USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 123
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Dell Queen .- In the fall of 1874, Bergstresser & Bell brought the steamer Lake City from Madison, re-constructed and re-christened her the Dell Queen; but the boat was fromn inadequate to the requirements of a first-class pleasure-boat, and, during the winter fol- lowing, was dismantled, and an elegant and commodions steamer, bearing the same name, was built to take her place. Under command of the genial and accommodating Capt. Bell, she plied the Upper Dells during the seasons of 1875, 1876 and 1877. On the 4th of June, 1878, the boat was burned. A large force of men were immediately put to work to rebuild her, and, July 4 following, her first trip was made, and, during the seasons of 1878 and 1879, regular trips were made, and many thousands of persons have had the opportunity to visit the wonderful scenes of the Dells of the Wisconsin. Regnlar trips are made each day, at 9 A. M. and 2 P. M. Other trips are made as required.
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Champion .- In 1875, Capt. A. Jones came from Point Bluff with a small steamer called the Champion. She ran two seasons through the Upper Dells, and then went below the dam and ran the Lower Dells for one season. In 1879, the boat was taken to Mirror Lake, about three and a half miles from Kilbourn City.
Alexander Mitchell .- This steamer was built in 1878, by the Kilbourn Boat Company -George Smith, President. Under command of Capt. D. C. Van Wie, she made regular trips during the seasons of 1878 and 1879. Her regular hours of departure were 9 A. M. and 2 P. M. Her run is through the Upper Dells.
Hops .- The cultivation of hops for the general market commenced in this vicinity in 1859, the first load being brought here by King Thompson, in the fall, and sold to W. A. Ramsey, for 14} cents per pound. Year by year, the quantity increased, and as the quality was good, fair prices were received. In 1865, Ramsey and Hansen commenced the manufacture of hop presses, in that year making 100 and finding a ready sale for them in this neighborhood. In 1866, the number was increased to 200, which was further in- creased to 300 in 1867, and the same number in 1868, since which time there has been no de- mand. The profits made by those engaged in the culture of hops being large, one after another of the farmers engaged in it, until, in 1867, the whole country in this vicinity became excited in a wonderful manner, and a very large area of land was devoted to this purpose. When the season came for picking and drying, considerable difficulty was experienced in securing a suffi- cient number of pickers, and this demand created a new industry. Leroy Gates, the celebrated Dell Pilot, conceived the idea of going to many of the cities and villages throughout the State, securing the service of as many girls as possible, and hiring them to the farmers at a certain sum per head. It required 15,000 pickers to gather the crop this year, 10,000 of whom were brought from abroad, the greater number through the influence of Mr. Gates. The editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel was on one of the trains bringing a delegation of piekers to this place, and thus expresses his thoughts : "Coming from Milwaukee, a few days ago, while comfortably enjoying a cigar in the smoking car, the train stopped at a little station-there they were, and in they came-a thousand, we thought, but the recruiting officer said there were but six hundred-a thousand were coming on the next train. The major general of this division of the army of hop pickers was Leroy Gates, who makes the unsuspecting public, who read the Sentinel, believe that he is a Dells pilot. Pilot he is, but not of logs or lumber-he pilots the wearers of calico and crinoline to the fields where the hops do grow. It broadens human feelings to know there are so many lively girls in the world, and beer will be none the worse for a view of the hands which pick the berries, that give it its bittersweet." The total yield for the year, ship- ped from this station, was 27,000 bales, of 200 pounds each. a total of 5,400,000, which, at 50 cents per pound, would yield a revenue of $2,700,000. This is a low estimate, as a large amount was sold at 65 cents a pound. The cost of picking this erop was $270,000, nearly all of which was earned by girls.
