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Miscellaneous set
Troop
B, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry Send-off
Wisconsin's 32nd
Brigade Combat Team
Watertown National
Guard
A community send-off ceremony for local troops
scheduled to be deployed to Iraq
Watertown Daily Times, 02 18 2009
Over 600
people, including mothers, wives and young children, from 82 different
communities gathered at Watertown High School Tuesday night as part of a
special ceremony in honor of their loved ones who are leaving to serve in Iraq.
The Watertown
National Guard Armory is home to Troop B, 1st
Squadron, 105th Cavalry, which is part of nearly 3,500 Wisconsin soldiers
of Wisconsin's 32nd Brigade Combat Team that have been called to active duty.
The community
send-off began with soldiers taking a bus ride from the Watertown National
Guard Armory to Watertown High School.
Red, white and blue flags waved through the streets of downtown
Watertown as many local families came to show their support. Many of those families waving flags have no
personal connection to the soldiers, they just came to show their support.
The soldiers
from throughout the state started the day off in the morning at a special
service in Madison where Gov. Jim Doyle and other state officials bid them
farewell. The mobilization of about 3,200 Wisconsin National Guard members is
the largest operational deployment since World War II. The 32nd Brigade will be
joined by 25 Minnesota troops from the 34th Division.
Tuesday evening
local soldiers where honored by area veterans groups. The
1st Brigade Band played several different patriotic songs including a special
rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The soldiers
with the 32nd Brigade will report for duty at their local armories in
mid-February and train for two months at Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas, before
being deployed to Iraq, where they will stay for about 10 months. This is the largest operational deployment of
state National Guard forces since World War II.
Messages from Many Cities Record Evidences of
Respect and Admiration and Mourn Death of
Famous Watertown Man
Brandt, Edward
J., b. Jul 18, 1859, d. Feb 5, 1937
The high place
that Edward J. Brandt occupied in the
business world and in the associations with his friends and acquaintances is
strikingly illustrated in the avalanche of messages, letters and telegrams
which the family has received since his death at the age of 77 a week ago. Inventor of the Brandt automatic cashier and
founder of the firm which bears his name, the product carried his name the
product carried his name to all parts of the world, but there was something
deeper and more vital in his makeup that made friends for him and placed him in
a position where his death is being mourned not only in his home community, but
in distant places where he was known and where his record of achievement made
him an outstanding individual.
The messages
which have come into the home here since his passing are from old friends, from
acquaintances, from business associates and from people in all walks of life
who knew him, some on intimate terms and others in a casual way. All of them bear the imprint of sincere
regret at his death. No man here has
received so many fine tributes.
The Daily Times today is printing a few
brief excerpts from some of the letters and messages.
____________________________
Among those
selected is the following quotation from a letter received from Dun and
Bradstreet, the mercantile agency:
“Mr. Brandt has
indeed made an enviable record, not merely in the field of mechanics,
invention, and material success, but in the field of integrity both personal
and commercial. His commercial record is
‘clear’ and he leaves a record and memory which certainly is an inspiration.”
Another friend
wrote “You have the memory of a truly great and wonderful spirit.”
In the
following quotations are expressions voiced by various individuals and
concerns, selected from the many which have arrived the past few days: Surely we have lost
a valuable and irreplaceable possession.
Yet appreciation can be best demonstrated by continuing the fine things
which Mr. Brandt created and lived for.
“Few men in
this nation have been able to inscribe their names in the hearts and minds of
the people of the world as that of Mr. E. J. Brandt with the wonderful product
that he invented and manufactured.”
“I had the
greatest respect for Mr. Brandt on account of the
wonderful machine which he produced.
This machine
will be a perpetual monument to the name of Brandt in all places where cash is
handled. In his passing the civilized world has lost one who has done as much
as any other man to relived business of a hard and arduous task.”
“He was a
wonderful gentleman and a genius and I know that his
death will cause quite a void in the business world.”
____________________________
“His achievements, coupled with several years of pleasant
relationship that I have found in being connected with the firm which he
founded and which bears his name has caused me to look upon him with profound
admiration.”
____________________________
“I have always
been able to feel, from the beginning a certain current of close ties which
undoubtedly has been fostered and has been the pride and aim of that very fine
gentleman, Mr. E. J. Brandt.”
____________________________
Tribute In Poem
The angel of Peace attends our way,
With us now, and to the end
If we but see, and seeing know
Our ever present friend.
When doubt and fear oppress our soul,
Look bravely forth and grasp the way
That lends thy spirit into light,
Unto the perfect day.
Ever present, ever kind.
The spirit leads the willing mind
With voice so gentle—like a dove
Love is God and God is Love.
Watertown
Republican, 10 18 1876
The steeple of the new St.
Bernard Catholic Church is surmounted by a fine cross of the Latin design,
cast at the foundry of Mr. J. B. Bennett, of
this city. The height of the cross is 11
feet 1 inch, and across the arms it measures 6 feet 3 inches. Its weight is 450 pounds. The cross rests upon a lead cap weighing 430
pounds. The cross has a very fine effect
to the eye, and of course, at its great distance from the ground, nearly 200
feet, looks diminutive compared with its actual size.
Will Exhibit at
Watertown Next Monday
Watertown
Gazette, 04 30 1909
The great
Cooper & Robenson circus, which will have its
headquarters in Watertown, will present its initial performance at Watertown on
next Monday, May 3, afternoon and evening on the circus lot in the Fifth
ward. The volunteer firemen will benefit
to some extent, as the management has consented to share with the local
companies, who are boosting the project along.
There is no other entertainment so popular with little
folks as an exhibition of educated dogs, ponies, monkeys and goats. These clever little animal actors have always
proven a source of infinite amusement, entertainment and instruction to
children, so the juveniles will surely hail with delight any satisfaction the
announcement of the coming appearance of the great Cooper & Robertson
United Railway Shows, as these famous showmen have always made a special effort
to entertain and amuse the little ones, and in addition to three big acts and
numerous features they carry over 200 miniature animal actors which will take
part in the exhibitions, and it will demonstrate what kindness, gentleness and
patience can accomplish with dumb animals.
[In April of
1909 the Watertown newspapers were informed that the Great Cooper and Robenson show would appear in Watertown on May 3,
1909. No one had ever heard of Cooper
and Robenson or their show. They had also secured the support of the
local fire department by having them sponsor the show. It was not known until later that Cooper and Robenson did not own a circus but had arranged with Seibel Bros. to lease their show for the season
for $7000. The show was set up on the
5th Ward lot and advertised as the Great Cooper and Robenson
United Railroad Shows. Show day turned
out to be cold and very uncomfortable and as a result attendance was very small
at both afternoon and evening performances.
Seibel Brothers Dog and Pony Show,
1903-1916, pg 97 of Watertown History Annual 1,
Watertown Historical Society]
↓ More on Cooper & Robenson ↓
Cooper & Robenson Circus
Watertown
Gazette, 05 07 1909
Monday last the great (?) Cooper & Robenson Circus which opened the season here gave two
performances, afternoon and evening, to small audiences, and the proprietors failed
to “pack up their tent” and move on.
They left during the night and next day the ponies, dogs, etc., were
returned to Seibel headquarters having been leased from Seibel Bros. Quite a number of
our business men are out considerable for work and supplies furnished the
management and most of the employees were left here without means to care for
them.
Watertown Daily Times, 10 13 2008
A detached
garage at the 800 block of West Division Street was declared a total loss after
a fire started in the area Sunday evening.
The Watertown Fire Department was notified of the
blaze at 820 W. Division St. Sunday at 10:22 p.m. and when firefighters arrived
the garage was engulfed in flames.
It took 28
minutes for the 20 firefighters at the scene to have the blaze under
control. The fire was extinguished in 47
minutes.
While battling the blaze firefighters noticed the flames
were spreading to the home and the garage to the west of the property. The garage collapsed during the fire and was
declared a total loss. The exterior of
the home sustained moderate damage and minor damage was reported to the garage
to the west. Total damages are estimated
at $30,000.
10-year-old
helps family avert tragedy
Watertown Daily Times, 10 14 2008
A 10-year-old
girl's quick thinking Monday during a fire at her home
on Cole Street could have potentially saved the lives of her mother and little
sister.
The Watertown Fire Department was dispatched at 2:38
p.m. to the blaze at 216 Cole St. The
10-year-old girl woke up her mother and sister who were sleeping upstairs after
she heard the smoke detector activate.
The fire was caused by an overheated electrical cord.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 23 1959
A capacity
crowd attended Tuesday evening’s cooking school at Turner
Hall. Susan Lowe, food expert, who
conducted the demonstration, gave homemakers many practical food hints and time
saving and taste
tempting recipes. The final session of
the cooking sponsored by the Watertown
Daily Times and local merchants, concluded this afternoon with another
capacity crowd. Miss Lowe performed her
demonstrations in a modern kitchen using all the newest appliances. She used a special mirror and lighting device
during her programs enabling everyone in the audience to see exactly what she
was doing.
Watertown Manufacturing Company
Watertown Republican, 10 02 1895
The case of G. W. Donnelly against the Watertown
Manufacturing company was heard during the September term of the circuit court
at Jefferson. Donnelly brought suit to recover $500 damages claimed to have been
done to a steam threshing engine which the defendant repaired for him at a cost of
$150. He claimed that the repairs were
imperfect and that he lost time by reason of delays and getting the engine in
good condition. The jury gave the
plaintiff $75 damages.
= more on
the same =
Watertown Republican, 04 15 1896
The Watertown
Manufacturing Company have in operation at their plant what is termed a
compound wound dynamo of their own make.
It is capable of sustaining 100 sixteen-candIe
power lights and its efficiency is claimed to be superior to other machines. From the manner in which
it illuminates plant, we should judge it works excellently. The company will continue to manufacture
these dynamos and place them on market.
Watertown Republican, 04 22 1896
Saturday
night a section in the Rough and Ready dam gave
way and the water since has been rushing through in a perfect flood. The break is about twenty feet wide and
unless soon repaired will leave but little water above that point. On the other hand it
has tended to perceptibly raise the water down the stream, and the river is now
higher than it has been for several years.
The copious rains, however, had considerable to do with this condition
of things.
Watertown Republican, 03 10 1897
Miss Ida
Strauss, 501 Second Street, entertained a number of
her friends at a "hard-times" party last Thursday evening. There were some very ridiculous make-ups and
the occasion was one of much mirth and hilarity.
Watertown Republican, 03 31 1897
Saturday
afternoon a farmer's team hauling a hay rack was swamped at the intersection of
Washington and Emmet streets through the caving in of the earth over the
sewer. Both the man and his horses were
stuck in the mud and it took some hard work to extricate them. The damaged party received $5 of the city's
money in lieu of all claims, Mayor Racek deeming it
best to settle the matter on the spot.
Watertown Republican, 03 31 1897
Mrs. Alice Kniesel is as usual fully prepared to satisfy the wants of
the most fastidious in the matter of spring millinery. She has just returned from Chicago, where she
obtained as fine an assortment of the prettiest and most up-to-date effects as
the market affords. Before deciding on
an Easter bonnet and other springtime fancies the ladies of Watertown and
vicinity should thoroughly inspect what
Mrs. Kniesel has to offer. Give her establishment at 907 Main Street a
call.
Struggling economy
prompts restructuring moves
Watertown Daily Times, 02 26 2009
Talaris Inc., a
leading provider of cash handling equipment and software solutions to financial
institutions and retailers worldwide, is laying off some employees because of
the struggling economy.
Talaris, which was formerly known as
De La Rue Cash Systems Inc., was sold last year to a private equity firm, the
Carlyle Group.
The number of employees being laid off is “within the
realm of normal business operations.”
The local
firm is one of Watertown's oldest industries, dating back to the 1800s when it
was known as Brandt Automatic Cashier Co. The local operation, which was formed by
Edward J. Brandt and several other investors, has been a large part of
Watertown's industrial and civic foundations since that time.
The company remained in the Brandt-Quirk family until
January of 1984 when it was sold to Nelson Peltz and Peter May, two investors
from the east coast. They continued to own the business until August of 1995 when it
was sold to De La Rue. In September of
last year, De La Rue, Plc sold its Cash Systems division, which consists of the
Watertown plant as well as one in Lisle, Ill., to the Carlyle Group for about
$700 million in cash.
↓ More on Brandt’s ownership/management ↓
Brandt’
Controlling Interest Sold
Watertown Daily Times, 09 25 1984
For the second time in less than one year, controlling interest in Brandt, Inc., based in Watertown, has been sold. Triangle Industries, Inc., based on New Brunswick, N.J., announced that it has purchased a controlling block of shares in Central Jersey Industries, Inc. Central Jersey on Jan. 14 purchased Brandt, Inc., from the Brandt-Quirk family, and the firm became a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Jersey. Along with the transfer of shares will go a transfer of power on the Central Jersey board of directors.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 26 1959
The Cub
Scouts of Douglas School held their annual blue
and gold banquet Thursday evening in the Lincoln
School gymnasium. Highlight of the
evening was the presentation of awards by Cubmaster Myron West. The following awards were presented: Bob Cat pin, Scott Pauli; two-year pin,
Robert Eising and Donald Draves;
one-year pin, David Olson, Ricky Thies and Thomas
Schumacher; wolf badge, Michael Vergenz, Steven Vergenz, Ronald Brunk, Charles
Johannsen, Dennis Schroeder, David Schmeichel and Wayne Bellas.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 19 1959
A basketball
tourney involving city public schools starts today and will continue through
March 18. The teams involved in the meet
are Schurz, Webster and a combined Lincoln-Douglas team. 5th-6th Grade Squads: Douglas-Lincoln -
Ronnie Oiler, Tom Daugs, Dennis Dusowsky,
Douglas Schuenemann, Mike Brom, Charles Flueker, Alan Kasten, Joe Stockle,
John Schier, Randy Blasing,
Ross Damrow, George Wolfer, Jim Vaught. Schurz - Jim Munzel, Regis Krueger, Bob Hutson Jr., Kenneth Straseske, Les Le Moine, Roger
Boettcher, John Piper, Dick Lenz, Randy Schlesner,
Paul Stai. Webster - James Reynolds, Reuhl Rettig, Tom Lamp, John Schilling, Tom Hibbard, John
Strayer, David Beyer, Tom Grosenick, Dennis Burzynske.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 18 1959
Prof. E. E. Kowalke, 507 Tower Road, president of Northwestern College since 1919, has
resigned his office as president of the college effective next July 1. Prof. Kowalke will
continue as a member of the faculty, teaching Hebrew and English as well as
Greek New Testament. Prof. Kowalke, a native of Kaukauna, Wis., attended and graduated
from Northwestern College. He is a
member of the class of 1908. After
completing his theological studies he was ordained to
the ministry and served as pastor at Tomahawk, Wis., and a number of other
places. In 1913 he accepted a call here
to become associated with the college and has been teaching there since January
of that year.
