USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin > Part 108
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718
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
16x5 feet. In the middle part of this room is a stone block containing the cells, four tiers, 280 cells in all, which are 7 feet long, 42 feet wide and 8 feet high; the north cellroom to be a fac-simile of the south cellroom.
The manufacture of chairs was, during the year 1868, inaugurated at the prison ; a consider- able number of the prisoners were employed in quarrying and cutting stone. The prisoners' dress was changed from the striped dress heretofore worn, to one uniform color-light gray-the former being used only as a means of punishment, but has since been entirely abandoned.
On January 1, 1870, George F. Wheeler, of Fond du Lac, assumed the management of the prison, having been elected Commissioner; he appointed C. S. Kelsey. of Montello, Deputy : D. B. Parkhurst, of Berlin, Clerk ; Dr. H. L. Butterfield, Prison Physician.
The workshops were, on the 2d day of May, 1870, destroyed by fire; also about 300,000 feet of lumber, considerable cord-wood and other property. The shops were immediately rebuilt, and ready about January 1, 1871. They are now 375 feet long, 54 feet wide, two stories high, with engine-house attached, two dry-houses and brick smoke-stack, 110 feet bigh.
During the next year, Mr. Kelsey resigned his position as Deputy Warden, and was suc- ceeded by B. H. Bettis ; L. D. Hinkley was appointed Clerk, in place of D. B. Parkhurst, resigned. Mr. George F. Wheeler was re-elected Commissioner, and held the office until December, 1873.
The Legislature, during the session of 1873, passed a law, changing the management of the prison, which law went into effect in January, 1874. Three Directors were appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to hold their office for two, four and six years, and thereafter all appointments to be for six years. In place of the Commissioner, heretofore elected by the people at the general election, the Directors appointed a Warden, who has charge and custody of the prison, also appointed the Clerk, both to hold their office for a term of three years. The Warden appointed all other officers, subject to the approval of the Directors.
The Governor of the State appointed as the first Board of Directors, ex-Gov. Nelson Dewey, of Grant County, for six years ; W. E. Smith, of Milwaukee, for four years; Joel Rich, of Dodge County, for two years. They met at the prison February 12, 1874, and appointed George F. Wheeler, the former Commissioner, as Acting Warden, and L. D. Hinkley, Acting Clerk.
On April 1, 1874. H. N. Smith, of Sheboygan County, was appointed Warden, and Jacob Fuss, of Brown County, Clerk, for a term of three years from January 1, 1874. The Warden appointed S. D. Hubbard, Deputy ; Dr. H. L. Butterfield. Prison Physician ; Rev. E. Tasker, Chaplain ; G. J. Ileiderman, Superintendent of Shops.
During the first year of the new administration, arrangements were made with the C., M. & St. P. R. R. to run a side track into the prison yard, for which purpose four and one-half acres of land lying between the railroad track and the prison grounds had to be bought. The manufacture of wagons was also introduced, employing from twenty-five to thirty convicts.
S. D. Hubbard resigned his position as Deputy Warden September 30, 1874, and was suc- ceeded by V. B. Knowles, who remained until April 30, 1875, when he resigned, and Joel Rich, one of the Directors, acted as Deputy until January 1, 1876, when his term of office as Director expired, and he was appointed Deputy.
George W. Burchard, of Fort Atkinson, was, January 1, 1876, appointed one of the Directors, in place of Joel Rich, whose term had expired.
The Legislature having authorzed the leasing of the labor of convicts, the Warden adver- tised for proposals for the labor of from fifty to seventy-five men, but no bids were received.
The Warden, H. N. Smith, and Clerk, Jacob Fuss, were re-appointed January 1, 1877, for another term of three years.
On the morning of February 1, the engine-house was burned, also about 20,000 feet of lumber, and the engine. The house was immediately rebuilt, making it a one-story building, with fire-proof roof. The engine was also repaired, and two new tubular boilers put in in place of the old flue boilers worn out.
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
An experiment was made by employing a number of convicts in the manufacture of brooms, which, however, did not prove satisfactory, and was therefore abandoned.
The convict labor was leased to M. D. Wells & Co., of Chicago, for the manufacture of boots and shoes, for five years from January 1, 1878, at the rate of 40 cents per day, nine and three-fourths hours to be a day's work. All other manufacture on the part of the State was therefore discontinued after January 1, except that a few men were kept in the wayon-shop, where it was intended to work up the old material on hand.
