website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
Watertown Gas Company
Wisconsin Gas & Electric Company
1854
Derived from: The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin by C. W. Butterfield, 1879
William H. Clark, cashier of the Bank of Watertown; came to Milwaukee in 1852, and
to Watertown in 1854. He organized the
bank that year and has been connected with it ever since; Mr. Clark organized
the gas company here, in connection with A. L. Pritchard, and conducted the
works for several years. He has been in
the banking business continuously since August 4, 1854, over a quarter of a
century. Mr. Clark is a native of
Chemung Co., N.Y.
1856
02 21 The Gas Company is laying the main pipe under the bridge in order to cross the river
and form a connection with Main Street and West Avenue. So severe and steady has been the cold of the
past few weeks, that is has been impossible to do anything towards completing
the Gas Works. All the iron is now here,
and a large number of skillful and experienced mechanics are waiting to improve
the first opportunity that occurs to resume operations and complete the works
as soon as it is practical to do so. WD
03 20 The Gas Holder is now being built at the Gas
Works. Mr. J. Bromfield, the
enterprising superintendent, informs us that the works will be in full
operation at farthest, by the 1st of May, if not before that date. Nothing but the weather, which for months
rendered it necessary to suspend all kinds of labor on them, has prevented
their completion weeks ago. Everything
about these works has a substantial appearance and bears the imprints of being
all done by those who are masters of their business -- looking as if made for
real service and to endure for a long time.
WD
04 24 The Gas Works, if the weather
continues as it has been for a week past, will be ready to go into operation
the latter part of next week. The works are now nearly completed. They are said to be superior to any that have
heretofore been erected in this state. WD
05 18 FIRST GAS SERVICE IN WATERTOWN
First gas service in 1856 when, on May 18 of that
year, the Watertown City Gas Co. began service to a list of 100 customers. WD
1861 DISCONTINUE
LIGHTING STREET LAMPS
01 31 Proceedings of the Common Council: Resolved, That the Gas Company be directed to
discontinue lighting the street lamps in the Fourth Ward from and after this
date, as the said Ward has no means to pay such bills. WD
02 01 A BONE OF CONTENTION
If there has been any one question more than another
that has given rise to fierce discussion in the Common Council, it is that as
to what disposition should be made to the bills in favor of the Gas Company for
the gas burned in our street lamps.
Some of the aldermen take the ground that each ward
should pay out of its own fund for the gas consumed in its limits, and that the
same should not be made a charge upon the city general fund. We believe this is the way the matter stands
now and that the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th wards, being the only ones in which there
are any lamps, now pay for the lighting of the streets.
We consider this unfair and unequal. We do not know why the 5th, 6th and 7th wards
should be absolved from their part of this expense, though there are no lamps
located within their limits, any more than they should be for any other outlay
for the benefit of the city at large.
Why could they not, with the same propriety, have been relieved from the
payment of their just proportion of the cost of building the Main Street
bridge? Or why not exonerated from their
share of the expense of repairing the Plank Road bridge near the Rough and
Ready Mill?
. . . It ought to be shared alike by all. We regard it as an improvement which the city
should sustain, as a whole, and can not see any
propriety or sense in making four wards maintain it for the benefit of the
seven. We furthermore believe that a tax
levied in accordance with that principle is illegal, and that the same if
contested would not stand the test of law.
There certainly is no equality in such taxation. WR
1862
07 24 DIRECTORS ELECTED
Watertown Gas Co.
At a recent meeting of the stockholders of this company the following
named persons were chosen Directors: J.
M. Underwood, Chicago; William M. Dennis, Daniel Jones, A. L. Pritchard and
William H. Clark, all of Watertown. WD
12 11 GAS . . . OR NO GAS
The
question before this community is whether we are going to have gas or go
without. The Gas Company finds that at
the present rate they will have to stop manufacturing, the increased price of
coal having added materially to their expenses.
Last
week the gas consumers held a meeting for the purpose of ascertaining what
measures could be adopted to continue the supply. They are willing to pay as high as five
dollars per 1,000 feet and if the amount taken could be sufficiently increased
to make it safe to the company to go on, we presume there would be no
difficulty in keeping the works in operation, but nobody can ask the company to
run them merely for the fun of the thing – and lose money too.
As far
as we have heard any expression on the subject, we think it is safe to assume
that a large majority of our citizens are decidedly in favor of having our
streets again lit up during the evening.
Of course, there are some evenings when this would not be necessary, but
most of the time the nights are dark, and then lighted streets are a great
convenience to all who have occasion to go out.
As the benefit is public and general, the compensations ought to be paid
out of the general fund. Those who have
been to the trouble and expense of putting in fixtures are unwilling to change
them and resort once more to the old methods, and besides this, the use of
lamps would have the effect of raising the rates of insurance, which would be a
considerable item to a city like this.
It is
to be hoped that some means may be devised by which the company will be able to
continue their works. The consumers seem
ready to do their part, and if their number can be sufficiently increased at
the new price they have expressed themselves willing to pay, the chief trouble
will be removed. WD
12 18 CONTINUING THE SUPPLY OF GAS
The special committee appointed at the last meeting of
the Common Council “to confer with the Watertown Gas Company in relation to continuing
the supply of gas” report that they have seen the President and Secretary and
conferred with them on the subject and they believe if the Common Council will
adopt the accompanying resolution that the company will continue their works
and supply the city with gas. They
therefore recommend its adoption. – T.
