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Miscellaneous set
Watertown Daily Times, 06 12 1985
The Watertown Public Library has been named as a beneficiary in the will of the late Beonda Ida Wilford which could bring the facility in excess of $60,000. Mrs. Wilford died Sept. 14, 1984, at Marquardt Manor at the age of 91. She was a former resident at 34 Pawnee Street and was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. T he news was a definite surprise, Library Director Mary Carol Powers said this morning. She said neither her nor her staff remember Mrs. Wilford as a patron.
Removes to Watertown
Watertown Gazette, 11 23 1916
Dr. Emmett W. Bowen, formerly a member of the house staff of the Milwaukee county hospital and lately assistant in the state tuberculosis sanatorium at Wales, has removed to Watertown for the practice of medicine. He has offices at 103 Main Street, second floor of the Evans block.
Followers Visit Daily Times
Watertown Daily Times, 02 20 1960
The plant of the Watertown Daily Times yesterday afternoon virtually was engulfed by the followers of U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey, newspapermen, columnists and representatives of national publications. They poured out of a special Humphrey chartered bus parked across the street from the Times' building. Led by the senator, they streamed into the Times' building in what appeared to be endless numbers, clogging the stairway and the second floor hallway until the group could be distributed into the various rooms on the second floor of the building. In all, there were more than 30 persons. They included Marcus Childs, well known Washington columnist whose columns appear on the editorial page of the Daily Times. The group also included representatives of Newsweek, and the Christian Science Monitor, United Press International and a number of political writers for midwestern and eastern papers.
1860 - 1960
Watertown Daily Times, 06 22 1960
The Watertown Turners have set the dates for the celebration of their centennial which is being observed this year. The dates are Sept. 19 to 25 and work on the plans is now well underway. Chairmen of the various committees in charge of the celebration have held several meetings and the next general meeting of the committee is to be held July 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Turner Hall at which additional phases for the jubilee will be discussed. Members of the steering committee are: Marvin Bredow, Clifford Hanson, Emil Kihslinger, Ernest Kubly, Harley Lehmann, Waldo Potter, Henry Schaller, William Schultz, Duane Steffen, Orval Steffen, W. C. Strache and Howard Weihert.
Watertown
Area Health Services
and
Horizon Development
Group
Watertown Daily Times, 06 22 2000
Construction of a three-story apartment building for seniors will begin in August at a site just northeast of Watertown Memorial Hospital. The 48-unit building is expected to be finished by spring 2001, with occupancy targeted for April. The apartments, for seniors ages 55 and up, are planned by Watertown Area Health Services and Horizon Development Group of Madison. They will be modeled after Waterloo's Hawthorne Apartment Homes for Seniors, which were designed for independent-living and charge rent based on a resident's income. Hawthorne also was planned by Health Services and Horizon.
Specifications
for New High School
Watertown Daily Times, 06 21 1985
Written educational specifications for a new high school facility were presented to the board of education of the Watertown Unified School District Wednesday evening. The specifications were drafted by the school district administration and give a “picture” of what local educators believe is necessary in a new or remodeled building. The specifications will be presented to the school district architectural form which will use them to prepare plans for the three basic options offered by the board. Those options are to renovate the existing high school, construct a new facility or change the junior high into a high school and the high school into a junior high.
Watertown Municipal
Airport
Watertown Daily Times, 06 12 2000
Sunday morning's overcast sky cleared in time for an event marking the first time an aerobatics flying team performed at Watertown Municipal Airport. Swift Magic Aerobatic Team, a three-aircraft group of pilots from Tennessee that specializes in high-speed stunts, put on an afternoon show of skydiving, formation displays and mock combats during the airport's open house. The U.S. Air Force Reserve arrived from Milwaukee and gave tours of its C-130, an aircraft flown globally and used to ship cargo and troops. Also on display was a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter that flew in from Madison. Several thousand people attended the open house, estimated Jeff Baum, airport manager. It was sponsored by Wisconsin Aviation, Inc., the company that manages the airport.
Watertown Daily Times, 06 29 2000
A Watertown fire captain who has been with the department for three decades retired Tuesday. “I've been extremely proud to have served the people in the community,” Joel Edwards, 53, said on his last day. “ I've enjoyed my career in the fire service. It has been good to me and my family.” He began working for the department in the 1970s as an auxiliary firefighter and climbed department ranks. For nine years he was a lieutenant before he was promoted to the post of captain five years ago. Over the years, Edwards has trained in numerous firefighter and paramedic programs and has received several certificates.
Cross Reference:
Edwards, Joel 2008, Fire Dept commemorates 150th
Watertown Daily Times, 06 28 1985
A Watertown native and lifelong resident will be leading the parade down Main Street starting at 10 a.m. on the Fourth of July. Jack Nass, 419 North Eighth Street, Watertown, has been selected as the parade marshal. Except for a tour in the U.S. Navy, Nass has lived in Watertown all his life.
Nass said, “I am proud and grateful to be selected as honorary parade marshal for the Fourth of July parade. As an American, I am proud to be part of the celebration on such a significant date, and am grateful for the liberty and freedom that it represents. I am also proud to be part of this great community and appreciate the opportunity to share this day with so many friends.” He was born in 1937, the day after the Fourth of July, in Watertown. He is a 1955 graduate of Watertown High School.
Watertown Daily Times, 06 28 2000
Watertown has the oldest police auxiliary group in the state. The Watertown Police Reserve, originally known as the Watertown Auxiliary police group, has been ongoing consecutively from 1942. The Milwaukee Police Auxiliary is the next oldest organization, having been formed after World War II. The American Legion was founded in 1919 and since there was no group to give the veterans of World War I military honors, a firing squad was started to provide the duty. The squad was composed of members that could easily get away from work for funerals.
