USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > Pioneer history of Milwaukee > Part 7
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
All the schools have been well filled during their respective terms, as the accompanying statement of the average and aggregate attendance in each for the last two months will suffice to show.
The teachers generally have acquitted themselves faithfully of their trust, and though the Board have not yet accomplished all they hoped to effect, it is be- lieved that the several schools have been steadily improving and that the school money raised by the city has been well expended.
The following table of the number of the public schools in our city in charge of the Board; the time each has been taught and the number of children in atten- dance on each, presents a summary of the operations of the Board, for the year ending March 31, 1867.
WARD. TEACHERS' NAMES.
TIME TAUGHT IN MONTHS.
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE.
AGGREGATE ATTENDANCE.
Ist
M. L. Skinner
9
86
108
2d D. Van Deerin
9
61
92
3d No I S. S. Childs
9
94
I30
3d No 2 Thomas Keogh.
6
77
103
4th N. Searles
912
82
12 I
5th. H. R. Wilcox
9
55
75
2 Prim. Miss. B. E. Hutchinson
2
42
62
5 Prim. Miss Ann Loomis
2
54
62
Total
545
753
It should be noticed that in January, H. R. Wilcox, was transferred to the Fourth Ward school and Nelson Searles to the Fifth, and this arrangement is still in force. With a view to ascertain the number of children, between the ages of five and sixteen, residing in the city on the first of Jannary last past, the Board of Commissioners directed a census to be taken and with the following results:
First Ward
588
Second Ward.
627
Third Ward.
376
Fourth Ward
250
Fifth Ward
285
Total 2128
The aggregate attendance at the public schools during the months of February and March, when they were all in operation, was 753. There were also in oper- tion during the same period in different parts of the city, fourteen select schools and academies, with an aggregate attendance of 437 pupils. This is the whole number of children (2, 128) between the ages of five and sixteen, residing in our city, on the first of January last. It appears that 1, 190 were in attendance upon the public or select schools-a flattering contrast with the condition of things in Jan- uary, 1846, when out of 1,800 children, residing in the city, less than 600 were in attendance upon the public and private schools.
74
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
The whole amount of money at the disposal of the Board of Commissioners dur- ing the year was $2,708.03; this was all realized from an assessment made by the Common Council of one-fifth of one per cent. of the taxable property of the city. The Board are empowered under the law to issue rate bills, but as the sum raised by general tax, was sufficient to carry on all the schools, it was not deemed advisable to resort to rate bills as a means of raising a revenue.
It was the desire of the Board to make the public schools, as far as possible, free schools, to throw open the doors to all, without money and without price, to shut out all distinction. and to place on the same footing and to treat with strict equality the children of our city, no matter what the condition, creed or circum- stance of their parents.
The following abstract shows, the amount of money expended, up to the close of the school year, the objects of such expenditure and the balance remaining on hand:
TEACHERS' WAGES.
Ist Ward (one school) $290 25
2d
282 32
3d " (two schools) 487 00
4th " (one school) 382 33
5th
284 75
l'rimary schools in the 2d and 5th Wards 50 00
$1,776 65 . 8 00
Allowance to assistant in Mr. Childs' school.
ROOM RENT.
Rent of room in 3d Ward
$80 00
66
5th “ 16 66
66
66 Ist " 15 00
$118 32
The compensation paid to Mr. Keogh, in the Third Ward, and to Mr. Searles, in the Fourth Ward, includes rent for rooms furnished by these teachers. All the teachers found their own fuel.
SUNDRIES.
Paid for text books, maps and furniture $147 56
For repairs of school rooms 15 80
Contingent expenses, including Secretary's salary $100
139 69
$304 05
Total expenditure
$2,207 00
RECAPITULATION.
Amount realized for school purposes from school tax $2,703 00 Amount expended during the year ending March 31, 1847 2,307 00 Cash on hand April ist. 501 03
-
$2,708 03
66
6 66
$1,784 65
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
In closing this their first annual report, the Board of School Commissioners desire to submit one or two remarks relating to the difficulties they have encoun- tered in the discharge of their duties during the year and upon the means of obvi- ating, or overcoming them in the future. The first is the difficulty of introducing and maintaining a uniformity of text books in the several schools. The advan- tage to both teachers and scholars of such a uniformity, seems too obvious to need remark, yet a strong prejudice exists, in the minds of many parents for or against particular text books, and though the Board at an early day selected and cstablished a list of books to be used in the several schools, yet a good deal of opposition has been encountered in the attempt to carry this reasonable regulation into effect.
