Stearns County, Minnesota - Chapter 56: Municipal St. Cloud, 1915 (part 2 of 2)

The city engineer was again instructed to draw plans and specifications for a suitable bridge and the city clerk ordered to advertise for bids for the superstructure. The bids were opened on September 7, and all were rejected. A mass meeting was held at the court house September 8, at the request of the council, to consider the bridge question. It was the sense of the meeting that a new bridge should be built upon new piers, but that the cost for the entire structure should not exceed $40,000,.

prepared by the council for substructure and superstructure and a committee appointed to secure aid from the county commissioners. Bids were again called for, and the contract for the substructure was awarded to Foley Bros. & Guthrie for $14,- 600, and for the superstructure to the Penn Bridge company for $26,150. The contract for the substructure was awarded November 13, 1893, and the entire bridge was I completed and ready for use June 15, 1894. ; ing, at which the question was argued by representatives for the company and for the petitioners, F. E. Searle acting as the spokesman for the company and P. J. Scherger for the petitioners. The committee reported back to the council August 17, recommending that the city, through its proper officials, notify the Water Works company that the council wished to avail itself of the right to purchase the plant. The city attorney here stated that should the city desire to purchase the water works and should it be necessary for the city to issue bonds for such purpose, the general law of the state would restrict the city in respect to the amount of the bonds it might issue to ten per cent of the assessed valuation. The assessed valuation of the city was $3,235,- 000. Ten per cent of this amount was $323,- 500. The bonded indebtedness was $220,- 000. The difference between these two amounts, or $103,500, might still be issued within the law. The company contended that the plant was worth $160,000 but the representatives of the petitioners believed that $60,000 was a fair valuation. The council, however, feared that the appraisement might go over $103,500, and so the report of the committee was not concurred in.

The bonds of the city were issued in the sum of $18,000 to run for twenty years, $3,000 to be used for permanent improvements and $15,000 to pay the floating indebtedness of the city.

The annual election held in April, 1896, resulted as follows: Mayo, C. F. Ladner; treasurer, Charles Dueber; aldermen, 1st ward, C. L. Atwood; 2nd ward, John De- Leo; 3rd ward, Peter Spaniol; 4th ward, John Wimmer.

1896-97 - President of the council, John A. Wimmer; city clerk, James A. Martin. The annual election, held April 5, 1897, resulted as follows: Mayor, Samuel Mackrell; treasurer, John M. Rosenberger; aldermen, 1st ward, J. F. Stephens; 2nd ward, John Coates; 3rd ward, J. F. Bradford; 4th ward, Chris Schmitt.

1897-98 - President of the council, James F. Bradford; city clerk, James A. Martin. In the fall of 1897, a city lock-up was built at a total cost of $1,287.51.

The contract for constructing the Fourth avenue sewer, in sewer district No. 1, was awarded August 8 to Webster & Blake for $18,050.31. Extra work brought the total to $20,745.49. The contract for building the stone arch sewer in sewer district No. 2, was awarded January 1, 1900, to Carl Kropp for $4,354.00.

On January 2, 1900, on the recommendation of City Attorney G. W. Stewart, the Lake George boulevard improvement, known as improvement No. 22, was abandoned. The city engineer was directed to prepare descriptions, plans and specification for a new improvement. On March 5th these were presented and adopted, and the improvement designated improvement No. 97. The actual cost of the improvement was $23,000.00, and the Board of Public Works was directed to assess $5,000 of this amount against the benefited property.

The annual election held April 2, 1900, resulted as follows: Mayor, J. A. McDonald; treasurer, John M. Rosenberger; aldermen, 1st ward, J. F. Stephens; 2nd ward, John DeLeo; 3rd ward, Andrew Hennemann; 4th ward, Chris. Schmitt.

1900-01 - President of the council, James F. Stephens; James A. Martin city clerk. The city attorney was instructed to advise the council upon the following points:

First, whether or not the city could offset damages sustained by private water consumers, for the fact that the water was impure, against hydrant rentals earned by the Water Works company under the ordinance. Second, if not, what remedy the city had to insure a performance of the contract in regard to the furnishing of pure water. On the first point he held that the council had no legal right to deduct damages sustained by domestic consumers from the contract price for hydrant rental, and he cited a number of supreme court decisions to support his opinion. On the second point it was his opinion that the first step to be taken was to have the state board of health approve a system of filtration and purification of the water before it is pumped into the mains, as the ordinance which governs the company provides that this shall be done. If the company failed to put in such filters and purifying processes as the state board of health should approve, then there would be three remedies open to the city.. First, by the forfeiture of the franchises and rights of the company under the ordinance. Second, by an action for the specific performance of the contract. Third, by an action of mandamus.