The circulation of nearly $3,000,000 among the farmers in this vicinity stimulated every branch of industry. Every one seemed to have all the money they cared for. The farmers were delighted with their experience, and each believed he had found the sure way to wealth. Therefore, in 1868, the number of hop-yards increased, and the older ones enlarged. When the season drew near for picking, the question arose as to where the pickers were to come from to gather this immense crop. Leroy Gates and Anson Rood endeavorcd to solve the problem and, in midsummer, advertised throughout nearly the whole State for pickers, and established agencies in almost every village. Contracts were made for the season with all who would go, their railroad fare being paid to and from their place of residence, and board guaranteed, with the highest market price paid for picking. Special trains were chartered to bring in the pickers, and, for several days, every freight and every passenger train was crowded with fair women, on their way to the hop-fields. It was the endeavor of Gates and Rood to keep those from a neighborhood together, if possible, and, when engaged, they were classified as A, B, C, and so on, and instructed, on their arrival at this place, to go with
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the party who should call for their class. Farmers who had contracted for a certain number of pickers were given to understand they should receive their number from a specified class. This plan did not work as satisfactorily as expected. Unprincipled men took advantage of the circumstances, and, on arrival of the train, would call out, "Class A, take this wagon." " This way, all belonging to Class B." thus deceiving the ladies, and swindling the contractors out of their fees for obtaining the service of the pickers, and the contracting parties out of the number they were to obtain.
The heaviest loaded train arriving here contained about twelve hundred. It arrived in the night, but over three hundred teams were in readiness to convey the pickers to the hop- yards. The erop this year amounted to 30,000 bales, but instead of receiving fifty and sixty cents per pound, ten cents was all that could be obtained. Instead of $3,000,000, which it was confidently believed would be realized, $600,000 was about the sum total, half of which went to the pickers.
As may readily be imagined, the hop-yards of 1869 were few and far between, and the yield for the year was small indeed, and but little, comparatively, has since been done, though there are those who have never abandoned the business, and taking it year by year, there is nothing grown here that will yield a better profit.
Fires .- A fire of a magnitude never before witnessed in this section of the country occurred in this place about 10 o'clock, P. M., March 14, 1866, turning ten families out of doors and destroying the business of eleven men and firms-two of the families left without a change of wearing apparel. The Eastern mail, arriving here at 9 P. M., is distributed about 10, at which time most of the citizens receive their mail, and the leading places of business are not generally closed till some time after. So it was on this occasion, and while many were still in the post office, Mr. Kingsbury, on his way home, noticed a fire in a shed attached to the second story of J. E. Dixon & Son's storc, at the back end of the main building, and extending over the roof of an extension to the store, in which shed the fire probably originated, but from what cause can be only a matter of speculation. The firm of J. E. Dixon & Sons were all in their office at the time, which was almost directly under the shed before mentioned. The first inti- mation they had of the fire, they saw it breaking through over their heads. It was then too late to impede its progress, and the only thing that could be done was to save such goods as they could, but the fire being in the center of the store, but a small portion could be saved. They had in their store between $90,000 and $100,000 worth of goods. They succeeded in securing, in a damaged state, somewhere about $25,000 worth.
The second story was occupied by Mr. E. R. Herren, a member of the firm, and by his father, Robert Herren, as dwellings. At the time the fire broke out, Mrs. Herren and ser- vant-girl were absent from home. Mrs. Robert Herren and family had all retired. Mr. Herren had just returned from the post office, and hardly had time to get himself and family out, some of them without even a full suit of clothing.
The fire first extended east, and shortly after west, burning in its course the stores of Dr. G. W. Jenkins, druggist ; T. Connor, dry goods ; Mrs. Stevens, milliner ; J. P. Dunlap, grocer, and N. Van Alstine's blacksmith-shop, in the east, and a store owned and occupied by F. Mar- tin ; store owned by Seth Knowles and occupied by C. D. Woodruff, druggist, and J. M. Weber, jeweler and Postmaster; store of J. E. Hansen, hardware merchant; store of Kuney & Bergstresser, occupied by J. E. Hansen with stoves and iron; two stores owned by E. F. Barker, one occupied by T. Baker as a butcher shop, and the other by A. S. Barker as a fur- niture-shop on the west, in each of which buildings, except the store of Kuney & Bergstresser, there was a family.
The night was extremely still ; there was no wind, and none, or scarcely none, was created by the fire, yet the flames extended very rapidly, consuming the entire row of stores in about two hours. The flames reached very high, and it is stated were seen at a distance of twenty- five miles. Most of the household goods, except those of the Herren's, were saved, but very much damaged. The other goods saved were also greatly damaged. Loss, $100,000.
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The second fire of special consequence was on the 30th day of January, 1868, when the Kilbourn City Institute was destroyed, with a loss of $5,000.
