The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 98

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 98

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" Gentlemen, you have tried this case remarkably well, your arguments were grand, I never heard anything like them. But I must say the law is on the side of the defendant. Therefore, I am constrained to record my decision against the plaintiff."

This disposition of the case was a surprise to every one, except, perhaps, the defendant. Defendant's counsel was elated over the result. He took the case with the gloomiest of fore- bodings; surely his eloquence had accomplished the work. He was beginning to feel himself quite a lawyer, when his client entered his office, and, laying some currency upon his table, said :

"There's yer $10. S'pose you think you won that case, don't you ?"

"Most certainly I did," replied the attorney, surprised at the contemptuous tone of his client.

'. Well, you didn't do no such thing."

LKennan

PORTAGE CITY.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

" Then, pray, inform me who did."

" Why, I did, of course. I made the Judge a present of a d -- d nice ham this morning before the case came up."

The attorney fainted.

THE SCHULZE BAND.

'or the past thirty years, the citizens of Portage have been entertained and delighted with a very superior quality of instrumental music, rendered by the members of a band whose his- tory is somewhat remarkable.

'The Schulze Band, the one referred to, was organized in Schmannewitz, Saxony, about 1825 It was composed of Benjamin Schulze, the father of the Schulze brothers, who have, for the past quarter of a century, been identified with the growth of Portage, and his two brothers- in-law, named Wagenknecht. The instruments used were of the string and reed order, and the three musicians were always in demand at balls and such like amusements at Schmannewitz.

In 1830, they removed to Tamenheim, a small Saxon hamlet, where Mr. Schulze re-engaged in his three avocations-butchering, weaving and music teaching, and also kept a hotel, by way of relieving monotony. Three years later, bright business prospects induced a removal to Sitz- enroda, also in Saxony, where, in addition to his other callings, the versatile Schulze engaged in farming.

At that date, the first son, Frederick, who is now secretary of the government telegraph bureau in Bautzen, Saxony, had reached his sixth year, and, having received much early train- ing in music, was a very proficient performer on the violin.

In 1835, the second son, Charles, having also been instructed in the divine art, reached his musical majority, which, in the Schulze family, was from four to eight years. Both boys soon became widely known for their peculiar accomplishments, and, with their father, were often called to distant parts to enliven festive occasions. The diminutive stature of the two children com- bined to make their performances in a degree wonderful; and, as the proud parents were blessed with increase of wealth in the way of musical prodigies of the male persuasion, the fame of the Schulze Band became almost national.

The most important period in the history of this band occurred in 1846, in the town of Mueckervena, ten miles from the abode of Benjamin Schulze, whose seventh son, Frederick W., was then but four years of age. The occasion was one of unusual import. Frederick William the Third, King of Prussia, was en route from Berlin to Deitsch, and the citizens of Muecker- vena, as an exhibition of loyalty toward their sovereign, prepared to receive him in splendid style, as he passed through their humble village. By order of the Landrath (a sort of provincial satray having jurisdiction over the district), the Schulze Band were present in full uniform, consisting of blue coats, black pants and " shako " hats.

The instruments used were a bass horn, upon which the father performed as leader; then came Frederick, the oldest son, with a trumpet, he being a trumpeter in one of the King's artil- lery bands. Charles playing upon a key-horn, Henry upon a trombone, Frank and Herman upon tenor horns, and Ferdinand and Frederick William upon French horns. They were assigned a position on the right of the procession, ranged in the order of their size, the father in front, and the mother bringing up the rear with the eight son, Samuel, in her arms.

When the pageant came within hearing distance, the band played " Heil Dir in Sieger's Kranz," an old national hymn, and when the King's carriage drew up and stopped, the Landrath, who, it seems, must have been master of ceremonies, requested the mother of this musical family to conduct her seventh born to the King's side, which she did. The little four-year-old was almost as much of a curiosity as the King himself. He had been the recipient of $50 from His Majesty, on the occasion of his baptism, in accordance with an old German custom, which is observed by the King standing as godfather for the seventh consecutive male child of all the families within his realm, and he immediately placed himself upon the most intimate terms with the mighty monarch. "How old are you ?" queried he of the house of Hohenzol- lern, stroking the lad's forehead with his kingly hand. "Four years, sire," quickly retorted the youth, at the same time making a graceful obeisance.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

At this juncture of the interesting proceedings, the pent-up enthusiasm of the crowd could no longer restrain itself, and amid deafening cheers, a rush was made for the king's carriage. In the confusion. little Frederick William and his horn were thrust aside. As the procession moved slowly away, Prince Wilhelm, now Emperor of Germany, pointing to the mother, asked ; " Are you the mother of all those boys ? " Receiving an answer in the affirmative, he replied : " I wish you eight more."