The Water Works company was duly requested to provide filtered water, but they asked for time to look up the matter and ascertain what was the best method of filtering. After waiting six months for some action from the company, the council appointed a committee to investigate and consider the matter and to recommend some definite action to be taken. The committee reported that the -water was not being filtered and that no effort was being made to filter it; that samples had been sent to the state board of health, who pronounced it impure and unwholesome; and that many cases of typhoid fever existed in the city for which the water was probably responsible. They recommended that, unless the company furnished pure and wholesome water at once, steps should be taken to annul the contract and the city assume charge of the plant.

On October 23 the board of directors of the St. Cloud Public library petitioned the council to increase the tax levy for library purposes from one-half mill to one mill, the additional revenue over and above what is received from the one-half mill to be set aside as a building fund.

On February 21, 1901, the mayor transmitted to the council an offer of Andrew Carnegie to put up a free library building costing $25,000, on condition that $2,500 be appropriated annually for maintenance and that a proper and suitable site for such building be provided. The Reading Room society provided the site and the council passed an ordinance for levying $2,500 per year for the maintenance and support of the library. All the conditions having been compiled with, Mr. Carnegie provided the funds and the building was constructed.

On June 3, 1901, the Water Works company's bill of $4,025.00 for hydrant rentals was recommended by the committee to be not paid until the company supplied pure and wholesome water suitable for domestic purposes. The report was referred to the city attorney, who reported at a subsequent meeting that the city had good cause of action against the water works company, and recommended that the committee's report be adopted, which was done.

At the following meeting of the council a committee representing the second mortgage bondholders of the water works plant sent in a communication in which they stated that it would cost to put in an adequate sand filter, having a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons per day, from $55,000 to $60,000; that a first-class mechanical filter would cost about $40,000; and that the cost of operating either kind would be not less than $2,500, and would probably reach $3,000 per year. This expense, they believed, made it impossible for them to put in such a system. They proposed, however, to put down wells on the upper levee, and undertake to secure an adequate supply of pure and wholesome water, if the council would allow the hydrant rentals then due. This was answered by a motion instructing the city attorney to institute and prosecute such suits and actions and take such legal steps as might, in his judgment be proper to cancel, annul, revoke, vacate and set aside ordinance No. 74 of the ordinances of the city and all contracts, rights, franchises and privileges granted thereby to Henry Phelps, Edmund G. Sykes and David D. Brooks, for having failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the ordinance, and in particular for having failed to filter and purify the water furnished in a manner approved by the state board of health. This motion was adopted by an 8 to 5 vote, and D. T. Calhoun was employed to assist the city attorney in the case.

brought suit against the city in tlie federal courts for water rentals due, but the case was dismissed on the city filing a demurrer to the complaint. A new suit was then started in the district court.

1902-03 - Chris. Schmitt and C. D. Grino'ls were candidates for the office of president of the council. Eighty-four ballots were had without any choice. The council then adjourned to April 17, when Chris. Schmitt was elected president and Henry J. Limperich city clerk.

The matter of paving was taken up for the first time during this year. The city engineer and the committee on streets and alleys were directed to report at the next meeting of the council as to the cost of laying at least four different kinds of paving, the report to include granite, vitrified brick, macadam and asphalt. The property owners were invited to state in writing whether they favored paving and what kind they preferred. The city engineer reported July 7 that he had addressed letters of inquiry to the sixty-five property owners on St. Germain street, between Ninth avenue and the Mississippi river, in regard to paving, and had received thirtythree replies. Fifteen of these were in favor of paving, and eighteen opposed to it. Of those in favor of paving eleven favored macadam, one granite blocks, two asphalt and one brick. A motion made to pave St. Germain with macadam was lost by a vote of 11 to 3.

At a special meeting of the council held May 9 Dr. H. M. Bracken, secretary of the state board of health, reported on the case of typhoid fever in the city. He stated that the city water examined by the state board of health had been found bacteriologically impure, and that the city could not obtain a supply of pure water from I the river without filtration. He pledged

Sanitary Engineer Wilson, of the state board, stated that from the investigations he had made it seemed to him very likely that the typhoid fever epedemic was caused by the city water. He believed that it was contaminated with typhoid germs, which could be eliminated by a proper system of filtration.

The water works company was requested to give Mr. Bracken and Mr. Wilson such assistance as they required in their investigation of the city water supply.

On June 11 the water works committee and the city attorney were authorized to make an offer to the Water works company on behalf of the city to buy the water works plant, including the pumping station, water tower and mains for $65,000. This was done, but the offer was declined. Matters then dragged along until November 3. when J. M. Addman, vice-president of the Industrial Trust company, addressed a communication to the council. He desired to know whether the council would forthwith direct payment in full of the hydrant rental then due, and instruct its counsel to dismiss the suit brought to annul the company's franchise, if they installed a suitable filtration plant within a reasonable time.