Prentiss, for the Committee . . . WD
1863
01 01 GAS LAMP POST
COMMON COUNCIL – Resolved that the Watertown Gas
Company be authorized to remove the lamp post from the corner of Clyman and Third streets and locate the same on the corner
of Clyman and Fifth streets. WD
10 01 GAS LINE ON WEST MAIN
ST.
Common Council Proceedings: Resolved that the Watertown City Gas Company
be requested to continue the laying of their gas pipe on West Avenue Street
[West Main St] to the track of the Chicago and NorthWestern
Railroad, and that lamps be located at such points as the Mayor may direct, the
laying of said pipes to be at the expense of said Gas Company.
Ald. Dennis offered the following as an addition to
said resolution: And that the sum of
five hundred dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated to rebuild the
same, provided the excess of the cost be paid by private subscription, upon
which the ayes and noes were called, and being a tie vote, the Mayor, on the
casting vote, voted No! Amendment was
lost. WD
1864
05 05 WORKS ABOUT TO BE
SUSPENDED
The Gas Company gives notice of which will interest
all consumers in this city. For want of
sufficient encouragement and the increased cost of manufacture, the works are
about to be suspended. This will be an
inconvenience to those who now use it and have put up fixtures. We hope something may be done to avoid this
result. WD
07 07 THE NEW GAS COMPANY
A meeting of the stockholders of the new Gas Company
was held June 27th, at which C. Jacobi, A. Pfundheller,
G. Werlich, E. Johnson, and A. Peterson were chosen
directors. At a subsequent meeting of
the Board of Directors, C. Jacobi was elected President, G. Werlich
Secretary, A. Peterson Treasurer, and Joseph Miller Superintendent. WD
1865
04 06 CITY GAS BILL
The Clerk reported on the gas bill of last month that he
found 26 lamps burning; on motion the gas bill of $49.83 was allowed and order
issued to be paid. Common Council
Proceedings. WD
05 11 SUDDENLY STOPPED
OPERATIONS
Last week the Gas Works suddenly stopped operations
and left the city without light. This
was owing partly to the fact that the works were out of order, which can easily
be repaired, but more to the fact that the company receives an inadequate
patronage, which can only be remedied by selling more gas, or asking more for
what is used. The company has every
disposition to carry on their works, but it is evident this cannot be done
while a sufficient quantity of gas is not taken to pay expenses. It depends wholly on those who prefer this
kind of light to decide whether these works shall be longer continued. They must be made self-supporting or go down,
for there is nobody here willing to run them at a loss. We understand the company have maintained
them as long as their means held out and are ready to resume operations as soon
as there is a reasonable prospect they can be kept going without sinking
money. It is to be hoped efforts will be
made to soon have them again in working order and that they will be liberally
sustained by those interested in their success.
WD
10 26 GAS WORKS AGAIN STOPPED
OPERATIONS
The Gas Works of this city have again stopped
operations, and our streets are again in darkness during the night. If we are correctly informed, the difficulty
lies in the fact that the works are not self-sustaining – the amount consumed and
the price paid are not sufficient to pay the cost of manufacture. Whether measures can be taken to remedy this
difference we do not know. It seems to
us that in a city of this size, where works are already in existence and been
in operation several years, there ought to be enterprise and liberality enough
to keep running successfully. It cannot
be expected that the company will keep up their works at a loss to
themselves. Those who prefer this kind
of light must be willing to pay a remunerative price for it. Where the trouble is we do not pretend to
know, but we hope some efficient steps will soon be taken to again put the
works in operation and keep them going.
It would not be very credible to our city to have them sold, taken up
and removed, but if they cannot receive sufficient encouragement to keep them
going, they will be of no use here and will probably be abandoned – but we
trust this unfavorable result will be avoided.
WD
11 02 CITY CONSIDERS AID TO
GAS COMPANY
Common Council:
The President stated that this meeting was called for the purpose of
considering what aid could be extended to the Gas Company by this city to
enable the company to run the works . . .
Resolved, That for the purposes of aiding the Watertown
Gas Company in re-establishing its works in the city, it is hereby agreed, upon
the part of the city, to pay said Gas Company the sum of one hundred dollars
per month for the ensuing six years for the gas used by the city, provided that
the Gas Company shall erect posts upon the line of its pipes at such places and
times as the Mayor and Council may direct; the expense of erecting the
additional posts to be paid by the city, provided also that the Gas Company
shall not be required to furnish more gas under this agreement than will amount
to $1200 per annum, at the same rate as that paid by private consumers. Adopted.
WD
1870
10 26 EXTENSION OF GAS
The Watertown Gas
company will soon commence laying gas pipes along several streets not
heretofore supplied with this article of light.
Along Second Street, north of Main, as far as Bursinger's
Brewery, at which time arrangements will be made to supply Music Hall. On First Street, to the Watertown House,
supplying the Engine house and Lockup.