A Genuine Republican
Watertown Democrat, 08 23 1860
A
genuine Republican—a full blooded African—lectured in this city a few weeks
since. His object was to prove the value
of the services of the negroes in the Revolutionary War—and get money. He was a pretty shrewd fellow and kept his
eye on the main chance—never overlooking No. 1.
After he had got nearly through his talk, he closed by proposing to take
up a collection. Said he—“Brudder R___
and Brudder W___, please pass around de hat, be sure to get those that haint
holes in the bottom; don’t be in a hurry to go round, if any of the other
Brudders haint any change, wait a moment to give ‘em a chance to borrow, so
that all can do something for the good cause in general and me in
particular. A dime will do when a
quarter aint handy.” The thing took and
the darky made quite a raise, though his political associates tried to give him
the cold shoulder when it came to the real test. Such as attempted to go away before the last
act was over were politely informed by the ebony speaker that he hoped they
“Hadn’t forgot to leave a little loose change as a memorial of their
appreciation of talent in a white black man!"
The Harvest
Watertown Democrat, 08 02 1860
The
Harvest is progressing. The weather
continues fair, and the broad wheat fields are being rapidly relieved of the
golden burden. Most of the grain is now
fully ripe, and as it is gathered, the most favorable expectations, both as to
its quantity and quality are fully realized.
One Dollar Notes
Altered to
"Three"
Watertown Democrat, 08 02 1860
Just
Out—One dollar notes, of the Jefferson County Bank, altered to
"Three." They have a
Blacksmith on the right and Harvester on the left end, likely to deceive. The change is so skillfully made that it
requires close inspection to detect the fraud.
Watertown Daily Times, 07 09 1960
Watertown's first Maxwell Street Day sprang into being early this morning under fair skies and the weather so comfortable that everyone who had any fears about what conditions it would be held under promptly dismissed them, for the day was perfect weatherwise. The Weather Man certainly co-operated with the committee from the Watertown Chamber of Commerce which sponsored the event. Even before 9 a.m., the starting time, when business men were still lining up their outdoor displays of merchandise and some were stringing pennants and banners, the crowds began to form and the people kept coming. By mid-forenoon the crowds that jammed the downtown area had grown in proportion and at times it was difficult to push one's way along the sidewalks.
Millet
Watertown Democrat, 08 16 1860
Mr. M.
C. Scott of Farmington has this year sown five acres of millet on new and
unplowed land and expects to cut 20 tons to be used as food for cattle. He has
shown us a cluster of stalks averaging five feet in height and streaming with
blades of grass. In some countries of
Europe millet forms a very important article of agriculture. As food for cattle it is considered in many
respects superior to hay. If our soil
and climate should prove to be adapted to its growth its cultivation will be
found profitable and important to those who engage extensively in raising
cattle for market. We also notice that a
number of farmers have small fields of Hungarian grass. We are glad to see such experiments
tried. It indicates a disposition on the
part of the farmers to seek out the best and most useful crops and engage in
their cultivation. If these foreign
varieties of grasses should prove as valuable here as they are known to be
elsewhere, their general introduction will be a common benefit.
The Next State Fair
Watertown Republican, 09 07 1860
The
tenth annual exhibition of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society will be
held in Madison during the last week of September. The grounds occupied in 1858 have been
enlarged and will be elegantly fitted up for the occasion. It is expected that this exhibition will be
the best of any ever yet made in this state and we have no doubt there will
likewise be a larger turnout than ever before.
Besides the sales of improved animals at auction, there will be a grand
parade of those taking premiums, and a plowing match which it is intended shall
constitute an interesting feature of the exhibition. Arrangements have been made with the
railroads to carry passengers and stock at half fare and it is hoped that
people will turn out by the thousands and avail themselves of this opportunity
for seeing the best agricultural exhibition that Wisconsin has ever had.
The Rails That Lincoln
Split
Watertown Republican, 09 14 1860
[advertisement]
The rails that Lincoln split will be wanted this Fall to fence out an enraged
democracy, but the rest of your spare timber, burnt to ashes, will find a ready
market at my store, in exchange for which you can get an article that will
prove “a penny saved is two pence earned.”
Ashes are a legal tender with me and you can do better with them than
the money, for the latter don’t have to go through but one process to spend it,
the former a six month’s schooling.
Collaterals are all the go. I
mean to sell at fair profits. [I] don’t
do business for fun, or to turn sharp corners, and mean to keep the concern
running. For certain, until I can make
it worth while to stop, I am sensible of a great run on teas, and to keep up my
reputation, I have determined to meet the Japanese embassy at Niagara Falls
this month under the inspiration which that great wonder creates, give them
some article suited to the taste of lovers of the leaf in Watertown, so that on
their return I can have something extra.
After my return you will find everything in the crockery and grocery
line, as cheap as is sold in town. Don’t
pay the fiddler for others to dance.
Come where you can get the worth of your money. C. H. Lord.
To
Unveil Monument to Father Corby
Watertown Gazette, 09 23 1910
It is
expected that the monument to be erected to the memory of Rev. Father Corby on
the Gettysburg battle field will be ready the latter part of next month and the
unveiling ceremony will be held at that time or early in November. The memorial is now being modeled by Samuel
A. Murray, of Philadelphia. It is of
heroic size of bronze, representing the brave priest in the act of bestowing a
blessing.
The
figure will be mounted on the rock from which Chaplain Corby gave the general
absolution to the Catholic soldiers of the Irish Brigade as they were about to
march to the support of the Union Army on July 2, 1863. The statue will cost about $5,600, and more
than $4,000 has already been subscribed.
An effort is being made to complete the fund at once.
The
design has been approved by the War Department.
It will contain the following inscription: "To the memory of Rev.
William Corby, C.S.C., Chaplain Eighty-eighth Regiment, New York Infantry,
Second Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, The Irish Brigade, July 2,
1863."
[Father Corby was pastor of St.
