speedily on the ground and worked with a will, the fire, favored by a strong westerly breeze, burnt through to Spring Street, destroying the saleratus factory, "The Home," a well known eating house kept by Mr. Belden, the grocery store of l'lankinton & Durbin, and the meat market of Mr. Rodis, and somewhat damaging the rear of Mr. Hol- ton's large brick block, and a few piles of Messrs. Clark & Loomis' lumber. The fire burnt for an hour or two with great fury, and it was not till broad daylight that the firemen were released from their arduous labors.
The losses were nearly as follows :
The saleratus factory, in which the fire originated, with its contents, was valued at $1,500 to $1, 800. Owned by E. D. Holton, and not insured.
" The Home," a two story frame building, occupied by Mr. Belden, was owned by Mr. John Tanner, and insured for $400; worth, perhaps, $800. Mr. Belden himself was insured $1,000, which will cover his loss. He had $600 of stock landed from the " Globe" an hour before the fire broke out, which fortunately remained on the pier.
The building occupied by Plankinton & Durbin, was owned by Mr. Burton. Insured $300. Loss $800.
The corner building, occupied by Mr. Rodis, was owned by Mr. Plankinton, and insured $400. Loss $750.
Messrs. Clark & Loomis sustained a loss of $100 to $150, by the burning of lumber-not insured. The large brick block of Mr. Holton's was damaged to the amount of $50 or $100, by the burning of window frames, etc., which is cov- ered by insurance. The inmates of several of the stores and rooms in this block, H. S. Burton & Co., Boyd & Ledyard, the proprietors of the Free Democrat, etc., sustained more or less damage by the removal of goods, but they are all fully insured.
The members of Engine Company No. 2, who, after doing excellent service at the fire, were kept on the watch in their turn, were liberally and handsomely invited, by Messrs. Clark & Loomis, to a warm breakfast in the morning at the American.
June 16th, Pennsylvania House burnt, then kept by M. Daily. 22 horses burnt. This house stood at what is now Nos. 230 and 232 East Water Street. I remember this fire well, one of the horses burnt cost $600 a few days previous.
BLOWN UP.
June 18th a can of phosphorus exploded in the store of Henry Fess, which created quite an excitement and came near burning the
258
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
store, and on the 20th the barn of S. C. West was blown up with powder placed in a barrel. Some rascal fired it.
A SECOND SAM PATCH.
A young lad named Theodore Slocum, jumped from the crosstree of the brig Commodore Perry, when laying at the head of Barclay Street, a distance of 80 feet, into the Milwaukee River.
Wells & Hill, D. Wells, Jr., and Horatio Hill were in the yellow warehouse this year.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Horatio Hill came to Milwaukee from Bangor, Maine, in 1847. He was a brother of Joseph F. Hill of this city, whose familiar face is so often seen on change. Mr. Hill was a good business man and was quite prominent for several years in connection with the Beloit and Milwaukee Railroad, of which he was for a time the president. He was also in connection with the writer and others interested in the Penokee Iron Range. He built the frame dwelling now standing on the southwest corner of Mason and Jefferson Steeets, which was his residence until he left the city. At the breaking out of the rebel- lion he was appointed to and accepted the position of sutler in the Sixth Wisconsin, Col. Lysander Cutler, served during the war, after which he returned to Maine, and subsequently removed to the city of Burlington, N. J,, where he died in 1875.
Mr. Hill was of a nervous temperament and was never at ease un- less he had some project on foot, out of which he expected to make a fortune. I often think of him as he looked when last I saw him, just before he left. He was an industrious man and a good one. He was an active organizer, but did not possess the executive ability of Gen. Cutler. He was a good talker, had fine conversational powers, was always gentlemanly and social, was very domestic, fond of children, and if a friend, a good one. Such are some of the per- sonal characteristics of Horatio Hill.
THE BAYOU DECLARED A NUISANCE.
In the Daily Advertiser of July 24, 1850, I find the following concerning this part of the First Ward :
Last Saturday evening, the 20th inst, the above named citizens organized them-
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
selves at the " Military Hall," by calling upon Mr. A. Elebracht to the chair, and Mr. F. Trenkamp as secretary.
After discussing different matters in relation to the "Bayou," the market house, and other interests of the First Ward, the following resolutions were pro- posed and unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, the so called " Bayon," contigu- ous to blocks 1, 54, 53, 52, 51, and terminating in the middle of block 153, be- tween East Water and River Streets, on account of its deleterious influence upon the whole neighborhood, is a public nuisance ; and that therefore, the aldermen of our ward, be requested to take, immediately, the necessary steps towards cleaning and gradually filling of said bayou.
Resolved, That the market house, in its present unfinished state, is a material loss to the First Ward, and that our aldermen be requested to finish the same by letting it out to any person or persons offering to execute the remaining work for the smallest time of lease ; such finishing to be done according to the original plan and under the superintendence of the local committee of the First Ward, and the lessee to be restricted in his use of the building to the original purposes of the same. That our aldermen receive sealed proposals for the above mentioned ob- jects, and secure the same by a sufficient guarantee from the part of the lessee.
Resolved, That in our opinion, equity and justice would demand to have the poll tax applied to the improvement and repairs in the neighborhood of the so taxed, and that the cleansing of the streets be enforced rigidly, according to, and in the manner specified in the ordinance, designed for this purpose.