The water works committee answered with the following recommendations: First, that the city offer the sum of $75,- 000 for the company's plant, and in settlement of the outstanding bonds and in full payment of the accrued hydrant rental. Second, that if the offer is not accepted and the company will install within a reasonable time a suitable purification plant, the suits now pending be dismissed and the company be paid, as soon as the filtration system is completed and approved by the state board of health, onehalf of the amount claimed to be due for hydrant rentals, less cost, attorney's fees and expenses attending suits.

ported that J.. M. Addman, chairman of the bondholders committee, had notified the council committee that an offer of $75,000 for the bonds and claims against the citywould be accepted. A motion was adopted that the city offer this sum in full payment for the water works property, including real estate, and all machinery and equipments of whatever description appertaining thereto, and in full payment of all claim which the company may have against the city for hydrant rentals. A special election was ordered to be held May 7, 1903, for the purpose of voting on the proposition of issuing water works bonds in the sum of $100,000, which resulted as follows: For the bonds, 510; against, 198. The bonds were offered for sale to the highest bidder, but when the bids were opened, the council not satisfied with any, rejected all, and again advertised for new proposals, but this time offered only $60,000 of them for sale. These were negotiated in due time.

On October 2 the council authorized Alderman Atwood to bid in the water works plant at the mortgage foreclosure sale for the sum of $75,000 for the city. The plant was purchased on the following day for the amount specified, which included $24,000 hydrant rentals. The water works committee was instructed to confer with the citizens' advisory committee relative to the management of the water works plant when the city took charge. The bonds of the city in the amount of $20,000 for the purpose of providing means for a supply of water for the extinguishment of fires were issued to mature in twenty years. This was done that the city as a whole might pay its proportion of the purchase price of the water works plant. The water works committee together with the citizens' advisory committee was instructed to investigate the matter of obtaining a supply of pure water.

The matter of paving was again brought up, when a petition from John Cooper and other St. Germain street property owners was presented. The petition was referred to the committee on streets and alleys. A meeting of the committee was held May 22, to which all the property owners affected were invited. The discussion revealed the fact that only a minority of the property owners had signed the petition, and a motion to recommend the paving of the street was voted down by the meeting. The committee in its report to the council on June 1, recommended that the petition for paving be laid on the table and their report was unanimously adopted.

The first request for the systematic removal of garbage came from the Ladies' Reading Room society and the Schumann club. They petitioned the council to provide for the collection and removal of garbage from the residences in the city. The committee on streets and alleys, to whom the matter was referred, reported that the suggestion in the petition was very appropriate and commendable, and that the matter should have further investigation, but recommended that nothing should be done during that season.

1904-05 - Chris. Schmitt was elected president of the council and Henry J. Limperich city clerk. The first annual report of the water works under the city's operation showed that the total receipts for the year amounted to $18,604.50, and the total disbursements $10,598.80, leaving a balance of $7,905.70 as a net profit.

The annual election held April 3, 1905, resulted as follows: Mayor, John N. Bensen; treasurer, L. J. Rocholl; aldermen, 1st ward, C. L. Atwood; 2nd ward, W. A. Boerger; 2nd ward (unexpired term), John Kaufman; 3rd ward, Peter Spaniel; 4th ward, Benedict Kost; 4th ward (unexpired term), Frances Smith.

In April of this year the ofiice of "Quarantine Oflftcer" was established, his duty being to investigate and report to the board of health all cases of nuisances detrimental to the public health, and to investigate and report the violations of any law, ordinance, rule or regulation made for the purpose of preventing the spread of contageous or infectious diseases, and to aid and assist the board in preserving and

On September 5 the council ordered that a special election be held October 24, 1905, for the purpose of voting on the proposition of issuing water works bonds in the sum of $30,000 to extend the mains and install a filter plant. The vote stood as follows: For, 145; against, 518.

The last chapter of the water works controversy was written during this year. David T. Calhoun, who had been employed to assist the city attorney in the suits against the Water Works company, presented a bill of $4,500 for professional services. The water works committee, to whom the matter was referred, after careful investigation, reported that the bill was exorbitant and unreasonable, and recommended that $2,500 be allowed as payment in full for all services rendered. The citizens' advisory committee recommended the payment of $4,500. A motion to cut the bill to $2,500 was lost by a vote of 4 to 8, and the original bill was allowed by the same vote.

Mr. Starkey, a consulting engineer, was employed to examine into the city's possible sources of water supply, among others, the supply from the Mississippi river, Sauk river and wells, and to advise which was most suitable and feasible; and also to recommend the best system of filtration.

1906-07 - David McCarty was elected president and H. J. Limperich city clerk. The annual election, held April 1, 1907, resulted as follows: Mayor, Louis Brown; treasurer, L. J. Rocholl; aldermen, 1st ward, W. J. Holes; 2nd ward, Frank J. Thielman; 3rd ward, John Lahr; 4th ward, Francis Smith; 5th ward, C. A. Swenson; 6th ward, Geo. H. Miner; 7th ward, Gus. Freeberg.

business section be paved with macadam was presented to the council. The city engineer was directed to prepare plans and specifications, and the work was ordered done by the street commissioner under the direction of the city engineer.