Watertown Gazette, 05 12 1859
Boardman, Gary
and Co’s Piano-Fortes, which for brilliancy and richness of tone, perfect
action and great durability, are unsurpassed . . . They all contain the patent
corrugated sounding board and suspended massive iron frames. Perfect satisfaction will be guaranteed to
every purchaser. George L. Field, Agent,
Bank of Watertown.
Pigeons
Watertown Gazette, 05 12 1859
Pigeons are
very plenty and are a great annoyance to the farmers. Large flocks hover around and light on the
newly sown fields and soon pick up all the seed scattered over it. We heard one say that he had to sow a fine
lot of several acres over again on account of their
depredations. Those who are fond of
hunting have no difficulty in shooting all they want. Any place where grain is put in they may be
seen in any numbers. The air is full of
them flying from one place to another.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 27 1999
A land
division and changes to an existing conditional use permit for the former Douglas School property were approved by
the Watertown Plan Commission. The owner
of the property, Marcus Cable, sought the changes in order to
divide the lot into two parcels, each of which will be sold for single-family
home construction. The old school
property has stood vacant since the building was razed about three years ago.
Watertown Daily Times,
06 11 1945
Arthur Abel, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Abel, 1420 Main Street, left for service in the navy June 5. His address is: Arthur Abel, Jr., A.S., Co. 138, USNTC, Great Lakes. Ill.
Watertown Daily Times,
08 23 1945
Arthur Abel, seaman S/c, has completed his boot training at Great Lakes, Ill., and is spending a leave at the home of his parents at 1420 Main Street.
Watertown Daily Times, 10 03 1945
More Watertown men who have been given honorable discharges have been announced by the public relations offices. These include: T/5 Herbert R. Abel, 1420 Main street; Sgt. Norman N. Schneider, 310 North Montgomery street; Sgt. Herman C. Storbeck, 521 E. Lafayette street: T/Sgt. Robert H. Mischler, 501 West Main street; and T/4 George H. Bush, listed as from Watertown.
The name of T/4 William Berger, Box 25, Clyman, is also included in a recent list of those honorably discharged.
Watertown Daily Times, 10 04 1945
Herbert R. Abel has received his honorable discharge from the U. S. army and arrived at the home of his parents Sept. 28. He was stationed in the Mediterranean war theatre.
Paul T. Abelmann Receives Award
Chicago Tribune Has Conferred Honor on U. of W. ROTC Cadet
Watertown Daily Times, 05 26 1944
Paul T. Abelmann, son of Dr. and Mrs. T. C. H. Abelmann, this city, has been selected as the outstanding sophomore ROTC cadet at the University of Wisconsin by the Chicago Tribune and this week received the special cadet award made by that newspaper.
The award was made by Lt. Col. Franklin W. Clarke, commandant of the military department at the University. William A. Bradshaw, St. Louis, Mo., received the freshman cadet award.
Watertown Daily Times, 12 11 1944
Volunteer Paul Abelmann, who is with the American Field Service overseas, has an APO address which may be obtained by contacting his parents, Dr. and Mrs. T. C. H. Abelmann.
Watertown Daily Times, 09 10 1958
Watertown's newest addition to the football field at Washington Park - an electric football scoreboard
- will be in use for the game tonight but will not be presented officially to
the city by the Watertown Junior Chamber of Commerce until the Homecoming game
Oct. 17 between Salem Central and the high school Goslings. The colorful new scoreboard is really a “shot
in the arm” for the high school athletic field - a convenience for fans,
players and coaches. The board adds a
lot of “color” to the game and makes it much more interesting from the
spectator's standpoint. The prompt
flashing of the outcome of each play (yards gained), the team score and time
remaining in each quarter will give the fans an up to the minute rundown of the
game.
Demolition of the Cole
Addition
Watertown Public Library
Watertown Daily Times, 09 10 1983
Demolition of the Cole Addition to the Watertown
Public Library finally got under way this week, about one month later than
originally planned. However, that delay
shouldn't require any change in the scheduled completion date of July 24, 1984,
according to officials of Varvil Construction, Inc.,
Woodworth, general contractor.
Demolition was delayed after the discovery that asbestos was used for
some insulation in the building. This
discovery started a chain of events, including the employment of a firm which
specializes in removal and proper disposal of the toxic asbestos.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 20 1959
Prof. Carleton
A. Toppe, 505 College Avenue, a member of the Northwestern College faculty, is expected to
definitely accept the call extended him to become
president of the college after next July 1.
Indications that he will inform the board of regents of the college that
he accepts the offer appeared “very strong” today. Prof. Toppe, who is
instructor in Latin and English at the college, will succeed Prof. E. E. Kowalke whose resignation effective on July 1 was announced
by the college board. Prof. Kowalke will remain as a member of the college faculty,
according to the announcement, since his resignation has to
do only with relinquishing the presidency which he has held since 1919. He joined the college faculty in 1913.
↓ More on Prof. Carleton A. Toppe ↓
Northwestern 1959-60
term
Watertown Daily Times, 08 25 1959
Northwestern College, now in its 94th year, will begin its 1959-60 term with opening exercises on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. This will also mark the first year of its new president, Prof. Carleton Toppe, who took over his duties on July 1, succeeding Prof. E. E. Kowalke who asked to be retired as president on that date. Prof. Kowalke, for many years professor of English and Hebrew, will continue to teach those subjects. He held the presidency for 40 years. Prof. Toppe joined the faculty of Northwestern College in 1948 after serving several Lutheran parishes as minister. He served in the college English and Latin departments. He has done graduate work at the University of Wisconsin and received his M.A. degree in 1956.
↓ More on Northwestern College ↓
Northwestern 1984-85
term
Watertown Daily Times, 08 25 1984
The 120th
year of education at Northwestern will begin with an opening service on Tuesday
at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Carleton Toppe, president of the college, will be the preacher and
the Rev. William Zell, president of the preparatory school, will be the
liturgist. New men of the faculties will
be introduced at this service. In the
college, Prof. Daniel Deutschlander replaces John
Sullivan in German and Philosophy.
Sullivan retired and is living in Watertown. Prof. John Braun replaces James Fricke in the
English department. Fricke accepted a
call as pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Watertown. The new college tutor is Norman Burger.
Watertown Gazette, 05 05 1859
The eloquent and patriotic Schurz is as prolific as Queen
Victoria, although their tastes are somewhat different. While her majesty’s predictions are
substantial, Carl’s are principally wind.
But Carl has recently been to “bosting” and delivered himself of a
speech of some three or four columns in length, for which we select the
following “eloquent” passage:
“The accidental explosion of the mysterious black powder, discovered
by an obscure German monk, is the first flash of lightning precluding that
gigantic thunder storm which is to shatter the edifice of feudal society to
pieces. The invention of the gunpowder
strips the feudal lord of his prestige as a warrior [and] another discovery is
to strip him of his prestige as a man.
Guttenberg, another obscure German, invents the printing press and as
the gunpowder blows the castles of the small feudal tyrants into the air, so
the formidable artillery of the printed letters batters down the citadels of
ignorance and superstition. The world is
ablaze; all elements of society are rising up in boiling commotion—two ages are
battling against each other . . .”
Blasting of Rock in
the Sewers
Watertown Gazette, 05 11 1894
By the
blasting of rock in the sewers on the west side on last Friday most of the
windows in Chas. Klemann’s house were broken.
Watertown Gazette, 05 11 1894
Our citizens
should bear in mind that there is now a Board of Public Works in the city, and
that permits must be obtained of that body before new sidewalks are layed, drains dug, or any street alterations made.
Watertown Gazette, 05 19 1859
The
ever-memorable day of July, 1776, is near at hand,
bringing around an anniversary sacred to every American heart that burns with
the love of liberty, beats with the emotions of patriotism, warms with the
feeling of gratitude or glows with the sentiments of admiration at the wisdom,
valor and devotion which gave freedom, independence and self-government to a
continent. As time silently bears us
away from the heroic age of our history, the more do we wonder at the greatness
of the ends accomplished by the statesmen and soldiers of the Revolution and
the more do their deeds seem like the marvels of romance. But no—they are all realities—they are all
the achievements of earnest, brave, sober-minded men, intent on noble purposes,
liable to err, but in spite of errors, entitled to the
respect of posterity through all the centuries of futurity. We observe with pleasure that a movement is
being made [today, May 19,] to appropriately celebrate our next natal day in
this city.
↓ More on Fourth of July, 1859 ↓
Watertown Democrat, 06 16 1859
Are the citizens of Watertown going to
celebrate the anniversary of our national independence? We think there is sufficient patriotism in
the breasts of the people, if properly awakened and united, to get up a good celebration
. . . We are aware that the Young Men’s Association have made some attempts
towards such an end but no special society, sect or
combination can receive the cooperation of the people in an affair of so
general a character.
Their petition to the Common Council for an appropriation of two hundred
dollars from the city funds, as might have been expected, was not granted and
in the opinion of your humble correspondent, the Common Council acted wisely
and well. They could not consistently
appropriate the people’s money for any other purpose than the people’s
benefit. There certainly can be no
objections to the members of any association observing the Fourth of July as
they may choose; on the contrary, they are to be commended; but we, the
citizens, both native and adopted, should have one common, united, old
fashioned Fourth of July celebration.
↓ More on Fourth of July, 1859 ↓
Watertown Democrat, 06 16 1859
The citizens of
Waterloo are wide awake on the subject of appropriately celebrating the
coming 4th of July. They are making extensive
arrangements and offering such powerful inducements to the people to join them
as will prove attractive. Those from
this section who would like to attend can have a free ride on the cars both
ways and the pleasure of witnessing proceedings and participating in
festivities that will render the trip both pleasant and delightful . . . We
wish our Waterloo friends brilliant success in their determination to properly
observe the anniversary of our birthday as a nation. Let the cannon roar, the trumpet speak, the banners wave, the bonfires blaze, the voice of
patriotism proclaim its noblest sentiments and all unite in doing honor to the
men who fought the battles of the Revolution and won the independence of a
continent.
↓ More on Fourth of July, 1859 ↓
Watertown Democrat, 06 23 1859
Fireworks for the Fourth, when the
evening sky of all America ought to be blazing with the illuminations of a
happy people, may be obtained at F. P. Brook’s Fruit and Confectionery
establishment. He has procured a large
supply of the best that can be found anywhere.
Every rocket will blaze through the air with its long trail of sparkling
light, every torpedo will roar like a cannon, and every cracker will speak like
a musket. It would be a good thing to
wind up the festivities of our national day with a grand display of fireworks,
such as would have made the stout heart of old John Adams leap with joy, as he
beheld the fulfillment of his own prophetic words when he boldly spoke of
independence and declared that the immortal day would be so remembered and
observed through all time.
Thievery at Keck's Furniture Store
Watertown Republican, 05 01 1895
Last Thursday
afternoon, shortly after the dinner hour, a bold deed of thievery was
perpetrated at Keck's furniture store. Fred G. Keck, the manager of the store, had
not yet returned from dinner and his sister was in charge, when two strange men
entered and asked to be shown the mattress stock ,
which is on the second floor. Suspecting nothing, Miss Keck took the
visitors upstairs, where they were engaged for some time inspecting the
mattresses, but no sale was made.
Meanwhile, a third stranger, evidently a partner of the first two,
quietly entered the store and helped himself to all the money contained in a
desk drawer. The thief was just leaving
by the front door when Mr. Keck arrived.
The usual salutations passed between the two and Mr. Keck, supposing the
man to be customer, had no suspicions.
Shortly after, the two in quest of mattresses also left. Some three hours later the loss of the money
was discovered, but by this time, of course, the fellows, had had ample chance
to make good their escape. The amount
taken was $73 in cash and a postal money order for $8. A thorough search of the city and outlying
country was made for the thieves by the police, but no trace found. They were well dressed and apparently
professional sneak-thieves. Being
strangers, someone must have posted them on the "lay of the
land." Friday a fellow answering
the description in some respects of one of them was apprehended in Janesville
and brought here, but was subsequently released, Mr. Keck being satisfied he
was not the right party.
Watertown Daily Times, 03 03 1984
Watertown
radio station WMLW, 94.1 FM, is expanding its broadcasting hours to provide
south central Wisconsin's first 24-hour-a-day local radio service. Beginning Sunday at midnight, WMLW will be on
the air full time, seven days a week.
Until now the station has operated from 5:30 a.m. until midnight. WMLW General Manager John Timm said the
increased hours of operation are part of an overall program to upgrade and
expand service to the station's coverage area, which includes Dodge, Jefferson,
western Waukesha, eastern Dane and parts of Columbia, Rock, Walworth and
Washington counties.
Watertown Daily Times, 03 04 1984
The Antioch
Baptist Church had its first meeting Wednesday night at the John Krinke home at 1127 River Drive. Sunday services will be: Unified Sunday Bible
school and worship, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Sunday evening Fellowship Hour at 6 p.m.
and midweek Bible study, fellowship and prayer hour at 7 p.m. Thursdays.
This is an
independent, fundamental Baptist church.
It stands in the historical regular Baptist position as found in what
are commonly referred to as the Baptist distinctives. This church is being begun under the
sponsorship of the fellowship of Baptists for Home Missions, Elyria, Ohio.
This is a
mission approved by the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
The Rev. and
Mrs. William A. Ackland have just completed their
28th year under the mission. They have
served the Lord in new church work in Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey,
Milwaukee and most recently in Ixonia.