On Water Street, on the west side, the pipes will be laid as far up as
Weber's store. We are glad to learn that
the increasing consumption makes these extensions necessary. WR
1888
03 20 ELECTRIC
LIGHT PLANT ERECTED
At a meeting of the
Watertown Gas Company last Monday it was unanimously voted that the company to
erect an electric light plant in this city, the same to be done it once, or as
soon as a franchise can be obtained from the city. Material has already been ordered and an
electrician is expected here in a few days.
The company is to be styled the Watertown Gas, Electric Light and Power
Company. It will furnish small power for
running light machinery for any one desiring it. WG
1889
Joseph Terbrueggan, W. J. Toussaint and L. H. Cordes established the Watertown Electric
Light plant; disposed of in 1906 to the John I. Beggs interests.
In
1889 Joseph Terbrueggen was one of a company of three
who put in the electric lighting system in the city and the company later
disposed of the plant.
Mr.
Cordes became greatly interested in electric lighting, a subject which he
studied with great enthusiasm. Coming to
the belief that Watertown could support a plant, the partners secured a
franchise from the city of Watertown on May 27, 1889, and at once proceeded to
install.
Business
men and the public generally know little about electric lighting systems and
rather doubted its success in a town of this size. However, they did not allow themselves to
become discouraged and went to work to secure contracts from business men and
others. The city contracted for twenty
street lights, and a number of business men agreed to take a few lights, the
late Joseph Salick, the jeweler, being the first to commend the lights and
signing a contract for a substantial number of lights. Most of the business men were indifferent but
became convinced of its feasibility as soon as a few were put in use.
____________________________________________
12 02 ELECTRIC
LIGHT PLANT ERECTED
A portion of the
electric lights on the streets were started up Monday evening, but a more
general lighting of the city occurred last evening, most of the arc lights in
the city shedding their brilliant rays on the surroundings. The lights are a fine success, up fully to
the most sanguine expectations and reflecting credit on the Thomson-Houston
system. The effect of the lights on Main
Street was very fine and Fifth Street for the entire distance from Main to the
St. Paul depot was rendered dazzling in appearance. Every light used worked to satisfaction,
showing the system to be perfect at the plant. The Watertown Electric Light
company is congratulated in so successfully meeting the demands for more light
in our city and adding another interest to Watertown’s welfare. WG
12 06 CITY
LIGHTED FOR FIRST TIME
The city was lighted
for the first time last Monday night with electric light. At first a little difficulty in getting the
light to work properly, but on Tuesday and Wednesday nights the light worked to
perfection, which speaks well for the Thomson-Houston system and the Watertown
Electric Light Co. in getting it so promptly in shape on the night advertised. It is as good a light as any we have seen in
any city, and better than some. We feel
justified in claiming this, as we have probably seen as many cities lighted by
electric light as any person in the city.
It is equal to the light of Eau Claire, Steven's
Point, Madison, Oshkosh and La Crosse in this state, and to that of the cities
of Peoria, Bloomington, Pekin, Joliet, and other cities we have visited in
Illinois. The only fault we find in is
with the Board of Street Commissioners in not ordering more placed in sections
of the city not now lighted by either gas or electric light. WG
12 11 MORE
LIGHTS INSTALLED
From meeting of the
Board of Street Commissioners on Tuesday eve.
The Watertown Electric Light Company was authorized and instructed to
put up one arc light at intersection of Main and 7th streets and one at the
intersection of Main and 9th St. And
since Western Ave. and part of Main Street has been lighted up by electric
light, that the gas be discontinue on West Avenue from the Chicago & Northwestern
railroad track eastward up to 9th Street and the light on the corner of 5th and
Clyman streets also be discontinued. The committee on gas was instructed to look
into the possibility of other gas lights being turned off. WR
12 13 LIGHTS
WERE HUNG OVER CENTER OF MAIN STREET
Item taken from the Juneau Telephone. On Tuesday
evening it was our pleasure to see Watertown illuminated by electricity. A large arc light is used and is to all
appearances is the best of all systems for lighting streets. The lights are powerful and exceedingly
effective, a single lamp illuminating the street for more than one block on
either side. Although very strong, the
light is so softened by a ground-glass globe as to be not at all severe on or
injurious to the eyes. The lamps are
hung directly over the center of the street and can be lowered and raised at
the will of the operator for the purpose of trimming, which consists of
placing therein a new carbon which generates the light by becoming incandescent
when charged with electricity. Many of
the stores and saloons are now lit up with electric light, at the expense of
about $7 a month. So far as tested the
lights work well and Watertown people are pleased with the experiment. WG
12 18 GAS
LIGHTS TO SUPPLIMENT ELECTRIC?
Everything pertaining to lighting the city is now of
interest. Not a few of our citizens are
in favor of having the streets lighted all night. This cannot be done by the electric light as
the arc lights are shut off at midnight.