On the 4th day of October, 1876, Kilbourn City was again visited with a destructive fire, in which eight buildings on the south side of Broadway, between Oak and Elm streets, were totally destroyed. George Oswald, Rev. Matthew Bennett, Jake Roth, G. Maultbetsch, A. Rost, S. H. Higgins, Mrs. Louisa Taylor, Mrs. Brown and Dr Hooker, were the principal losers. in this fire, the office of the Wisconsin Mirror was destroyed : total loss, $10,000. Says a writer in the Columbus Democrat, October 14, 1876 :
" The fire at Kilbourn, last Wednesday morning, was a disastrous one for that village. At about 1 o'clock, the flame was discovered in the building whercin are located the Mirror office and the flour and feed store of John Soeldner ; it was altogether beyond control, and very little was rescued at this point. The fire, first seen on the south side of Broadway and east of Oak street, soon spread to the buildings on either hand, and made rapid progress until every structure in the block east of Stroud & Coon's law office, including several frame buildings, were entirely consumed. An employe in the adjacent shoe-shop of George Oswald was at work there until midnight. and, if the fire did not originate there, it was undoubtedly an incendiarism. Oswald's loss was very slight, the contents of his shop being saved in great part. The presses of the Mirror were saved in a damaged condition, but everything else was burned. Soeldener's loss is $500. The building was owned by Mathew Bennett, of Baraboo, as was the Mirror building. Jacob Roth's family, in the next building, had close work to escape with their lives, and saved nothing but a sewing machine and the Sunday clothes of Mr. R .; his loss is $1,800. The next house east was owned by George Maultbetsch, but was unoccupied ; a barn and ice house were on the lot, and the loss is $1,000. Next came the milliner-shop and dwelling of Mrs. G. Van Alstine. owned by Seth S. Higgins, of Randolph : this building was insured for $1,000 and was the only one so insured. In Wright's furniture and book store, much of the goods were saved, but a large amount of furniture, lumber and tools were burned ; Wright's loss is estimated at $2,000. J. Jackson Brown's building was the last in the block, and was destroyed like the others; it was occupied as a meat-market, by Mr. Banker, who saved nothing but his ice-box."
In the formation of new villages, the usual order is first a blacksmith-shop, then a saw- mill and after that other enterprises demanded from the situation. In Kilbourn City, the first thing was a newspaper, second a carpenter-shop, and third a hotel. This latter was the third building erected in the place and was known as the Tanner House, but in 1875 changed to the
Finch House .- Captain John Tanner had a small story and a half house in the village of Newport, which in December, 1855, he removed to this place, and fitted up for a hotel. Moving it up on runners, and before placing it upon the foundation prepared for it, Mrs. Tanner prepared therein an excellent dinner, and Byron Kilbourn, President of the LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company : Jonathan Bowman, afterward State Senator from this district, then of Newport ; John Anderson, contractor for the building of the dam, and John B. Vliet, locating engineer of the L. & M. road, sat down to the table by invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Tanner. After cating. each of these gentlemen insisted on paving 50 cents for their dinner, in order to properly dedicate the house to hotel purposes. In 1860, the house was enlarged by adding an addition three stories in height, leaving the original house to serve the purpose of an L. In 1867. the house passed into the hands of George Ribenack, and by him was enlarged to its present dimensions in the summer of 1868. In 1875, W. H. Finch became the proprietor, and further improved the appearance by the addition of verandas on the south and east sides. The house has always borne a good reputation, but since it came in possession of Mr. Finch it has become more noted and its praise is spoken far and near. Mr. Finch refurnished the house in every particular ; its rooms are large, nice and clean, and. assisted by A. W. Oxley, he does everything in his power to render his guests comfortable. The table is equal to any $2-a-day house in the west. During the summer season, it is contin- ually crowded, and visitors to the Dells ever find the Finch House a pleasant place to stop after a day's ramble, and view the magnificent scenery. In 1878, during the season for the
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summer excursions, 2,500 persons registered at this house, and in 1879, the number was in- creased to 3,500.
Commercial IFouse .- This house was erected in 1857, by Col. Moeler, and named the Railroad House. Several changes were made in its ownership, and in 1875, it passed into the hands of John Bush, who removed it to its present location fronting the freight depot, and changed its name to the Commercial. Mr. Bush remained proprietor until 1868, but lcased it one year to R. B. Rose. In 1878, Mrs. Ryan became proprietor.
