The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 67

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 776

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German-English School .- August 1, 1872, was organized and incorporated under provi- sions of an act of the Legislature, the German-English School of Beaver Dam, for the pur- pose of giving the children of German parents such education as was thought by the incorpora- tors to be necessary, without the necessity of taking the course prescribed in the public schools. The first year, school was held in the First Ward Schoolhouse, and in the mean time, steps were being taken for the erection of a good. substantial brick building for that purpose, which was completed in time for its use the second year, at a cost of $2,000. Prof. Newborn was the first teacher. Prof. Aug. Brunke occupies the position in the session of 1879-80, at a salary of $700 per year. About forty pupils are in daily attendance. In connection with the school is a gymnasium, with the following officers elected January, 1880: A. Brunke, Ist Speaker; G. Hammer, 2d Speaker; C. Miller, 1st Turnwart; L. C. Gebard, 2d Turnwart ; John Zan- der, Treasurer; Henry Krueger, Secretary ; Will H. Sherman, Property-man. This society was organized November 14, 1878.

PUBLIC HALLS.

The first hall calculated for the accommodation of public gatherings in Beaver Dam, was in the upper portion of Horn's Tavern, which stood on the present site of A. P. Lawrence's store. When the old Stevens House was built in 1848, a portion of the structure was devoted to a dance hall, which was used for Terpsichorean and other purposes, until the erection of Con- cert Hall, about 1855. Prior to the latter date, however, William Farrington had drawn plans and specifications for a three-story frame building, on the south side of Front street, in which he proposed to maintain a large public hall. The contract for building the framework of the structure was let to William Gowdey, father of our mutual friend, Dave, while the masonry was given to another party to perform. When the stone-work had been finished, Mr. Gowdey came upon the scene with his oaken sills, sleepers, beams and joists, and proceeded to carry out his agreement. The frame up and the roof nearly on, Beaver Dam was visited by a terrific wind-storm, which shook the very foundations of the most substantial buildings, and caused the "oldest inhabitant" to sigh for the safety of his property. Of course Farrington's new build- ing, open on every side and no holes in the top, the roof being about completed, was but a toy for the eccentricities of the blizzard, and was, consequently, lifted from its foundations; but fortunately, Old Boreas let go to get a fresh hold, when the whole concern went to pieces. Mr. Gowdey and a fellow-workman, named Ezekiel Swarthout, happened to be in the building at the time, the former in the cellar, searching for a tool that had slipped from his hands while on the roof, and the latter in the second story, in the act of climbing to the third. Mr. Swarthout felt the building start from its foundation, and grasping an upright beam, he clung to it until the crisis came, which was very soon. When the building reached terra firma, the beam to which Mr. Swarthout was clinging, sprang and threw him out into the middle of the street,

449

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

beyond the danger of falling timbers, without injuring him a particle. Of course Mr. Gowdey was crushed to atoms beneath the mass-or at least it was very natural to think that he was. The usual excitement followed, the citizens gathering from every direction, to feast their morbid curiosity, and speculate upon the cause of the calamity. A few of them commeneed removing the debris, to find the mangled remains of the unfortunate Mr. Gowdey, while others shuddered and looked sad and pale in anticipation of beholding a frightful spectacle. Slowly the work of excavation proceeded, when finally, as if emanating from the recesses of a sepul- cher, a " still, small voice" was heard : "I'll make it hot for some one if you don't take this stick off my heel !" Mr. Gowdey was soon brought to the surface without a seratch. The grief of his distracted wife and children, who had been kindly informed that the husband and father was dead, was soon turned to joy at seeing the beloved one walk into the house minus a boot-heel. The wreck was collected and used in the reconstruction of the building, the lower portion of which is occupied by N. W. Goodman, as a store.

Concert Hall Building, a three-story brick, was built in 1855, by Bieknell & Thorn. It is now the property of Doolittle & Babcock. Loomis' llall, over Tillman's feed store, and the old Masonic Hall, in Ackerman's Building, came into existence soon afterward. Music Hall Building was built in 1866, soon after the second great conflagration, by F. Ege. It is now the property of the Krueger estate. The three-story brick at the corner of Front and Center streets, in which are located the halls occupied by the Masons and Odd Fellows respectively, was constructed in 1867, by Krueger & Lehrkind, the present owners.

Old Temperance Hall was in the third story of Fring's Block, which was destroyed by the first fire, of 1863. The hall at present occupied by the cold-water advocates, was built in 1863, by A. P. Lawrence, in connection with that gentleman's store.

THE RACE COURSE.

In December, 1866, an organization of citizens of Beaver Dam was formed, known as the Beaver Dam Agricultural, Mechanical and Stoek Association, for the purpose of maintaining a fair ground and race course. Twenty-one acres of land were purchased of the Ackerman estate, at a cost of $1,700, upon which were erected and laid out a grand stand and other buildings and a half-mile race track. Among the original stockholders were T. L. New- ton, D. J. Pulling, G. C. Gunn, W. D. Edgerton, S. D. Burchard, E. J. Boomer, M. W. Erway. W. L. Parker, J. S. Rowell, HI. W. Lander, Ira Rowell and others. About two years ago, John S. Rowell purchased the grounds of the Association, and is the present owner.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The city is well provided in case of fire, with a perfectly organized fire department, com- posed of the Germania Fire Company and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, under one chief. Germania Fire Company was organized December 1, 1867, and in June following they received their new engine, which has ever since been in constant use, and is the pride of the boys, its capacity having been tested on more than one occasion, and in a manner 'to merit all the praise bestowed upon it. The cost of engine and hose cart was $3,200.

September 3, 1878, a large number of citizens assembled in · Music Hall and organized a Hook and Ladder Company of twenty-one members, and ordered from the Babcock Manufact- uring Company of Chicago, a truck and all necessary apparatus. Immediately after organizing the Hook and Ladder Company, the members of the two Companies united for the purpose of organizing a complete fire department under one chief. At their first meeting in 1879, the fol- lowing named were elected : Theo. Huth, Chief Engineer ; John T. Smith, First Assistant ; Philip Binzel, Second Assistant ; John S. Rowell, Third Assistant; G. Stolz, Secretary ; S. P. K. Lewis, Treasurer ; Ira Rowell, Steward. Fire Wardens-Joseph Caspari, John Neuhrohr, D. D. Gowdey and II. L. Bogert, in their respective wards. At the annual meeting in January, 1880, these officers were unanimously re-elected.

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

The Germania Fire Company at the same time elected Andrew F. Mirlach, Foreman ; F. W. Menkey, First Assistant; George Sipplein, Second Assistant ; Michael Schwieger, Hose Captain : Robert Kolb, Secretary ; John Sherman, Treasurer; Christ. Gensen, Steward.

The officers of the Hook and Ladder Company are E. C. McFetridge, Foreman ; F. M. Van Bergen, First Assistant : W. E. Shipman, Second Assistant; A. M. Burns, Secretary ; L. W. Barber, Treasurer ; George Egglesfield, Steward.

BANKS.

Among the banking institutions that have existed in Beaver Dam may be mentioned the Dodge County Bank, (a private institution), established in 1854, by J. A. Nehrig ; the City Bank of Beaver Dam, B. G. Bloss, President, and W. S. Huntington, Cashier ; Bank of Beaver Dam, Charles Miller, President; the Farmers' Bank and the National Bank of Beaver Dam. The Farmers' Bank was organized in 1865, with a capital stock of $50,000. The officers were S. S. Sherman, President; Charles Miller, Vice President ; C. W. Whinfield, Cashier. Directors-Charles D. Nash, Charles Miller, G. H. Stewart, S. S. Sherman, and Abiatha Joy. In 1866, it was re-organized as the National Bank of Beaver Dam, with the following officers: J. J. Williams, President ; Charles Miller, Vice President ; C. W. Whinfield, Cashier. Directors-S. S. Sherman, Charles Miller, A. Joy, Charles Burchard and J. J. Williams. The present officers are J. J. Williams, President ; Charles Miller, Vice President ; C. W. Whinfield, Cashier. Directors-J. J. Williams, Charles Miller, C. W. Whinfield, C. W. Daniels and C. E. Lewis.

THE VITA SPRING.

The recent discovery, within the corporate limits of the city of Beaver Dam, of a mineral spring possessing unexcelled medicinal properties, lends an additional charm to this beautiful place, and brings it within the pale of the most attractive of summer resorts. The history of Dr. Swan's spring cannot better be told than by reproducing articles from the Citizen, written by Rev. Silas Hawley to Judge L. D. Livermore, soon after the fortunate discovery was made: "Our citizens, generally, have never known their own place, have never properly estimated it. Its rare beauties and advantages they have not understood. Familiarity has blinded them. Strangers are quick to see our superior charms and opportunities, and go into ecstasies over them. And yet they do not see all. A few here have long felt that we had grand possibilities as a watering-place. And this without reference to any springs known to exist. It was believed that by artesian fountains we could have the best quality of magnetic water, and, per- haps, that containing other properties. All that seemed needed was enterprise and means. The writer of this has so urged. Dr. Swan, though only a resident of four years, became enthusiastic in this belief, and strove nobly, before discovering the great spring that is sure to make his name famous, to stir up the citizens to bore for such fountains. But he found little to encourage. In this extremity a better thing disclosed itself. (The best things turn up in extremities.) It was suggested to him that there was an old spring in a certain pasture, that must some day prove valuable. This came as a revelation. He went and examined the spring. It was evident at once as tested by both feeling and taste. that it contained alkaline substances, and presumably other mineral properties. It was, in addition, clear, pure and cold. Besides, the capacity of the spring was simply enormous. These discoveries very quickly fixed his 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 provceh better than he had dared to hope. Ile 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

A BurTch MAYVILLE

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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. IIe 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 cight 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, abont 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 ol lime.

12.1212

Organie matier.

1.4008

Bicarbonate of magnesia.

11.8638

Yours respectfully,

GUSTAVUS BODE, Analytical Chemist. I

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 eity 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 conelusive. 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 ; See- rotary and Treasurer, F. Hempel. Directors-Thomas Hughes, Lyman Wetherell, Orville Burgit, and Messrs. Ackerman, Church, Chatfield, Perry, Stuart and MeReynolds. 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 publie, 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. Il. Moore, M. Evans, E. A. Crane, John Ilensler, 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 eity. The members of the troupe were O. F. Weaver and G. HI. Hibbard, bones ; A. M. Burns and F. S. Lewis, tambourine ; O. M. Davis. middleman ; J. C. Ilarder, L. W. Sher- man, Ilenry Harder, T. B. Rowell, Charles Ilensler, F. M. Van Bergen, W. HI. 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,"

ILARDER'S ORCHESTRA COMPANY

O. F. WEAVER QUARTETTE

COMIC SONG-"Summer Sounds,' A. M. BURNS

FINALE, COMPANY

OVERTURE.

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

BONE SOLO. G. I. 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. II. LEWIS

Mrs. Jones. F. M. VANBERGEN Little Tommy Jones (2 years old), G. Il. HIBBARD Utility Sam, .. .. : O. F. WEAVER

OVERTURE.

SERIO COMIQUE-" Where can the Old Man Go," O. F. WEAVER PLANTATION SONG-Duet, DAVIS AND HIBBARD 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.

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The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 67

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 776

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 776