In view of this the question comes up of the propriety of starting the
gas lamps at 12 o'clock every night and thus keep the city continually
lighted. WR
12 24 WISCONSIN
ELECTRIC CLUB WAS ORGANIZED
The Wisconsin Electric Club was organized in Milwaukee
last week, its object being the dissemination of technical knowledge of
electricity. Applicants from all parts
of the state will be admitted, and therefore there will be aroused more
practical interest in the subject. This
Is a good idea, the use of electricity for lighting purposes becoming so
general in our state. WR
12 24 FIRST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The
Electric Light Company started the incandescent lights Christmas Eve for the
first time. All that have been put in so
far are the sixteen-candle power. The
lights are a success. WR
1890
02 14 THE
WATERTOWN ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY’S PLANT
Watertown,
Wis., Jan 16, 1890 -- Among the many electric light installations few, if any,
surpass in the general excellence the combination plant of the above-named
company. The power house is a brick
structure 50x90 feet, with a chimney of splendid proportions rising to the height
of 90 feet above the ground, and is situated on the bank of Rock river, in the
center of the city. It is divided into
two sections by a heavy brick wall. The
rear portion of 40 feet, thus formed, constituting the boiler room, in which is
placed a battery of two steel boilers, each of the 75 h.p.
capacity, made by the Miller & Reichardt
Manufacturing company of this city.
These
boilers are perfect in every particular, standing the highest hydrostatic test,
and reflect great credit upon their makers.
The engine and dynamo room is a model of its kind. The engine Is of the Corliss type, made by
the Weisel & Vilter Manufacturing company of Milwaukee, Wis. and is in
every respect a perfect piece of mechanism.
It rests upon a bed as solid as is possible for nature and art to make
it, being composed of concrete, capped with the finest quality of brick laid in
cement, which in turn is mounted with heavy blocks of limestone, and the whole
mass of structure resting upon the bedrock 12 feet below the surface. It is not surprising, after what has been
stated, that this engine of 142 indicated horse power manifests no perceptible
tremor anywhere in its most immediate neighborhood. In connection with the engine a Berryman feed
water heater and Knowles pump are doing good work and are giving excellent
satisfaction. The lighting plant was
furnished by the Thomson-Houston Electric company and consists of one arc
generator of 50-light capacity, and one alternating machine of 650 lights,
respectively, furnished with the usual complement of regulating and indicating
apparatus. The dynamos are run from
shafting, the pulleys of which are furnished with Hill friction clutches. The plant was contracted for last July. Work was immediately begun upon the
power house, under the
supervision of the able master mechanic F. W. Ghores, who mounted the engine
and did not leave the post until the arc lights were turned on Dec. 2, 1889.
The
electrical work was done under the supervision of the Thomson-Houston company’s
expert, Mr. Geo. Morine, and the entire work, from the setting of the first
pole to the placing of the lamps in their sockets, is alike a credit to
himself, his assistants and his company.
The
success of the local company has been most encouraging, nearly the entire
capacity of the arc machine being already absorbed, and at the present writing
wiring is fast being completed for over 450 lamps. The indications are that it will not be long
before the capacity of the incandescent machine will be taken up also. The engine and dynamo are operated by Aug.
Hanson. —The Electrical World,
Feb 8, 1890.
1891
01 07 TEN LESS ARC LIGHTS
The
armature of one of the arc dynamos at the electric light works burned out
Sunday night, shortly after dark, shutting off a portion of the arc
lights. Until a new armature is
procured, the city is obliged to get along with ten less arc lights than
heretofore. WR
01 14 ALL LIGHTS NOW LIGHTED
The
new armature for the arc light dynamo at the Electric Light plant has been
placed in its position and the full number of arc lights throughout the city
are now lighted. WR
01 14 FIRE AT GAS FACTORY
[same
date] A blaze started in the Gas Fixture factory on First street yesterday, and
but for the appliance of some water by the employees just at the right time, a
serious fire might have occurred. WR
1894
04 27 SEWER CAVE IN
While
removing gas pipe from the sewer trench on Main Street near Union school No. 1
on last Saturday, J. Robinson, Jr., of this city, and Denny Sullivan, of
Hurley, employed by the Watertown Gas Co., narrowly escaped death by the bank
of the sewer caving in, completely covering Robinson, who was in a stooping
position at the time, and burying Sullivan up to his waist. Prompt and careful assistance by their
fellow-workmen rescued Robinson, at least, from death. Sullivan sustained but slight injuries on his
hip and leg, and able to be around again, but Robinson's injuries are more
serious, his spine and lower limbs being badly injured, the lower portion of
his body being paralyzed from the injuries sustained, and for a time it was
thought he could not survive. We
understand, however, he is now improving, and hopes are entertained by his
numerous friends here that he will be out again in a short time. Drs. Whyte and Moulding
attended the injured men, and very skillfully handled their cases. WG
1898
05 05 REMOVAL OF LIGHT AT COLLEGE AND WESTERN
The
regular meeting of the common council last evening was attended by all the
members, with Mayor Mulberger in the chair.
A petition was presented by interested citizens praying for the removal
of the electric arc light now at the intersection of College and Western
avenues to the intersection of Twelfth Street and Western Avenue. Referred to the committee on street
lighting. WR
07 27 MAIN STREET GAS MAIN, recalking joints repairing of
Complying
with provision made by the common council, the Watertown Gas Company is engaged
in recalking joints and making other necessary repairs to the gas main which
lies in Main Street. This main was laid
forty years ago and is found to be in very good condition, experience showing
that cast iron does not wear out in the ground.