Watertown Daily Times, 03 05 2009
Editor, Daily
Times:
My name is
Josh Cutting and I am currently a Life Scout in Troop
43 out of St. Henry's parish. I am finishing
up on a project I started to get my Eagle Scout Award. There are many people I would like to thank
for supporting my project, especially a few Watertown businesses. A major thanks goes
out to Dodge Concrete for donating concrete and the use of tools to my
cause. Also Hepp Excavating for donating gravel and Zuern's
Lumber for donating framing wood. I
thank Bethesda for this opportunity and hope that
they enjoy the new fire pit area that has been created. Please support your local businesses.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 25 1959
A six weeks
leave of absence has been granted by the Immanuel
Lutheran Church board here to the pastor, the Rev. A. S. Christensen, to
enable him to take part in a special course of study relating to the formation
of the Hebrew Bible under Prof. Monsoor of the
University of Wisconsin during which the class will also make a trip to the
Holy Land, visiting historic Biblical spots in and around Jerusalem. It is planned to spend two weeks in the Holy
Land and return to the United States via the capital cities of Europe. The special course of study and the trip to
the Holy Land will afford a wonderful opportunity to further his knowledge of
the Biblical spots in and around Jerusalem where two weeks will be spent in
study and sightseeing, the Rev. Mr. Christensen said.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 25 1984
In 1855,
modernization brought Watertown the railroad
with an abundance of freight and passenger service. On March 15, modernization will cause the
departure of the last of those services when the Milwaukee Road discontinues
freight service in Watertown. Other eras
have similarly ended over the past year.
In the early 1960s, the old Watertown train roundhouse which housed the
cars of the train companies was demolished.
The passenger trains which allowed residents to catch 30 different
trains a day in the 1930s and 1940s have been gone since 1972.
Franchise to go down Second Street
Watertown
Gazette,
04 23 1909
That is What the Milwaukee Light, Heat and Traction
Co.
Must Pay the City of Watertown
in Case the Interurban is
Not Built on Montgomery Street This Year
Will the Mayor and Common Council
Make Them a Present of This?
We Think Not!
At Least the People Will Not Stand For It.
Under the terms of the ordinance passed
by the Common Council of the city of Watertown granting the Milwaukee Light, Heat and Traction Co. the right to
lay a street railway in the city of Watertown, the company must have its track
laid this year and be operating cars on Montgomery and Utah streets or forfeit
to the city $10,000; the company must lay its track in North Montgomery Street
and be operating cars on said street next year and to the northern limits of
the city or forfeit $10,000, and must lay its tracks and have cars in operation
in West Main Street and West Division Street to the western limits of the city
not later than 1916, or forfeit $10,000; and besides, the failure of said
company to so complete and put into operation said railroad within the period
of time specified as aforesaid, shall operate and be a complete forfeiture of
all the rights, privileges and powers granted it. The Common Council of the city of Watertown,
however, may extend the time of such completion if satisfactory proof is made
that the work of constructing said railway has been "prosecuted with
diligence" and that the delay is beyond the control of said company, its
successors or assigns.
The granting of a street railway
franchise in the city of Watertown is an important thing—a street railway
franchise should not be broken at every whim of the company receiving it, and
we believe our people as a whole will not sanction any
such movement.
The street railway as originally
planned under the franchise was admirably laid out for all sections of the
city, without prejudice to any particular quarter,
hence it was that the franchise received the unanimous vote of all members of
the council present the evening the franchise was granted, and it was signed
the same evening by Mayor Wertheimer.
The aldermen voting for the franchise were: M. J. Burke, Otto C. Hahn,
Dr. A. H. Hartwig, John H. Humphrey, John Kehr, John
Kessler, Herman Krueger, Fred. Lehmann, Chas. Lutovsky,
Edw. McAdams, John T. Ryan and Herman Tetzlaff. Before this franchise was granted a joint
committee consisting of the following members of the council and citizens was
appointed to look over the franchise and they made many good suggestions, and
the ordinance as passed and accepted by the street
railway company had their sanction. The committee was made up of Aldermen Hahn,
Lehmann, Lutovsky, Kessler and Krueger; the citizens
part of the committee was made up of Fred. A. Hoffmann, Henry Mulberger, Herman G. Grube, Fred. Kusel
and Thos. Brooks. We believe these gentlemen, Mayor Wertheimer and his council are not ashamed
of the baby of their adoption and ought to stand up for its rights. Will they do so? Come gentlemen, show a little of the backbone
and integrity of the late lamented Andrew Jackson!!!
Another matter we would like to call
the attention of the people of Watertown to is:
If a franchise is granted for the street car company to go down Second
Street, how long will it be before the street car track is torn up in 5th
Street from Western Avenue to Main and from 5th Street on Main to Second
Street? It would appear to any ordinary
thinker that there would be no use for this track, as the street railway
company could run their cars on Western avenue to Second street, thence to Main
and thence west and back again; there certainly would be no particular
use for the line east of Second to 5th Street, thence south on 5th
street to Western Avenue. We have seen
these things done in a number of cities we have
visited in our travels throughout the country, and Watertown it is possible
would be no exception to the rule.
The Gazette has no personal interest in
this matter, but believes a franchise should be well
weighed before given, and then lived up to.
In the present case it is our opinion the franchise granted the street
railway company, if lived up to, will result to the benefit of the city as a
whole and not to any particular locality; when that is carried out, we are
heartily in favor, if the company so desires, of giving it a franchise to build
a street railway north on the east side, as all our people would like to see
the interurban extended to Lebanon and Hustisford.
The city now has an inlet and outlet on
the east by way of the street railway; an outlet and inlet to the west is very
much desired.
Boost!
Boost! your city as a whole!
Don’t try to build up one part of it by
tearing down another.
↓ More on Franchise to go down Second Street ↓
$30,000
Watertown
Gazette,
04 30 1909
Was This Proviso in the Street Car Ordinance Meant as
a Joke?
Or Was it Intended as a "Little Taffy" to
Hoodwink the People?
We Think Not!
Before the people of Watertown or the
Mayor and Common Council of this city grant any more concessions to the
Milwaukee Light, Heat and Traction Co. or any of its auxiliary companies or
connections, we think they ought to weigh well whither are they drifting. It
might be well to have the contracts already entered into
with the street railway company carried out before any more concessions are
given. Our citizens in all sections of
the city have been working harmoniously together for ten years or more past to
build it up—money has been liberally contributed for factories to locate here,
many miles of streets paved, sewers and waterworks built and extended all over
the city, and lastly a street car franchise has been granted that looked as though
every section of the city might come in for its share of benefits under this
late enterprise.
All of a sudden bobs up a disturbing
element—the Milwaukee Light, Heat & Traction Co., after getting a good
solid footing here, desires to cut out a section of the city that looked to
great things from it—the Van Camp Packing Co. was located in the southwestern
part of the city, and many of us who tried to cast oil upon the troubled waters
at the time the street car company sought entrance to the city and an outlet
through the Third ward, across the river to the 7th ward, used as an argument
to strengthen our cause, that this great industry, the Van
Camp Packing Co., would be greatly benefitted, for in time they expected
the farmers would be sending their milk to the packing plant on milk cars from
all sections of the compass and the help at the plant, especially on stormy
days, would find it of great convenience and comfort to patronize the street
railway in going to and from their work.
But alas! Our dreams and hopes have all been shattered, and our arguments discredited.
If the Milwaukee Light, Heat &
Traction Co. breaks faith in this matter now, who can have faith in any future
promises it may make to our people?
True, there has been opposition to the street railway, not particularly
to its coming to our city, but residents along streets demanded what they
considered just compensation for the privilege of going by their property. Thus people in a measure sacrifice comfort, rest, peace of
mind and their property when the street car company goes by their homes.
Watertown has been no exception to the rule in such matters, and we believe
thus far has dealt very generously with the street railway company. In fact street
railway interests have met with the same opposition everywhere, and in order to
do away with this opposition, a bill was introduced in the legislature last
month that contained the following clause, which the legislature promptly and
justly sat down upon:
Permit any existing electric street
railway to make extensions necessary in a city without any further franchise
being granted by the city; to connect with any electric suburban railway
entering the city and to operate electric cars or trains for any purpose over
said existing tracks or extensions. To
make the continuous use of any street for a period of five years for the
entrance of suburban cars to a city, operate as a franchise grant and prevent
any suit for the use of said street except actions for right of way damages,
which actions must be begun within one year of the passage of this act. To permit any electric railway company to
build lines through cities and villages without obtaining a franchise from
those cities and villages, when said lines are built for suburban electric
railway purposes.
If the Second Street franchise is
granted it is our candid opinion the Montgomery Street line will never be
built, neither will the company be so philanthropic as to present our city with
the $10,000 forfeit, for the same individuals who would grant the Second Street
franchise, would absolve the company from paying the $10,000 fine, in the same
manner that John D. Rockefeller was absolved from paying his $29,000,000 fine.
We are also of the opinion that should the Second Street franchise
be granted that all interurban cars would enter the city down
Western Avenue to Second Street, where a city car would transfer passengers
uptown and all interurban passengers to points south of here would be speedily
switched south on Second Street, and the only business houses they would get a
glimpse of would be Geo. Cooley's Grocery
House in Western Avenue and the rear end of Ex-Alderman Louis Knick's store
in the 7th ward.
Nothing that
has occurred here in years, we believe, would divide the people of our city in
working harmoniously together for its general advancement than would the
granting of this Second Street franchise before the street car company builds
its line in Montgomery Street, on down to the river and across the river to
connect with Utah Street in the 7th ward as originally intended.
Think it
over—especially the Mayor and the Common Council of our city. You’ll get into no serious trouble, nor give
anyone cause to question your honesty, by upholding the franchise already given
and seeing to it that it is enforced before any more concessions are granted to
street railway company.
There's $10,000
coming to the city if the street railway company don’t build
and operate its railway in Montgomery and Utah streets this year. When William F. Voss was Mayor and Harlow
Pease City Attorney, they saw to it that MaCann &
McCellan paid their $900 forfeit for not carrying out
their contract with the city to complete the sewers on time, and the Supreme
Court of Wisconsin sustained them after a hard fought
battle. Our citizens want it seen to
that Mayor Mulberger and City Attorney Kading see to it that the Milwaukee Light, Heat and
Traction Co. carry out their contract with the city or pay this $10,000
forfeit. This is the least we expect of
them. Will they do it? We believe they will, for we have enough
confidence in their honesty and integrity to think so. We hope our confidence is not misplaced.
↓ More on Franchise to go down Second Street ↓
Council Takes No Action on Second Street Franchise
Watertown
Gazette, 05 07 1909
If Any More Concession Are Granted to
the Street Railway Co.
Before Its 1909 Obligation is Fulfilled,
Many Citizens Say the Courts Will Be
Appealed To
If the Mayor and Common Council
Do Not Enforce the Present Franchise,
Any Citizen, or Number of Citizens,
Can Compel the Street Railway Co. to
Carry Out the Franchise or Pay the
Forfeit of $10,000.
“You fool me once, that’s your fault,
you fool me twice, that’s my fault,” is an old and apt saying that is quite
applicable in the present case of The Milwaukee Light, Heat and Traction Co. in
asking for a franchise to go down Second Street before the original franchise
given the company here is carried out.
If the company breaks faith with the
people on this original franchise, is there not good
reason to suspect that it will continue to break faith and do about as it
pleases here if it finds our city officials without backbone and too plastic to
the persuasive powers of oily-tongued street railway advocates, whose smiles
and handshakes and the honor of being spoken to by such great personages seem
to have greater weight with some of the powers that be here than the pleadings
of citizens who have ought but the interest of the city at heart. There are some people, however, who do not
look at the benefit public enterprises are to a city as a
whole, so long as they may be of some pecuniary interest to themselves. Every
one must admit that a street railway entering at one side of a
city and passing out at the other would be of greater benefit to the city as a
whole than to have it come in and side-step before half the city is passed
through, as the following illustration shows:
The black lines above show the franchise
as it now stands and the light lines show the proposed cut-off which, if
granted, would in all probability for many, many years to come shut out over
one-half of the city from the interurban advantages the present franchise would
give it if carried out.
At the meeting of the City Council
Tuesday evening it was decided to put the matter of the Second Street franchise
off till next Tuesday evening. When it
comes up on that evening, there should not be one in its favor, for should it
by any hook or crook be granted, there are a determined number of taxpayers and
citizens who say that they will take the matter into their own hands and have
engaged an attorney to see whether they have rights that must be respected or
not . . .
. . . The Gazette is no
alarmist in this matter—it is talking for the interests of the entire city, no
matter what a few irresponsible people may say to the contrary. It has always advocated public improvements
and that too, when it was quite dangerous to do so, and besides its editor has
contributed liberally to every factory that has been located here since the Advancement
Association was organized, as well as to the public library site, and other
public interests.
No, gentlemen, you’ll not make capital
for your cause by going about from place to place endeavoring to get up a
prejudice against the editor of The Gazette,
as long as he confines himself to a respectable discussion of this as well as
any other public question, for he is only voicing the sentiments of a large
percentage of the taxpayers and citizens of Watertown.
We’re a pioneer in taking a stand for what
we consider right, and long since we have learned that friend and foe alike
admire a fair open fight. If beaten in
this case, we’ll submit to what may prove the inevitable, and continue to talk
for the interests of the city at large, to contribute as much as possible to
every public enterprise, when possibly a few of the parties to the question now
at issue are sneaking out the back door when solicitors call for subscriptions
to encourage more factories to locate here.
The Milwaukee Light, Heat and Traction
Co. ought not find fault with The Gazette
for The Gazette complimented the
street railway company when it formulated its present admirable franchise and
it is now fighting to uphold it. If our
citizens made the street railway company pay $10,000 or $30,000 for not living
up to its provisions, that’s the street car company’s own fault, that
forfeiture clause was not put in the ordinance by the editor of The
Gazette. Build your road as originally
planned, or pay your forfeit like men, as you said you would, or ask or receive
no more concessions till you make your peace with the injured parties.
For the benefit of those who say there
is no forfeiture provided for in the street railway franchise, we refer them to
section 25 of said ordinance.
↓ More on Franchise to go down Second Street ↓
COUNCIL GRANTS
STREET RAILWAY
RIGHT TO GO SOUTH
ON SECOND STREET
Watertown
Gazette, 05 14 1909
But Attorney Dean of the
Milwaukee Light, Heat and Traction Co.
Says Mr. Beggs Will Not Accept Ordinance
as Passed
It Was Handed to Mr. Beggs on a Silver
Platter
He No Doubt Wants It on a Tray Lined
With Gold
At an adjourned meeting of the city
council last Monday evening an ordinance was passed granting the Milwaukee
Light, Heat and Traction Co. the right to build its line out of this city south
from Main on Second Street to Utah
street, thence to the city limits, which practically abandons the line south on
Montgomery Street, as originally planned.