Bernard’s from 1872-77 and again from 1881-86]
Douglas
Club / Democratic Club
Watertown Democrat, 08 02 1860
The
Democrats of this city are requested to meet in Bogle's Hall, at 7 1/2 o'clock
next Saturday evening, the 4th inst., for the purpose of forming a Douglas
club. We [Watertown Democrat newspaper] trust a large and prompt attendance
will be the response to this call. It is
now time to prepare for the battle we must fight. This city and county can and should be
carried by increased Democratic majorities.
Local as well as general considerations ought to urge the friends of
Douglas and popular sovereignty to be active and constant in their efforts to
promote a cause eminently worthy of their best endeavors.
Thorough
organization—manly [mainly] appeals to the intelligence and patriotism of the
people—clear and truthful statements of the real questions now at issue—are the
means that we must use to accomplish the ends we have in view. Our position, both for the present and
future, is commanding and impregnable.
We stand on National ground. In
every state in the Union we are gaining in numbers, influence and talent. Some of the most eloquent voices are pleading
for us in the east, west, north and south.
Let us not be idle in Wisconsin.
We must
act as if we felt and comprehended the full importance of the occasion, and by
the result show how utterly without foundation is the boast of the New York Tribune, that this state is
sure to give 20,000 majority for the Republicans. We know how wild and reckless is any such
calculation. Zeal, work, sincerity and
confidence may yet turn the scale in our favor, and that is a consummation
worth toiling.
↓
More on Douglas
club / Democratic club ↓
Organization of
a Democratic Club
Watertown Democrat, 08 09 1860
Pursuant
to a call of the Democratic Committee, a large number of Democrats of the city
of Watertown assembled at Bogle’s Hall on Saturday evening, the 4th inst., for
the purpose of forming a Democrat Club and giving a more effective support to
Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. Johnson, the National Democratic candidates
for President and Vice President.
Constitution
. . .
The
committee also recommended the election of the following gentlemen as officers
of the club:
Vice
President, 1st Ward, Myron B. Williams
Vice
President, 2d Ward, Henry Bertram
Vice
President, 3d Ward, Thomas Moore
Vice
President, 4th Ward, Peter V. Brown
Vice
President, 5th Ward, Charles Jacobi
Vice
President, 6th Ward, Charles Beekman
Vice
President, 7th Ward, John Miller
Corresponding
Secretary, D. W. Ballou, Jr.
Recording
Secretaries, S. W. Shorey, E. Rothe
Treasurer,
Joseph Salick
. . .
The President of the club then took the chair and made a short and appropriate
speech, acknowledging the compliment just bestowed upon him, and setting forth
the purposes, position and prospects of the Democratic Party of the Union. Mr. Emil Rothe followed in an able and
interesting speech in German, which was listened to with marked attention by
those who speak that language. After
three cheers for Douglas the club adjourned to meet again at the same place
next Saturday evening, when a general attendance is respectfully requested.
Regarding Jefferson
Watertown Democrat, 06 21 1860
We are
pleased to say a good word in behalf of our neighboring town and to see the
prosperity with which she seems to be favored.
We were there the other day and saw with our own eyes the improvements
that are going on. We noticed the
cellars dug and foundations laid for two new brick stores which are to surpass
in elegance anything in that line that they have there now. They have also built two or three new
churches within a year, besides which we saw more or less in the way of
improvement in private residences, some of which are now being erected while
others have but recently been finished.
There seems to be a good deal of activity in business, though just now more
quiet than it has been through the spring months. They are anticipating a heavy fall trade
there, and with a good harvest we see no reason to doubt their having it.
Watertown Democrat, 08 02 1860
Last
Thursday morning, the 26th ult., two small
boys, the sons of Mr. Steinfeld, accidentally fell into the river, under
the west end of Main Street Bridge. They were first discovered by a daughter of
Mr. Jacob Jussen, who immediately gave the alarm and called for help. Carl, a lad about eight years old, was
immediately rescued by Mr. W. D. Sproesser, but the other, Henry, about a year
younger, went down where the water was near six feet deep. One or two who were first on the ground made
unsuccessful attempts to get him by diving, but he remained there until
Frederick Karst took him out. As near as
we can ascertain, he was in the water from six to eight minutes. When taken out he appeared lifeless. Fortunately, Mr. Edward Johnson, Dr. Quinney,
an Indian physician, Mr. A. Baum, Mr. T. Dervin and others were present, who
instantly began the work of resuscitation.
Mr. Jussen freely opened his house and rendered all the assistance in
his power. As such incidents as this may
occur here again, and a knowledge of the proper method of treatment may be
useful to all, we have procured from Mr. Johnson the following statement of the
course pursued on this occasion. The boy
was far gone, and probably if he had remained a minute or two longer in the
water his recovery would have been impossible.
The following
treatment was employed in the effort to resuscitate Henry Steinfeld which was
successful:
The boy
was divested of his clothing and was immediately wrapped in a blanket rung out
of hot water. Artificial respiration was
then used for a short time. He was next
placed on a barrel, the face being downward and rolled backward and forward
until a large quantity of water and air was expelled. Warm water was constantly poured on the
blanket which soaked through, giving him the benefit of its heat without the
risk of exposure. Friction was also
constantly kept up. Artificial
respiration was again resorted to, and again he was placed on the barrel, and
in about 12 minutes after the treatment
commenced the first signs of life were noticed.
The first efforts at respiration were so feeble and far between that
artificial respiration was employed to fill up the intervals until the
breathing became a matter of fact, when he was allowed to struggle for
himself. The after treatment was advised
by Dr. Cody, under whose skillful management,
and the great attention of Mr. Jacob Jussen, the patient has so far recovered
as to be thought out of danger.
The
father of these children was in the country harvesting when the nearly fatal
casualty happened. The mother requests
us to extend to all who aided in saving her sons her heartfelt thanks for their
kindness. The afflicting loss she has
been spared, has filled her mind with a sense of the deepest gratitude.