In refilling the trench the company workmen are performing excellent
service and setting an example worthy of emulation by persons similarly
employed. The earth is so perfectly
tamped that an almost even surface is left over the trench. This very desirable condition would seem to
refute the contention often made here that the same amount of earth taken from
a trench cannot be replaced without leaving a clumsy and unsightly ridge. The plan pursued by the Gas Company entails
the service of three tampers to one filler.
The
plumbers and drain-layers are also performing good work along Main Street in
refilling the trenches. All this work is
closely watched by the board of public works and by Albert Krueger as
inspector. WR
1899
01 27 LIGHTING UP MOONLIGHT NIGHTS
It
might be well for our city officials before entering into another contract for
lighting the city to consider the question of dispensing with lighting up
moonlight nights. That always seemed to
us a ridiculous waste of money. In a
great many places throughout the country contracts are being made in that way,
and this would go a great way toward paying for the extra expense of all night
lighting. WR
02 22 The majority of the members of this
council, who forced through a measure inviting proposals for lighting the city
by electricity for a term of five years, must have had a clear conception of
the value of capital. If the term had
been ten years there might have been some competition. As it was, only one bid was received, and we
understand that was partly by solicitation.
Outside capital could not reasonably be expected to come here and invest
something like $20,000 in a plant and at the end of a five- year term possibly
have an electric light plant on hand of but very little value. The Watertown
Electric Light Company put in a bid for lighting the streets up to
mid-night for the sum of $60 per lamp per year, which is $5 per lamp less than
last year. For an all night service $90
per lamp is wanted. The proposals call
for 2,000 candlepower, while the company's bid was for 1,200 candlepower, the
same as is now being furnished. WR
11 28 The burning out of one of the dynamos
at the electric light power house placed the west side and the Seventh ward in
darkness for two nights last week, but a new dynamo arrived Wednesday and that
night everything was again running right.
WR
Appears to be the stand for a gas lamp
at St. Paul’s church (uncertain date)
1901
04 24 LAYING GAS MAINS
The
Watertown Gas Company is laying new gas mains in several portions of the
city. On North Washington Street seven
hundred feet of three-inch pipe is being laid and in College Avenue from
Milwaukee Street to Main Street is being supplied with two-inch pipe. An arm of the College Avenue main will be
extended west one block in Market Street.
1903
02 28 GAS DEMONSTRATION
In the
near future, possibly sometime in April, practical demonstration of the use of
gas for fuel and cooking purposes will be made in this city and the use of gas
generally advocated and its many advantages shown in a practical way at
Concordia opera house under the direction of a competent person, who will
remain here two weeks. The use of gas
for cooking will receive special consideration by practically showing what can
be done with a gas range.
The
Watertown Gas company, according to President W. C. Stone, will inaugurate an
innovation in this line, securing for consumers ranges at a moderate cost which
can be paid for in installments or otherwise, and all connections in the houses
will be made free of charge to the consumer.
Modern invention has done much to place this commodity within the reach
of all and it is only by witnessing the demonstrations that one can form a
correct idea of the saving attendant upon the use of gas for fuel. Since the reduction in the price of gas the
people will find it a paying investment to use more of this article than in
former years. WR
04 03 MAN CRUSHED AT ELECTRIC
LIGHT PLANT
Frank Boelter, who resided in North Montgomery Street, was
killed in the power house of the Watertown Electric
Co. at the Rough and Ready Dam. Boelter was employed by the
company as a laborer, and with a number of other men had been at work at the
power house putting in position a governor for the water wheels.
04 22 ELECTRIC ARC LAMP AT TURNER HALL
Common
Council: Resolved, That the Watertown
Electric Company keep burning the electric arc lamp now placed in front of the Turner hall the same nights and length of time that
the other city electric arc lamps burn throughout the year, and that said
company be paid for so doing twelve dollars ($12.00) per year in addition to
the money paid for street lights annually.
Resolved, That Welsbach gas lamps be placed in the streets of the city
of Watertown, Wisconsin, at the following designated points, to wit: [here
follows 55 different intersections at which the lights will be placed].
03 07 ALL NIGHT LIGHTS
The new arc electric lights burned all night for the first time
Saturday under the new contract with the city.
The power at present is furnished from the
Rough & Ready dam for both arc and incandescent
lights and this power will be utilized during several of the spring
months. A new governor to control the
lights when a heavy load is on will be put in which will make the incandescent
lights more steady than at present. New
machinery will also be placed in the power house on First Street to be used
when the water supply is short. People
who have occasion to be up during the hours after midnight until dawn
appreciate the new lighting system.
03 07 MAYOR’S SALOON CHARGED
[same
date] Live Wire A small chip of wood and
a live electric light wire coming in contact Wednesday evening caused the
shutting down of the east side electric lights for a short time about 8
o’clock. A small boy noticed a blaze over the door of Mayor Brusenbach’s
saloon on Main Street and notified the proprietor who in turn notified the
company. The electric current was turned off later on. When the repairer
arrived it was readily seen what the matter was but thinking that perhaps the
iron roof or cornice might have become charged with the current it was decided
to turn off the lights. When that was done investigation showed that a small
piece of wood, used for decoration purposes was underneath the wire and the
wind in swaying the latter had rubbed off the insulation and the live wire
coming in contact set the wood on fire. There was no damage to the building.