In 1850, this "little German band," with the exception of Frederick, the eldest son, came to America. The " Amalia," the good ship which bore them across the Atlantic, was nine weeks on the voyage, but the monotony was often relieved by strains of music.

The band also played at Quebec, Buffalo, Milwaukee and other principal points, on the way to Portage, where they arrived on the 28th of July, 1850, stopping at the Franklin House. While there, they serenaded the guests of the Veeder House, the dwellers of Fort Winnebago, and some of the leading citizens, taking up a collection of $6 on the first occasion. Since then the Schulze Band has been in demand on all stated occasions, and have furnished music at different points throughout the country for celebrations, balls, etc. At the Wisconsin band conventions, held in Portage in 1877, LaCrosse in 1878, and Watertown in 1879, the Schulze Band was classed among the best of the twelve or fifteen bands present.

When President Hayes and party were in Portage in 1878, the Schulze Band occupied a position in the procession similar, in many respects, to the part they bore in the reception of the King of Prussia, thirty-four years ago. The circumstances, however, were widely different ; one was an ovation to a king by subjects, the other a reception to the President of a republic by a free people.

The little fonr-year-old, who, in 1846, stood at the foot of the class, and was the object of so much distinguished attention, has grown to man's estate, and is to-day the leader of this historical band, and several of the band's favorite pieces of music now performed by them are his own composition.

THE POST OFFICE.

The early history of this institution is so closely identified with postal matters connected with Fort Winnebago, that it will be necessary to go back nearly half a century to obtain a starting-point. John Kinzie, who is believed to have been the first Indian agent appointed by the Government, with headquarters at the fort, assuming his duties at that post in 1831, was anthorized to act as Postmaster for the people of the garrison. He continued to fill the position until about 1834. In that year Henry Merrell was appointed Post Sntler. Mr. Merrell then acted as Postmaster, and held the position for several years, until business developments at the portage began to attract attention. Henry Carpenter, having built the old United States Hotel, and established a small store near the banks of the Wisconsin River, on what is now Wisconsin street, was appointed Postmaster. He removed the office from the fort to his place of business, but when, soon afterward, M. R. Keegan was appointed to the position, it was taken back and established in the commissary building at the fort. Here it remained until another change in office took place, G. T. Getty becoming Mr. Keegan's successor, when the office was located on the west side of Fox River, near the junction of the canal with that stream. In August, 1851, Mr. Getty advertised, in the River Times, "a list of letters remaining unclaimed in the post office of Fort Winnebago," and in October following, " T. Dean, Postmaster at Portage City," caused to be advertised, in the same paper, quite an extensive list of letters remaining unclaimed in his office. In this connection, the Times, of December 22, 1851, contained the following : " Among the many things which call for amendment in this town, we know of none more important than an alteration of the post office arrangements, by which the recipients of nine-tenths of all the mail matter coming to the post office at the garrison may be better accommodated. The neces- sity of being compelled to trudge two miles for all the mail matter destined for this place, or await its arrival at the side office in this city (where the principal office should be), two or three days after its arrival at the fort, is a burden too grievous to be longer borne without remon- strance. We believe, if the matter was properly presented, the Postmaster General would make

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

this city the terminus of the route now centering at the fort." Early in January, 1852, the editor of the Times, "in conversation with Lemuel Berry, Deputy Postmaster at the Fort, understood him to say he would have no objection to the removal, if the two offices were merged in one." Mr. Berry soon afterward succeeded Mr. Getty as Postmaster. A consolidation of the two offices then followed, and the institution was located in Berry's Store, on Wisconsin street, a short distance east of the canal. The old building now does service as a fire-engine house, at the corner of Pleasant and Clark streets. Prior to the consolidation, the Portage City office was generally, but not officially, known as Wauona (the Indian word for Portage), named by Gov. Doty, who had a penchant for Indian appellations. Charles H. Moore was the first in charge of Wauona Post Office.