Western House .- Erected in 1878 by John Bush. Is a large two-story frame and will accommodate about twenty guests.
Glen Cottage was opened in 1874, by J. Dunn, and continued in successful operation until fall of 1879, when Mr. Dunn retired and the house closed. It was a pleasant stopping-place with accommodations for about twenty persons.
Farmers' Home .- R. B. Rose commenced the erection of this house in March, 1877, and opened it to the public in the fall following. As its name indicates, it is a good farmers' home, and well patronized by that class. Accommodates about twenty.
American House .- Was built in 1860, and has had a varied fortune. In the fall of 1876. Charles F. Howard purchased the property. It is located opposite the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad depot. Has accomodations for about twenty.
Medical and Surgical Institute .- As the traveler approaches Kilbourn City, no matter from what direction, the first object that attracts his attention is a large brick building situated on the summit of a hill about a mile from the depot. At an early day a man named Bronson, a resident of Prairie du Chien, endowed an institute for the higher education of young men and women, the location of which was to be decided by the Methodist Conference. In 1856, Point Bluff was selected as the site of the proposed seminary, and it was completed and opened in 1857. For a time, everything prospered and the school was full. Fine houses were built and the future of Point Bluff seemed assured, but in 1858 the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad was completed to Kiltourn City, and from that time the place began to decay, though the school was not closed until 1865. The next year the building was removed to this place, as Kilbourn was considered a much more eligible locality than Point Bluff. A large number of pupils were in attendance, and the school prospered finely, but on the 31st of January, 1868, it was burned to the ground. There was an insurance of $4,000 on the building, and with this money a fine brick structure was erected, but no school was ever held in the new building. In 1876, Frank C. Straw, Esq., bought the property for $800, with the condition that he should improve the property and run it, at least five years, as a water-cure and medical and surgical institute.
Before the property came into the possession of the present owner, $5,800 had been ex pended upon the building and grounds. Mr. Straw has invested about $6,000 more, making the total cost some $12,000.
The structure is situated on the hill at the head of Washington avenue, and the cupola is about one hundred and sixty feet above the passenger depot. The main part is 36x53 feet, two stories and a half in height, surmounted by a cupola, or dome, which is inclosed with glass doors and windows. The wing is built on the east end of the main building, and is 28x65 feet, three stories and attic. The entire building contains thirty rooms, besides numerous closets, bath- rooms and wardrobes. From the cupola a magnificent view can be obtained for miles around. Seventeen miles to the southward, a gap in the Baraboo Bluffs shows where Devil's Lake reposes. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad stretches away to the southeast, and occasional clouds of smoke show the position of the heavily laden trains as they are sweeping along their pathway of steel. To the southwest, a few scattering houses can be seen, showing where the once flourishing village of Newport stood, while the little village of Delton lies nestled among the hills just beyond. Turning toward the setting sun, we see Coon Bluff and Hay Stack, seem- ingly but a short distance away, but in reality many miles, while in the northwest the Elephant's Back rises far above the neighboring hills. At our feet, embowered in a forest of trees, lies
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Kilbourn, while we trace the channel of the grand old Wisconsin until finally it is lost in the mazy distance.
The wing of the building has been fitted up for bedrooms, kitchen, dining-room, bathrooms, etc. On the lower floor is the Turkish bath room, which joins the shampooing-room and hot and cold water bathroom. The engine-room contains a five-horse-power engine which pumps water from a well 160 feet deep into the tanks in the attic. Steam and hot water from the boiler is used for heating the water in the tanks.
The institution was opened in the summer of 1878, by Dr. William Russell, who operated it until April, 1879, when it passed into the hands of Dr. J. S. Galloway and Dr. G. C. McEl- roy and wife, the latter also being a physician. In January, 1880, Dr. Galloway retired, and G. C. McElroy, M. D. and Mrs. A. McElroy, M. D., remained in charge.