1905
08 10 P. L. Utley and Charles Mackay of the
Gas and Electric Company were in Milwaukee Monday. The object of their visit was to ascertain
the cost necessary for the enlargement of the gas plant and the time it would
probably require. The demand on the
company for gas has increased to such an extent that the plant must be
increased to meet the demand which now nearly exceeds its capacity. Should the plant be increased in size, the
work will be begun at an early day.
08 23 The Gas and Electric company has sold over
200 gas cooking stoves thus far this season, and Mr. Hine, the solicitor, is
yet at work trying to induce people to be happy. WR
09 13 A special meeting of the stockholders
of the Gas and Electric Co. was held Tuesday evening to arrange for the enlargement
of the gas plant, the demand for gas for cooking purposes as well as light
having increased to such an extent as to make it absolutely necessary in order
to meet the demand.
1907
03 20 Attorney John G. Conway is in receipt
of the following notice from Assemblyman Fred Smith, which will be of interest
to the readers of The Leader. It is understood that the Gas and Electric
Company has effected a settlement with at least a large majority of property
owners and much of the opposition that was evidenced two years ago has
vanished. What action will be taken by
the city remains to be seen. WL
1908
12 18 NEARLY KILLED BY ELECTRIC WIRE
Last
Tuesday afternoon C. H. Pfeiffer of Milton, who has been but a short time
employed here by the Watertown Gas and Electric Co., came near being killed
while at work on an electric light pole in Western Avenue. He was working on a lead wire from the power
house at the dam and he placed his arm on another wire, making a complete
circuit, voltage of 2300 passing through his body. He was rendered unconscious and was held
suspended from the wires. A fellow
workman went to his rescue and jerked him from the wires. His hand and arm were terribly burned. At this writing it is thought he will recover
from his injuries. WG
1909
01 29 P. Riley scalded by the blowing out of
a steam pipe on the boiler WG
03 05 Superintendent Charles
MacKay dismissed; pushed for alderman
WG
05 21 NEW DAM AND POWER HOUSE
The Watertown Gas and
Electric Co. is building a new concrete dam a
little to the north of the old dam, 11 1/2 feet high, and a power house at
the Rough and Ready Dam site, men being employed day and night on the job. The power house will be of brick and concrete
38 x 94 feet and will be 85 feet high from the river bottom. It will contain two large water wheels, and a
generator for local use and a transformer and a generator connected with the
power from Kilbourn dam for use on the interurban street railway line. WG
08 06
John Berrigan,
solicitor, resigned WG
-- -- WISCONSIN GAS
& ELECTRIC VEHICLES
In
front of Brandt-Dent Co., 416-422 South First Street
1911
06 10 UNLIMITED HOT WATER
1912
04 18 THE CHARGE OF THE "LIGHT" BRIGADE
One Watertown home
after another is succumbing to the friendly attack of our wiring
contractors. They bring light and cheer
wherever they go. They are competent men
— do their work neatly and quickly without disturbing domestic routine. Let them wire your home this spring. If it is located on our distributing lines
and you are now using some other illuminant, we offer to wire the house
complete and furnish fixtures, then allow you a whole year to pay the bill in,
at so much per month. Houses in course
of construction not included under this offer.
For full information of this special offer, telephone Watertown Gas &
Electric. WG
05 02 GAS AND ELECTRIC
DEMONSTRATION
Mrs. Minnie Riebe will conduct a gas and electric
heating and cooking demonstration at the office of the Watertown Gas and
Electric Co. all next week. Cooking by
gas, electricity and the paper bag method will be fully explained, and there
will be a fine display of electric and gas appliances. Drop in and get a cup of coffee, cake, toast
or a biscuit, all made at the demonstration, to which the public is cordially
invited. WG
11 21 GAS OFFICE CLOSES
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
The
local gas and electric office which has heretofore been kept open on Wednesday
evenings will close on that night hereafter, beginning December 1, except when
the tenth of the month falls on Wednesday.
In that event the office will be open during that evening. Since the stores have closed on Wednesday
evenings there has been little or no call for accommodation at the gas office
and hereafter the men will be given an opportunity to have the evening hours
for themselves. The office will be open
on Saturday evening as usual. WG
10 17
12 19
1913
09 25 FRANK COOK, HEAD
ELECTRICIAN, FOUND DEAD
At 1
o'clock Tuesday afternoon Frank L. Cook, 1109 Western Avenue, was found dead in
a work car near the C. M. & St. P. Ry. depot. Mr. Cook had charge of a signal service crew
on the C.M. & St. P. Ry., and his office car was in the depot yard, where
his Iifeless body was found with a bullet wound in his abdomen. Mr. Cook told his family he intended going
hunting and also the men under him, intending to take the 12:48 train west for
Tomah. When it was near time for the
train to arrive one of his men went to the car to call him, supposing he went
to sleep in the car, as he was in the habit of doing sometimes. The door of the car was locked, and not being
able to arouse him, Walter Flynn, a young boy in his crew, crawled through a
window and unlocked the door from the inside, allowing the rest of the men to
enter. Mr. Cook's body was found
stretched on a mattress, and the muzzle of his gun near his body, alongside of
which was a piece of molding.