Bids for the building of a new pump house were called for, but all being too high were rejected, and the work was ordered done by day labor under the direction of the superintendent of the water works.

On June 3 the bonds of the city in the sum of $50,000 were issued, pursuant to chapter 62 of the general laws of 1907. The amount received from the sale of the same was used to pay floating indebtedness. The bonded indebtedness of the city reached its highest point April 1, 1908, when it amounted to $318,000, the annual interest being $16,470. The tax levy for 1908 was placed at $67,500.

During this year an attempt was made to obtain a supply of pure water by sinking wells on the upper levee. Nineteen wells were sunk and pure water obtained. The supply at first was adequate, but later the wells filled up with sand and had to be abandoned.

A charter commission was duly appointed by the judges of the judicial districts in which the city is located, pursuant to the provisions of section 749, Revised Laws, 1905, for the purpose of drafting a proposed charter in accordance with section 36, article 4 of the constitution of the state of Minnesota and chapter 9 of the Revised Laws. The commission met and organized by electing Chas. F. Ladner, president, B. Reihard vice president and James E. Jenks secretary. Committees were appointed to whom were assigned the various chapters of the old charter for revision. The commission met from time to time and reviewed the work of the committees, but no changes were made in the charter except such as in the unanimous opinion of the commission were necessary to bring it into closer compliance with modern conditions of municipal development.

The principal changes made were the following: 1. A provision making certain officers elective who under the old charter were appointive. 2. Licensing electricians. 3. Providing for city depositories. 4. For appeals from allowance of claims. 5. Establishing a Water Board and defining its duties. 6. A revision of the chapter on bonds. 7. Regulating public service corporations and the granting of franchises. 8. For an auditor to examine and report upon the public records and the records of public service corporations as a basis for taxation and regulation. 9. A revision of the chapter on special assessments so as to conform with the decisions of the courts. 10. Requiring one of the --^ity justices to reside in East St. Cloud. The proposed charter was then submitted to Mayor Louis Brown by the commission and by him transmitted to the council, with the recommendation that it be submitted to the voters of the city for their approval at a special election to be held at such time as the council should designate. The council ordered that it be submitted at the general annual election to be held April 6, 1908. The vote stood as follows: For the new charter, 1,190; against, 387.

1908-09 - Chris. Schmitt was elected president of the council and Barney Vossberg city clerk. Preparatory to paving with macadam a Kelly-Springfield roller was purchased for $2,750: On January 4, 1909, the city engineer was directed to prepare plans and specifications for a system of sewers for the part of the city lying southerly of the Great Northern railway. On February 1, 1909, the Hon. L. W. Collins, accompanied by the members of the McKelvy Post of the G. A. R., appeared before the council and in a very appropriate address, returned to the city of St. Cloud the sword which had been presented by the citizens of St. Cloud to Lieut. Col. Stephen Miller, May, 1861, and submitted the following letters:

Gentlemen: Stephen Miller, a prominent resident of the then town of St. Cloud, was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the First Minnesota Infantry by Gov. Ramsey, April 29, 1861, and soon after the citizens of the town presented him a fine sword, properly inscribed. Lieut. Col.

Miller was promoted to the colonelcy of the Seventh Minnesota Regiment August 24, 1862, and remained colonel of the regiment until November 6th, 1863, when he was commissioned a brigadier general by President Lincoln. He resigned from the army with a splendid record in January, 1864, at which time he became governor of the state. He died at Worthington, Minnesota, August 18, 1881. Just prior to his death he gave the sword to his only living son, Capt. Stephen C. Miller, with Instructions that should the latter die without a son surviving him, to receive the same, it should be donated to the city of St. Cloud. Capt. Miller, who served as an officer in the Seventh Minnesota, died childless at Washington, D. C, on the 8th day of December, 1908, and his widow, Mrs. Kate Miller, who resides at No,. 1407 L St. N. W., Washington, D.. C, has sent the sword to me with the request that, in compliance with the dying wishes of both father and son, it be delivered to the proper authorities. I now comply with her request, enclosing herewith a communication from her. I know that this memento of a prominent citizen, a distinguished soldier and a capable and efficient governor of our state will be thankfully received, fully appreciated and carefully preserved by the residents of his home town, whom you represent. With the suggestion that it be placed for safekeeping in the Public Library, I am. Yours truly, L. W. Collins, Washington, D. C, January 1st, 1909. To the Mayor and Common Council of

Gentlemen: - The Hon. Stephen Miller, lieutenant colonel of the First Minnesota Infantry, Colonel of the Seventh Minnesota Infantry and brigadier general U.. S. Volunteers, later a governor of the state of Minnesota, was the owner, when he died, of a very fine sword and expressed the wish that when his son died, in the absence of children, it might be presented to the city of St. Cloud. The last of the three sons, my husband, Stephen C. Miller, is now dead, and as he was the last of the Miller family, I wish to comply with Gen. Miller's request and send the sword to the city in which he resided for many years prior to the war. I send this communication through an old friend of Gov. Miller's, L. W. Collins, and also of his son, my hus-

The council adopted resolutions expressing deep gratification at receipt of the gift, and sincerely thanking Mrs. Miller on behalf of the people of the city. The sword was ordered placed in the Public Library for safekeeping.