Watertown
Democrat,
11 17 1859
PROCLAMATION—THANKSGIVING
Another year, with its varied
experiences and vicissitudes, has nearly gone, the seed time and harvest have
passed away, and the products of the earth more abundant and excellent, in many
respects [more] than usual, have been gathered in. Our state has been favored by an overruling
Providence with exemption from pestilence, or any prevailing disease, and the
commercial and financial distress, under which our land has so long suffered,
seems to be approaching an end. As a
state we have been free from evil disturbances, and men have gone about their
daily avocations in peace and quietness.
As a nation, too, we have been exempted from the scenes of blood which
have been the result in other lands of the shock of contending hosts.
It is
right that we should as a people render the tribute of our thanks to the Author
of all good, for the establishment and continuance of our free institutions,
for the general health and prosperity of our people, for the blessings of
peace, for the privileges of free education, and freedom to worship God
according to the dictates of conscience, and for all the unnumbered blessings,
individual and national, so bountifully showered upon us.
Therefore,
in accordance with the time-honored usage, I do hereby recommend to the people
of Wisconsin that they observe Thursday, the 24th day of November, as a day of
Thanksgiving, and that, abstaining
from their secular avocations on that
day, they unite in their several localities in grateful praise to Almighty God,
for his constant care and abundant mercies.
By the
Governor,
Alex. W.
Randall
↓
More on
Thanksgiving 1859 ↓
Watertown Democrat, 11 17 1859
The
people of Wisconsin will be called upon next Thursday to render their annual
tribute of Thanksgiving to God for the bounties and blessings of the year now
rapidly passing away. With them will
unite many of the sister states of this Union.
A noble and grateful hymn of praise should arise from so great a
multitude of prosperous and happy people, for once more have the hills, valleys
and prairies of the West resounded with the cheering shouts of the harvest
home. To the many causes for general
thanksgiving, every one can doubtless add something personal, for which to
return sincere thanks to the Giver of all Good.
Every picture has dark shadings, but the remembrance of the sunshine and
not the clouds should claim our thoughts on such occasions.
Life has
many seasons of pure, unmingled happiness, and Thanksgiving should be one of
these. One day at least of glowing
gratitude untinged by murmurings or repinings, should the heart offer yearly to
the Father and Benefactor of us all.
Away, then, with gloomy forebodings, useless griefs, and hopeless
regrets. Banish all the crowd of jarring
emotions, and let the tide of joy and gratitude course through every vein, beat
with every pulsation, gleam in every flash of the eye, and speak in every word
from the lips. Let us give no reluctant
thanks to the Almighty for his long, continued and never failing kindness, and
may the next be to you, reader, friend or neighbor, a Thanksgiving indeed.
We are requested to state that on the
24th inst, there will be religions services in both the English and German
languages in Rev. C. Sans' church [Rev. Christian Sans, St.
Mark’s], commencing at 10 ½ o'clock a.m..
The different churches are requested to unite on that day, which will
make it one of unusual interest. A
general attendance is respectfully solicited.
At St.
Paul's Church there will also be religious services at the same hour . . .
A
Good Beginning and a Bright Ending
Watertown Democrat, 08 09 1860
The
Sabbath School Pic Nic of the Congregational
Church to Pine Lake last week was a brilliant affair. Nearly two hundred teachers and scholars were
present and seldom have we seen a serene summer’s day spent more to the
satisfaction of both young and old. There
were neither clouds in the sky or on the faces of any of the party. A beautiful and romantic spot was the grove
chosen for the festivities of the occasion.
The ground is covered with a growth of both large and small trees—some
towering in the air and overshadowing a goodly space around them and others
forming delightful bowers, inviting repose.
Nearby
is a clear and cool lake, the crystal waters of which sparkle in the sunlight
and give an exhilarating freshness to the breezes that constantly play off
their surface. The children were in high
glee—they were happy. After they had
safely returned and all were collected on the platform of the Watertown
railroad depot they gave three loud and heartfelt cheers for S. S. Merrill, the
popular and enterprising railroad Superintendent, who took every opportunity to
add to the happiness of the company, and by his care and liberality placed all
under obligations to him. If sincere
thanks, uttered all at once by hundreds of cheerful voices, can pay for such attention
and kindness, Mr. Merrill received some part of his reward. For such a merry shout as went up at the
mention of his name, we think we should be inclined to give a receipt in full.
On that
youthful group that morning’s sun rose without a cloud and went
down without a shadow.
Watertown Democrat, 08 09 1860
Twenty new freight cars have just been
built in this city at the machine shop of the Milwaukee, Watertown and Baraboo
Valley Company. They are constructed to
afford additional facilities for promptly doing the largely increased amount of
carrying business which it is anticipated will be furnished by the immense
crops now being harvested. From
Oconomowoc to Watertown, and thence along the two branches of railroad running
to Columbus and Sun Prairie, no more fertile and productive grain region can be
found in the state. The entire country
[county?] can be converted into a broad wheat field, and in fact is little
short of that now. Take a stand on any
elevation and the eye ranges widely over a rich soil glowing with the golden
shocks, now huddled closely together like so many little pyramids. Within the circle of vision thousands on
thousands more bushel of wheat have this year been reaped than were ever
gathered before. It is to take this
teeming surplus to market that Mr. S. S. Merrill—a railroad superintendent who
always foresees the public wants and prepares to meet them—has made this
additional preparation of freight cars.
They will soon be needed, and have enough to do.