The concurrence and co-operation of parents are essential to give full effect to this arrangement. And when as the Board believe every consideration points to the propriety, and advantage of uniform text books, the concurrence of parents ought not to be withheld.
Another matter which calls for a passing remark is the too great indifference manifested by parents, and our citizens generally, to the conduct and condition of the Public Schools. It is extremely desirable that not only parents who have children in these schools, but other citizens shall occasionally visit them. Their presence gives encouragement to the teacher, and operates as a healthful stimulus upon the pupils, nor can it be doubted that the increased interest which our citi- zens would thus come to feel in the well being of our Public Schools, would prompt increased efforts to enlarge, improve and amply sustain them.
But the chief difficulty of all during the past year has been the absolute want of suitable school rooms. We have good teachers, and a multitude of scholars, but no school rooms. Were it in the power of the commissioners to open as many schools as the wants of the city require, instead of 750 children now attending the Public Schools, it is not unreasonable to suppose that from 1,000 to 1,200 would be seeking admission within their walls.
There is but one good school building in the city* under the control of the Board, and that is in the Fifth Ward .; The school house in the Second Ward, is small, illy constructed and badly arranged, in the other Wards there are no Public School buildings of any sort, and the Commissioners have been compelled to rent such rooms as they could find for school purposes. This has imposed upon the Board the necessity of taking up with very indifferent rooms, of insufficient dimensions and wholly unsuitably arranged, and in one or two instances at high rents.
The attention of the Commissioners was early directed to some plan for rem- edying or rather supplying this very serious want. After frequent consultation it was decided to apply to the Legislature for an act authorizing the Common Coun-
* This was true.
+ The one mentioned in Vol. II, Page 310.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
cil to borrow a sum of money, on the credit of the city, for a term of ten years, the proceeds of the loan to be applied to the purchase of suitable sites, and the erection of large and suitable school rooms. The Common Council united in the application, and the Territorial Legislature at its last session granted requisite authority, with a proviso, that the law should first be submitted to and approved by the voters of our city, at a special election to be held for that purpose. It remains for the Common Council to designate the day on which this election shall be held.
The sum proposed to be borrowed, is $15,000 dollars, an amount sufficient, it is thought, to build five school houses with accommodations for 1,200 children. In view of the absolute destitution of school houses in our city, and the impossibility of maintaining good schools without having suitable buildings, the Board of Commissioners think it unnecessary to multiply arguments in support of the pro- posed loan, remembering the intelligent public is just, and liberal enterprise which has thus far honorably distinguished Milwaukee, we cannot doubt that the law authorizing the loan recommended by the Board, sanctioned by the late Common Council and passed by the Legislature, will be approved and ratified by the People.
By order of the BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS, RUFUS KING, Pres. H. G. ABBEY,* Sec.
Milwaukee, April 15th, 1847.
NEW STORE.
I. Van Vechten, dry goods, 342 United States Block. This was a brother of Peter Van Vechten, he remained but a short time, and returned east, where he died. He brought a large stock of goods. I remember him well.
April 21st, was the first warm spring day in 1847.
JOHN B. SMITH'S ADVERTISEMENT.
THE SHOOSHQUOONHOCK .- The tallest, the broadest, the widest and the best in the market. The subscriber new offers at his lumber yard on Erie Street, a few rods from the general Reed Ware House, the best stock of lumber ever brought to this market.
$50,000 will be paid to any one that can beat us. Please to remember that there is but one JOHN B. SMITH.
John B. Smith, who came to Milwaukee in 1845, was no ordinary man. He had a large amount of push, and a fair amount of executive ability. He had a strong will, and would not play " second fiddle "
* Henry G. Abbey, came from Cleveland, Ohio, to Milwaukee; he returned there in 1848, where he still resides. He was by profession a lawyer. I remember him well.
77
MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
as the phrase goes, to any one if he could avoid it, and was always climbing for an inside seat. He was the president of the Horicon Rail Road, and one of the unfortunates financially in that disastrous enterprise, from which he never fully recovered. He was one of the aldermen in 1847, and as has already been seen, acting mayor. He was also a staunch Son of Temperance, in which cause he took a deep interest, but his determination to do as he pleased regardless of consequences, finally brought social ruin, as well as financial, and he who ought to have been one of Milwaukee's most respected and honored citizens, died in apparent obscurity. His was, like Huebsch- mann's, a case of good material badly put together, and after a stormy life, he like him, passed away. "Spiritualism " helped beat him.
He came to this state from Maine.
DIDN'T GET HIM.
Information is wanted as the whereabouts of D. G. Ramsey. Whoever will send this " nice young man" back to pay his tailor's bill, will be liberally rewarded. PHILETUS YALE.
Mr. Yale who is yet with us, was a first-class tailor, and as his advertisement stated " hell on fits," which this Mr. Ramsey un- doubtedly knew, and laid for him.
The election held May 20th, to vote upon the loan of $15,000 for school purposes resulted as follows :
FOR. 160
AGAINST.
Ist Ward
20
2d Ward
115
15
4th Ward
28
24
5th Ward
21
29
Total
324
88
Majority for 236.
No poll held in the 3d Ward.
There was also a public meeting held on the 20th for the purpose of electing delegates to the River and Harbor Convention at Chicago, to be held July 4th, Hans Crocker, Pres., A. Finch, jr., and Rufus King, Sec's. The proceedings at this convention were published in 1882, in book form by Fergus & Co., of Chicago,
This year brought us Jacob Schneck, from Germany, who built 9
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
the brick building at the intersection of Third and West Water Sts., known as Schneck's Block, pulled down in 1881, to make room for the present block. Mr. Schneck has retired from active business, in which he has been succeeded by his two sons, John and Frederick, both of whom have been somewhat famous as dealers in new and second hand furniture.
McCracken's tobacco factory burnt May 4th, together with B. Bagnall's grocery, and Blanchard & Newhall's cabinet ware- room.
NEW CROCKERY HOUSE.
Geo. C. Hathaway and Chas. H. Hurd. Mr. Hathaway left long ago. Mr. Hurd was a great sportsman and fisherman, a genial, com- panionable man, but not very ambitious. He died some ten years a go. I remember Charley well.
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
The proceedings at this meeting are given as an illustration of the most of them.
Council met according to adjournment. His Honor the Mayor in the chair.
Present .- Aldermen Ludington, Martin, Schulte, Messenger, Van Dyke, Hol- ton, Edgerton, Goodall, Rogers and Sayers.
Absent .- Furlong, Owens, Hawkins, Weeks and Waite.
Minutes of the last meeting read and approved.
The order for the construction of side walks was taken up and referred to a special committee.
The petition of Geo. D. Dousman, and others, for an appropriation as salary for the late mayor (Solomon Juneau, ) for 1846, and of John L. Doran and others, for the appointment of a superintendent to the Alms House. Of P. C. Hale and others to vacate a street in the First Ward. Of Richard Murphy, to appoint J. W. Grieb, as sealer of weights and measures. Of A. Gove and others to appoint Michael Walsh, as watchman, were all indefinately postponed.
After which the Council adjourned.
This meeting was a very fair sample of more than half of the whole year.
END OF THE WEEKLY COURIER.
The last number of the weekly Courier was issued June 2, 1847. The daily took its place, edited by Cramer & Curtis.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
THE WEATHER.
In speaking of the weather the Sentinel of June 2d, has the fol- lowing :
In all directions the papers speak of the extraordinary cold weather this spring, which so far is conceeded to be the coldest as well as the latest within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Fires were needed every day in May. We hope however to have it warm soon .- Ed.
I think the spring was very backward. As I recollect it, the trees (particularly the oaks) were not in leaf before June.
TAVERN INSPECTORS.
The following named persons were appointed Tavern Inspectors. They were the first, (and as far as I know) the last ever appointed.
First Ward, William Youlin; Second Ward, M. A. Calkins; Third Ward, Hugh Duffee ;* Fourth Ward, Chas. C. Savage; Fifth Ward, Chapman Yates.
Hubbell's Floating Dock, the first in the city, was built this year.
LEONARD KENNEDY.
Among those who came here this year was Leonard Kennedy, from Connecticut, I believe, and as he was quite prominent (i. e.) he made a large amount of noise for several years, I will sketch him a little. He was by occupation a manufacturer of carpenter's tools, which he carried on for several years in the city but did not make a success of it, and finally gave it up and went to keeping boarders.
Mr. Kennedy belonged to that large class of men who always have more time to attend to other people's affairs, than of their own, or as a sailor would express it, " he was like a green hand at sea, in everybody's mess, and nobody's watch." He had got the impression somehow, that he was a great politician. This however was a mis- take, for like the lamented J. B. Shaw, he was simply a political nuisance.
In person Mr. Kennedy was of medium height, compactly built, had broad shoulders, a large head, a broad face, a long projecting
* Those who can remember Hugh Duffee and the "rum hole " called the " Astor," at or about what is now 253 East Water Street, kept by him can appre- ciate this appointment. There were several of these " Augean stables " .in miniature in the city in those days. But for filth fighting and general cussedness, Hugh's excelled them all. He was "one of em," was Hugh, and occasionally, when full of " benzine," five or six " of em." I remember him well.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
chin, wide mouth, a strong voice, spoke quick, and often, in the im- perative tone. He was quite prominent at one time as an insurance man, in one of our local companies, (the United States, I think,) also had the agency of several foreign companies, but finally as the say- ing is, " got left." and went to California, overland, taking as an in- vestment, several swarms of bees. He was accompanied by his son Lemuel, (or Lem. as he was usually called for short,) who no doubt, many yet living can remember, (without much trouble) as a some- what unstable youth.
Mr. Kennedy as I am informed was very successful with his bees, having made quite a little fortune out of them, to say nothing of the prods he got occasionally from the pugnacious little stemwinders, and is now living at or near Sacramento. The son was here a few years ago, on a short visit, during which he was quite a lion. Mr. Kennedy's boarding house was in the old Doctor Hewett Block, at what is now 407 and 409 Broadway, present numbering.
IMPROVEMENTS.
Among the improvements this year, was the filling of West Water Street from Spring to Fowler Streets, with earth taken from Spring Street between Fifth and Ninth Streets.
COMMON COUNCIL.
July 1 .- The following report of B. H. Edgerton on finances :
The committee on finance to whom was referred the account of Robert Allen, late city treasurer, respectfully report, that they have had the same under con- sideration and would recommend to allow the following items, to-wit.
To cash paid for stationery $5 45
For Pine Table bought of Archibald McFadyen 2 00
Ink stand and sand box* 38
Total $7 83
In reference to the items for stove-pipe, fuel, lights and office rent, your com- mittee can find no precedent for the allowance of such items, we believe that such charges have never before been allowed in any case. And we think they ought not to be in this. It is true, that by a resolution of the late Common Council, the treasurer was required to keep his office within a certain distance of Spring Street
* This was before the invention of blotters. The sand used was emery got from the beach of the lake.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
Bridge. But it was not contemplated to furnish an office as your committee believes.
The resolution was passed before the treasurer entered upon his duties as treasurer, and if he thought he could not afford to comply with it, he should have said so.
There were several city officers whose duties are quite as onerous as the treas- urer's, who might with equal propriety ask to be allowed office rent, as their pay is much less than his. (He got $400.) The items charged for blanks, your com- mittee think should not be allowed, because it is the purpose for which the treas- urer is appointed, and his prescribed duties are to make tax deeds, certificates and receipts, and he is allowed a compensation therefor which is fixed with reference to his writing them out at length, and presupposes that he will. If, therefore, the treasurer or any other officer, chooses to procure blanks to save himself the per- formance of labor, which it is his duty to do, and for which he is amply paid, the public surely ought not to be taxed with the expense.
In regard to clerk hire, your committee have to say, that the late Council ap- pointed a treasurer to do the whole duties of the office, and allowed him what in their opinion was an ample compensation. If he chooses to employ clerks to do his business, he has an undoubted right to do so, but that is a matter for which the city is not chargeable.
The tax list items are for extra compensation for the loss of fees on the sale of lots that were not sold, but which he supposes might have been sold, if the Common Council had not interfered, and adjourned the sale. In reference to these items your committee have to say, that under either construction we are of the opinion that some compensation should have been allowed, under this head, but by referring to the treasurer's report, and to the tax lists, we find that a large amount of the personal tax for 1846, remains uncollected, apparently through the gross and unpardonable neglect of the treasurer, by which the city finances are greatly diminished, and the orders depreciated in value.
Although the late treasurer is undoubtedly liable for any loss the city has sus- tained through such neglect, and should be held strictly accountable therefor, yet the inconvenience suffered by the city, and the extra compensation that will have to be paid to others for collecting the tax, will over balance any claims of the late treasurer for extra compensation. All of which is respectfully submitted.
B. H. EDGERTON, Chairman.
The vote upon the adoption of this report was as follows :
Ayes .- Ludington, Martin, Schulte, Van Dyke, Walter and Edgerton. Noes .- Rogers, Sayers, Hawkins, Weeks and Waite.
This report is given more to show the difference between then and now, than anything else, although the writer must says that to require a man to spend a whole year for four hundred dollars, as treasurer of Milwaukee, and in addition furnish his own office, was rather
.
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
small potatoes. True Mr. Allen was not a fit man by any means for the office; he was a carpenter, and got the appointment through Dr. Weeks, simply because no competent person could be found in the city, at that time, who would take it for that money. He never per- formed the duties. The work was done, and the books kept by Edmund Sanderson. Allen has been dead many years. He was a good mechanic, but no office man.
THOSE BRICK SIDE WALKS.
Some of the delegates to the Harbor and River Convention, held at Chicago, July 4th, 1847, from the rural districts, must have been pretty green.
The Sentinel relates that while the boat on which they were re- turning to their homes was lying at the pier, a party of them took a stroll up town, and on their return, informed their friends on board, when asked what they had seen in Milwaukee, that they'd be darned if some of the side walks wan't paved with brick. These high-toned delegates had never seen a brick side walk before, although they had probably. had bricks in their hats, for ballast, often.
Milwaukee brick was shipped to Albany and other points this year.
NEW WHEAT.
The first new wheat was purchased this year by A. Sweet, August 27th, at the old Red Warehouse foot of East Water Street.
PAINTING A PAINTER.
The following humorous incident occurred in connection with the erection of the old Yellow Warehouse (Mr. Keenan's Mill) foot of East Water Street, built this year.
A man named Harris H. H. Briggs, a painter, who was at that time in the employ of the late James Murray, and
Who had but one eye, - That as blue as the sky, Was always a rolling around on a pivot;
was at work on a scaffold some eighteen feet from the ground, when the scaffold gave way, thereby causing Mr. Briggs to take a seat (a la Turk) upon a pile of scantling, which unfortunately for him, was lying in front of the office door, and where before he could riz
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MILWAUKEE UNDER THE CHARTER.
therefrom to his feet a twelve quart pail filled with yellow paint, which he had just placed upon the scaffold, and which had followed him down, capsized in its descent directly upon his head, painting his whole person (his eye excepted) as yellow as a Chinese man- darin. The fall (or rather the contact with the scantling) shook Mr. Briggs up slightly, if not worse, and he was placed upon a cot in the office for dead. He was however only stunned, but his appearance as he lay there, with that solitary blue eye rolling slowly around, in ground work of yellow paint, looking for sympathy from those stand- ing by,
Like the " Neversink light," On a moonlight night,
was a sight too ludicrous for anything, and the scene often comes to my mind when passing there even now. Mr. Briggs died of cholera, in 1852.
THE EMPIRE MILL.
Among the wonderful improvements made in 1846 and 1847, was the construction of the Empire Mill by Medbery & Hoover, (John W. Medbery, Martin B. Medbery and Jacob A. Hoover) commenced in April, 1846, and opened July Ist, 1847. The following article copied from the Sentinel and Gazette of July 2d, 1847, gives a very fair idea of what the people thought of it at that time, and which reads as follows :
This splendid structure was commenced in the spring of 1846, since which time the work has been pushed with vigor by the enterprising proprietors, until it was started for the first time yesterday. Everything worked well from the start, and during the time we remained on the premises all parts of the machinery moved like clock work. The mill edifice is 45 x 56, four and a half stories in height. The foundation walls are of solid stone, and the entire structure is of the most substantial character throughout. The wheel-house (for it was a water mill at first) is 35 x 56, the wheel itself is twelve and a half feet in width, and thirty- six foot in diameter. The castings (weighing thirty tons,) were all made at the foundry of Andrew J. Langworthy, and are a credit to that establishment. The architect and mill-wright is Mr. E. A. Benton, of Cleveland, who has built up in this inill a reputation as solid and enduring as the mill itself. The mill will be in charge of Mr. J. V. Tilton, lately from Rochester, N. Y., an experienced, intelli- gent and capable miller.
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