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the superfluous public ground in such localities in the First Ward, where the grade will be lowered, shouid on no condition be exported beyond the limits of said ward, but applied to to the filling and grading of streets in the same ; that our aldermen and street in- spectors take proper care, in order to render streets practicable and accessible, by employment of poll tax in such places, where for the present time no regular in- provements of streets can be executed, and that in grading and repairing the streets, they adopt a system, which, by using earth from higher places, to fill continguous lower ones, will in the end benefit both localities at less expense.
Resolved, That the above resolutions be published, and Messrs. Ilide and Schramm be appointed a committee to wait upon the aldermen of the First Ward, in order to make them acquainted with the wishes and feelings of this meeting.
A. ELEBRACHT, President.
F. TRENKAMP, Secretary.
A COMPLICATED RUNAWAY.
A horse belonging to Dr. Tracy, got away from his driver, and disembarrassing himself of the wagon, came full tilt down Mason and through East Water Streets. At Ludington's corner he struck
-
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
a post, fell and rolled twice over. Springing up again he resumed his wild career and ran headlong into a country wagon drawn by two oxen, which was standing in the street. The oxen, alarmed at his approach and cries of his pursuers, started on a trot just as the horse jumped to clear them. The consequence was that the horse was caught astride of the pole, between the oxen and the wagon, and in this awkward position striking out with his forelegs and kicking with his hind ones, was carried on a full run to the bridge. He got loose as they reached the hridge, just in time to be struck and knocked flat by a dray crossing over. Strange to say, the horse escaped comparatively unhurt; the oxen were quickly stopped and no damage done; and though quite a number of persons, including two children in the ox-cart, were considerably scared, nobody was injured.
PHOENIX BUILDING.
Among the improvements to our city this year was the erection of the Phoenix building, and as it was one of the best in the city at its erection, I will insert the following sketch of it copied from the Mil- waukee Sentinel and Gazette of August 2, 1850, and unquestion- ably from the pen of Rufus King :
Among the many handsome structures which have been put up in our city, during the last two years, the Phoenix Building, on the northwest corner of East Water and Michigan Streets, the property of a gentleman residing in New York, stands conspicuous for architectural design, elegant exterior and convenient ar- rangement. In the month of February, 1849, the old wooden store, standing on the corner lot, was destroyed by fire, and in June following the present building was seen rising, Phoenix-like, from its ashes. The location being one of the best and most central in the city, seemed to invite the owner to put up such a build- ing as should be an ornament to Milwaukee and an object of pride to our citizens ; as well aa a profitable investment for himself. All this has been most success. fully accomplished by the choice of a good plan and a liberal outlay in its execu- tion. Taking into view, the excellent interior arrangement, and beautiful ex- terior appearance of this edifice, it will compare favorably with any similar struc- ture in the United States.
The building has a front of 20 feet on East Water Street, and 90 on Michigan Street ; is four stories high, and has a roomy and well-lighted and perfectly venti- lated basement under the whole building. This basement is finished with great care ; the inner walls are furred out, and no earth touches the outside wall, so that the rooms are light, airy, and free from dampness. The two front rooms,
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
on Water and Michigan Streets, are designed for Brokers' Offices, and the mid- dle one for an express office. They are admirably adapted, by location and ar- rangement, for these purposes and will no doubt find tenants speedily. The rear basement room goes with the store above.
The first floor is to be occupied by Mr. J. N. Bonesteel as a dry goods store. It is an elegant apartment, 20 feet by 90, with lofty and handsomely finished ceil- ings, rich mahogany counters, and other appropriate furniture. The shelvings and drawers were made by Mr. Birchard, and the counters by Mr. A. D. Seaman. This work is all of the best description.
The three front rooms in the second story, at the head of the stairs, have been taken by Mr, Edward Kingsley, the agent and general manager of this section of O'Reilley's Atlantic, Lake and Mississippi Telegraph Line ; now in communica- tion with Racine, and very soon to be extended to Chicago, and thence east, south and west to the principal cities of the Union. These rooms are fitted up by Mr. A. D. Seaman in elegant style, and with excellent taste ; and cannot fail to draw both visitors and customers to Mr. Kingsley's telegraph office. Mr. William B. Draper, an experienced and expeditious operator, has charge of the office, as- sisted by his brother, John S. Draper, who officiates as clerk.
In the upper story Mr. Kennedy has rented several rooms which he intends to occupy as an insurance office. There are, of course, in the building many rooms not yet rented, suitable for lawyers' offices, bachelors' apartments, etc., which will, no doubt, soon find tenants. The fine balcony which runs along the whole south front of the building, on the second and third stories, affords an easy in- gress to those rooms, and a delightful lounging place of a summer evening.
The building, which is of the best Milwaukee pressed brick, from Mr George Tibbits' yard, with caps, sills, lintels and pillars of red sandstone, from the Chatham Quarry, opposite Middletown, Connecticut, was designed and arranged by H. Belden. The architect and superintendent, Mr. J. F. Rague, of this city, furnished the plans and detailed drawings, which were submitted to some of the best architects in New York city, and pronounced by them faultless. The master carpenter was Stoddard H. Martin, Esq., and the master mason, Michael Page. The painting was done by Lowther & Collingbourne. The iron railing for the balcony was made by A. & J. Requa, New York, and fitted and lengthened by Messrs. Walton & Co., of the Menomonee Furnace, in this city, who are also making an iron fence for the area coping. The manner in which all this work has been done is the best possible proof of the judgment and skill of our Milwaukee mechanics, while the building itself is an ornament to our city, and an enduring monument of the liberality, enterprise and taste of its owner.
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