The first annual election, held April 5, 1909, under the provisions of the new charter resulted as follows: Mayor, Hugh Evans; city clerk, E. C. Scott; city attorney, John D. Sullivan; city assessor, John Schaefer; city engineer, Arthur E. Steiner; city treasurer, L. J. Rocholl; city physician, C. F. Brigham; street commissioner, W. F. Benjamin; water board, Math. Hall, 1 year; John N. Bensen, 2 years; F. Stangl, 3 years; aldermen, 1st ward, James P. Stephens; 2nd ward, John Kaufman; 3rd ward, Jos,. E. Schmidt; 4th ward, J. D. Kowalkowski.

1909-10. - John Kaufman was elected president of the council. The Lake George boulevard matter was again brought up during this year, and the engineer again directed to draw plans and specifications for the improvement, which he presented July 6.

The second annual election under the new charter held April 4, 1910, resulted as follows: Mayor, D. H. Freeman; city clerk, E. C. Scott; city attorney, J. R. Bennett, Jr.; city assessor, W. N. Niskern; city engineer, Sam. Chute; city physician, C. P. Brigham; street commissioner, Frank Lorinser; member of water board, Math. Hall; aldermen, 1st ward, H. A. McKenzie; 2nd ward, P. J. Thielman; 3rd ward, Simon Strobel; 3rd ward, Theodore Streitz, 2 years; 4th ward, Joe Wegler; 5th ward, J. P. MacAuley and Jake Lilliquist (tied) ; 6th ward, Gus Koch and J. A. Harris (tied) ; 7th ward, Eric Larson. There being no election of alderman for the fifth and sixth wards, the council selected one for each ward, pursuant to provisions of the charter, and named J. P. MacAuley for the fifth ward and Gus Koch for the sixth.

1910-11. - Paul Beaudreau was elected president of the council. The charter commission prepared amendments to the charter, providing for the establishment of the so-called commission form of government and a municipal court, and submitted the same to Mayor D. H. Freeman, who transmitted them to the council with the recommendation that a special election be held on primary election day, September 20, 1910, for the purpose of voting on their acceptance. The council adopted a resolution setting the election on the date suggested. The vote resulted as follows: For the commission form of government, 884; against the commission form of government, 740; for the municipal court, 819; against the municipal court, 643. The propositions, having neither of them received three-fifths of the total vote cast, were defeated.

On October 3, P.. J. Seberger appeared before the council and reported on the Lake George boulevard matter for the commercial club committee, stating that much of the property required had been donated by the owners, that some had been purchased at reasonable prices, but that, there was still some for which the owners demanded condemnation proceedings in these cases. He further stated that citizens had subscribed $2,340 to be used to acquire the remaining tracts, and that this fund would be at the disposal of the council as soon as needed. The descriptions of the boulevard improvement were presented at this meeting and adopted and designated as Improvement 156, and the engineer was directed to prepare new plans and specifications. The committee on city property and the city engineer were requested to confer with the commercial club committee in preparing the new plans.

P. L. Randall and P. J. Seberger, representing the commercial club, again appeared before the council December 12 to urge condemnation proceedings and also recommended further changes in the plans and specifications. The changes were made by the engineer and accepted by the council, and the city engineer was instructed to make the proper appraisement and assessment for the improvement, the total cost to be assessed against the benefited property.

Sewer district No. 5 and 5-A were established, the city engineer instructed to prepare plans and specifications for a sewer for the district, proposals called for and the contract av/arded to Carl Kropp for $20,103.06. A sewer district was also established on the East side, and the con-

January 5, 1911, C. A. Gilman offered to donate lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 of block 100 of Lowry's addition for park purposes, upon condition that the park should comprise at least all of blocks 98, 99 and 100 and the fractional blocks lying between these and the Mississippi river, and should be named "Hester Park." This offer was later accepted.

The annual election, held April 3, 1911, resulted as follows: Mayor, Peter J. Seberger; city clerk, E. C. Scott; city attorney, J. E. C. Robinson; city assessor, Geo. S. Spencer; city engineer, Sam Chute; city treasurer, L. J. Rocholl; city physician, C. F. Brigham; street commissioner. Prank Lorinser; member of water board, John N. Bensen; aldermen, 1st ward, N. K. Hunt; 2nd ward, George Deering; 3rd ward, Peter Spaniel; 4th ward, Paul Beaudreau; 5th ward, Jacob Lillquist; 6th ward, William Mclvor.