↓
More on Milwaukee,
Watertown and Baraboo Valley Machine Shop [car shop]
↓
Watertown Car Shop of
Milwaukee, Watertown &
Baraboo Valley RR
True Enough
Watertown Republican, 10 19 1860
The
Milwaukee Sentinel of the 14th has
the following item:
"The
new freight cars of the Milwaukee, Watertown and Baraboo Valley Railroad are
certainly the neatest and most substantial of any cars used in Wisconsin. We do not know where the credit for their
manufacture belongs. In fact everything
about the rolling stock of this road has an air of substantial neatness that
speaks well for its managers. The road is now doing a large freight business,
and when completed to its final destination—the Mississippi River at Dubuque—it
is surely destined to become one of the very best paying railroads in the
Northwest."
For the
information of the Sentinel, we would
like to state that the cars it speaks of were manufactured in Watertown at the
car shop of the company, whose property they are.
The Sentinel pays no more than a deserved
compliment to the management of the company and hits the nail precisely on the
head when it says that theirs is to become one of the most profitable and best
paying roads in the state when completed to its final destination. It is in good hands now, and managed with
care and prudence. The immense wheat
crop of Wisconsin, which is now being rapidly moved, is furnishing the road
with all the business they can possibly do.
The superintendent is constantly making additions to the rolling stock
of the road, in order to keep pace with the requirements of the increasing
freight traffic upon it.
Milwaukee and Grand
Haven Route
Watertown Democrat, 08 09 1860
Travelers going East or coming West, who
like a little change and variety in a journey of more than a thousand miles,
should take the Milwaukee and Grand Haven route. All the arrangements on this line are made
and carried out with special reference to the convenience of passengers going
over it. There is no delay or
interruption. You can step from the
railroad car on to the commodious steamboat, rapidly sweep over the cool and
clear waters of Lake Michigan, and again glide over the smooth iron highway to
your destination. Mr. D. M. Belden is
the agent of this line for this city and will furnish through tickets to all
wanting them.
Watertown Democrat, 08 09 1860
We do not wish to muddle with any
controversy in which others may be engaged.
We publish the communication below in compliance with a request of Mr.
Chalmers, the postmaster of Portland, who desires to make a statement of his
side of the case, in explanation of the course he saw fit to pursue:
Portland, Aug. 4th, 1860
Mr. J. W. Lawton:
Sir:
Your verbose and tautological reply to my brief note startled me to no
slight degree. I thought that I had been
civil and obligating, at least when I wrote.
I intended to be so. I presumed
that instead of giving cause of offence, I was actually conferring a favor, and
whatever view you might have taken of my communication, surely at least you
ought to have replied, if at all, with something approaching common decency and
gentlemanly propriety. Assuredly I do
not envy the claim which you possess of good breeding or respectability.
The first numbers of the Watertown
Republican came to this post office as specimens, and if you had cared
to comply with the law made for such a case, you would have pre-paid the
postage. Pray, Sir, in your zeal for law
and right, why did you not do so? Your
paper at this office, in nearly every case, was either promptly refused or
shortly returned and as I knew that you had not one subscriber at this place,
regard for your interest, as well as respect to my own responsibility, induced
me to take some decided and unmistakable step in the business.
When I returned one package unopened I
did so the full persuasion that not one copy was expected or would be called
for. Mr. Lewis Hamnifield [?] and every
other person who gets his mail at this office knows that its business is
invariable conducted with the strictest integrity and regularity. Besides, Sir, allow me to say that what I
have done in this matter I have done advisedly and in deference to the fact
that I am a humble official in the Free State of Wisconsin.
Robert Chalmers
Runaways in our
Streets
Watertown Democrat, 08 09 1860
The
runaways in our streets exhibit too much carelessness on the part of those
driving teams. Last Saturday a man came
near being badly injured or killed by a horse taking a start as he was getting
into his wagon, which was stove [broken] to pieces in quick time. Last Sunday a German had a leg broken in two
places in consequence of sporting a little too lively with a span of young
colts. When horses are so liable to be
frightened extra care should be taken to guard against accidents of this kind.
Watertown Democrat, 08 09 1860
Chancellor
Barnard, of the State University, has appointed a session of the Teacher’s
Institute in this city to commence on Monday, the 27th inst., and continue one
week. It is hoped that Mr. Barnard
himself will be able to be present, which will largely contribute to the
interest of the occasion. Addresses may
be expected from J. B. Pradt, the editor of the Wisconsin Journal of Education, A. J. Craig, of the Superintendent’s
Department, and others, on subjects connected with the best methods of
education.
As
invitations will be extended to the teachers of not only this and Dodge County,
but to all in this vicinity, probably there will not be far from one hundred
present during the exercises of the Institute.
We have no doubt that our citizens will cheerfully give them the
attention and hospitality necessary to make their brief stay pleasant and
useful.
They
come on a mission of vital importance to the welfare of all communities—it is
to better qualify themselves to impart to the young those elements of
instruction which constitute the basis of intelligence and knowledge. What they do for themselves they are doing for
the youth of the land, and every family that can conveniently entertain one or
more as guests should make arrangements to do so. The improvement of our common schools—the
elevation of the standard of the teacher’s qualifications—are matters in which
every parent is concerned, and all should willingly contribute to results so
desirable and beneficent. We understand
that Mr. R. L. Reed will in a few days call on our citizens to ascertain the
names of such as feel disposed to accommodate the delegates from abroad who
will shortly visit us to take part in the proceedings of this Institute. We bespeak for him a cordial reception and
such a response to his demands as will be alike honorable and hospitable. We all know the value of the work in which
teachers are engaged and let us show our appreciation of their great and
essential services by welcoming them with the warmth and consideration to which
they are justly entitled.
↓
More on Teacher’s
Institute ↓
Order of the Institute
Exercises
Watertown Democrat, 08 16 1860
The Teacher’s Institute, under the
direction of Prof. C. H. Allen, will be opened on Monday evening, Aug. 27th, by
an address on the subject of education and will continue through the week.
During each day there will be exercises
conducted by competent and experienced teachers, illustrative of the principles
and methods of education applicable to public schools of different grades.