H. M. Kutchin, of Fond du Lac, was, in January, 1878, appointed one of the Directors in place of Wm. E. Smith, whose term had expired, and who had been elected Governor of the State.
Alexander White, of Fond du Lac, was, April 10, of the same year, appointed Deputy Warden in place of Joel Rich, resigned. The continued increase of the number of prisoners seemed to make it necessary to complete the north cellroom, which was done during the sum- mer following at an expense of about $8,000.
From the Directors' and Warden's report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1879, the following statistics are gathered : Total number of prisoners received to that time, 2,730 ; total number confined, 309, of which 225 were employed under contract. Age of those confined, 21 under twenty years; 47 from twenty to thirty ; 65 from thirty to forty ; 56 from forty to sixty ; 20 over sixty. The total number of life prisoners received were : Murder, 54; murder, first degree, 29; murder, second degree, 11 ; rape, 2; desertion, 1-total, 97. Discharged on Governor's pardon, 31 ; on order of courts, 8 ; on order of Secretary of War, 1 ; removal to Insane Asylum, 3; died, 6-total, 49; leaving in prison, September 30, 1879, 48. Longest time served, 17 years ; shortest, 2 years and 9 months.
The prisoners confined September 30, 1879, were received during the several years as fol- lows : 1857, 1; 1860, I; 1862, 1; 1863, 2; 1865, 3: 1866, 1: 1867, 2; 1868, 5; 1869, 2; 1870, 2; 1871, 5; 1872, 6 ; 1874, 8; 1875, 14; 1876, 22; 1877, 48; 1878, 108; 1879, 78.
On June 17, 1878, the number of prisoners was 366, the highest number ever reached.
The total amount of appropriations received from the State since the organization of the prison is $1,993,481.23, or an average of $41,240 a year to September 30, 1877. Owing to the large amount of manufactured goods, material and bills receivable on hand when the convict labor was contracted to Wells & Co., no appropriation was asked for and received, for the two years from October 1, 1877, to September 30, 1879, and none asked for the year ending Septem- ber 30, 1880, the last annual report showing all bills paid, with cash on hand $11,090.
George W. Carter, of Fond du Lac, was, January 1, 1880, appointed Warden in place of H. N. Smith, whose term of office expired on that day. Jacob Fuss was re-appointed Clerk, Alexander White continued as Deputy Warden; Rev. Victor Kutchin, Chaplain ; Drs. H. L. Butterfield and D. W. Moore, Prison Physicians ; Henry Brooks, Turnkey.
WAUPUN A DOZEN YEARS AGO.
" Waupun, a village containing something over 3,000 inhabitants," says a writer in 1868, "is situated on the Horicon Branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The village lies in the counties of Fond du Lac and Dodge, Main street being the county line. The distance ro m Milwaukee is about sixty miles ; from Green Bay, eighty-five miles; from La Crosse, one hundred and fifty miles, and from Madison fifty miles. There are direct railroad communications with all of these places. Chester. a small station on the C. & N-W. Railway, is situated about two and one-half miles east of the village. The ready communication thus afforded with Mil- waukee, Chicago and Green Bay, renders this a better place of market than most inland towns. One great essential to the rapid growth of a place-a good water-power-is wanting here : and Waupun has been obliged to depend mainly upon the agricultural wealth of the surrounding coun- try, and the enterprise and energy of the early settlers, for its advancement.
" The first white settlers in this locality came here between the years of 1839 and 1841. One of the first buildings, if not the first erected here, was a tavern put up by Mr. Seymour Wil- Cox. Soon after him, Nathan Newton, John N. Ackerman, Nathaniel Dodge and William
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Me Elroy made settlements here. Since that time, Waupun has grown slowly but steadily, and the wilderness has been converted into rich and well-cultivated farms. In the 'early days' of the settlement, Seymour Wilcox owned nearly all of the land where Waupun now stands. Gen. Winfield Scott, the hero of many a well-fought battle with our country's foes, once stopped over night at Mr. Wilcox's tavern. Before the railroad was laid through this place, most of the farm- ers carried their produce to Milwaukee with ox teams and heavy lumber wagons, the trip there and back taking about five days at shortest.