1911-12. - John Kaufman was elected president of the commission. On July 3, 1911, the charter commission requested the council to appoint a committee of three to confer with a sub-committee of the charter commission and cooperate with them in drafting the new charter embodying the commission form of government. The charter was completed August 25 and adopted by the commission, all signing but two. The draft was then submitted to Mayor P. J.. Seberger, who transmitted it to the council with the recommendation that it be submitted to the voters at a special election to be held November 7. The council set the election for the twenty-eighth day of November, 1911. The election resulted as follows: For the new charter, 942; against, 316. The proposition having received more than four-fifths of the total vote cast waa declared carried.

On September 12 the council advertised for bids for a new fire house. Carl Kropp being the lowest bidder was awarded the contract, but the mayor refused to sign the contract, and in a written communication to the council stated his reasons. The

Four parties owning land in the boulevard tract took appeals to the district court. Messrs. Randall, Seberger and Jenks, of the commercial ciub committee, appeared before the council and stated that three of the parties were willing to settle. The council directed the city attorney to enter into stipulation in the matter of the Tessendorf, Karels and Libert properties, and that the McConnell case be settled in court. On January 22, 1912, deeds for all of blocks 98, 99 and 100 and the fractional blocks east were presented to the council.

The first election, held under the new commission form charter, April 2, 1912, which was the primary election, resulted as follows: Mayor, P. J. Seberger; commissioner, L. J. Rocholl; councilmen, Wm. Campbell, C. F. Ladner, Frank M. Wright, Sam E. Meagher and Wm. Mclvor. Chas. J. Metzroth and E. C. Scott were the candidates for commissioner at the second election. Mr. Metzroth was elected.

1912-16. - The commission form of government went into effect April 22, 1912, and the first officers elected were as follows: For mayor and commissioner of public affairs and safety, Peter J. Seberger; for commissioner of finance and accounts, Lorenzo J. Rocholl; for commissioner of streets and public improvements, Charles J. Metzroth.

Fire Protection and Water Supply. - The first thing the commission did was to have an expert make a survey of the fire-flgnting equipment, including the water works system. It was discovered in this survey that for fourth-class rating the pumps were 1,000 gallons per minute short of standard requirements. One of the boilers was founa to be in very bad condition. It was also found that owing to the small sizes of mains and lack of cross mains, the pipe friction was excessive and caused an abnormal loss of pressure. These deficiencies must all be corrected in order to be given fourth-class rating. The commission desired to get into third class, because that would give a material reduction in insurance rates; but to do this it would be necessary to meet additional requirements laid down by the underwriters' association. It would be necessary: (1) To increase the pump capacity to 3,700 gallons per minute,. (2) To put in through the business district about a mile and a half of large water mains. (3) To increase the fire department to 17 paid men. (4) To have the fire alarm system fed by storage batteries. (5) To enact an ordinance governing electric wiring, with provisions for inspection, and to install an additional hose wagon or to install a combination chemcal engine and hose motor car.

To meet the requirements demanded the commission installed two 3,000 gallon motor-driven centrifugal pumps, and one 1.500-gallon fire pump. This is to be followed by another 1,500-gallon pump as soon as the finances will permit. The capacity . will then be over 4,000 gallons, which is nearly enough pipe on hand to lay the remainder, which will be done during the coming summer. The fire alarm system is now fed by storage batteries. An ordinance governing electric wiring has been adopted. The fire department has been increased from four paid men to seven, and as conditions warrant more men will be added. There was purchased a combination fire truck. In two years more all the requirements will have been met and the city will then be entitled to the reduction in insurance rates.

But that is not all. By substituting the electric pumps for the steam equipment there is saved annually $2,700 in operating expenses alone.. By installing the storage batteries for the alarm system there is saved about $200 a year, and much very dirty and disagreeable work is eliminated. The auto fire truck saves about $400 per year.

The second thing the commission did was to call in an expert to examine the drinking water, and advise the commission what to do to make it safe to drink. Following the recommendations of the expert, there was installed a hydrochlorite plant to sterilize the water, and the commission is now levying $5,000 a year for a filtration plant.

Sanitation and Health. - Previous to the advent of the commission government not much had been done in the way of public sanitation to safeguard the public health.

The board of health wanted to do things, but they could not secure the official support needed. There is now a regular and systematic collection and disposal of garbage and night soil. Some attempt has been made to have systematic collection of ashes and rubbish. This will be thoroughly systematized next year. It is also planned to have regular and systematic collection and disposal of manure in the future, commencing with the coming spring.

Apparatus for testing milk and cream has been purchased, and frequent tests of milk and cream, sold by the dairymen, are made, and a record of the percentage of butterfat, the specific gravity, sedimentation and so forth is kept. Cattle are tested once a year for tuberculosis. A temperature record is kept and each animal tagged and numbered. Each dairy is inspected several times a year, and a record kept of the sanitary condition of the barns, surroundings, milk house and utensils, the condition of the cows, the ventilation of the barn, the food and water supply, and other matters of importance.. The grocery stores, bakeries and meat markets are inspected once a month and scored on cleanliness and ventilation. A percentage mark is given on the general appearance of the meat market, condition of the floors, meat blocks, tools, counters, scales, wash basins, towels, wearing apparel of the employes, refrigerators, meats, basements, toilet and wagons. This record is made on a score card, a copy given to the proprietor of the market, and the original kept on file. A similar record is made of the grocery stores and bakeries.