The vote of the council on the question
of the 2d Street ordinance was
For the Ordinance—Aldermen Huenefeld,
Werner, Hartwig, Shinnick, Weber, Kehr, Krueger, Breckenridge, Kalina—9.
Against the Ordinance—Aldermen Russell,
Humphrey, Ryan, Tetzlaff, Schimmel—5.
The vote in several respects has
occasioned great surprise and considerable unfavorable comment, for judging
from past utterances of a number of the aldermen, our people were led to
believe that John I. Beggs stood a better show of getting to heaven through the
eye of a needle than of getting their votes on the Second Street
franchise. The Gazette respects every
man's right to vote as he sees fit on all public questions and does not charge
or insinuate that any improper methods were resorted to in securing the passage
of the ordinance, but we do think a serious blunder has been made, so far as it
will effect the material interests of the city as a whole. The street railway franchise as originally
planned was fair to every section of the city, and by cutting out a vast area
of the city for some time to come by abandoning the Montgomery Street route, we
do not think a square deal was in the minds of those who are responsible for
it. There are now about 30 blocks of
street railway from First Street east, and only seven from First Street west,
the Second Street extension will add about 15 more, making 45 blocks as against
7. Is this a square deal gentlemen?
And again John I. Beggs has discovered
he can get just what he asks from the Watertown people and will build his lines
here to suit his purposes whether it suits our people or not—in other words he
wants the whole cheese and if any of its crumbs should drop by the wayside our
dear people may scramble for them, especially if he succeeds in disuniting them
by his methods.
John I. rules with an iron hand, he
fights for every inch and if he can't get the inch he'll take the 16th of an
inch and finally when it's all over instead of getting one-sixteenth of an
inch, he has one inch and one-sixteenth, unless he is dealing with men who are
just as sharp at driving a bargain as himself.
The citizens of Watertown will lose nothing by knowing their rights and
fighting for them—a wishy, washy, vacillating way of doing things, and an
over-anxious spirit to grasp prosperity in too big a chunk all at once, prove
disastrous in the end.
The advocates of upholding the old
franchise before granting any further concessions have, in their opinion, been
beaten because "'might makes right," and therefore submit to the inevitable
gracefully and hope that the granting of the Second Street franchise will
result in good to all of our citizens instead of to only a few.
At the council meeting was a very large
number of our citizens, and with the permission of the mayor and council, a
number were heard on the matter up for consideration. Those who were heard in favor of the
ordinance were Fred A. Hoffmann, H. G. Grube, H. Wertheimer and Alderman
Kehr. Those opposing were J. W. Moore,
Owen T. Hughes, F. J. Koser, Richard Geschke, Dr. Eugene Goeldner, Joseph E.
Davies, Aldermen Ryan, Russell, Humphrey and Tetzlaff.
↓ More on Franchise to go down Second Street ↓
Second Street Franchise
Amended and Passed
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
At the meeting of the city council last Tuesday
evening, the Second Street railway franchise was amended to suit John I. Beggs
and passed by the following vote, Alderman Ryan and Shinnick being absent:
Ayes—Huenefeld, Werner, Hartwig, Weber,
Tetzlaff, Krueger, Kehr, Kalina, Breakenridge, 9.
Noes—Humphrey, Russell, Schimmel, 3.
↓ More on Franchise to go down Second Street ↓
Bulgarian Workmen Cause Trouble
Watertown
Gazette,
06 18 1909
Last Saturday at noon a gang of 100
Bulgarian laborers engaged on the Second Street electric railway [interurban]
got into a row with John Moholich, the foreman, over the discharge of one of
the laborers, whom the foreman tried to compel to leave the street. A number of other workmen rushed to their
co-laborer’s assistance and in the rumpus it is said the foreman knocked four
or five of the men down in self protection.
On the arrival of the police on the scene peace was brought about, but
the men refused to go to work and they were taken to their camp near
Pipersville.
Most of the men returned to work on
Monday, but about 20 refused to do so and would not leave the camp. Sheriff Snover was called here Monday
afternoon to take charge of the unruly ones but before he arrived they left the
camp and no further trouble was anticipated, but all the men quit again Monday
evening and returned to the camp.
Sheriff Snover was here again on
Wednesday and after swearing in a dozen deputies, all wearing stars, they took
the car [interurban] for the Bulgarian camp and on the street railway company
agreeing to transport the dissatisfied men to Milwaukee and
pay them what is coming to them, the men appeared satisfied. But few of the men understand the English
language and they do not seem to understand the conditions . . .
Watertown High School
Watertown Daily Times, 03 06
1999
A longstanding
foreign language program at Watertown High School
is drawing nearer to an end as another group of students prepares to graduate
in coming months. The school's
once-popular Latin program, reduced this year to one small class taught by a
preparatory school professor, is on the way out. The decision was made to cease instruction in
Latin based on declining enrollments and the resignation of Watertown's
teacher. School officials could not find a qualified Latin instructor to take
her place and have since opted to bring French in as the new language offered
at Watertown High School, along with Spanish and German. And although the Latin program is on its way
out, students who are in their second, third and fourth years of study have
been assured they can continue their instruction through their high school
years. Most of the pupils are under the
direction of Professor Ron Hahm, who teaches the same subject at Luther Preparatory School. Hahm, who teaches about 100 students at
Luther Prep, travels to Watertown High School every day for an hour with a much
smaller group - 13 students. Students
had the option of studying under Hahm or taking a correspondence course.
Watertown Gazette, 05 05 1859
Mr. Sebra
Howard is now engaged in erecting another steam saw mill at Hubbleton, on the
Crawfish River. The main building will
be brick, 50 feet long by 25 feet wide, with a wing of 25 feet in length. It will be located on the north side of the
railroad. It is to have a circular saw
capable to cutting timber 40 feet in length and of any thickness that may be
found in the forests abounding in that section of the country. He is now getting his material on the ground, the brick having been manufactured by Mr. D. S. Chadwick. The place selected for this new saw mill is
every way adapted for such an establishment.
Any quantity of first rate timber can always be procured to furnish all
the sawing that the mill can do. It will
be years before the woods can be exhausted and will give employment to a large
number of mechanics and workmen of various callings.
First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson
Watertown Gazette, 05 05 1859
The Jeffersonian on the 28th
says that “last Monday morning a number of the congregation and others
belonging to the First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson assembled on the ground
designed for the church, previous to commencing building operations, for the
purpose of invoking the blessing of God upon the enterprise. The Rev. E. F. Waldo, the pastor, made some
very appropriate remarks and offered up an earnest prayer that the work might
be prospered, after which the choir sung a hymn, suitable to the occasion, to
the tune of the Old Hundred Psalm, in which the choir and many present joined .
. .
From the same
paper we learn that they have a new church bell in that village. “The pleasing sound of a fine toned church
bell fell upon our ears last Sabbath morning, for the first time in six years,
which proceeded from St. John’s Church, lately established in our village. It told us that Jefferson was progressing and
that probably before another year rolled round we would have that pleasure to
chronicle the arrival of two or three others to fill the belfries of those
churches which are now preparing to be erected here this season.”
St. Mark’s Evangelical
Lutheran School Dedication
Watertown Daily Times, 02 19
2009
Celebration of completed building and renovation
project
Sunday, February 22
Dedication Service - 10:45 a.m.
Contractor Recognition - Noon
Open House to follow
St. Mark’s Lutheran School Gymnasium, 706 Jones St.,
Watertown, WI
In June 2008, St. Mark’s began a $4.3 million school building addition
and renovation project. As we celebrate
its completion, we wish to thank the many businesses and contractors who
contributed to our project. St. Mark’s
has been blessed by your work.
Our 24,600
square foot addition includes:
• New gymnasium • Music room • Computer room • Kitchen
• Commons Area • Administrative offices • Bathrooms • 8 classrooms
Renovation of
our current building includes:
• Heating • Plumbing • Ventilation • Electrical •
Windows
St. Mark’s
School is supported by St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and is affiliated
with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
The current enrollment at the school is 264 students in 3-year old
pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
St. Mark’s
School also has an extended childcare program providing before and after school
care.
St. Mark’s to
dedicate new school, music center
Watertown Daily Times, 02 20
2009
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will dedicate its
new and renovated school building and music center on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. The
dedication service will be held in the gymnasium of the school at 706 Jones
St. Guest speaker for the service will
be Professor Emeritus Daniel Deutschlander, a member of St. Mark’s, who will
speak on Matthew 17:1-9, “Look Up and See Only Jesus.” The pastors of the congregation, Michael
Jensen, Karl Walther and James Werner, will be assisting in the service. A special 55-piece orchestra has been
assembled to accompany the worshipers in their songs of praise. The orchestra is under the direction of
Adrian Smith, minister of music at St. Mark’s.
The 265 students of the school will sing “Clap Hands.” The combined
church choirs will sing the anthem, “This Is My Beloved Son.”
During the rite
of dedication, the children along with the choirs will sing “Praise the Lord,
His Glories Show.” The Luther Prep String Ensemble will also play
the offertory, “Speak, O Lord.”
Following the dedication service, the contractors will be recognized and
thanked for their faithful work. Excel
Engineering of Fond du Lac designed the project and the general contractor was Maas Brothers Construction of Watertown. There will be a reception in the commons of
the school following the service. A
public open house will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. for anyone who would like to
tour the school. St. Mark’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church has operated a Christian school in the city of Watertown since
1854 when its first pastor began classes.
Season for Outdoor Exercises
Watertown Gazette, 05 19 1859
The season for
outdoor exercises—for pleasant, invigorating walks and for rapid, exhilarating
drives—has arrived but the people do not seem to improve it to any great
extent—not near as much as their physical welfare demands. The stifled atmosphere of the study and not
the pure winds of heaven is in the air that too many of us breathe altogether
too much. When earth is putting on its
summer dress of magnificence and liveliness, let us now and then go out and
catch at least a passing glimpse of the glories and wonders of nature, for we
cannot gaze too much or too deeply on the infinite mysteries that are going on
all around us at this time of the year.
Even the children show much more wisdom than their elders in this
respect—they will not stay in the house, they will play, they will fly hither
and thither, they will have their fun, and it is right they should . . .
Anything that is within the limits of innocent and beneficial relaxation is
better than growing habits of indolence, stupidity and self-indulgence in
debilitating ease, which are apt to creep over the bodies and intellects of all
whose employments are sedentary and quiet.
Enlarging House of Worship
Watertown Gazette, 05 12 1859
The Methodist Church of this city is now greatly
enlarging their house of worship. Some
thirty-five feet will be added to the length of the present building when the
improvement now in progress shall be completed.
This addition will go far towards accommodating the increasing members
who assemble there for religious service.
Under the ministry of Rev. A. C. Huntley the increase in the membership
to this church during the past year has been considerable. He will remain here one year more, having
recently been reappointed to this station by the late conference. This intelligence will be received with
pleasure by all who have witnessed his earnest and successful efforts to serve
with sincerity and truth his Divine Master since he has resided here. May many more be added to his congregation of
such as shall be saved. Here in the West
it may well be said that the harvest is ripe and the reapers are few. What a broad field of missionary enterprise
exists in this favored region. Whatever
may be its material prosperity, spiritual wealth it has not got and “grace
abounding” is far from being its distinguishing feature.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 28
1959
Ewald E. Brumm,
park superintendent, has returned from a conference regarding the control of
the Dutch elm disease, sponsored by the League of Wisconsin
Municipalities. Last summer the disease
was found in one tree in Watertown and it was immediately removed, destroyed,
and the area treated in order to destroy the beetle that might be in the neighborhood. Records show that the disease has spread
gradually into Wisconsin, and has secured a foot-hold in the southeastern
portion. Watertown seems to be the
northern extent of the spread.
Watertown Daily Times, 02 28
1984
Because of
problems with dust, truck traffic, noise and potential runoff into the Rock
River, the Watertown Planning Commission rejected the Golper's Corporation plan
to build a warehouse and blending facility at 211-217 S. Water St. The structure would have been an expansion of
the current Golper's operations, located at 116 S. Water St. The proposed 30 foot by 70 foot facility
would have been used for the storage and mixing of fertilizers.
↓ More on Golper's ↓
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 25 1984
Because of
plan modifications which will minimize the potential for environmental
problems, the Watertown Planning Commission Monday recommended a plan by the
David Golper Company, Inc., to construct a warehouse and adjacent blending
facility at 211-217 S. Water St. The plan,
an expansion of current Golper operations at 116 S. Water St., must gain the
final approval of the Watertown Common Council at its next meeting May 1 before
construction is to begin. All operations
of the facility will be enclosed, according to Assistant City Engineer Joe
Radocay, and there will be no floor drains or exhaust fans. A low berm or curb will also be constructed
to divert any surface water runoff, he added.
↓ More on Golper's ↓
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 27 1984
Because of
plan modifications which will minimize the potential for environmental
problems, the Watertown Planning Commission Monday recommended a plan by the
David Golper Company, Inc., to construct a warehouse and adjacent blending
facility at 211-217 S. Water St. The
plan, an expansion of current Golper operations at 116 S. Water St., must gain
the final approval of the Watertown Common Council at its next meeting May 1
before construction is to begin. A ll operations of the facility will be
enclosed, according to Assistant City Engineer Joe Radocay, and there will be
no floor drains or exhaust fans. A low
berm or curb will also be constructed to divert any surface water runoff, he
added.
↓ More on Golper's ↓
Watertown
Daily Times,
06 19 1984
Frank Melcher,
route 3, Watertown, who has been employed by agri-business industries in this
area for many years, has been named general manager of David Golper Company,
116 South Water Street, according to Al Grunewald, president of the firm. Melcher will be active in all areas of the business,
and will provide key assistance to the firm's plans to construct a fertilizer
warehouse and blending facility. Melcher
has been manager of the Johnson Creek Co-op for 20 years and the Tomorrow
Valley Co-op of Amhurst for three years.
For the last year, Melcher has been sales representative for Ag-Chem
Equipment Company of Minneapolis.
Watertown Gazette, 05 05 1859
Mr. P. V. Brown
has just opened a new store in Dennis’ Block, on the West side of the
river. He has a large and choice stock
of goods, which, of course, he will sell cheap—probably cheaper from the fact
that they were obtained on credit, and contrary to the general practice of
other merchants this season, will be sold on the same terms. That must be the place to buy on time and if
the purchaser cannot pay for them, it will not make the least difference, as it
is well known that Brown can, so it will be all the same. It will be a good thing to have one
establishment doing business on the old system—that is always trusting and
never collecting. The price of articles
will be a matter of no importance, inconvenient talk about final settlements
can be dispensed with, and the time occupied in discussing more agreeable
topics. Brown’s store is just the thing
most needed now. We intend to visit it
and extend to it our custom, if we can make an arrangement by which we can
exchanges our wares for his, as we are confident some dicker would be for the
mutual advantage of us both.
Worms! Worms!
Watertown Gazette, 05 19 1859
Worms! Worms!
A great many learned treatises have been written explaining the origin
of and classifying the worms generated in the human system. Scarcely any topic of medical science has
elicited more acute observation and profound research and yet physicians are
very much divided in opinion on the subject.
It must be admitted, however, that after all, a mode of expelling these
worms and purifying the body from their presence is of more value than the
wisest discussion as to their origin.
The expelling agent has at length been found—Dr. McLane’s Vermifuge
[medicine that expels intestinal worms], prepared by Fleming Bros., is the much
sought after specific and has already superseded all other worm medicines, its
efficacy being universally acknowledged by medical practitioners. All other vermifuges in comparison are
worthless. Dr. McLane’s Genuine
Vermifuge, also his celebrated Liver Pills, can now be had at all respectable
drug stores.
Married
Watertown
Gazette, 05 07 1909
At the parsonage of the Congregational Church at 3:30 o’clock Friday
afternoon, April 30, 1909, Rev. H. C. Rehm, pastor, united in marriage William
F. Richards and Miss Nettie May Saban.
At the conclusion of the wedding ceremony a luncheon was served at the
home of the bride’s parents at 201 North Eighth Street, at which only relatives
were present. They left on an evening
train on a brief wedding trip. They will
reside at 117 North Eighth Street. The
groom is one of Watertown’s most exemplary young men and for several years past
has been employed in the Watertown post office. He is a son of Mrs. Susanna Richards. His bride is a daughter of F. J. Sabin and
wife and, like her husband, is popular with a large acquaintance. She is one of Watertown’s most amiable young
ladies and both she and her husband enter married life with the good wishes of
all our people.
Watertown Gazette, 05 19 1859
[Letter from
Omaha] To the Editor of the Watertown
Democrat: If emigration is any test,
the times have been harder in Wisconsin than any where else as eight-tenths of
the teams passing here are from that State . . . There are now from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred teams passing here daily, beside foot men, hand carts,
etc . . . Many have inscribed the place whence they hail on the side of their
wagons . . . Many of my acquaintances from Janesville, Ft. Atkinson and
Jefferson have passed but as yet not one from Watertown that I have been able
to find, but am anxiously looking for the advent of “Doc” and his company. I shall stick it out until he comes, as he
promised to bring a keg of “Fuermann’s
Best” [Watertown brewery] with him and not to touch it until he reached
this point, and if he will keep his promise—especially the last part of
it—won’t we have one good nip before we leave for the diggings? But I’ll not let my mind dwell upon it for
after all “Doc” is an indifferent ox teamster and may upset and spill it . . .
D.S.P.
Assessor for the city
at large
Watertown Gazette, 05 05 1859
Common
Council. Petition of Thomas Moore, praying that he may be recognized
as “assessor for the city at large” referred to special committee.
Watertown Gazette, 05 26 1859
On the 16th
inst., Mrs. Harriet Whitney, wife of C. M. Whitney, of the town of Watertown,
destroyed her own life by throwing herself into Rock River and drowning . . .
deliberately planned and calmly executed . . .
Alderman Van Alstine
of the Exchange
Watertown Gazette, 05 19 1859
Alderman Van Alstine of the Exchange
has a keen eye for the welfare of the whole city but a keener one for choice
and early delicacies of the season. He
is a model of a corporation father and a pattern of a hotel keeper. Already strawberries, cucumbers and green
peas have graced his table and he keeps Tom Smith a stationary sentinel on the
corner to watch for the appearance of the next new edible the season brings
forth. The productions of every clime
this side of the equator are levied upon to supply the most luxurious of
boards, to which we challenge the epicures of your “magnificent Newhall Houses”
and “palatial residences.” If you
doubt—try.
City Water Department
Watertown Daily Times, 03 14
1959
The city of
Watertown’s application for permission to make plant improvements in the city water department totaling $128,900,
including a new 300,000 gallon ground storage water
reservoir, will be heard by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin at its
offices at Madison on March 25. The
application is part of the City Water Commission’s long range improvement and
expansion plan to meet future needs of the water system and water services
here.
Watertown Daily Times, 12 14
1997
Dr. F. David
Geske has been named executive director at Bethesda
Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc. and will begin his duties Jan. 2,
1998. Geske, currently executive
director of Good Shepherd Lutheran Home of the West in California, said he’s
looking forward to a move back to the Midwest.
Before his position at Good Shepherd he was employed at Bethesda in
Watertown. “It’s an honor,” he said in a
telephone interview this morning with the Watertown
Daily Times. “I’m looking forward to
it. Wisconsin has always been in our hearts.”
He and his wife, Deborah, who are both originally from the Midwest, will
move back to the area soon.
Watertown Daily Times, 12 14
1957
Dr. O. L.
Hidde, Watertown chiropractor, has filed a petition for the rezoning of outlot
No. 11 below St. Mary’s Hospital Hill in order to locate an office and clinic
there. A previous petition by Dr. Hidde
to locate a similar building in the Summit Avenue area was rejected after a
petition was filed against the proposal.
The Becky Radio and TV Service had sought to locate below the hospital
hill recently and this was rejected. The
service is now located in downtown Main Street.
↓ More on Hidde Chiropractic ↓
Hidde Chiropractic Building
Watertown
Daily Times,
01 23 1960
Dr. O.L. Hidde today announced the
opening of the new Hidde Chiropractic Building at 1434 East Main Street on
Sunday, Jan. 31 from 2 to 4 o'clock, during which the building and clinic will
be open for inspection. Dr. Hidde, who has been practicing chiropractic in
Watertown for the past five years, is a native of Marion, Wis. A graduate of
the National College of Chiropractic, Chicago, he received his degree there
after a four year training course.
Young People of Watertown
Watertown Daily Times, 12 14
1907
The Leader wishes to go
on record as being heartily in favor of any plan tending toward elevating the
morals of the young people of Watertown, the nation, or the world in
general. It will not be found taking
sides as against a Christian spirit tending toward the betterment of
mankind. From the inception of the Daily Leader, its management has
conscientiously tried to mould public opinion on the side of right and justice
and if it ever swerves from that pinnacle in newspaperdom, it will be as a
mistake from the head and not from the heart.
Movements have been launched in Watertown at various times for the
betterment of local conditions. Some have been extremists in their suggestions,
but the majority have been only plans for action that should receive the hearty
cooperation of all classes of citizens, save those possibly who have become so
degraded and blinded that they themselves are beyond redemption and so
indifferent to the welfare of the rising generation that they grope in present
darkness and are so entirely short-sighted that they cannot vision a picture of
the future. The Leader is not given to sermonizing, but right is right, and on
that side it wishes to cast its lot . . . The man who will suggest and work to
the end of securing places of innocent amusement for the young people is a
public benefactor and not only deserving of commendation, but of cooperation
from fellow citizens.
Watertown Daily Times, 03 13
1959
Tom Doering was
elected president of the Wethonkitha
Club at a dinner meeting of the organization Thursday night. Others elected were: Lester Lange, vice president; Lester Bast,
secretary; Roger Hamann, treasurer, and Raymond Dobbratz, director. Dobbratz has been president for the past two
years.
Sale of
Watertown Daily Times, 03 10
1959
Sale of the
building at 107-109 Main Street, familiarly known as the Hertel and Hoffmann
building, to a Watertown business man.
The present occupant is Bossert's Variety Store, which plans to close
out its business here and relocate in Mineral Point. Previous to that the building was the Scott
Store. The new owner, whose negotiations
for the property began early this year, has announced he does not plan to
occupy the newly acquired building himself and that at present there is no new
tenant. His name is being withheld at
his request until the property transfer is completed.
↓ More on Hertel and Hoffmann Bldg ↓
Firestone Store
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 23 1959
The quarters
at 107 [E] Main Street, formerly occupied by Bossert's Variety Store, which
moved to Mineral Point, will be taken over about June 1 by Rex Draheim, Inc.,
now of 307 [E] Main Street, a Firestone Store.
This is one of several Main Street business changes due to take place in
the next several months. The store
quarters will be remodeled before the new occupant takes over. An annex of the Hotel
Carlton [111-115 S First], to the rear of the building and the adjacent
parking area, will also be taken over for the new Firestone setup.
Hall of Fame
Watertown Daily Times, 03 10
1999
Clarence
“Bumps” Schumann and Robert Schmidt, two longtime members on the Watertown
bowling scene, will be inducted into the Watertown Bowling Association Hall of
Fame next month. Schumann has been
active in the Watertown bowling scene for 65 years and continues in sanctioned
competition today. Schumann began bowling in 1934 and hasn't stopped since
except for a stretch when he was in the military in the 1940s. Schmidt, who is being inducted for his
service to the game, has promoted bowling tirelessly during his tenure in the
management and ownership of Watertown Bowl 18.
He has held a wide variety of leadership posts in the bowling industry
and continues to promote new and innovative ways to gain enthusiasm for the
sport.
Horicon Fire
Watertown Gazette, 05 26 1859
[Horicon] The
most destructive fire ever known in this place occurred on the morning of the
18th, burning all the buildings situated on the water power, on the north side
of the river. The fire was first
discovered in the new saw mill and soon spread over the whole building and
those nearby. There is much conjecture
as to the origin of the fire but doubtless it was set accidentally by some
fishermen who took refuge under the mill during the shower just previous to the
fire. The fire spread so rapidly after
it was first discovered that nothing was saved and two of the Messrs. Gates,
who slept in the sash factory, barely escaped with their lives, one of them not
having time to secure his clothing.
There was but little wind at the time and it was very fortunate for
Horicon. With a moderate south wind, it
would have been wholly impossible to have saved any portion of the business
part of the town. May it never be our
duty to chronicle another so disastrous a blow to the interests of Horicon as
this. –Horicon Argus
Watertown Municipal Airport
Watertown Daily Times, 03 17
1959
The City of
Watertown last night was asked to comply with its part of the agreement to
carry out improvement plans at the Watertown Municipal
Airport. The request was made by the
State Aeronautics Commission of Wisconsin which has acted as the city's agent
in obtaining state and federal funds for the airport development. Last month the City Council voted against
making $7,500 available for the city's share toward the so-called airport
expansion plan and T.K. Jordan, state director for the aeronautics commission,
the next day charged the councilmen had violated the state statute pertaining
to the airport development and had gone back on the agreement by their refusal
to go through with the city's part of the program.
Watertown Daily Times, 03 17
1984
Asbestos in
ceiling materials at Watertown High School and Schurz Elementary School may be removed this
summer, and at much less cost than originally estimated. The school board's buildings and grounds
committee agreed that the entire job should be completed this summer. The full board will consider the matter at
its March 21 meeting. The cost of
removing the asbestos is expected to be well below original estimates from
Daniel J. Hartwig Associates, an occupational health and safety consulting
firm. Hartwig estimated the cost of
removal and installation of new ceiling materials at the high school alone
would be $250,000.
↓ More on Asbestos Removal ↓
Loan for Asbestos Removal
Watertown
Daily Times,
04 16 1984
Plans to
secure a $400,000 loan for asbestos removal at Watertown Senior High School and
at Schurz Elementary School as well as site maintenance work at Riverside
Junior High School were reviewed by the board of education of the Watertown Unified School
District. The site work at the junior
high school involves the sports area to the north of the school as well as
extensive landscaping around the school itself.
The basic cost of the projects will be $357,765 to $372,765, depending
on the extent of the work needed at the junior high school, and in addition
several other minor projects being proposed which will use the remaining
$28,000.
Watertown Gazette, 05 26 1859
The children
are having fine times daily at the Congregational
Church, singing under the tuition of Mr. Holdrege, who suits the children’s
notions of singing admirably. They will
give a concert sometime next week, which all will be invited to attend, as it
is in this way that the instructor is remunerated for his labors.
↓ More on Mr. Holdrege
↓
Congregational Church Concert
Watertown Democrat, 06 02 1859
The concert
tonight at the Congregational Church should not be forgotten, but all should
attend it. Let the house be filled with
delighted listeners. Mr. Holridge is an
accomplished musical teacher. In the
city of Brooklyn he was for a long time the leader of the Sabbath School choir
in Henry Ward Beecher’s church, and we assure our citizens he will provide for
them a musical entertainment that will be well worth hearing. His plan is to take the children of the place
he visits and instruct them in the principles of the most delightful of all
arts, to give a concert and accept the result as the reward of his valuable
services in this respect. What parent
but would like to have his own children know how to sing, and they can learn by
taking a few elementary lessons from this most accomplished and successful of
teachers. We say to all, encourage such
enterprises as they by your presence this evening at the concert. Go by all means and see what the little
children can do.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 14 1909
An excursion will be run via the electric railway to Watertown on Memorial Day by
former students, friends and patrons of the Northwestern
University. The invitation to
participate in the day's festival in Watertown was accepted by A. E. Wurster,
president of the Milwaukee Northwestern University Club. The united musical societies of the
institution that gave a concert in this city last year will reciprocate the
cordial reception at the event.
Chartered trains will carry the passengers direct to the university
campus, where the formal exercises will take place. The committee in charge of the arrangements
consists of Herman Ebert, Julius Dammann and O. L. Ernst -[Milwaukee News]
Watertown
Gazette, 05 14 1909
Last Sunday morning a class of 19 boys
and 29 girls received their First Communion at St.
Bernard's Church. Rev. Father
Boland's remarks on the occasion were eloquent and beautiful and made a lasting
impression on all who heard them.
Boys:—Harry Carmody, Jerome Buller,
George Ryan, Fred Mullen, John Kelly, Celeste McGolrick, Arnold McAdams, George
Salick, Walter Stanton, John Moriarty, Dan Brooks, Earl Russell, Adolph Scheck,
Paul Conway, Leonard Jaehrling, Raphael Casey, Charles Coughlin, Gervais
Irving, Leslie Kunitz.
Girls:—Loretta Collins, Josie Manning,
Florence Manning, Florence Potter, Loretta Coughlin, Ruth Mullen, Susie
Carroll, Marie Carroll, Anna Brusenbach, Anna Mantz, Maud Carey, Marie Buttler,
Rose Ellis, Salina Heon, Irene Heon, Mary Norton, Helen Casey, Catherine Blair,
Margaret Kunitz, Clara Mantz, Marie Burke, Stella Salick, Mary Burns, Evelyn Moore,
Gertrude Blaesius, Gertrude Coughlin, Regina O'Connell, Loretta Burns, Gertrude
Powers.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 07 1909
In a few weeks Lake Mills will be the
scene of bustle and activity and the warlike spirit of its American public will
be afforded a rare treat, for the Northwestern
University band and military company of Watertown are coming. Capt. Phil Koehler has been in the city to
make arrangements in regard to the marchout.
The company has a membership of some
sixty odd members. Capt. Koehler has
worked out a plan for the sham battle which he assures to be one of the best
and longest battles that the military company has ever delivered here.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 07 1909
The members of the U. T. C. lodge gave a
very enjoyable party last Saturday evening at Masonic Temple. About thirty-five couples were in
attendance. Cards and dancing, principally
dancing, were the amusements offered their guests and judging by appearances it
was thoroughly enjoyed. A bountifully
laden table greeted them when about 11 o’clock they were invited to descend to
the dining room. The table was prettily
decorated with the colors of the order—blue, gold and white, and an immense basket
of flowers formed the centerpiece while festooned over the table was a string
of tiny electric bulbs in globes of white, gold and blue. The effect was very pretty indeed. The Miller-Bramer orchestra furnished the
music for the occasion and nothing was left undone which could conduce the
comfort and pleasure of those present.
Certainly “The Knights of the Grip” proved themselves to be royal
entertainers.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 14 1909
Next Sunday will be the twentieth
anniversary of the Epworth League. A
special program has been prepared by the members of the League. At 2 p.m. Bishop Robert McIntyre of St. Paul
[will speak]. This arrangement is for
the purpose of permitting people from surrounding towns to hear the Bishop without
forsaking their own morning services.
They are coming by team, by trolley, by auto—all but the airship.
Cross reference: The Epworth League was an
organization of the young people of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, formed in 1889 at Cleveland, Ohio, by the combination of
five young people's organizations then existing. The purpose of the league was the promotion
of intelligent and vital piety among the young people of the church.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 14 1909
Last week Friday a man giving his name
as Harry Sims hired a horse and buggy at Tony Boll’s livery stable at Jefferson
and stated he was going canvassing in the country. Not returning the outfit the next day, Mr.
Boll had a warrant sworn out for him and Marshal Bullwinkel came here on Monday
and found the outfit at James Dowd’s livery barn [319 N Second, livery stable],
to whom Sims had sold it, claiming he had been out for some time selling
household articles, was tired of his job, and wished to sell the outfit. The police are searching the country for him.
Men Fined For Illegal Fishing
Watertown
Gazette, 05 21 1909
August Wiselius and Edward Erdmann, the
two men arrested on complaint of Deputy Game Warden Neis Johnson of Madison for
illegal fishing with a dip net, plead guilty this morning in Justice Stacy's
court and were fined $25 and costs. In
default of payment they were sentenced to the county jail at Jefferson for a
period of twenty days.
Wiselius is a section hand and says the
prices of meats are so high that he wanted to secure fish for his large family,
but on their plea of guilty the justice had no discrimination in the matter as
the law is plain on the subject.—[Watertown
Times].
The trouble with the above named parties
seems to have been, not that they caught game fish in a net, but that they did
not catch enough of them. In other
words, had they fished for carp instead and then slaughtered a ton or more fine
game fish there would have been no prosecution—only much greater damage to the
state. Did you ever see such a farce as
the fish law is? The citizens of
Watertown ought to subscribe enough money to pay the fines of the two men. It is a pity to have any more convictions
until this rottenness is rooted out.
Things never mend till they get to their worst.
Justice Stacy ought to come here and
investigate matters.— [Ft. Atkinson Union].
The citizens of Watertown are not
responsible for Wiselius' misfortune.
Pass the hat around to the republicans who are responsible for the fish
law in Wisconsin. Justice Stacy did his
duty under the law.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 14 1909
On Monday the city clerk opened the
following bids for hauling fire apparatus:
Louis Griep, No. 1 wagon, $275.00
Carl Schumann, No. 1 wagon, $290.00
William Spear, No. 2 wagon, $300.00
John Byrne, hook and ladder, $298.00
Watertown
Gazette, 05 14 1909
A. E. Baumann, the West Main Street
candy manufacturer and confectioner, has purchased the Randall block opposite
the public library, consideration $7000.
The property has a frontage of 66 feet on West Main Street and is 150
feet in depth. The large three-story
brick building Mr. Baumann will in the course of time fix up for his
business. The west 44 feet of the
property he has resold to Wm. Sommerfeld, the Market Street barber.
Cross
reference:
Main, W, 200 Baumann’s Candy Kitchen
Main, W, 202 Charles
E Sommerfeld, barber
Watertown
Gazette, 05 21 1909
Becker & Peters have sold their
general merchandise business in North Water Street to Theophil Liedke and
William J. Schack.
t More o Becker & Peters t
Notice
Watertown
Gazette, 05 21 1909
Having disposed of our business all
persons indebted to us are hereby requested to settle their accounts by June
1st, 1909. Becker & Peters, 117-119
N. Water St.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 21 1909
Sunday evening, May 16, 1909, Samuel G.
Roper, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Annie R. Woodard in Milwaukee in
the 84th year of his age. Deceased was
born January 3, 1826, at Rutland, Mass., and in the early fifties he located in
this city. February 8, 1858, he married
Sarah Elizabeth Turner, daughter of one of Watertown's first hotel
keepers. His wife died October 9,
1887. Three children survive him—Mrs.
Annie R. Woodard, Milwaukee, Charles Roper, Watertown, and George Roper,
Texas.
In 1852 Mr. Roper engaged in business in
Watertown and was actively engaged in business here till about ten years ago,
his first venture being proprietor of a restaurant and
confectionery with Henry Mace in a frame building on the south side of Main
Street bridge, which a few years ago was carried away by high water.
Later he was engaged in stock buying and
in the farm machinery business with Chas. Ferry, the firm name being Roper
& Ferry. Their firm dissolved
partnership, and Mr. Roper continued in the same line of business with his
sons. About two years ago he went to
Milwaukee to reside with his daughter.
Tuesday afternoon his remains were
brought to this city and interred in Oak
Hill Cemetery beside those of his wife.
Deceased was during a period of over 50 years one of Watertown's best
known and most honored citizens, and no one ever knew Sam Roper who did not
esteem and honor him. He was possessed
of a genial, straightforward disposition, and dealt with everybody as he would
be dealt by, and now that he has passed to his reward, a large acquaintance
mourn his death most sincerely.
Gum Machine Robbery
Watertown
Republican, 11 15 1902
James O'Brian arrested by Sheriff
McGolrick on suspicion of breaking into the depot at Hubbleton last week and
helping himself to the contents of a gum machine, was sentenced to the county
jail for vagrancy, there being no evidence to hold him on the charge of robbery.
Watertown
Gazette, 12 19 1902
The athletic exhibition at Concordia
Opera House last Tuesday evening witnessed by a fair-sized audience. First on the program was a six-round two
minutes bout between James O'Brian and R. M. McLaughlin, which was declared a
draw. Harry Falls and Charles Berry, of
Milwaukee, then gave a sparring exhibition, which was also declared a draw. Reinhold Schott
was sick in bed, hence the wrestling exhibition advertised did not take place.
Watertown
Daily Times, 02 19 1940
The city council last night voted
unanimously to return to the Christ Becker estate the property known as the west side engine house, no longer used by the
city. A request that the property be
returned, since it had been abandoned by the city for the specific use
designated in the deed, was made recently by the heirs.
The committee named to study the
details of the case last night reported and recommended that the property be
returned and the 12 aldermen present voted for the return . The two absent
members were Darcey and Beurhaus.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 21 1909
In accordance with a custom of past
years in the high school, honors were awarded this week to the ten seniors
having the highest average standing for the four years work. First honors went to Margaret Eberle whose average
for the four years was 95.58 per cent, the highest average according to the
record ever attained by a high school graduate.
Miss Eberle will be the valedictorian of her class. Second honors went to Herbert Baurichter
whose average was 92.26 per cent. Mr.
Baurichter will be salutatorian. Elsa
Rose, whose average was 91.6 per cent, was awarded third honors and will
present the memorial of the class to the high school. Ray Shanton, who received fourth honors with
an average of 91.25 per cent, will have the distinction of delivering the class
oration which will complete the student members on the commencement program.
In addition to these, fifth honors,
which entitles the recipient to represent the class at the alumni banquet, were
awarded to Helen Brooks, whose average was 89.79 per cent. First honorary mention was given to Lilian
Mundt, whose average was 89.7 per cent., second honorary mention to Celia
Kwapil whose average was 88.7 per cent, third honorary mention to Irene Regan
with an average of 88.57 per cent, fourth honorary mention, to Hilda Krueger
with 87.7 per cent, and fifth honorary mention to Cyrus Casey with an average
of 87.38 per cent.
There are forty-two members in the class and
commencement exercises will be held June 26.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 21 1909
Dr. T. F. Shinnick, alderman of the
Second Ward, has tendered his resignation to Mayor Mulberger and it is now in
the hands of the city clerk. Under the
new law the council will have the appointing power of his successor. The many friends of Dr. Shinnick will regret
his decision to resign from the council, for all regard him a good and
conscientious member and a man who tries to do his duty in that body as he sees
it.
His resignation is as
follows:
Hon. Arthur Mulberger, City.
Dear Mr. Mayor: I address you and the Common Council of the
city of Watertown. Owing to existing
conditions and that I am a busy man and unable to do justice to my constituents
and the people of the city at large, I hereby tender my resignation as alderman
of the Second Ward to become effective at once.
I would therefore ask your honor to appoint someone in my place from the
Second Ward—party affiliations eliminated—according to your judgment and out of
respect to the voters of the Second Ward.
The above resignation is irrevocable on
my part, and thanking the Second Ward citizens for past courtesies and
kindnesses and the members of the City Council for the friendly relations
enjoyed while a member of its body, I am,
Very respectfully yours,
T. F. Shinnick, M.D.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 18 2009
Former Watertown
police Capt. Tom Killmon was recently named the 2008 Legion Post 189 and
Jefferson County Legion Police Officer of the Year. Killmon recently retired from the Watertown
Police Department after 33 years of service.
He was nominated for the award by police Chief Tim Roets because of his
selfless dedication to the citizens of Watertown.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 18 1959
Twenty-two Watertown high school seniors
and their chaperones have completed plans for their trip and tour to
Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Students taking part in the tour are: Edith Niemann, Phyllis Hertel,
Susan Mears, Cam Olson, Patricia Zeimis, JoAnn Gmeinder, Lois Radloff, Susan
Turke, Susan Kehl, Susan Kressin, Shari Rippe, Joan Reinhard, Marcia Wendt,
Cynthia Loeb, Jean Blegen, Cathy Reynolds, David Pfaffenbach, John Ponath,
Charles Wendt, Richard Podolske, Joseph Rhodes and Robert Bender.
St. Bernard's Parish
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 18 1984
After June of next year, the Holy Cross
Fathers no longer will provide priests for St.
Bernard's parish. The announcement
was made Monday evening at a widely attended parish meeting at the school
gymnasium. It was made personally by
Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., Provincial Superior of the Holy Cross Fathers. The Holy Cross Fathers have been in charge of
the parish for over 100 years. The order
has been in charge continuously since 1871, with the exception of eight years
in the 1920s, when secular priests staffed the parish.
1909
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
Following is the program outlined by the
committees for the observance of Memorial Day on Sunday, May 30:
O. D. Pease Post will attend St. Paul's Episcopal Church in a body at 10:30
o'clock service in the forenoon. The
body of church will be tastefully decorated with flags and bunting, and a choir
of thirty-five voices will render the music.
Sunday, 2 P.M.
Parade will form at the corner Main and
North First streets in the following order:
Marshal of the Day and Aides
Northwestern Cadets and Students
Mayor, Commander, O.
D. Pease Post and Guests in Carriage
Deutscher Kreiger Verein
O. D. Pease Post No. 94; G.A.R.
Older G.A.R. Veterans in Conveyance
Children in Carriage to Decorate the
Graves of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Lewis
Watertown Band
Common Council in Carriages
Board of Education in Carriages
Woman's Relief Corps in Conveyance
Public Schools
Independent Band
Parochial Schools
Citizens in Carriages
Arriving at the tower in the cemetery
the head of the column will halt, open order, and present arms while Grand Army
Post passes through to music of fife and drum to the grave of late Comrade A. E. Needham [August], where services
according to the G.A.R. ritual will be held . . .
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
Watertown suffered its first defeat and
coat of whitewash of the season at Washington Park last Sunday, at the hands of
the Koerners of Milwaukee, 5 to 0, thereby dropping into third position in the
pennant race. Harry Siebert pitched
magnificent ball. He allowed six hits
and fanned six. Although Eddie Heimerl
struck out ten men, the Koerner’s solved him for [beleaguered him with] ten
safeties at opportune times. Seibert,
Marquies, Luell and Hahn were there with two hits each.
↓ More on Watertown Baseball ↓
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 23 1959
The Watertown Cardinals were reinstated
as members of the Central Wisconsin League's northern division at the loop's
annual spring meeting at Jefferson Wednesday night and will resume play in the
league this summer. The readmission of
the Cards brought the northern roster up to eight teams as Oconomowoc withdrew
from the circuit. Bidding for the 1959
championship will be Johnson Creek, defending champion, Whitewater, Monona
Grove, Lake Mills, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Waterloo and Watertown.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 23 1999
Construction of the new Walgreens store
at the corner of Main and Church streets has been halted temporarily, according
to Todd Sabourin, Miron Construction project manager. Some contaminated soil has been found at the
site, and cleanup is anticipated to be completed in June. Walgreens was originally set to open in June.
Now a later date, close to early September, is anticipated. Mark Putra, a hydrogeologist and project
manager for the Department of Natural Resources-Horicon, said the contamination
is not a big problem.
Watertown
Republican, 05 01 1895
The Lawn Tennis Association is being
reorganized for the coming season. Last
season's grounds on Seventh street, near Western Avenue, has been rented and
the courts will soon be put in as good shape as possible.
Watertown
Republican, 04 24 1895
G. A. Stallmann has added to his
ice-cream department a new process gas engine to operate his ice-cream
freezers. He will hereafter be ready to
serve the public with first quality ice-cream.
Cowboys
Watertown
Republican, 03 13 1895
A cotorie of west side lads who
"skipped" from their homes last week to become "cowboys"
returned after a day’s absence. The
eight dollars they possessed did not last very long.
Watertown
Republican, 03 13 1895
Frank Ettner, a butcher employed by
Albert Baumann, was arrested Saturday evening and brought before Justice Stacy,
charged with having assaulted his employer at the latter's market, 4 Main
Street. The evidence showed that the
defendant saw fit to trounce Mr. Baumann as the outcome of a dispute they had
entered into. Ettner, not being very
conversant with the Queen's English, it was necessary to employ an interpreter,
Alderman Kessler, on the case. The
justice imposed a fine of $5 and costs on the assailant, in all about $13 worth
of fun. [Baumann & Kniesel, meat
market, 4 Main St, 1895]
Watertown
Republican, 04 24 1895
While J. Alwardt, a farmer residing on
Hustisford Street, was coming to the city with his team of horses Monday
morning, the whiffletree pin dropped out of the tongue and the horses became
unmanageable. In attempting to gain
control of them he was thrown from the wagon and dragged a considerable
distance on West Cady Street before they were stopped. Dr. Masterson attended him. Several severe but not serious scalp wounds
were the result.
Watertown
Republican, 01 09 1895
This week Fellermann &
Fischer, the newly-formed firm, are selling out the stock of clothing owned by
them, and formerly contained in the W. A. Beurhaus store, the sale taking place
at 205 Main Street (Cole's block.) Some
rare-good bargains are offered.
Messrs. Sellerman & Fischer
announce that on March 1 they will open a dry goods grocery house in the new
Kusel building. This move will no doubt
be hailed with delight by residents of the west side.
More on Fellermann & Fischer . . . .
Watertown Republican, 03 06
1895
Fellermann & Fischer enjoyed a most
auspicious opening of their new goods and grocery house at 106 W. Main Street
last Saturday. The occasion brought
crowds of visitors to the store throughout the day, and numerous were the
surprises met with.
The Messrs. Kusel
have wrought their spacious new building into a very handsome and convenient
place of business for the young firm, who occupy the first floor and the
basement, affording quarters
that are complete in every appointment.
As one enters the store the brightness
and crispness marking a brand-new institution are everywhere evident, and the
excellent light from both the front and rear is most satisfactory to the proper
exhibit of goods.
Messers. Fellermann & Fischer were
showered with many congratulations over their very successful inauguration in
business in Watertown, and they report a profitable day's business that totally
eclipsed their expectations. The west
side has reason to be proud of its new mercantile house, and all will wish for
it unqualified success.
More on Fellermann & Fischer . . . .
Watertown
Republican, 07 03 1895
After July 15 the firm of Fellerman
& Fischer, 106 West Main Street, will be dissolved and the business
conducted under the style of Charles Fischer & Son, the senior member of
which purchases Mr. Fellerman's interest.
We wish the new firm every success in the mercantile world.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
W. W. Owen [Owen, Wallace W] has opened
a new horseshoeing shop at 311 Market Street, between Third and Fourth
streets. He was formerly engaged in the
same business here and, being a first class horseshoer, all this old patrons
will be glad to learn he has again engaged in business here.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
Annual Meeting of Phoenix Hose Company No. 2 Held
At the annual meeting of Phoenix Hose
Co. No. 2 the following officers were elected:
Foreman—Albert Borchardt
Assistant Fireman—August Henze
Hose Captain—Louis Schultz
Asst. Hose Captain—Robert Sell
Secretary— Fred Zipfel
Treasurer— Frank Sell
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
On July 1st the law firm of Davies,
Mulberger & Lueck will vacate their offices in the Merchants Bank annex and will thereafter occupy
offices in the Hertel & Hoffmann block in Main Street, which have been
specially fitted up their extensive law business.
Wm. F. Gruetzmacher
City Agent
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
William F. Gruetzmacher is Watertown
agent for city maps and street railway guide of
Greater Milwaukee interurban lines to Racine, Kenosha, Muskego, East Troy,
Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Watertown, Port Washington, Sheboygan, Plymouth and
Chicago; city lines of Racine and Sheboygan.
This is a very complete pocket pamphlet and will be found convenient for
the traveling public.
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
Mrs. J. [Minnie] Kohl has sold her
grocery store in [Main, E, 306] Main Street to Charles A. Kohn, who will
conduct the business at the old stand.
Mrs. Kohl will engage in the manufacture of potato chips for the
wholesale market.
Watertown Outdoor Art Association
Prizes are Offered for Outdoor Work
Watertown
Gazette, 05 07 1909
Another boost was given the outdoor art
work at a meeting of the Watertown Outdoor Art Association held last Monday
evening at the city hall. Ex-Mayor H.
Wertheimer presided. The resignation of
Mrs. F. E. Woodard, vice-president, was accepted and Mrs. John G. Conway was
appointed to the vacant office. Plans
for the campaign of 1909 were outlined and a number of prizes were offered for
the best amateur landscape gardening, or the beautifying of waste places and
the like . . .
t More Watertown Outdoor Art Association t
They Plan for City Beautiful
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
The Outdoor Art Association Wants River
Front Improved and Signs Removed
Huge, flaring, gaudy signs may be good
advertising but they completely destroy the beauty of any view no matter how
attractive the surroundings may be.
In a great many places this line of
advertising was carried to such extremes that steps have been taken to suppress
it. The trouble is that these signs are
located at points very attractive and conspicuous in themselves and where they
are bound to prove the greatest eye sores and do the most harm.
The Watertown Outdoor Art Association
feels that all its efforts to improve the general appearance of the city are
greatly handicapped by a number of these great and glaring billboards and
signs.
This is especially true of the views
along the river fronts.
If the people once realize fully how
ugly these advertisements are and how they detract in every way from any
outdoor improvements, public sentiment will soon be aroused against them so
that they will have to go. Only we take
these things for granted and get so used to them that we do not appreciate how
they impress the outsider.
Let the citizens when they cross Main Street bridge look up and down the river
and they will soon see what is wrong and will surely be able to make valuable
suggestions to the proper parties. If
such an agitation is kept up it will bear fruits sooner or later. Now is the time to cut dandelions before they
go to seed. Get right at it.
Ends Own Life
Watertown
Gazette, 05 28 1909
The Chicago
American of Thursday of last week contains the following account of the
suicide of Julius Baeslau, formerly a resident of this city and at one time
employed in George Zoelle's
barbershop. His remains were brought
here on Saturday for interment . . .
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 24 2009
UW Health
Partners Watertown Regional Medical Center has announced the opening of its
new Neurology Center. By providing
outpatient consultation and comprehensive diagnostic testing, the center offers
regional residents state-of-the-art neurological care not previously available
locally. Earlier this month, the
Neurology Center provided residents with the first telestroke program in the
state. The telestroke program provides
stroke patients and their families with the immediate expertise of a stroke
specialist, allowing patients to receive comprehensive stroke care without
leaving the community. In the event more
complicated stroke care is needed, the telestroke program facilitates a smooth
transition of care to UW Hospital in Madison.
In addition to providing emergency stroke care, neurologists provide
outpatient consultation, evaluation and treatment of neurological disorders for
adults. Conditions commonly cared for by
neurologists include epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other
neuromuscular disorders.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 29 2009
Dedication of new Public
Works Facility; tours of facility.
Children had the opportunity to get up close to city trucks and
construction equipment.
City officials considered several
properties to construct the new public works building over the past several
years and about two years ago they determined the site of the old facility was
the most logical location on which to construct a new operations headquarters.
Maas Brothers of Watertown was the
lowest bidder of the six construction firms that submitted bids for the project
and was awarded the contract to construct the project in the spring of
2008. The local company, along with
Angus Young and the many subcontractors who worked on various aspects of the
construction, brought the project in ahead of schedule and comfortably under
budget.
The street department started moving into the new facility in
December of 2008.
Opens in Beaver Dam
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 03 2009
Lifestar Emergency Medical Services has
opened a new station in Beaver Dam and is waiting to serve the citizens in the
area. Lifestar Emergency Medical
Services, which was founded in West Bend in 1995, offers transportation to
hospitals and interfacility services 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The
business, which also has a station in Slinger, provides basic life support,
advanced life support and critical care transport levels.
Lifestar is looking beyond that area to
Watertown, serving the Watertown community through Beaver Dam. Lifestar Emergency Medical Services bills
insurance companies directly and charges a base rate of $350 for transport
services and $675 for interfacility transfers.
There is also an extra charge of $8 per mile.
The Watertown
Fire Department charges a base rate of $525 for residents needing transport
services and $625 for nonresidents. The
city department's base rate for interfacility transfers is $750 for residents
and $850 for nonresidents. In addition
to the base rates, residents are required to pay $11 per mile and nonresidents
must pay $11.75 per mile.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 04 1984
Eileen M. Scott, area coordinator for
the Watertown campus of the Madison Area Technical College, has announced her
retirement effective at the end of the contract year. Miss Scott, who has served in the top
administrative post for MATC-Watertown the past nine years, said she wanted to
give someone else an opportunity. During
her retirement, she said she plans to remain active in the community. Appointed by the Area Board of Educational,
Technical and Adult Education District No. 5 in 1974 as the first woman area
coordinator, Miss Scott's educational career has spanned 43 years. Prior to her nine years with MATC, she worked
as a high school guidance counselor in Watertown and many years in teaching and
guidance in Johnson Creek.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 04 1999
Led by a $3.2 million expansion project
at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 1509 S. Third St., new
construction in Watertown in the month of March totaled a healthy
$5,440,794. The St. Luke's project
includes a 10 classroom school facility and a church expansion. The school facility, which will be owned by
St. Luke's but jointly operated with Trinity congregation, will include 10
classrooms, a middle-school sized gymnasium and other auxiliary space needs.
This is a special invitation to come and
see your new, attractive public works facility
on First and Western Avenue, Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. This open house is a great opportunity for
Watertown’s residents to see firsthand what an impressive building and grounds
our city’s street department now has for its operations. This new public works facility fixes a
long-standing problem within our street department. The Public Works Commission, city council and
Mayor Krueger can take pride in knowing our 100+ year old street department
building has been replaced with a modern, efficient and affordable public works
facility at its current site off South Second Street. For several years, discussions occurred
within the street department and at our city hall over how, when and where to
upgrade our street department building.
A space needs study by Angus Young Engineering/Architects four years ago
suggested a new 76,500 square foot facility.
Other studies and reports made the case for a new building and larger
site as soon as possible. Much time on
this facility issue was spent on location. In each case, various parcels were
viewed as undesirable for one reason or another. In the end, our existing site at 810 S.
Second St. was chosen as the best place for our street department due to its
central location for efficiently delivering city services. With the purchase of three land parcels,
along with our existing site, 6.9 acres was set aside for a new public works
facility. With justification for a new
facility in place and the issue of site resolved, cost was the next item to be
addressed. T he main facility is 72,000 square feet. However, there are many “soft costs” that
have to factored in, such as engineering/architectural fees, site acquisition/
improvement costs, building demolition, construction of a new fuel island and
cold storage building along with the relocation of our salt/sand storage
building. The cost of this project was
estimated at $6,483,639, with Resolution 7270 authorizing up to this amount, on
Oct. 16, 2007.
On March 31, 2008, Watertown’s Maas
Brothers Construction Co. was awarded the low bid from a field of six general
contractors. It is now estimated that
when all is said and done our city will be roughly $1 million under
budget. At the same time, this project
was completed earlier than expected with all personnel, equipment and vehicles
moved in by Dec. 30, 2008. This was no
small order, yet it was accomplished in large part due to the great working
relationship between this general contractor, our engineering/architectural
firm Angus Young and our city employees.
It should be noted City Clerk Mike Hoppenrath and assistant City Clerk
Cindy Rupprecht saved our city thousands of dollars with their timely payment
of bills and other cost saving tips.
Watertown now has a first rate, attractive, street department facility
that will serve our city well for many years to come. Hope to see you on the 29th. After all, this belongs to you.
Ken Berg,
Chairman of Public Works Commission
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 01 1999
A proposal to introduce girls bowling as a letter sport at Watertown
High School won't be considered at this time, the athletic director
said. Ivan Thompson told the school
district athletic committee that his budget would not allow the addition of the
sport, which was requested by Robert L. Schmidt, president of Watertown Bowl
“18” Inc. “At this point in time I said
I could not support it, mainly because of budget limitations,” Thompson said.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 20 1959
Earl E. Mundt,
superintendent of Bethesda Lutheran Home for many
years, has handed in his resignation effective April 1. Thereafter he will be affiliated with the
Church Mutual Insurance Company of Merrill in the capacity of regional
counselor for the southern half of Wisconsin.
Mundt's association with Bethesda Lutheran Home dates back to December,
1951, when he was engaged as business manager.
He served in that capacity until January of 1957, when he was appointed
acting superintendent. Six months later
he assumed full responsibilities of the superintendency, a position he has held
until his resignation at this time.
Cable TV
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 11 1984
Cable services currently included in
Watertown's basic cable package may be cut as a result of the common council's
rejection of a $1.50 per month basic cable rate increase Tuesday night. The council voted 5-6 to reject the Total TV
Central Region's rate increases in basic cable service to $9.50 per month and
additional manual and Zenith convertor service 25 cents to $3.25 and $4.25 per
month, respectively. After the meeting,
Gerald Pauls, regional manager of Total TV, said he will meet with the Cable TV
Regulatory Board to discuss alternatives to obtain needed revenue.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 11 1999
The future looks bright this year for
Wisconsin Furniture LLC, which is rebounding from a fire which destroyed one of
its two manufacturing facilities. Frank
Krejci, president of Wisconsin Furniture which operates under the trade name
The Custom Shoppe, threw a party for employees on Tuesday, one year after the
fire which occurred on March 9, 1998, in Ixonia. The celebration was held at The Custom
Shoppe's new plant in Watertown, giving employees an opportunity to see where
they will be working when the facility opens in three months.
↓ More on The Custom Shoppe ↓
The Custom Shoppe is Open
Watertown
Daily Times, 06 20 1999
Less than two years after a fire
destroyed one of its plants, The Custom Shoppe is open for business in a new
manufacturing facility. Owner and
President Frank Krejci hosted a grand opening celebration Friday night using
the theme of “The Custom Shoppe Has Landed.”
Calling himself the pilot and Mike Smith, general manager and vice
president of operations, and Bert Figi, vice president of finance, as his
co-pilots, he invited employees to stick around for the ride which he predicted
would take the company on a long and successful journey. The new 100,000-square-foot plant in
Watertown, located on the city's south side between Highway 26 and County Trunk
X, is double the capacity of previous plants.
The company also has enough land surrounding the plant to expand in the
future.
and Renovations to Municipal Building
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 21 1999
Mayor Fred Smith Tuesday evening
recommended a cap of $5 million on a new police
facility and renovations to the existing
municipal building. He told the
public works committee any amount higher than that would invite failure at a
referendum which is anticipated for this November. “Is anyone under the impression that we can
pass a referendum for more than $5 million?” Smith asked the panel Tuesday
night. mith met with the committee
Tuesday night to endorse capping costs for the proposed new police facility and
renovation of the present municipal building at $5 million and no more.
Watertown
Gazette,
06 04 1909
Four students at Northwestern University were badly injured
last week Thursday afternoon by an explosion of powder while they were loading
shells in preparation for a sham battle by the military company . . . The force
of the explosion tore out the walls of the room in which the arsenal is
located. While loading one of the
students struck a shell with a hammer and exploded it and powder enclosed in a
shoe carton was ignited and also exploded.
The shock was felt several blocks away.
All are not out of danger and will be all right in a few days. They are being treated at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Homemade Rocket
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 24 1959
A Watertown police officer and two
teen-age boys escaped possible death or at least serious injury when a homemade
rocket, which the boys were attempting to ignite, failed to go off. The incident occurred shortly before 2 o'clock
yesterday afternoon on the small wooden bridge which spans a small arm of Rock
River on Tivoli Island. Officer Clarence
Tessmann, unaware of the rocket, walked within eight feet of it before he
noticed the small piece of pipe propped on a stick. He had been dispatched to the area when the
police department was informed that several boys were playing on ice cakes on
the river.
Watertown Outboarders
Club Fire
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 24 1984
The Watertown Outboarders Club located
on River Road, a popular summer picnic area among boat club members, was
destroyed by fire early Friday afternoon.
The blaze resulted from a strong electrical power surge, said fire
officials. The fire was initially
discovered by an operator of a helicopter traveling over the area. The pilot contacted Watertown Municipal
Airport officials who in turn contacted the Watertown
Fire Department at 1:40 p.m.
According to Fire Chief Donald Asmus, the blaze probably had been
burning 10 to 15 minutes before the department was notified.
Watertown Democrat, 06 09 1859
Mr. W. Millerd
has opened a new and extensive grocery establishment in Cole’s Block in this
city. He has a large and choice stock of
all varieties of family groceries, such as are daily needed, which he proposes
to sell cheap as the cheapest. For cash
or produce. No credit given. All styles of sugars are offered. Syrups and molasses, from common to extra
golden. Coffee and Tea. [Millerd also had a store on Spring Street in
Milwaukee]
↓ More on Millerd Grocery ↓
Millerds New Store
Watertown
Democrat, 09 01 1859
Fine
Hamburg Cheese
Dried
Apples, Peaches, Prunes
Currants,
etc.
Crackers
and Soda Biscuit
And a great
variety of
Groceries
and Provisions.
Millerds New
Store, Main St
↓ More on Millerd Grocery ↓
Millerd Brothers
Watertown
Republican,
09 28 1860
W. Millerd (as will be seen by his
advertisement in this paper), has made an arrangement by which his brother, C.
D. Millerd, Commission Merchant, No. 41, Water St., New York, will attend to
purchasing goods for his grocery stores, both in Milwaukee and Watertown. The style of the firm is changed to Millerd
Brothers. His facilities for business
will enable him to offer everything in the line of groceries, at the lowest
Milwaukee prices to cash buyers, either at wholesale or retail.
↓ More on Millerd Grocery ↓
Millerd Brothers
Watertown Republican, 11 02 1860
Millerd brothers are now receiving a
complete stock of groceries from New York, which can be offered at low figures
for cash. We have now made an
arrangement with C. D. Millerd, Commission Merchant, No. 41 Water St., New
York, to purchase our groceries in that city for our stores in Milwaukee and
Watertown, and as he is always in the market, and will buy for cash, we shall
be enabled to buy cheaper and of course sell cheaper than dealers who depend
upon sending orders for goods, or who visit the city but once a year for buying
goods. Our line will always comprise an
assortment of fresh family groceries, of the best qualities. We invite the attention of families in the
city and country. We shall be very
particular in the selection of our green and black teas. And we shall offer bargains on them as well
as on sugars, coffees in other groceries.
Cash paid for butter, eggs, and produce generally.
W. Millard
S. N. Millard
George Villard,
Agent, Watertown
Post No. 3709,
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 07 1959
The
Beaudoin-Koehler-Draeger Post No. 3709, Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold its
installation of officers on Saturday, April 11.
The following officers are to be installed, Commander, Martin E. Voss;
senior vice commander, Harvey B. Arndt Jr.; vice commander, John H. Johnson;
quartermaster, Harold Barrows; judge advocate, Roland E. Dierker; surgeon, Dr.
D.R. Craine; trustee three years, Les Umland.
The holdover trustees are, Walter Griebenow, two years; Charles
Triexler, one year. The appointed
officers are: adjutant, Wallace R. Fischer; officer of the day, Clarence
Kuckhan; guard, Eugene Garbisch; service officer, Harold Barrows; and youth
activities chairman, Wallace R. Fischer.
1909
Watertown
Gazette, 06 04 1909
At a regular meeting of the Board of
Education last Wednesday evening arrangements were made for the eighth grade
exercises at Turner opera house on Wednesday
evening, June 23, for the High School graduating
exercises on Thursday evening, June 24, and for the school picnic at Tivoli
Island on Friday, June 25th. All of the
present corps of teachers have applied for their present positions excepting
Miss Vivian, Miss Jose Voss and Theo. Gronert.
↓ More on High School Commencement, 1909 ↓
Watertown
Gazette,
07 02 1909
Turner Opera House was packed to the doors last week
Thursday evening to witness the class of 1909 of the Watertown
High School commencement exercises.
There were 42 graduates, all occupying seats on the stage. The Board of Education and teachers of the
High School also occupied places on the stage.
The class colors, gold and white, were entwined over that stage and the
daisy, the class flower, lent beauty to the decorations . . . Judge Sadler’s
address in part said:
“Graduation is
a milestone in your careers. Tonight in
high school halls, tomorrow in the school of life. You are passing through the scenes and experiences
that will grow dearer with the lapse of time.
Cut off from the cares of the world, you have labored together
surrounded by influences which lead to culture, reflection and refinement. Now the scene changes and out into the busy
marts you are to go, each to his place, to take up the duties of life.”
Old World Bakery
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 13 1984
Watertown baker Adolf Winkler has been
named Baker of the Month by The Master Baker, a monthly publication of the
Wisconsin Bakers Association. He and his
wife, Bonnie, own and operate Old World Bakery, 114 W. Main St. The couple was honored in the April issue
which includes several pictures of Winkler and his family along with a feature
story. Winkler had a three-year apprenticeship
in Hanover, Germany. He was employed for
four years with in-store bakeries for Canada's Dominion and Safeway food store
chain. He was with Federal Bakeries in
the United States for one year and with Crestwood Bakery, Milwaukee, for 12
years. He was employed at Hartter's
Bakery, Milwaukee, before coming to Watertown.
Western Industries, Inc.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 19 1988
The sale of
the parent company of Watertown Metal Products-Division of Western Industries
Inc. should not affect the Watertown plant or its employees, a company official
says. Western Industries Inc., a
Wauwatosa based metal fabrication firm, has been sold for $103 million to First
Chicago Venture Capital and a management group.
Western Industries
ranks as the 26th largest private firm in the state and is the parent company
of the Watertown Metal Products Division, located at 1141 S. Tenth St. First Chicago Venture Capital is an equity
investment branch of First Chicago Corp. First Chicago Venture Capital
contributed $20 million to the purchase of Western Industries and is the most
substantial owner.
Watertown
Daily Times, 03 28 1999
Western Industries, parent company of Watertown Metal Products, 1141
S. Tenth St., will be sold later this spring or early this summer. Watertown Metal Products . . .
WESTERN
INDUSTRIES WILL CLOSE
Watertown
Daily Times, 05 16 2018
A letter to
employees dated Tuesday confirms Western Industries, Inc., 1141 S. Tenth St., Watertown,
will be closing its entire production operation here permanently in the coming
days. The firm, according to sources, is
relocating to Schiller Park, Illinois.
Closing will end the jobs of about 85 employees over the coming months. The company notified the Wisconsin Department
of Workforce Development last week, saying layoffs will begin sometime between
July 16 and July 29 and are expected to be completed by Oct. 29.
The Western
Industries Engineered Products Group plant produces components and complete,
custom-designed appliance products, electromechanical assemblies and complex
cosmetic assemblies.
The factory,
known locally as Watertown Metals or Watertown Metal Products, has been an
“institution” in the community for decades.
The plant
makes parts and fabricated assemblies for manufacturers in the agricultural,
outdoor power equipment, commercial vehicle, food service and consumer
appliance markets. The products include cooktops, warming drawers and tractor
parts.
Speyside
Equity, a private-equity firm, purchased Western Industries in December 2016
and calls the Watertown factory the Engineered Products Group (EPG) of Speyside
Steel Fab Holding.
Speyside
Steel Fab also includes Midland Stamping and Fabricating and Craftsman Custom
Metals, both in Schiller Park, Illinois.
The factory
has been operating in the metal products industry since the early 1960s, under
various names and over the course of several owners, and with fluctuating
numbers of employees, said Speyside Steel Fab human resources director Robert
Davis. In 2005, as many as 280 people worked there, Davis said.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 21 1999
Two full-day
kindergarten sections may be added next school year in the Watertown Unified School District. The board of education will vote Thursday on
a recommendation to expand its fledgling program. The board will meet at the Educational
Service Center, 111 Dodge St.
The board
will meet in closed session at 6 p.m. to evaluate the superintendent and then
move into the open portion of its meeting.
This year, the school district began offering four full-day sessions,
along with the traditional half-day kindergarten classes.
Parent
response to all-day classes has been tremendous, elementary educators say.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 15 1959
Max Timm has
disposed of his shoe repair shop at 217 North Second Street to “Shorty”
Polinsky who operates a shoe repair shop at 217 South Third Street. Mr. Timm said today that he will be in his
North Second Street shop until tomorrow noon and persons having shoes to call
for may do so before that time, after which they are to call at the South Third
Street shop. All equipment and supplies
from the Timm shop will be moved to Mr. Polinsky's shop tomorrow. Mr. Timm is giving up his shoe repair work
for reasons of health. He has been
engaged in the work for 39 1/2 years and said he wishes to thank the public for
its generous patronage over the many years he has been in business.
Hydroelectric
Generating Project
Upper Dam
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 25 1999
A federal
commission has recommended ceasing the operations of the hydroelectric
generating project at the Watertown upper dam
[Rough & Ready dam]. The dam's
owner has a pattern of noncompliance with orders since the hydroelectric
project began, a report by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
stated. An exemption for the
hydroelectric operation granted to R&R Hydro, owned by Elaine R. Hitchcock
and based in Kohler, should be revoked, the report said.
↓ More on Dam Power Generation ↓
Upper Dam's Power Generating Operations
Watertown Daily Times, 12 28 1999
A commission is recommending shutdown of the upper Watertown dam's power generating operations and revocation of its operator's license. An environmental assessment by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has concluded that if safety measures on the dam are implemented and the tailrace channel keeps a minimum flow, shutdown of the dam will restore run-of-river conditions. Shutdown would provide the greatest level of environmental protection and enhancement, and would resolve most concerns voiced by Watertown residents and the state's Department of Natural Resources, the study said.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 10 1959
The new
gymnasium of the Watertown High School was transformed
into an exotic South Sea island setting for the 1959 junior prom held Friday
evening. “Bali Ha'i,” a song from the
musical production “South Pacific,” was the theme for the gala affair. One hundred and twenty-seven couples attended
the dance. Highlight of the evening was
the grand march, which was led by the king and queen, Robert Tesch and Karla
Johnsen and their court of honor. In the
court were Charles Harberg and Gretchen Burzynski, Brian Eckhardt and Jane
Uttech, William Loomis and Esther Krause, Kent Karberg and Mayris Saniter, Paul
Fernholtz and Terry Mooney and Richard Rohde and Diane Reinhard.
John
Richards: The Hill and The Mill
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 22 1984
A new book
detailing the life and times of the John Richards family is scheduled to be
published at the beginning of May. Entitled “John Richards: The Hill and The Mill,” the book is the work of
local author Sylvester Quam. He and his
wife Judy are managers of the Octagon House, the Richards family home, and
reside on the Octagon House grounds. The
book is dedicated to Miss Gladys Mollert, former curator of the Octagon House
who was instrumental in the formation of the Watertown Historical Society.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 20 1984
Watertown
Mayor Kenneth P. Thiel cut a ceremonial ribbon and turned on the switch to
officially open city well No. 7 Friday.
The well, located on West Street, is the sixth city well currently in
service and will provide water to meet the city's future needs and present
emergency needs should another well shut down, according to Water Department Superintendent Michael C.
Olesen. Olesen said the 735-feet deep
well, which pumps 1,200 gallons per minute, is part of a five-year projected
plan for the city's water consumption needs.
He added that if the city continues its present growth rate, an
additional well and water tower will be needed by about 1995.
Watertown
Daily Times, 04 16 1959
Herman W.
Howard, 601 South 10th Street, is the new owner and operator of Shaefer Motors,
301 South Third Street. Mr. Howard has
been associated with the concern since 1950.
In 1952 Shaefer Motors was incorporated.
Floyd Shaefer was president and treasurer, Howard, secretary, and
Randall Bauer, vice president. Prior to
the incorporation, Shaefer Motors was owned and operated by Mr. Shaefer, who
has been in the automobile business here for 23 years. The corporation was dissolved with Mr. Howard
taking over the operation of the dealership April 1.