Mr.
Cook went to the car during noon hour after dinner and told one of his men to
call him in case he went to sleep in time to catch the train, and the
supposition is that while cleaning his gun it accidentally went off and killed
him.
Mr.
Cook was a well known and highly esteemed electrician and for many years
previous to being employed by the C. M. & St. P. Ry. was head electrician
for the Watertown Gas & Electric Co.
His tragic death was a great shock to his family, and our citizens in
general.
He
leaves a wife, one son, Frank Cook of Milwaukee, also two stepchildren. At 3 o'clock next Monday afternoon an inquest
will be held before Justice Rohr. Mr.
Cook's funeral will take place Friday afternoon from his late home under the
auspices of the Masonic Lodge, and his remains will be interred in the Lutheran
cemetery. He was a member of Watertown
Lodge No. 49 F. and A. M.; of Court No. 144, United Order of Foresters; of Log
Camp No. 401 Modern Woodmen of America, and of Watertown Lodge No. 31, I. O. O.
F. Watertown Gazette
09 25 CITY LOSES IN POWER
LINE SUIT
[same
date] Judge Grimm decided in the circuit court at Jefferson that the city of
Watertown could not interfere with the power line constructed in Boomer Street
by the Watertown Gas & Electric Co.
1914
03 05 ARNOLD C. REUTLER, new manager
C. A.
Comstock has resigned as manager of the Watertown Gas and Electric Co., a
position which he has very creditably filled for the past six years, and under
whose management the business of the company has been greatly increased. He always took an active interest in city
affairs and served a term as president of the Twilight Club. Mr. Comstock has several places in view and
may decide to locate in one of the larger cities of the state.
His
successor in Watertown is Arnold C. Reutler, who has been in the local office
of the company since 1906, starting at the lower round of the ladder as meter
reader, then billing clerk, ledger clerk, complaint clerk, cashier, assistant
bookkeeper, bookkeeper and chief clerk, and now to the highest position of the
company in this city, that of manager.
His promotion is certainly deserved.
He has always been attentive to the duties assigned to him, courteous
and efficient, and besides has the very best of habits, which go a long way in
aiding a man’s advancement in life.
The Gazette heartily congratulates him and bespeaks for him success in his new
position. Arthur Tetzlaff, another most
worthy employee of the company here, succeeds Mr. Reutler. Frank Jennings, who has been the obliging and
competent superintendent of the gas works, who handed in his resignation over a
month ago to engage in business for himself in Watertown, is still in the
service of the company, a suitable successor not having yet been found. WG
03 12 FRANK JENNINGS
Frank M. Jennings, who recently resigned as
superintendent of the Watertown Gas Works, has purchased the Schuenke Grocery
in the 7th ward [1022 S Third, grocer] and will take charge of it April
1st. Mr. Jennings made a most excellent
superintendent of the gas works, and with the same attention and faithfulness
to duty in his new line of business as he gave the old, he will certainly make
a success of it. His many friends wish
him prosperity. WG
c.1914
ELECTRIC PICNIC
1915
02 11 NEW ARC LIGHT
The
new arc lights being installed by the Watertown Gas & Electric Co. under their
new contract with the city are a great improvement on the old lights and our
people are delighted with them. It is
hoped they will continue to throw as good a light in the future for all time as
they have since they have been installed.
WG
02 11 HIPPIER & BADER
H.
Hippier and K. Bader, former employees of the Watertown Gas & Electric Co.,
have gone into the electric contracting business under the firm name of Hippier
& Bader. They will sell electric
fixtures and do all kinds of electric wiring, etc. We wish the new firm the patronage it
deserves, as both of its members are competent and trustworthy men. WG
10 28 PLANT IMPROVEMENTS
The
Watertown Gas and Electric Co. has made several improvements in their plant,
including the remodeling of their outside equipment and replacing old and
worn-out poles and wires. The
installation by this company of new and modern street lamps has greatly
improved the appearance of the streets.
WG
1916
-- -- TURNER HALL, ASSUMED
c.1917
-- -- GAS HOUSE GANG
c.1918
-- -- SERVICE MEN &
VEHICLES
1920
1920c,
1002 S Second, employees around large gas
tank
WHS_005_205
1922
Profile of Frank J. Boehm of the
Wisconsin Gas & Electric Co, an associated company of The Milwaukee
Electric Railway and Light Co, owner of Watertown gas works.
c.1927
-- -- MANAGEMENT AND
WORKERS
1929
ELECTRIC
COMPANY SELLS APPLIANCES
Cross
reference note: Electric utilities were
among the first to sell household appliances as a way to boost demand for this
new service. In 1929, electric power
companies accounted for 35% of all appliances — more than any type of retail
outlet, according to a contemporary paper in the Journal of Land & Public
Utility Economics.
1920s,
late
1932
William T. Jones,
retired as plant superintendent of Watertown Gas plant. Employed for over 30 years.
1954
-- -- WATERTOWN
CENTENNIAL PARADE ENTRY
1955
-- -- WISCONSIN ELECTRIC
POWER COMPANY SERVICE BUILDING
315 William St, Watertown
Street
view of this location
^ Garages seen were added to front of
similar garages built in 1955
1956
07 03 E.