General clean-up days are designated three or four times a year, when everybody is urged to give special attention to raking and cleaning up the back yards and alleys and to burning the rubbish. The sanitary officer makes regular inspections of alleys, back yards, closets and cesspools, makes a record of the conditions, and orders cleaning where necessary. Between two and three thousand pieces of literature on some subject of sanitation are distributed through the school children to the homes once a year.

system in use was not up to date, and that the price paid was too high. In less than five months from the date the commission assumed office contracts were awarded for changing the entire system. A "white way," or an ornamental lighting system, was installed on the principal business streets, the number of arc lights increased 55 per cent, the lights rearranged to give better distribution, and the system changed from the enclosed arc to the luminous or magnetic, which gives about 35 per cent brighter light. The cost of the 80 enclosed arcs formerly in use was $5,800 per year, and the cost of the 124 lummous arcs will be 7,320 per year, or only $1,520 more. But it must be remembered that 80 per cent more light is furnished at only 23 per cent higher cost. The enclosed arcs cost an average of $71.25 per year, and the luminous arcs will cost an average of $59.00 per year. The white way costs $42 per year per post of five lights each, with 60 watts to each light. The Public Service company installed the system, furnishes the current, globes, lamps and other equipment, and keeps the posts painted and the globes clean and free from dirt, all for the price above named.

Police and Saloons. - The police department has been put upon a more efficient basis, although the force was reduced from eight regular and one park and one bridge policeman to four regular patrolmen, a chief and a sergeant. A police alarm and signal system was installed and a police auto purchased. By an investment of a little over $750 a saving of over $1,700 is effected annually. And the department is doing better work than it has ever done in the history of the city. Laws have never been enforced as conscientiously as now, and the city has never been so clean morally and the people so law-abiding as at present.

There was a time when some of our saloons were dives of infamy, where lewd women were harbored, where young boys were started on a downward career, where innocent girls were taught to drink and do worse, where gambling was carried on with a high hand, and where no effort was made to live up to any law of morality or decency. But things have changed wonderfully. All saloons are closed promptly at 11 o'clock every night and all day on Sundays, and their curtains are drawn to give a full view of the bar. No minors or posted men are permitted to frequent or even to enter a place where intoxicating liquors are sold. When a man spends all his earnings for liquor and neglects or abuses his family he is put on the posted list.

The slot machines and all gambling devices have been thrown out of all public places.. Children are no longer permitted to "rush the can," or in other words to go to a saloon and buy beer by the pitcher or pail for the father or anyone else. Breweries no longer sell or deliver beer on Sundays. Free lunches in our saloons have been abolished and the booths or private rooms have all been taken out.

Sprinkling the Streets. - In 1913 a Sauer auto sprinkler truck was purchased at a cost of $5,800. It is doing the work formerly done by four horse sprinklers at a material saving in the cost of operation. The sprinkling district in 1913 was ten per cent larger than it was in 1912, and yet after paying operating expenses and $2,000 on the purchase price of the sprinkler and interest on the unpaid portion, there was a saving of more than $1,000. The sprinkling of 1912 cost $4,659, but the sprinkling of the same district in 1913 cost only $3,300, making a saving of $1,359. For every lot in the sprinkling district in 1912, there was paid 36.7 per cent higher sprinkling tax than was paid in 1913. If this rate of saving is maintained during the season of 1915, there will be a total saving of over $4,000 to the owners of lots in the district, besides paying the full purchase price of the truck. After 1915 it will be possible to make a further reduction in the cost of sprinkling.

Inspection of Buildings. - The fire marshal and his assistants make regular inspection of all buildings once a year, except in the business section, where the inspections are made once a month. He reports upon blanks furnished by the city the location of the premises, the character of the building, the name of the owner or agent, the name of the occupant, the date of the inspection, the condition of the basement, heating plant, floors, stairways, attic, chimneys, exits, passages or corridors, electric wiring, lighting equipment, smoke pipes, alleys and back yards, areaways, fire escapes and ash receptacles, the location of stoves and ranges, hot air pipes and registers, how much gasoline and other explosives are stored in the building and where, and other matters of importance. The condition or location ol each matter is specifically approved or not approved. A copy of this report is given to the occupant or owner, and he is at the same time given written notice that aJi defects must be corrected at once. Twenty fire prevention "Dont's" go with each report and notice.

The fire marshal reports to the commission all buildings in a dilapidated condition, which are then ordered razed by the commission or the state fire marshal. By this method during the past few years St. Cloud has had many an old fire trap torn down, thereby removing a inenace and an eyesore.