In March, 1853, James Delaney, Sr., succeeded Mr. Berry, and held the office until Sep- tember, 1855, retiring in favor of Jerome B. Fargo. Mr. Fargo's successor was John A. Brown, who died in office February 10, 1859. During Mr. Brown's incumbency, the office became subject to Presidential consideration. C. C. Britt was appointed to fill the vacancy thus created, and remained in office until 1861, being succeeded by Stillman E. Dana, who was appointed by President Lincoln ; Mr. Dana served nearly ten years, retiring in favor of Charles P. Austin. Harrison S. Haskell was Mr. Austin's successor. He died in office February 13, 1879. S. S. Brannan was then appointed to fill the vacancy, and upon his death, on the 5th of April, 1880, C. C. Dow succeeded to the position.

The office has been subjected to the usual changes of location experienced by similar insti- tutions everywhere. From Berry's store it was removed by Mr. Delaney to Canal street, between Main and DeWitt. Mr. Fargo took it to Mappa's store, opposite Verandah Hall. Next it was located in a building on Conant street, between Adams and De Witt; thence to a one-story wooden structure on the southeast side of Cook street, near Wisconsin; thence to Arnold's Block (now the Corning House) ; thence to a building which stood on the vacant lot opposite the Corning House; thence to Emporium Block, on De Witt street; thence to the junction of De Witt and Wisconsin streets, near the bridge, in a brick building in which was located the State Register office, and finally to Vandercook's Block, its present location, to which place it was removed by Postmaster Austin.

It was during the incumbency of Mr. Delaney that a gentleman of color inquired for a letter. " Go way, ye blackguard," said the Postmaster, " do ye think anybody would write to a nagur ?"

Fifty years ago, when John Kinzie had charge of the office, the mail came from the East by way of Buffalo and Green Bay. From the latter point it found its way to the fort by the kindness of some voyageur, with bnt little regularity. There was no Chicago mail in those days; in fact there was no Chicago. Advices from Fort Dearborn (where Chicago now stands) were even less freqnent than from Washington, New York, etc. Now there are eight mails a day to and from Portage. Letters are received from the Atlantic cities in forty-eight hours ; from the city by the Golden Gate in less than six days.

The Portage office became a money-order office in July, 1865, the first order being issued to Levi W. Barden, in favor of Samuel D. Hastings, Madison, the amount being $9.10. Since then there have been over thirty-five thousand orders issued.

HOTELS.

As has been seen, Portage, from its infancy, has been quite a central point for travelers and the trans-shipment for merchandise. Before the railroads were built, it occupied a position at the cross roads of commerce, running from Green Bay to the Mississippi River, and from the great pineries of the North to Chicago and Milwaukee. It is not strange then that the business of hotel-keeping was a profitable one in early days ; and, indeed, there has been but little change in this regard to the present time. Where, twenty-five and thirty years ago, there could be seen on the streets almost any time of the day, from ten to fifteen four-horse

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIAA COUNTY.

wagons heavily loaded with freight, there are now equally as many " traveling men " represent- ing large firms in the great commercial marts who register at the leading hotels daily.

The Franklin House, built by Capt. Gideon Low about 1835-36, was the first hotel at the portage. Prior to this, those who came this way were accommodated at the fort or the agency building. The next was the United States Hotel, Henry Carpenter, proprietor. The old frame of this ancient caravansary still stands in the First Ward, a dismal monument to pioneer days. Then came the Wisconsin House, kept by the affable McFarlane, who, though the frosts of sixty winters have whitened his hair, is in no immediate danger of being reaped by the scythe of time. The Veeder House, the first "tavern " west of the canal is still standing. The McTighe House came next, and though it is built of wood, no one ever knew where Joseph Hague got his lumber. It is still standing in the First Ward, the silent witness to the encroach- ments of the Wisconsin River. The old original Ellsworth House, F. H. Ellsworth, proprietor ; Sylvester's Hotel, by Edwin Sylvester, and the City Hotel, solicited a share of the public patronage thirty years ago. In 1862, the Arnold Block, built by Andrew Dunn and J. Arnold, the present Mayor of the city, was converted into a hotel. F. H. Ellsworth was the first lessee, and it bore his name until a recent date, when it was changed to the Corning House. A. E. Smith is the present proprietor. The Emder House, by Henry Emder; the Farmers' Home, by John Hettinger, and the Pruyn Honse, complete the list of hotels in Portage. The Fox House, at the C., M. & S. P. R. R. depot, though generally known as an " eating-house," is in every respect a hotel of the first order, and is one of the institutions of the place.

PUBLIC HALLS.

Verandah Hall was the first place of any note calculated for the accommodation of public assemblages. It was built carly in the fifties by Milo H. Pettibone, and stood on the present site of Graham's brick block. In it was a rude stage where early representations of the drama took place, both by traveling and amateur companies. The next place of this kind to claim the favor of the public, was Vandercook's Hall, in Vandercook's Block. The hall is now occupied by the Masons as a lodge-room. It is here that devoted husbands assemble on stated occasions to vote sustenance to widows and orphans, returning to their domestic firesides after a hard night's work for the amelioration of the afflicted and otherwise unfortunate, only to be accused of less unworthy acts. Pettibone's Hall built in 1855-56, and was for a time the most popular resort in the city. The I. O. O. F. lodge-room is located in Pettibone Block. Schulze's Hall came next, and is now a successful competitor for public entertainments. Wood's Hall was also one of the "institutions." In 1879, John Dullaghan erected a magnificent building on the north side of Cook street, devoting the entire upper part to the purposes of a hall, and dedicat- ing it Dullaghan's Opera House. The size of the entire hall is 52x90 feet, including the stage. The latter has a dimension of 24x51 feet; is appointed with four ample dressing-rooms, two on each side; is abundantly supplied with water, toilet conveniences, and is completely and ele- gantly furnished throughout; the width of proscenium is thirty feet. The drop curtain is 15x28, and is an artistic triumph, being a bird's-eye view of Constantinople and the blue Bosphorus in the distance. The auditorium is 60x51 feet, and has a seating capacity of 700. The gallery is 17x51 in dimensions ; will comfortably seat 300 people, and is reached by a double staircase branching off from the main entrance on either side. The seats are folding settees of the latest construction, on each of which six persons may sit. The reserved seats con- sist of two-seated settees, and are very elegant and comfortable. The hall is lighted by gas, manufactured by an apparatus on the premises. It was opened on the 15th of September, 1879, by a grand ball, under the auspices of the Guppey Guard, and, on the 19th of the same month, Janauschek, the German actress, appeared in the role of " Marie Stuart," dedicating the Dullaghan Opera House to the Muses. The building and hall complete cost $13,000.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

LOCAL MILITIA.

The Portage Light Guard was the first regularly organized military company in Portage, and, it is believed, in Columbia County. The Guards were originally organized about 1859 or 1860, but did not enter actively into military discipline and drill until early in 1861, when a re-organization took place. By the time this had been effected, the war broke out, a call was made for 75,000 volunteers, and the Portage Light Guards proffered their services to the Gov- ernor, who accepted the offer and assigned the company to the Second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, as Company G. But a large number of those who originally enlisted while the Light Guards were only " play soldiers," either resigned or were not accepted by the Govern- ment. A history of Company G will be found in another part of this work.

On the 6th of July, 1877, a meeting was held at the court house in Portage for the pur- pose of organizing a military company. A petition having been signed by about sixty-five young men of the required age for military duty, and presented to Joshua J. Guppey, requesting him to appoint some one to organize a company as provided for under the laws of the State, A. J. Turner was appointed to take steps for such an organization, which he did. At the first meeting of the company, A. H. Russell, who served several years in the war of the rebellion, was elected Captain, Homer S. Goss, First Lieutenant, and George S. Race, Second Lieutenant. The com- pany soon afterward received from the State sixty Springfield rifles, with belts and cartridge boxes to match, and at once commenced regular drills. The next thing in order was to secure uniforms, which they did, the citizens of Portage subscribing liberally toward the purchase. There were sixty-five uniforms ordered at once, three of them being for commissioned officers. They are made of gray cloth, the finest manufactured, and known as West Point cadet cloth. They are trimmed with gold lace and dark facings, and were made by Messrs. Loomis, Gallett & Breese, at a cost, for the entire lot, of $1,485.50. The caps are made of gray cloth, with black top and gilt trimming, costing $2.25 each. The fatigue cap is of blue cloth, with gilt trimming, costing $1.25 each. The company receives $300 a year from the State, which pays incidental expenses.

The first competitive drill took place at Reedsburg July 4, 1879, with the Mauston Light Guard, which was called, at that time, one of the best companies in the State. The judges were unable to decide which was the most thoroughly drilled company, and concluded to divide the prize fund equally, giving each company $100. The next competitive drill took place at Portage September 18 with the same company, the Guppey Guard taking the second prize of $75, their score being 852, and that of the Mauston Light Guard, 90. The next drill, again with Mauston Light Guard, was on October 5, and the Guppey Guard succeeded in taking the first prize of $125.