T. HORNICKLE
When
E. T. Hornickle, 211 College Avenue, closed his desk in the Gas and Electric
building at Main and North Third Streets today he not only called it a day, he
called it quits. For today marked the
end of his working days as Watertown district manager of the Wisconsin Electric
Power Co. and the Wisconsin Natural Gas Co.
For Mr. Hornickle it marks the end of a little over 38 years with the
companies. He chalked up 38 years on
June 15. It was announced some time ago
that his retirement would become effective July 1.
1957
Ad for, 1957 City Dir, Wisconsin
Natural Gas Co
Ad for, 1957 City Dir, Wisconsin
Electric Power Co
1963
05 18 GAS
STORAGE TANK COMING DOWN
The
huge gas storage tank on the site of the old Watertown City Gas Co. is coming
down. No longer used, since the advent
of piped-in natural gas, the Wisconsin Natural Gas Co. which now serves this
area, ordered the tank removed and Loeb Salvage, Inc., Watertown is in
charge. Watertown had its first gas
service in 1856 when, on May 18 of that year, the Watertown City Gas Co. began
service to a list of 100 customers. By
1903 there were 900 customers. The first
gas was used for illumination only and the first gas stoves were sold and
installed here in the 1880s.
1970
07 18 REPLACING
OLD CAST IRON GAS MAINS
The
Wisconsin Natural Gas Company is replacing old cast iron gas mains, installed
in 1920-21, with welded steel gas mains on city streets. Roger Rothschadl,
Watertown, inspector for the gas company, on South Third Street
08 01 EMPLOYEES SAY 'GOODBYE'
William
(Bill) Rathert, for the past 14 years district
manager of the Wisconsin Electric Power Co and the Wisconsin Natural Gas Co,
retired.
1989
11 21 100TH
ANNIVERSARY OF ELECTRIC LIGHTS IN DOWNTOWN
The
100th anniversary of electricity in Watertown will be celebrated as part of
Watertown’s Old Fashioned Christmas festivities on Sunday, Dec. 3. Electricity first came to the city on Dec. 2,
1889 when the electric lights lit up the downtown area for the first time. Prior to that, illumination was provided by
gas lamps. To commemorate the occasion, the
city’s street lights will not be lit downtown on Dec. 3 until after the annual
lighting ceremony of the municipal tree on the Rock River Walkway at 5
p.m. The lighted window displays in
downtown stores will provide the only illumination until after the ceremony. In honor of the anniversary, the Wisconsin
Electric Power Co. will give away three wall-mounted outdoor lights similar in
design to the lights installed on poles along the walkway. Each of the 35-watt sodium high pressure
efficiency lights has a value of about $240.
1993
04 12 CUSTOMER
CENTER MOVED FROM MAIN STREET
Wisconsin
Electric Power Company plans to move its customer center from its longtime Main
Street location to the building currently housing the Sears catalog sales
outlet.
According
to Jackie Hartmann, Rock River region manager for Wisconsin Electric, the utility
will move into its new office at 111 N. First St. after renovations are
completed by late summer. Wisconsin
Electric has operated from its present location at 216 E. Main St. since March
1, 1923.
Prior
to that, the utility’s Watertown office was located at 205 E. Main St. Hartmann said the move is designed to provide
better customer service at reduced operating costs. She noted that the office, which handles
customer service for Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Natural Gas Company, will
continue to have a downtown location.
Main, E, 216 1923-1993
(moved to 111 N. First)
1994
08 23 RAY’S
SHOES ACQUIRES WISCONSIN ELECTRIC BLDG
Ray’s Shoes
is undertaking a major renovation and expansion of its flagship retail store in
downtown Watertown. Dan Beltz,
president of the firm, said the Wisconsin Electric Power Company building at
Third and Main streets has been acquired and is in the process of being
renovated for expansion of the shoe store which is located immediately to the
west. Initial stages of the project have
started. The common wall between the two
buildings has been removed. When the new
section is opened, Beltz said the entire retail store will be redecorated under
the direction of his wife, Kristin Laramie Beltz.
2008
09 17 CITY
PURCHASES UTILITY PROPERTY
Site of new Public Works Facility
After
a couple years of negotiations, the city has purchased the We Energies property
south of the street department building on South Second Street, according to
Mayor Ron Krueger. The city closed on
the purchase of the 1.5-acre parcel Tuesday at 2 p.m., Krueger said. He added the city bought the land for
$48,000. The city is planning on using
the property for street department employee parking and to house a salt
shed. City officials have been trying to
obtain the land ever since it was decided that the current street department
site would be used for the new public works facility, which was about two years
ago.
Cross-References:
Gas and Electric Co building, 216 E
Main. Earlier was site of Gahlmann’s Deutsches Dorf.
Terbrueggen, Joseph 1912, Obit
For
about 30 years past he was a member of the brick manufacturing firm of L. H. Cordes & Co. In 1889 he was one of a company of three who
put in the electric lighting system in our city and the company later disposed
of the plant.
J. H. Sleeper,
1939-1888, was president of Watertown Gas Co.
John Koehler
associated with company
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin