The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 68

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc > Part 68

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course.

The spring must be his.

And, before 9 o'clock of the morning of the discovery it

was his, together with the two acres of pasture-land in which it was embosomed.

The subsequent analysis of the water by Prof. Bode more than confirmed the convictions of Dr. Swan. It proved better than he had dared to hope. He had heard from the visitors at Waukesha that it tasted exactly like that of the world-famed Bethesda, and we who had drunk the water weeks together concurred in this. Still, he did not venture to hope that it had sub- stantially the same ingredients. Yet the analysis makes this a certainty. Indeed, it shows

453

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

that the proportions of the essential bicarbonates, if anything, are slightly in favor of this spring, while there is less organic matter. But it is quite enough for him to know that, in medicinal qualities, it is equal to that grand spring. It has, however, points of superiority. It is ten degrees colder, owing, doubtless, to its vastly greater depth and breadth. The Bethesda is 60º Fahrenheit, this 50°. And in capacity there is no comparison. The Vita Spring, according to the estimate of a Milwaukee engineer, has an outflow of 6,000 barrels per day !

"From conversations with early settlers, much ancient history has been secured in regard to what has hitherto been familiarly known as the Ackerman Spring. The recent analysis hav- ing proved its efficacy by modern science, a brief recital of its knowledge by the Indians will be of interest. And although it may appear romantic or fictitious, the statements made are vouched for by reliable informants, and the authority is given in one or two instances, and we give it as related to us. The subsequent findings, in the shape of relics, etc., also corroborate, in incident, the statements made : This spring was well known to the red men of the forest, probably centuries ago, as the 'healing spring,' and was called by them the 'much good water.' Much-kaw, the great medicine chief of the Winnebagoes, continued to visit this spring as long as he lived. He died about the year 1860, at the great age, as he said, of over 120 years, and his appearance fully warranted his assertion. In talking about this spring, he said, so long ago as he could remember, it had been known to the Indians as 'healing spring ;' that, long years ago, there had been contentions between his tribe and the Pottawatomies for the possession of it for a 'medicine water ' and a hunting-ground, it being a great resort for the wild animals, especially in times of great drought ; that when all other water was dried up, this spring was running full. And this story is corroborated by the fact that it has never failed or materially changed its vol- , ume since it has been known to the white man. It is also corroborated by the great number of relics found in and about it while clearing it out and preparing the grounds this season, such as pieces of human skull-bones, other human bones, and a large number of the bones of animals. There were also found many elk and deer horns ; one very large elk-horn was found in the cen- ter of the spring, several feet below the surface of the ground, on the stones that surround it, in perfect state of preservation. Some of those found outside the spring were in a partial state of preservation, while many of them were in such a decayed condition that they could not be saved. Other relics were found, such as pieces of gun-stocks, gun-barrels, arrow-heads, etc. The doc- tor has saved many of them.

" Wiscopawis, chief of the Winnebagoes, prior to the tribes being removed to their western reservation, in conversation with M. Shafer, Esq., of Beaver Dam, told him this spring was much prized by his tribe. He called it ' the much good water.' And this is confirmed by the many Indian trails leading toward the spring. The great novelty of this spring is a bank or wall of large stone, found embedded in the clay, about twelve feet wide, lying out from the spring on either side about eight feet, and sloping toward the center of it, with a line of this bank of stone on the west side of the spring, extending to the hard land, about thirty feet. Whether this bank or wall of stone was made by man or eruptions of the earth, can never be determined. Some parts of it appeared to be quite regular, and other parts promiscuous."

Following is the analysis of the water, made by Prof. Bode, the well-known chemist, of Milwaukee :

OFFICE OF GUSTAVUS BODE, CHEMIST, MILWAUKEE, August, 1879.

G. E. SWAN, M. D. Dear Sir :- Herewith please find the result of my analysis made of the water you fur- nished. One gallon United States measure contains total quantity of solid substances, 28.0155 grains, consisting of

Grains.

+ Chloride of sodium

0.1755

Bicarbonate of iron 0.2047

Sulphate of soda .

0.4563

Alumina.

0.1462

Sulphate of lime ..

0.6453

Silica ...

0.9945

Bicarbonate of lime.

12.1212

Organic matter.

1.4008

Bicarbonate of magnesia.

11.8638

Yours respectfully,

GUSTAVUS BODE, Analytical Chemist.

Grains.

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

After carefully watching the effects produced upon the consumers of the waters of this spring, the Doctor has indited the following scientific opinion upon its merits :

Here in this beautiful little Wisconsin city of 4,000 (located sixty-five miles northwest of Milwaukee), I have discovered a valuable mineral spring, whose waters are very cold, pure and clear as crystal, with a flow of 6,000 barrels per day. Over this spring I have erected a lovely pavilion, formed three fine lakes below, and on the seven- teen acres surrounding it made delightful walks and drives. Meantime, I have carefully watched the effects of this water on the hundreds here using it, and the result is conclusive. It does have a specific and peculiar affinity for the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra and neck of the bladder, removing all congestions, irritations and inflamma- tions of those structures, and toning them up in a few weeks or months to a complete state of health. Other organs are also benefited, but these so decidedly that I name this water Vita (or life)-life to the whole urinary economy, and better health to the entire system.

The Vita Spring has become a favorite resort for the citizens of Beaver Dam and the numerous individuals attracted thither for purposes of business or pleasure; and, in fair . weather, hundreds of people make daily pilgrimage to the place that, only a few months ago, was a cow pasture. During the coming spring, 500 maples, 50 elms and a large number of other varieties of trees, such as basswoods, butternuts and walnuts, together with a correspond- ing amount of shrubbery and evergreens, will be set out within the eleven-acre park surround- ing the spring. A neat picket fence around the grounds, a rustic observatory and boat-house, to be located near the junction of the second and third lakes, gold-fish, row-boats, a beautiful greenhouse, a bath-house, and a system of posts and chains on each side of the numerous walks and driveways, a compressed-air engine and fountain, are improvements that will come with the winds of March, the buds of April and the blossoms of May. Come and drink of this nectar, ye listless denizens of the (" solid ") Sunny South, and ye torpid-livered automatons of the great cities North, East and West, and have your physical (and political) disabilities removed.

THE PERRY SAFETY CAR-COUPLER.

Twenty-six years ago, W. V. Perry, of Beaver Dam, conceived the idea of inventing and perfecting a coupler for use on freight cars, which would lessen the dangers attending the lives and services of brakemen and others employed upon railroads, and at the same time furnish railway companies with an article whose durability and simplicity would so far recommend it as to insure its adoption by the managers of the great freight lines. The vicissitudes encountered by Mr. Perry at times almost overwhelmed his energy and genius, but he persevered, working by day and thinking by night, until it would seem success was soon to follow the recent realiza- tion of his dreams. An intelligent description of Mr. Perry's invention is impossible, but, as an illustration of its merits, it is sufficient to say that its gradual adoption by one of the largest railway corporations in the United States, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, speaks for it far more than could be written here, and fully as much as is claimed by the patentee. The advan- tages claimed for it over couplers at present in use are, first, the absence of danger to those engaged in coupling and uncoupling the cars, both being performed by a system of rods from the top or sides of the car, making unnecessary a most perilous duty, by which so many lives have been lost and limbs maimed. It is positively stated, though the statement seems incredi- ble, that the average life of a railroad brakeman is seven years. Any invention that will aid in lessening the number of frightful accidents that are of daily occurrence among the large army of railroad operatives, is certainly deserving of encouragement. From the standpoint of economy and durability, the Perry Coupler, as has been proven by their use for the past eight months on fifty of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Company's freight cars, without a breakage of any kind, has no equal in the long list of similar inventions. It is to freight cars what the Miller platform and coupler is to passenger cars.

The Perry Coupler was first patented in 1871, again in 1875 and 1877, and, in January of the latter year, with the object of universalizing the wonderful invention, a stock company was incorporated, with the style and name of "The Perry Safety Car Coupling Company of Beaver Dam, Wis.," by the following named individuals : President, Oliver H. Crowl; Vice President, Richard Ackerman ; Secretary, O. L. Moore ; Treasurer, J. S. Church. Directors- W. A. Stuart and W. H. McReynolds, of Kokomo, Ind .; Calvin E. Lewis, W. R. Chatfield,

455

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

W. V. Perry, and Messrs. Crowl, Church, Ackerman and Moore, of Beaver Dam. The present Board of officers is as follows : President, R. Ackerman ; Vice President, J. S. Church ; Sec- retary and Treasurer, F. Hempel. Directors -- Thomas Hughes, Lyman Wetherell, Orville Burgit, and Messrs. Ackerman, Church, Chatfield, Perry, Stuart and McReynolds. W. V. Perry is the General Agent ; post office address, Chicago, Ill. The capital stock of the Company is $50,000, divided into 2,000 shares.

BEAVER DAM MINSTRELS.

To relieve the monotony of the existing state of affairs, and for their own amusement and that of the public, a number of young men of Beaver Dam, in the fall of 1872, organized the Beaver Dam Minstrels, the following named composing the organization : A. F. Lydston, bones; O. F. Weaver, middleman and interlocutor ; A. M. Burns, tambourine ; H. Rogers, W. H. Lewis, H. Moore, M. Evans, E. A. Crane, John Hensler, A. Jordan, S. W. Rowell, Theodore Rowell, L. Sherman. Their first peformance was given that same fall to a crowded house, and at every succeeding entertainment, they were given assurances by the crowds in attendance that their efforts were appreciated. In consequence of some of their number leaving the city, the organ- ization was soon disbanded, but, in the fall of 1879, it was re-organized on a much grander scale, there being four end men and other accessories. Their first performance was given on the evening of December 18, 1879, Concert Hall being well filled with the amusement-loving citizens of the city. The members of the troupe were O. F. Weaver and G. H. Hibbard, bones ; A. M. Burns and F. S. Lewis, tambourine ; O. M. Davis. middleman ; J. C. Harder, L. W. Sher- man, Henry Harder, T. B. Rowell, Charles Hensler, F. M. Van Bergen, W. H. Lewis, George Brown, E. E. Lewis, Charles Nowack. In order to show the style of performance and for the benefit of posterity we append the programme in full :

INTRODUCTORY OVERTURE, OPENING CHORUS, COMIC SONG-"Perhaps," BALLAD-"Homeless and Friendless,"

COMIC SONG-"Summer Sounds," FINALE,

HARDER'S ORCHESTRA COMPANY O. F. WEAVER QUARTETTE A. M. BURNS COMPANY

OVERTURE.

BALLAD-(Guitar Acc'pan'mt,) "My Home in Kentuck," O. M. DAVIS

BONE SOLO, G. H. HIBBARD

FARCE-"Backwoods Echo," F. S. LEWIS, O. F. WEAVER, A. M. BURNS

OVERTURE.

SKIDMORE GUARDS-Marching Song of,

' Introducing the entire company in military costume, and executing a series of drill unparalleled in Military Tactics.

SONG AND DANCE-"I want to See the Dear Old Home." A. M. BURNS FARCE-"Troublesome Infant." Mr. Jenkins, W. H. LEWIS

Mrs. Jones, ..

F. M. VANBERGEN Little Tommy Jones (2 years old) G. H. HIBBARD Utility Sam, :

: O. F. WEAVER

OVERTURE.

SERIO COMIQUE-" Where can the Old Man Go," O. F. WEAVER DAVIS AND HIBBARD PLANTATION SONG-Duet, PLANTATION SCENE-" Walking for dat Cake," COMPANY

Concert Hall was crammed full, and, with the exception of the bursting of a button on a strange-looking garment worn by Fred Lewis, nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the assembled multitude.

456

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

A BEAVER DAM MURDER.

· The history of Beaver Dam is comparatively free from crime. In September, 1858, occurred, probably, the only deliberate murder that the local press has been called upon to chronicle. James M. Conklin, a disreputable character, and Simon Malone, having been engaged in a protracted family quarrel over the use of a well located on the line dividing their respective premises, the feud culminated in Conklin's insulting, and ill-treating members of Malone's family, after which he proceeded to a saloon on Front street, and, while standing at the bar drinking, having remarked in the presence of Malone that he would " drive the red-mouthed Irishman out of town," the latter deliberately drew a revolver and shot Conklin in the back, the ball passing through his lungs, resulting in death within the next forty-eight hours. Malone, after the shooting, ran down Center street, passing a number of men working on that thorough- fare, without exciting any particular wonder or immediate inquiry. He made his escape to the woods south of the city, and has not since been seen or heard of except, perhaps, by his rela- tives.

Several years previous to this tragedy there was a case of blood-letting in the Fourth Ward, in which one McCabe was shot and killed by William Haskell, who, however, claimed that the shooting was accidental, he having aimed to kill a dog. Haskell was acquitted at the preliminary examination of intent to murder.

On the 9th of February, 1869, Franklin Butterfield brought into the city the dead body of Putnam Stevens, his brother-in-law, who was a man of weak intellect, the two having started fishing and gunning together. Stephens was shot in the mouth, the charge passing out of the back of the neck. The preliminary examination of Butterfield revealed the fact that Stevens' life was insured in favor of Butterfield for $10,000. The prisoner was held for trial and was afterward acquitted before the Circuit Court. There is a well-founded belief, in the community, that this was a foul and premeditated murder. Butterfield, to save being mobbed, quit the country. The suits for the insurance money were compromised, but it is well understood that Mr. Butterfield never profited thereby.

THE NEW CITY HALL.

On the 5th of August, 1879, the Fire Department of Beaver Dam petitioned the City Council to build better quarters for their engine. A committee was appointed to select a site, which they did, and, on the 15th of the same month, a large lot at the corner of Spring and Middle streets was purchased for $825, the Council in the mean time having decided to build a City Hall, which should also furnish accommodations for the Fire Department. Plans and speci- fications were advertised for, and those drawn by H. C. Koch & Co., of Milwaukee, were accepted by the Council. The building will be of brick, 70x44 feet, three stories high and roofed with tin. The contract was let to S. P. Doolittle for $10,580, the structure to be completed by September 1 of the present year.

THE CHURCHES.

The early history of the most of the religious institutions of Beaver Dam is given in the inter- esting papers read before the Old Settlers' Club, which have already engrossed the attention of the reader. The compiler has endeavored to "take up the thread," as it were, and pursue, briefly, the history of each church and denomination. If any inaccuracies or omissions are found in the result of our efforts, the fault occurred on account of the great difficulty encountered in obtaining the material for our facts.

The Methodist 'Episcopal Church .- Among the first members of this denomination in Beaver Dam were Ruben Dexter and wife, Mr. Peters and wife, Mrs. M. H. Baldwin, and Mr. L. H. Marvin, the latter being the Class-Leader. There was preaching every two weeks, the society being in the Burnett Circuit. In the spring of 1847, a small church edifice was built on . the lot recently purchased by the Irish Catholics on the corner of Beaver and Middle streets. This was occupied until 1871, numerous improvements being made, when the present handsome

457

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

structure belonging to the society was built at a cost of $8,000. Following is a list of the Pas- tors who have filled the pulpit since the foundation of the society: Revs. A. P. Allen, W. H. Hayward, Henry Requa, William Barnes, James Lawson, N. S. Greene, J. M. Walker, E. Tucker, D. Stansbury, G. Fellows, I. M. Leihy, S. L. Brown, N. J. Aplin, A. C. Huntley, C. E. Carpenter, A. A. Reed, Isaac Wiltsie, S. Smith and E. D. Farnham. (The church officers at the present writing are: Trustees-O. O. Burgit, D. Dickinson, S. H. Ford, J. H. Howard, W. D. Hambright, Joseph Bowes, J. C. Hunt, O. G. Yates and J. I. Warner. Stewards-F. Hempel (Recorder), A. P. Lawrence, D. Dickinson, E. Smith, J. E. Flanders, I. J. Hibbard, . S. Hogeman, A. Tibbits and M. G. Howard. The society is out of debt.

Free Methodist Church .- This denomination differs from the Methodist Episcopal brethren in that they do not countenance secret societies. The first preaching by one of this faith in Beaver Dam was by Rev. J. Traves, and their first place of meeting was in Ackerman's Hall. A church was organized here in 1866, Rev. J. S. Ladue being its first Pastor. In 1872, the Church purchased and fitted up for their use the stone schoolhouse in the Third Ward, at a cost of about $300. It will seat about one hundred and fifty persons. The first officers of the soci- ety were William Lindsay, Isaac T. Morrison, Peter Palmiter, Walter Markham and Levi John- son, Stewards, and George Colby, Class-Leader.

For 1880, the officers consist of Bros. Pomeroy and Chichester and Sister Ann Peachy, Stew- ards, and Levi Johnson, Class-Leader. The society pay no stated salary to their preacher, giving " as the Lord prospers them;" present membership, thirteen. The following named have served as Pastors : Revs. J. S. Ladue, W. Cooley, W. A. Noble, James Kelso, John A. Murray and Robert Page.

German Methodist Episcopal Church .- Organized in 1868. First Trustees-F. Hempel, W. Berg and G. Linde. Stewards, A. Lange and W. Freidrich. A brick church edifice was erected in 1871, on Spring street, at a cost of $3,500. The Pastors have been the Revs. Th. Stuble, Charles Ewent, Chr. Wentz, G. Linsenmeyer, W. F. Kruckmann and A. Meixner.

The present Trustees are G. Linde, Z. Groose, G. Henz, W. Zrewel and A. Schmutzler. Stewards, W. Zrewel and W. Freidrich. The society is out of debt and consists of about thirty- eight families.

The Baptist Church .- The first place of worship by this society was a small frame house which stood on the present site of the residence of Mr. Schutte, on Center street. Dr. Hitch- cock lived in a portion of the building. As the society grew and prospered, they built a church edifice on the lot now occupied by their present place of worship. This was destroyed by fire in 1863, and upon the ruins was soon afterward erected, at a cost of $11,500, the commodious structur now occupied.

The regular Pastors who have preached the doctrine of John the Baptist in Beaver Dam are Revs. Mr. Pillsbury, Alva Burgess, N. E. Chapin, E. M. Gates, M. F. Hodge, J. E. Johnston, R. E. Manning, N. E. Wood and J. M. Coon. The present officers of the Church are : Trustees -C. B. Beebe, Caleb Perry, P. V. Haring and George B. Chatfield. Deacons-G. B. Chat- field, E. P. Cady and Rufus Clason. The membership is given at 155.

First Presbyterian Church .- The original place of worship was a small frame structure which stood on the lot now owned and occupied by Mr. Loomis. It was afterward moved to the present site of W. H. Lander's residence, on Spring and Third streets. In 1847, the society built a neat little frame on Front street. The structure is still standing, and is the res- idence of S. Johns. In 1851, the present church edifice was erected. Many improvements have been made, and it is now one of the most comfortable churches in the city.

The list of Pastors comprises the names of the Revs. Moses Ordway, Alexander Montgomery, William A. Niles, Reuben Smith, J. J. Miter, William F. Brown and G. F. Hunting.

The present officers of the society are: John W. McNitt, Moderator ; E. L. Hall, Clerk ; C. W. Whinfield, Treasurer. Trustees-G. B. Congdon, M. E. Stevens and L. H. Marvin. The membership is given at about two hundred.

458

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

Assembly Presbyterian Church .- This Church was organized May 3, 1858, by a com- mittee of the Presbytery of Winnebago, consisting of Rev. G. C. Heckman and Rev. H. M. Robertson. On presenting their credentials, twenty-nine persons were enrolled as members, as follows : Judah Paddock, Mrs. Miranda Paddock, Benj. Clason, Mrs. Maria Clason, Jos. Clason, Mrs. J. Clason, J. H. Montgomery, Mrs. L. M. Montgomery, Alexander Clason, Mrs. L. A. Clason, Elizabeth Clason, Louisa Clason, Washington Clason, Orpah Clason, Mary Clason, Nesbit Ross, Mrs. Margaret Ross, Thomas Samuels, Mrs. Jane Samuels, Caleb Reed, Mrs. Elizabeth Reed, Mrs. Alfred Marden, Mrs. Augusta Marden, M. A. Chapman, Ann Morton, Adolphus Pad- dock, Elizabeth Kellogg, Robert Norris and Charlotte Smith. The first meetings were held in the Bicknell Building, in the room now occupied by the Citizen printing office. The church was built in 1859, at a cost of about $1,200. It will comfortably seat 250 persons. Rev. Dr. J. M. Buchanan preached the dedication sermon. The following named Pastors have occupied the pulpit : Rev. L. M. Chapman, Rev. E. L. Peck, Rev. Joseph Vance, Rev. H. P. Peck, Rev. T. S. Johnson. The Church now pays its Pastor a salary of $900 per year, and raises for charitable and benevolent purposes some $200-a total of $1,100 for all church purposes. The present officers of the Church are : Elders-N. Ross, S. D. Mason, N. W. Goodman. Trustees -A. Marden, O. R. Williams, W. Bonner, W. Wadley, A. Ganski, H. B. Cochrane; Secretary, S. Carroll ; Treasurer, J. H. Barrett.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church .- The first services of the Church in Beaver Dam were held by Rev. L. D. Brainard, a missionary of the Domestic Board, on the 5th of November, 1855. There were then but two communicants-one of whom died shortly after, and the other moved away. Mr. Brainard held services here and at other places, after an itinerant manner, and gradually secured means to aid in the erection of a church building. A lot and $300 worth of material had been secured in 1857. On the 13th of April, 1858, Mr. Brainard resigned his charge, and the Rev. Luther Gregory succeeded him. On the 15th day of May, 1858, the corner-stone of the church was laid. Mr. Gregory went East to raise money for the building, but, having raised only $100, became discouraged by lack of success, and resigned his charge. At the request of Bishop Kemper, Mr. Brainard returned to the work on the 22d of October, 1858. He succeeded in raising $1,500 in the East and South, and the church building was completed and freed from debt, and, on the 5th day of September, 1860, was consecrated by Bishop Kemper. In July, 1864, Mr. Brainard resigned his charge at Beaver Dam, and in August, 1864, Rev. R. F. Sweet was elected Rector of the parish. In July, 1865, it was decided to remove and repair the church building. The lot on which the church now stands was purchased for $275, and the church was removed and thoroughly repaired at a cost of $1,200. In November, 1865, the Rev. Mr. Sweet resigned the parish, and in June, 1866, Rev. William E. Wright was elected Rector and remained in charge until September, 1867. In December, 1868, the work in the parish was placed in charge of an associate mission, under Rev. William B. Bolmer, and so continued until May 1, 1872, when the Rev. S. K. Miller became Rector of the parish, and so remained until February 14, 1875. On the 1st of May, 1875, Rev. F. C. Eldred became Rector, and resigned his charge June 8, 1879. On the 14th of September, 1879, Rev. S. S. Burleson, as missionary in charge, under appointment of the Bishop, com- menced work at Beaver Dam, in connection with Juneau, Fox Lake, Columbus and Doylestown. The size of the church is 30x50; chancel, 12x14. The bell is from the foundry of Jones & Co., Troy, N. Y., and was presented to the parish by business men in New York. The number of sittings in the church is 162. The present number of communicants in the parish is 26. The officers of the parish are : Charles Weston, Senior Warden; Hiram Booth, Junior Warden ; J. J. Dick, Charles Leichardt, W. H. Ford, Vestrymen.

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The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 68

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774