"I know of no more accurate criterions by which to judge a place than its churches, schools, press and saloons.' At the last village election the temperance ticket was chosen, and there is not now a whisky saloon in the place. Of the churches, schools and press, I propose to speak.
" There are six churches in the village. The Congregational Church, Rev. J. M. Williams, Pastor, has a large membership, and exerts an extensive religious influence upon the community. The Methodist Church has been longest organized at this place, and probably has the largest membership. The Pastor, Rev. J. C. Robbins, has labored earnestly among his people, and with good success. The First Baptist Church, Rev. J. O. M. Hewitt, Pastor, though hardly equal to the others in membership, is not inferior in other respects. The Free-Will Baptist Church, Rev. E. N. Wright, Pastor, prospers well financially and spiritually. There are also the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Mission. Rev. Charles Thorp, Deacon in charge, and the Cath- olie Church, Rev. G. L. Willard.
" There are three ward schools. all well supported, and all under the direction of well qualified teachers. There has been considerable talk about establishing a central high school here, but no very energetic action has ever been taken about the matter.
" Two weekly newspapers are published here, both strongly Republican. The Waupun Times, John R. Decker, editor, is published every Tuesday, and has now nearly closed its eleventh year. The Prison City Leader has just entered its third year, and is a live local sheet, edited and published by Short & Oliver.
" Western States generally have shown much liberality in the construction of their public buildings, but perhaps none more than Wisconsin. Surely its penitentiary is one that may com- pare favorably with the best institutions of the kind in the Union, and has often been termed the ' model prison of the country.' The convicts are under excellent discipline, the result of the earnest labors of the present Commissioner, Mr. Henry Cordier, who has been three times eleeted to this office. The institution is now nearly self-supporting, and it is expected soon to be entirely so. A prison school, established a little more than a year ago, is now in successful operation.
" The manufacturing interests of Waupun are considerable. The Waupun pump, patented and manufactured by Mr. M. J. Althouse, is the premium pump of the Northwest. Mr. A. came here in the 'early days of the village, worth but little, as far as pecuniary wealth is con- cerned, but containing within him the indomitable energy and perseverance which have since characterized him as an extensive business manager. He made his first pump with his own hands, and for his own well. Afterward, he made a few for his neighbors, and soon obtained a patent and started a small factory. Enlarging and erecting new buildings, he rapidly won the favor and patronage of the public, and acquired considerable property. But every one must expect reverses in fortune. Mr. Althouse was not an exception. His large manufactory was entirely destroyed by fire last winter, and Mr. A. suffered a loss of $12,000 in stock not easily replaced. Fortunately, he owned a planing-mill separate from this factory, and, building a large addition to this, he immediately converted it into a manufactory. He is now doing an immense business. Ile employs thirty-five hands, besides twenty-three who are engaged in the sale of the pumps throughout the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and lowa. Two teams are kept run- ning continually.from each of the points, Madison, Mineral Point, Fond du Lac, Appleton and Waukesha, in this State. Mr. A. usually makes about 6,000 pumps annually. but will turn out 7,800 this year. The timber used in the manufacture of these pumps is white-wood, and is
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h. atthouse
723
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
obtained from Michigan. The machinery is all new, and is run by steam. Besides his manu- factory, Mr. A. has a large building which he uses for a repository and office.
" The mammoth wagon and carriage factory of Messrs. Wells & Co. is an institution in which Waupun justly feels a pride. This firm succeeded that of A. D. Allis & Co. Mr. Wells employs thirty hands, and makes 300 wagons, 100 carriages and 50 cutters annually, selling them chiefly in the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota. He obtains his stock from the East, and gives special attention to light work.
" Messrs. Zimmerman & Geidel are doing a good business in the wagon and carriage line. This firm employs thirteen hands, and mannfactures 125 wagons, 30 carriages and about 40 sleighs and cutters annually, and finds a sale for them in this State.
" The Prison City Marble Works of J. S. Gee & Son are worthy of mention. These have been established many years at this place, and work of a first-class character is done.
" Mr. Robert B. MeElroy has a large door and blind factory here.
" There are four hotels, the best of which are the Carrington and New York Houses, kept respectively by A. Shipman and Charles Simpson.