The first settlers of Kilbourn City experienced considerable difficulty in their intercourse with the outer world by means of the mails. From the time Alanson Holly settled here in the woods till September, 1857, the citizens were dependent upon Newport. Strenuous efforts were made to have an office established here, but it was not until after the completion of the railroad that their efforts were crowned with success. J. Armstrong was the first Postmaster. Filing the required bonds. he then appointed Edward Palmer deputy, and the latter attended to all the duties of the office. Mr. Armstrong resigned soon after. Mr. Palmer was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served until the spring of 1859, when J. Jackson Brown was commissioned in his stead. Mr. Brown held the office until February, 1864, when J. M. Weber succeeded him, and continued in office until February, 1878. a period of fourteen years. W. H. Mylrea was Mr. Weber's successor. In 1867, it was made a money-order office. The first order drawn was to George A. Woodford in favor of R. M. Thompson, Unionville, Conn., and payable at Hartford, in same State. Mr. Woodford had also the second order drawn.
The Spring Grove Cemetery Association was organized December 11, 1859, having for its purpose the securing and holding in trust a place for the burial of the dead. George F. Noble. S. D. Hambleton, Charles Teshner, W. H. Peabody, I. W. York and H. McDonald were elected trustees. The trustees were instructed to procure from E. T. Hooker twenty acres of land. described as the west half of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 1. in Township 13, north of Range 6 east. On account of the difficulty in securing a perfect title, and also because of the great distance from the village, this action was reconsidered. and. in the spring of 1862, Dr. Hooker decded the association twelve acres off the northwest quarter of Section 11, Township 13 north, Range 6 east, which lics just east of the village. This land has been laid out in blocks and lots, with convenient roadways running through, and is also neatly inclosed. The first person to be buried there was a child of G. H. Daniels. The trustees in 1879 were J. N. Schmitz, George Oswald, W. A. Ramsay, A. Chamberlain, I. W. York and Frank Hill.
Saw Mill .- The first saw-mill in the place was put in operation in the fall of 1857, by Ilines & Drinker. who continued to run the same until 1870, when it was purchased by the junior member, who formed a partnership with two brothers, under the firm name of Drinker Brothers. Steam power is used. The mill is capable of turning out 14,000 feet of lumber each day of ten hours' run. Drinker Brothers are extensive dealers in lumber and all material usually found in a yard of that kind.
Planing and Grist Mill .- As soon as lumber could be obtained from the new saw-mill of Hines & Drinker, Walker, Munger & Co. erected a large planing-mill and commenced the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. In 1860, they added a grist-mill to their business, since which time the three departments have been in constant operation. A thirty-horse power engine drives the whole machinery. In ordinary times employment is given to about thirty men. The flour here manufactured is rated in the Chicago market as the very best, and gene- rally the firm receive an advance on the highest quotations. In 1878, the manufacture of syrup from sorghum was also engaged in with success.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Foundry and Machine Shop .- In April, 1879, G. M. Marshall & Son established in the village a foundry and machine-shop, meeting with good success in the manufacture of Marshall's patent blacksmith shears, power corn shellers, and turbine water-wheels. Their foundry is well supplied with every modern invention for their work, and they turn ont, on short notice, casting of all kinds.
Kilbourn City Brewery .- Erected in 1858, by Mechler & Lente, who continued the same until 1861, when, on the death of the junior partner, Andrew Leute, Julius, Charles and Thad- deus Lente, brothers of Andrew, purchased the institution from Mr. Mechler and the heirs of Andrew Leute. These brothers continued in partnership a short time, and then Julius Leute became sole proprietor. About eight hundred barrels of lager beer are manufactured yearly.
Union Horse Collar .- The invention of John N. Schmitz, of this village. It is a collar and hame combined, and is made so as to be easily fitted to the neck of the horse, having a swivel screw on 'top, by which it can be made wider or narrower by the hame-strap below. It can be lengthened and shortened by the bolt in the cap on the top. In 1876, a company was formed, under the name of Union Collar Company, for the manufacture of the article. They have succeeded in building up a large trade.
Bank of Kilbourn .- This institution was opened for business, August 26, 1867, by John P. McGregor. In February, 1868, Mr. McGregor disposed of the same to Jonathan Bow- man. It is a private bank, with its entire business transacted upon its own capital, receiv- ing no deposits, but otherwise doing a regular banking business, selling exchange upon Mil- waukee, Chicago, New York, and all foreign countries. John W. Brown is the cashier, and has been with the bank since January, 1869.
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