Each evening will be devoted to an
address or discussion on some educational subject which the public generally
are invited to attend. Teachers, superintendents
and others interested in the cause, in this and adjoining counties, will be
welcomed and freely entertained by the citizens of Watertown and every means
used to make the session pleasant and profitable to all.
Those preparing to teach will find nothing
so well adapted to fit them for their work as a week spent in the Institute.
Each
member is requested to bring slate, pencil and memorandum book for taking notes
and a fourth reader.
Committees
will be in readiness on the arrival of the [railroad] cars to wait on those
from abroad.
It is
hoped that the citizens of Watertown will attend at least the evening sessions,
as the subjects to be considered are those of vital importance to all. To those who would lay deep and broad the
foundations on which to build for future time, the public school occupies no
second place. We invite them to make a
grand rally, to help forward the cause of education in our midst.
Watertown Democrat, 08 16 1860
A Fatal Accident
Last
Monday Mr. John Campbell of this city took the freight train on the
NorthWestern Railroad with the intention of making a visit to the village of
Ripon. When he arrived at Juneau he
stepped off the cars for the purpose of taking a look at the new mill that has
recently been built near the depot at that place. When the train got under motion he attempted
to jump on one of the platform cars but by some misstep he fell across the track
and three cars ran over his body just below the stomach, causing almost instant
death. Mr. Campbell was a young man
about 26 years of age and for two or three years has carried on a tailoring
establishment. He had a large number of
friends in this city and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
↓
More on John
Campbell ↓
Needless Misrepresentation
Watertown Democrat, 08 23 1860
The
Milwaukee Sentinel and Horicon Argus publish statements relative to the
railroad accident which resulted in the death of John Campbell last week that
are pure fabrications and destitute of truth.
The conductor of that train showed no want of sympathy or regret that
the sad event occurred, though it was none of his fault. The train, we are informed, had stopped
nearly fifteen minutes at the Juneau depot when the conductor gave the signal
for the engineer to move the train ahead so to give the passengers an
opportunity to get aboard.
Instead
of going to the platform, the conductor and Mr. Campbell both attempted to jump
on to one of the platform cars—the latter making a miss move and falling across
the track, just before the wheels.
These
are the facts of the case, as we learned them from the Hon. Charles
Billinghurst, who assures us that it is wrong to cast the least censure on any
one connected with the road. Out of
these incidents a story, false from the beginning to end, has been circulated,
representing that the conductor of the train showed a total want of feeling,
lightly exclaiming “only a man killed,” and passed on without paying any
attention to the distressing occurrence which had so suddenly deprived an
estimable young man of his life.
While we
are about it, we will dispose of another matter. Every little while we see an article in the
Milwaukee papers complaining of a want of courtesy on the part of the
conductors on the Chicago and NorthWestern Railroad. There is no ground for such grumbling, and
originating where it does, its motives and objects may be easily
discovered. We do not believe any road
can be named that has secured the services of a more intelligent, attentive and
careful set of conductors, without a single exception. We know that travelers over that line never
fail to speak of them in the most favorable terms. They are always ready to impart any
information that may be desired, and do any kindness in their power. They are respected as gentlemen and popular
as conductors. That is more than can
with truth be said of some roads that run from Milwaukee to the Mississippi, if
common report is authority and general dissatisfaction, openly expressed, are
any evidence.
Cross Reference: John
Campbell was among the first members of the Fire
Dept
Instantly Killed
Watertown Gazette, 09 23 1910
Last Monday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock Lawrence Cunningham, chairman of the town of Shields, was instantly killed at Richwood by a freight train. He was waiting for a passenger train to pass the crossing and stood on another track while a freight train came from an opposite direction and struck him. His skull was fractured and he died instantly. Mr. Cunningham was one of the most highly esteemed residents of the town of Shields and his sudden death is greatly regretted. He was 63 years of age and is survived by his wife and four grown-up children. Thursday morning his funeral took place from the Catholic church at Richwood and his remains were interred in St. Bernard's Cemetery, this city.
Watertown Democrat, 08 16 1860
The Rev.
Shepard Wells of Columbia, Tenn., General Agent of the American Tract Society,
delivered an able and interesting discourse last Sabbath evening in the Congregational Church on the progress of
religious truth in the southwestern states—Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Arkansas, and the wide Indian Territory stretching beyond that last named
state.
. . .
Where ignorance once abounded intelligence now prevails. There has been progress and improvement in
the south as well as in the north.
The most
deeply interesting part of his discourse related to the condition of the
Indians in the territory set apart for their habitation by the Federal
Government. He had visited those tribes
in the far west and found they had, for the most part, abandoned hunting and
fishing as a means of support and engaged extensively and generally in
agriculture. They had supplied
themselves with farming implements, schools, academies and churches. They were gradually relinquishing the use of
their native language and learning the English.
Their houses are well built, they dressed as Americans generally dress,
they taught the elements of an English education in their schools and for all
benevolent objects their contributions were liberal.
. . . He
probably would not object to state the results of his long study of the system
of slavery and its influence on both the white and the African races. Thought not a slave-holder himself, he is
evidently a gentlemen who keeps his eyes and ears open and is not afraid to
speak fairly, plainly, truly—nothing extenuating or setting down aught in
malice.
Oconomowoc
Delightful and
Flourishing
Watertown Democrat, 08 16 1860
A Pic
Nic Party, last Friday, made an excursion to Oconomowoc—one of the most
delightful and flourishing villages in Wisconsin. We need not sketch its location in the center
of a cluster of small, pure, forest-fringed lakes—sparkling spots in the midst
of a world of verdure and foliage. The
day was fine, bright and balmy—just breezy enough to temper the warm, dazzling
atmosphere with a refreshing and invigorating coolness. All nature appeared to wear a winning look of
beauty, and in harmony with the scenery around him, Mr. S. S. Merrill was in
his happiest mood of kindness and courtesy, while his accomplished and
intelligent lady bestowed every attention on her numerous guests that could in
any way contribute to their gratification and enjoyment . . .