" There is only one bank-the Corn Exchange-in Waupun. Its capital is $50,000. President, D. Ferguson ; Cashier, W. Hobkirk.
" The flouring-mills of this place were quite useless in the summer season until Harris & Son put an engine into their mill in order to run it by steam when water was low. The other mill runs the greater part of the year, and Mr. William Warren is doing quite a good business with it. Both mills have two run of stones, one each for flour and feed.'
WAUPUN FIRE COMPANY NO. 1.
Early in 1874, the village of Waupun having suffered several losses from fire which might have been avoided had there been an organized fire department, purchased a Champion Chem- ical fire engine at a cost of $2,000, and built a neat two-story engine-house on Main street near the railway crossing for its reception. This building cost about $750. On the 6th of October, of the same year, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a fire department, when the following persons signed the by-laws and became members, to serve without pay: O. A. Morse, Jr., S. J. Morse, Frank Heath, J. E. Stanton, P. M. Pryor, Albert Raymond, George Ray- mond, Ole Oleson, J. W. Oliver, J. A. Baker, W. E. Warren, C. H. Ackerman, P. Weidner, Isaac Thompson, S. Peterson, W. H. Purcell, E. L. Schofield, D. S. Pryor, H. D. Schulte, P. Thompson, Thomas Purcell, J. F. Jones, W. G. Oliver, C. Christophersen, HI. O. Shipman, W. Blosfeldt, Thomas McDonald. D. A. Lowber, W. Germain, F. H. Robinson, E. A. Conrad, James Mc Farlane, J. M. Robbins, B. W. Mentink, F. R. Pierce, W. T. King, H. McRoberts, H. Hanisch, C. A. Pierce, J. Staub. John Fieldstad, Charles Larson, Charles Hanisch, Charles Dahl and T. W. Gee. At the same time, the following officers were elected : Foreman, J. A. Baker : First Assistant, W. E. Warren : Second Assistant, P. Weidner; Secretary, J. W. Oliver ; Treasurer, W. G. Oliver.
In 1878, the eity purchased a water engine for $500, and caused to be made at a local shop a hose-cart, which is far more light, durable and convenient than those made for that purpose at the regular factories, and its cost was one-third less. The hook and ladder wagon and appurten- ances were also made in Waupun. and are models for neatness, durability and effectiveness. The present officers of the Company are: Foreman, Drysdale Ferguson ; First Assistant, T. W. Gee : Second Assistant, Frank Ileath ; Sceretary, J. W. Oliver; Treasurer, O. A. Morse, Jr.
DODGE COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
An act was passed by the Legislature and approved April 17, 1852, incorporating the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company, with Edwin Hillyer, L. B. Hills, Josiah Drummond, B. Hinkley, J. N. Ackerman, George W. Bly, L. P. Preston, N. J. Newton, J. D. Tanner, Joseph T. Ilillyer, J. W. Brown, J. Look and Logan Graves, as Directors.
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The act declared that "the corporation shall have power and authority to make contracts of insurance with any person or persons or any body, corporate or politic, against loss by fire of any houses, stores or other buildings whatsoever, or of any goods, chattels, or personal estate whatsoever, for such term or terms of time, and for such premium or consideration as may be agreed upon by them, the said corporation, and the person or persons agreeing with them (it), for insurance. * * Every person who shall at any time become interested in said Company, by insuring therein, and also his heirs, administrators and assigns, continuing to be insured therein, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed and taken to be members thereof, for and during the terms specified in their respective policies, and no longer, and shall at all times be concluded and bound by the provisions of this act."
The act of incorporation further declared that, when any loss should occur, every stock- holder would be compelled to pay his proportion of it, according to the amount of insurance on his property ; and the corporation would have a lien upon that property for the amount, what- ever it might be. This was an unconstitutional provision, but it served the desired purpose.