The Guppey Guard took part in the inaugural ceremonies of Madison, in January last, and this is what a local newspaper said of them : "The Guppey Guard, of Portage, Captain Womer, went in on its muscle,' and showed the crowd something grand. Cheer after cheer went up as the company went through with some of its fancy and most difficult movements. The other companies indulged in the usual parade movements only. Portage City is assured that her company ' took the palm' in the drill business in our city ; and the Captain of this company may well be proud of his men."

The officers and privates of the company, at the present time, are as follows; J. D. Womer, Captain; W. S. Wentworth, First Lieutenant ; W. B. Stevens, Second Lieutenant ; H. W. Orthman, First Sergeant; G. C. Carnagie, Second Sergeant; J. C. Britt, Third Sergeant ; J. H. Wells, Fourth Sergeant ; C. P. Jaeger, Fifth Sergeant ; I. A. Ridgway, First Corporal ; T. W. Maine, Second Corporal ; T. J. Wells, Third Corporal ; R. G. Shackell, Fourth Corporal ; James Dempsey, Fifth Corporal ; B. R. Lewis, Sixth Corporal ; John Sweeney, Seventh Corporal ; W. D. McKenney, Eighth Corporal ; Alex. Carnagie, Colors: J. B. Mills, Drummer. Privates-D. H. Abell, C. L. Alverson, J. C. Anderson, L. S. Allen, W. E. Allen, Fred. Allen, C. W. Allen, Thomas Barrett, Tony Brandt, C. M. Bard, William

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

D. Beattie, Robert L. Beattie, G. R. Bennett. William Bengel, Frank Brandt, A. P. Bever, William W. Bullard, E. Betz, A. P. Barry, C. W. Baker, Fred. Blood, Daniel W. Bath, J. F. Cole, W. S. Corning, M. E. Cook, Harry Clark, Ansel Clark, James Cleary, Albert Crouch, G. A. W. Carr, J. B. Chadwick, D. J. Dalton, Richard Dempsey, John Dalton, James Dullag- han, Hewett Dent, T. M. Edwards, William Edwards, A. J. Eastman, William Fatchild, G. C. Fyfe, E. C. Frounfelter, W. B. Gilman, F. F. Goss, E. H. Hemenway, J. L. Hardie, T. Hofman, Nelson Hardie, R. M. Hazletine, George Hemenway, J. E. Jones, F. W. Loomis, J. C. Lewis, B. C. Meacher, D. C. Maine, F. S. McDuffie, Henry Mady, George M. Maloy, C. P. Mckinney, Henry Neef, P. Powers, George W. Phillips, H. Pomeroy, S. H. Reed, D. G. Rom- denn, J. Ruthven, Emil Reber, William Ruthven, William Richardson, L. F. Schulze, Max Schulze, E. J. Swift, G. T. Shackell, J. Spain, W. I. Sherman, L. S. Shattuck, E. E. Stevens, A. C. Stevens, George Stevens, F. J. Schulze, C. H. Tasker, F. B. Thompson, Fred J. Turner, G. Tschamer, Frank Veseley, J. E. Williams, F. C. Warren, A. L. Witter, M. Ward, J. H. Wells, Jr., C. W. Williams, John White, John T. Yule.

The first executive officers of the company were: J. J. Guppey, President ; A. J. Turner, Vice President ; John T. Yule, Secretary, H. S. Goss, Treasurer. The present are : A. J. Turner, President ; W. D. Fox, Vice President; Alexander Carnagie, Secretary ; W. S. Wentworth, Treasurer.

ORDERS AND SOCIETIES.

The Masons .- Fort Winnebago Lodge, No. 33, was organized in 1850, the dispensation being granted June 26, by William R. Smith, Grand Master of the State, and the charter, December 13. The original meeting place was in the house now occupied by John Graham as a residence. The building then stood on Cook street, opposite the present site of the Presbyterian Church. The old anteroom door, with the little wicket in the center, through which the belated members of the mystic order were wont to whisper mysterious things in order that they might get inside with the "rest of the boys," now does service as a cellar door on the premises of Mr. Graham. The charter members of the lodge were Hugh McFarlane, Erastus Cook, Charles M. Kingsbury, Walter W. Kellogg, G. Law, Nelson McNeal, Robert Hunter and Daniel Clough. John Delaney, the lawyer-editor, was the first initiate ; he became a member October 17, 1850. The present membership of the lodge is about one hundred. Meetings are held in a well- appointed hall in Vandercook's Block. Following is a complete list of the officers of the lodge since its organization :

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The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 98

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104