The
members of the company—each with his or her ample basket filled with the best
the season afforded—stepped into the cars about 9 o’clock in the morning and
after a short but pleasant ride reached the place of destination. Soon every sail and row-boat of La Belle Lake
was filled with passengers to the island that had been set apart for Pic Nic
celebrations. Once safely there, then
all were free to enjoy themselves as they choose. Some rambled, some picked up shells and
pebbles strewn along the wave-washed shores—some sought rest beneath shady
bowers . . .
Those
cool, crystal waters, which are deep and ever-flowing—abound with the choicest
finny tribes, excepting the speckled brook trout, of course, and the way the
bass, pickerel, pike and perch left their liquid bowers, took the hook of “my
lady,” came fluttering and trembling into the air, and then into the chowder
kettle, showed they were willing to be put to some useful purpose after they
had been caught.
The last
thing we recollect of the whole gay affair were the sounds of joyous voices blending
in harmony together while giving three hearty cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Merrill,
expressive of the sincere thanks all felt for the opportunity of passing at
least one bright summer’s day so pleasantly and so far from whatever could mar
the happiness of any present.
Locals In Brief
Watertown Democrat, 08 23 1860
—Our
less frequented streets and commons are becoming infested with the may weed,
which is about going to seed. Why would
it not be a good plan to get up a party and devote a day to the utter
extermination of this homely and useless plant, which is spreading in every
direction altogether too rapidly. It
ought to be cut down and burned up.
—In this
vicinity the grain fields are shorn of their golden burden and harvesters are
returning from their heavy labors. On
the prairies there is yet considerable wheat uncut, but the weather continues
fine for outdoor operations.
—Draft
pear trees about here are bearing abundantly this season, some being overloaded
and bent down. The question as to the
practicability of successfully cultivating this choice variety of fruit may be
considered settled.
Watertown Daily Times, 07 30 1985
Construction
may soon begin on a $52,000 bus shelter equipped with lavatories and a
12-person seating area at the intersection of Third and Madison streets [118 N
Third]. The $52,000 construction bid
from H.F. Mallow and Sons has been recommended for acceptance by the Watertown
Transit Commission and will be considered for final approval Tuesday by the
common council. Despite being about
$4,000 over budget, the bid was the lowest of three submitted and was approved
by both the commission and the state Department of Transportation.
↓
More on Bus
Shelter ↓
Watertown Daily Times, 08 06 1985
Construction
of an enclosed bus shelter equipped with rest rooms on Third Street at Main
Street should be complete by the end of the year. The Watertown Common Council Tuesday evening
approved the bid of $52,000 from H.F. Mallow and Sons to construct the 24 by 28
foot facility. Eighty percent of the
cost of the project will be paid by the state Department of Transit with the
remaining funds, $10,400, to come from the city. The construction cost was $4,300 more than
originally estimated but Alderman David Lenz, member of the city transit
commission, said the added expense was necessary to make the shelter less
susceptible to vandalism.
Baseball
Watertown Gazette, 07 29 1910
On Sunday at Washington Park, in the 8th inning, with the score 5 to 2
in favor of Watertown in the baseball game with the Sisson & Sewells of
Milwaukee, the umpire gave the game to Watertown, declaring the score
9 to 0, on account of the Milwaukee club refusing to play longer. A Milwaukee batter interfered with the ball
and he was declared out, which was disputed by the visiting club, and they
refused to finish the game.
Muscular Dystrophy
Association
Watertown Daily Times, 07 29 2010
Firefighters
to raise funds for neuromuscular disease The Watertown
Fire Department will go beyond the call of duty in August when they join in
the battle against neuromuscular disease.
Watertown
Local No. 877 will remove their boots to collect money for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association's Fill-the- Boot program on Friday, Aug. 6, from 2 to 6
p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Friday, Aug. 20, from 2 to
6 p.m. The firefighters will accept
donations from motorists and pedestrians at the intersection of South Church Street
and Bernard Street on those dates.
The
department hopes to raise $16,000 during this year's collection. All donations will benefit local Muscular
Dystrophy Association clients and services like sending children and young
adults to Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp, funding clinic visits at
UW Hospital, and financing wheelchair repairs.
Muscular
Dystrophy Association's Fill-the-Boot program is supported by the International
Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and nonunion fire departments across North
America. Last year, Wisconsin firefighters raised $600,000 for Muscular
Dystrophy Association.
In
August 1954, Inter-national Association of Fire-fighters named Muscular
Dystrophy Association as their "charity of choice" and their
signature fundraising activity has been the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Fill-the-Boot drive. The International Association of Firefighters has emerged
as the single largest sponsor of Muscular Dystrophy Association, contributing
nearly $300 million since 1954 - all to benefit Jerry's kids.
Watertown Republican, 09 07 1860
Accident—Last
Saturday a man named Benjamin Douglas, living at Johnson Creek, in this county,
was thrown from his wagon when on his way to the depot with a load of wheat,
falling directly under the wheel which passed directly over his head,
mutilating and injuring him very badly.
The only strange thing about the matter is that the man was not
instantly killed. There were thirty
bushels of wheat in the wagon at the time.
At last account Mr. D. was alive, though he was not expected to recover.
Word to the Farmer's
Wife
Watertown Gazette, 04 29 1910
We have word to say to the farmer's wife. If your husband sticks up his nose at the meals, lead him up to the feed cooker by the ear and tell him to drench his appetite with pig fodder. Some men will sit down in their own home before a nicely cooked meal and roar from soup to apple pie about the way things taste, but they will go to town and let a fifteen cent dinner soak into their esophagus without a murmur. We knew a man who kept this up for a number years and one day his wife reached over the spoon holder and jerked him into several kinds of dishabille before the whole family. When he got his jaw back into alignment and picked his false teeth out of the gravy he was a changed man, becoming so mellow in spirit that he offered to go four rounds with a soup bone. As a rule we deplore violence in the home, but sometimes the only way to get along with a cross-grained feeder is to beat him up with a mop handle.
Extracts from Speech of Carl
Schurz
Watertown Democrat, 08 30 1860
Delivered in New York, September 13,
1860 [discrepancy in dates seems ok]
The development
of the popular sovereignty doctrine is one of the most instructive chapters in
the history of our days.
It shows
how easily the popular mind can be obfuscated by a sophistical plausibility,
and how easily correct principles are lost sight of in the confused struggle of
interests and aspirations. Future
generations will scrutinize with curious astonishment the history of our days,
and wonder at the temporary success of so transparent a fraud.
Permit
me a brief digression. Popular
sovereignty, in the true sense of the term, means the sovereignty of all
individuals, so regulated by law as to protect the rights and liberties of any
one against the encroachments of any other, and so organized by political
institutions as to give a common expression of the collective will. Its natural basis is the equality of the
rights of all men. Its natural end is
the protection of all individuals in the enjoyment of their liberties. Hence it precludes the idea of slavery in all
its forms. Apply this true popular
sovereignty to the territories and we are willing to accept it—nay, it is the
very thing which we are contending for.
But is this what Douglas, in the Nebraska bill, contemplated? By no means.
His popular sovereignty is based upon the assumption that one class of
men has the power—has the right—to strip another class of their natural rights,
and to hold them as slaves . . .
Game Supper
Watertown Democrat, 08 16 1860
Bernard
Miller is making preparations to give his friends one of those bountiful and
pleasant game entertainments which he knows how to get up so well. Just think of it, lovers of wild-wood
delicacies, a table loaded with snipe, woodcock, partridge, prairie chicken and
duck, all cooked to the most appetizing point of deliciousness, surrounded with
all the accompaniments with which such dishes ought to be set off, and the
accomplished Baron present to make the good things better with his
blandishments and smiles. By all means,
let the admirers of the birds of the field and forest be present at this first
game festival of the season. If eating
and laughing will make a company merry, how social will that party be that
gathers around Bernard Miller’s fragrant and tempting table.
Watertown Democrat, 08 23 1860
TO THE
LADIES—Any young lady or seamstress can do a profitable business by soliciting
work from the public, in any of our small western villages, by investing the
sum of 25 or 30 dollars in one of the new Sewing Machines now made by the
Chicago Sewing Machine Co. Their
machines work with the utmost accuracy on cloth of all kinds and are so simple
that a mere girl can work them with ease.
I am now realizing nearly $8 per week, have used mine for about two
months, and can cheerfully recommend them to seamstresses for all purposes of
family sewing.—A Seamstress, Elgin, Ill.
Governor Tilden
Watertown Republican, 08 23 1876
The Jefferson Banner gave a glowing account
last week of some of Tilden's achievements as governor of New York. It omitted to state, however, that he failed
to remove from office the democratic sheriff who allowed Tilden's friend Tweed
to escape from prison.
Watertown Republican, 08 23 1876
Mr. C.
W. Chappell, the popular Jeweler in Ganes' Building [John W Ganes, Music House,
1876c, 115 E Main, (115=85 Main St in 1876), WHS_005_094], like the sensible
man that he is, has changed his mind about removing from here and going to
Portage, and will continue to abide with us to the infinite satisfaction of his
numerous friends and customers, who dislike to have the time come when they
would have to say "Farewell."
Watertown Daily Times, 08 19 1960
The
Watertown Board of Education last night adopted a policy relative to married
students in high school. The statement of policy prepared and drawn up
after a detailed study and survey, places definite restrictions on class
attendance and participation in school activities by students who marry. Only one vote was cast against adoption of
the policy and that came from Commissioner Neal McMurry who called it public
punishment of students who have strayed into a predicament which results in “a
shot gun marriage to put it bluntly.”
Van Alstine’s Exchange
Hotel
Watertown Democrat, 08 24 1876
The alarm of fire sent out last Friday night between the hours of twelve and one o'clock served to bring to the scene of action, ready for fire duty, both the Ahrens and Silsby engines. When the alarm was first sounded, considerable excitement prevailed throughout the city, but when it became known that only a small building occupied as an ice house on Mr. Van Alstine's lot near the river [Alstine’s Exchange Hotel, image WHS_005_773] was on fire, the excitement became less animated. How the building took fire no one seems to know, but it is generally conceded to be the work of an incendiary.
The fire, though exceedingly small, served the purpose, however, of testing the promptness and agility of our firemen. As soon as the bell sent forth its clear notes, both the "Pioneer" and "Phoenix" companies manned their respective steamers, and were in their positions prepared to operate before the flames had gained scarcely any headway. The Phoenix crew succeeded in getting to the bridge in time to throw first water, but the suction hose being badly managed on the start, it put them to the needless trouble of stopping their engine, to lower their suction as to take water more rapidly. If it had not been for the fact that they were obliged to change their position on the bridge, the question of throwing first water would in all probability have been in their favor, but as it was, the Pioneers took off the palm. The latter steamer went to the reservoir [cistern] on Second Street, and in due time poured forth a vigorous stream upon the burning pile. Both steamers at length were under full operation, and in a very short time the fire was extinguished.
This is the first opportunity the companies have had to experiment upon a fire, and they are deserving of much credit for their tact, discipline, and harmony of action exhibited by them on this occasion.
Watertown Republican, 08 23 1876
Lawyer
V. W. Seely got back last week with his scalp intact from a ramble through the
Rocky Mountain jungles in the vicinity of Cheyenne, having seen lots of rare
sights, including game of the mountain lion, bear, elk and deer species.