At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, the salary of each was fixed at $2 per day for services actually rendered. The Company began at once to secure business, which con- stantly increased during nearly twenty years. Risks were taken in all portions of the State ; losses were paid promptly, the assessments were light, and misfortune alone was the cause of the Company's failure. As high as $2,500 per year salary was paid to the Secretary and $1,500 to the President, with good compensation to the Directors and other officers. In the latter part of 1870, George W. Bly, the Secretary, conceived the idea of going abroad, and, as he never returned, the Company was finally compelled to go out of business, which it did in 1875, by going into bankruptcy. E. D. Foote was appointed Assignee and E. M. Beach Attorney for the Assignee. About nine hundred premium notes were sned, and a dividend of 10 per cent declared in favor of the stockholders. The notes outstanding amounted to $40,000, but many of them were worthless. The officers, from the organization down to its death, of the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company have been as follows :
1852 and 1853-President, Edwin Hillyer : Vice President, J. D. Tanner ; Secretary, L. B. Hills ; Treasurer, George W. Bly.
1854, 1855, 1856 and 1857-President, Edwin Hillyer; Vice President, C. C. Cheney ; Secretary, L. B. Hills ; Treasurer, George W. Bly. In October, 1857, the President and Sec- retary having resigned, John Ware was chosen President and Edwin Hillyer Secretary for the balance of the year.
1858-President, John Ware ; Vice President, E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W. Bly.
1859-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, John Ware.
1860-President. George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Ilillyer : Treasurer, W. G. McElroy.
1861-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer; Treasurer, Logan Graves.
1862-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, M. L. Coe. 1863-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, L. B. Hills ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer; Treasurer, J. T. Hillver.
1864-President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, Edwin Hill- yer ; Treasurer, L. B. Ilills.
1865-President, George W. Bly; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, Edwin Hill- yer ; Treasurer, George Babcock. In July, the President and Secretary resigned, and J. T. Hillyer was chosen President and George W. Bly Secretary for the balance of the year.
1866-President, Joseph T. Hillyer; Vice President, Logan Graves; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, Hanson Ely.
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
1867-President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, D. C. Brooks.
1868-President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Bly; Treasurer, O. L. Olmstead.
1869-President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, W. G. McElroy.
1870-President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, O. L. Omstead; Secretary, George W. Bly; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. Before this term expired, Mr. Bly went on a tour from which he has never returned, and George Babcock took his place as Secretary.
1871-President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, George G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker; Treasurer, George Babcock. Before the year ended, the President and Treasurer resigned, and William Hobkirk was chosen President, and George F. Wheeler, Treasurer.
1872, 1873 and 1874-President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Sec- retary, J. A. Baker : Treasurer, George F. Wheeler.
1875-President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. In August, Mr. Hobkirk disappeared, and Chester Hazen was chosen President. Mr. Baker resigned in June, and E. D. Foote was chosen Secre- tary in his place.
Five or six days after Mr. Hobkirk left, the Company was declared bankrupt, and it has transacted no business since.
A CONTRAST.
There is a marked contrast between the times of thirty-five years ago and now, in and around Waupun. Those who now live upon the same farms upon which they settled at that time cannot realize the change. Like the years of man, it has been creeping steadily on. Then the entire country was mostly one unbroken wilderness, streams and prairies. About thirty-five years ago, the great majority of land around Waupun was entered or pre-empted. Though the soil was rich and productive, yet what an amount of determination and courage was required to develop the country to make it a suitable abode for man, those who possessed that determination and courage very well know. With an unflinching hand the commencement was made ; there was no putting the hands to the plow and looking back. The cabin was erected, the home, however homely. was started, the grounds were broken ; then, in case there were funds left sufficient to buy the few necessaries for immediate use, that was a happy home.
At that time. there were no roads laid out or opened. The settler was compelled to travel with his ox team, in some instances, thirty or forty miles to mill, and fortunate was he who had a grist to grind. There were no schools or churches. There were none of the convenienees so requisite to make life in a new country desirable ; there were none of the conveniences and privileges of to-day.
The country was rich in all the natural advantages, yet no country, however fruitful, how- ever rich the soil, can be brought to a satisfactory state of production except by the untiring energies of man.
The commencement was made, the cabins were built, the lands were cleared and broken. and each succeeding year brought in additional numbers, so that in five years there was hardly a piece of Government land to be found.
Many coming in without money sufficient could enter no land. Did they lie down under the misfortune of having no money ? No ; a home they would have, and where there is a will there is a way. They pre-empted a quarter-section, and soon found an opportunity to sell for money enough to pay for an eighth.
Necessity with many of the older settlers was often great, and often became the mother of invention. Who, of this day, would think of building a wooden house without the use of boards. Our latter-day mechanics would tell you that it would be almost impossible, yet it was
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