Other Improvements and Savings. - The city has constructed during the past two years more than twelve miles of curbing and boulevarding, laid more than three miles of water mains, put in more than three miles of sewer, paved one of the business streets with concrete, graded a number of streets, acquired about forty acres of land for park and playground purposes, purchased a city hall site for $4,- 818 and levied each year $5,000 for a city hall, fire house and jail, put all water consumers on a meter basis, lowered the water rates about 10 per cent, arranged with the banks to pay 3i/^ and 4 per cent interest on city fund balances, and paid off $40,000 of the city's bonded indebtedness. During the period of service ending January 1, 1915, there were added to the assets of the city new equipment, lands, improvements, etc., valued at more than $75,000.

That the affairs of the city were economically administered is shown by some of the annual savings that have been effected by a change in equipment or in policy, or by the consolidation or elimination of offices, or by the enforcement of ordinances or laws,.

The positions of market master, quarantine matron, and dog catcher have either been consolidated with some other office or entirely eliminated, thereby making a saving of over $1,000 a year, and that without impairing the service in the least. By eliminating the service of park and bridge police and tv/o regular patrolmen, there was a saving of more than $1,700 effected. By enforcing the laws and ordinances justices' fines have increased, and building permit and plumbing inspection fees have been collected, bringing another $1,000 into the treasury. By paying off $40,000 of the city's bonded indebtedness there is an annual saving of about $2,000 in interest. By the installation of new equipment, whereby greater efficiency was acquired, a yearly saving of about $4,500 is made.

Taxation. - The city of St. Cloud has been growing rapidly during the past four or five years, and one would expect the same tax increases here that are found in the cities of the state and nation generally; and so far as the state, county and school taxes are concerned, the increases are revealed in local taxes, but the reverse is true so far as relates to the city taxes. The city rate for 1910 and 1911 was 24.8 and 22.7 mills, respectively, or an average of 23.75 mills. The rate for 1914 is 17 mills, or 6.75 mills less, which is a decrease of 40 per cent.

The state rate for 1914 is 82 per cent higher and the school rate is 18 per cent higher than they were in 1910 and 1911, but the city rate is 40 per cent less than it was in 1910 and 1911. The county rate is about the same.

The city rate, instead of being about 25 per cent higher, to correspond to the general increase of the cities and villages of the state, and as would be expected on account of the higher cost of labor, raw materials, finished products, and the generally higher cost of living, is actually 40 per cent less.

It must be remembered that the commission levies taxes only for city purposes. The state, county and school taxes are levied by other bodies, and each taxing body must be held responsible for its own levy. The commission lowered the levy for city purposes to 17 mills. All the savings have been made, all the assets have been added, all this work has been accomplished in spite of the 40 per cent decrease in the city tax rate. And while this has been done, the total balances on hand have not decreased, but on the contrary have increased substantially. On April 1, 1912, when the commission assumed office, there was total cash on hand in all funds amounting to $50,720.18,. On April 1, 1914, there was a total baalnce in all funds, amounting to $52,803.49, or $2,- 083.31 more than was on hand when the commission took office.

The Water Power. - The possibilities of a developed water power in the Mississippi river had been a matter of serious consideration with the people of St. Cloud almost from the days of its infancy. The natural conditions were favorable for the building of a dam, the banks on either side being sufficiently high, while it was believed the bed of the river was such as to make the retention of the large body of water entirely safe. Surveys made by government engineers showed a fall of eighteen feet between Sauk Rapids and the point where a dam was finally built.

The first movement toward something practical was in 1879 when the legislature passed a bill authorizing the people of the city to vote on the issuing of $50,000 in bonds to secure the construction of a dam across the Mississippi river within the city limits. It was two years later before soundings were made with a view to determining on a location for a dam. At the regular charter election, April 4, 1881, a vote was taken on the issuing of the $50,- 000 in bonds and it was carried by 449 to 24. Prior to this time considerable work had been done on a dam at Sauk Rapids, but the undertaking had been abandoned.

Negotiations were begun having in view the completion of this dam and bringing power into the city by means of a canal, but they were fruitless.

In the fall of 1883 the St. Cloud Water Power and Mill company was organized with a capital of $200,000 to build a dam across the Mississippi river opposite or below the Normal school grounds, with a canal 700 feet long and 100 feet wide on the west side of the river, this being conditioned on the amount of the bonus being increased to $100,000. The proposition was submitted at a special election in January, 1884, and was carried by a decisive majority. It was agreed by the company to deed to the city a mill site and a perpetual lease of 150 horse-power to be used for municipal purposes. At the same time the St. Cloud Land Improvement company was organized to receive, hold and dispose of such lands as might be given by interested owners of real property to aid in the work. These two companies were controlled by the same board of directors, which consisted of seventeen persons representing different interests in the city. An executive committee, consisting of N. P. Clarke, D. B. Searle, W. B. Mitchell, H. C. Waite, J.. F. Stevenson, J. G. Smith and J. E. West had full charge of all the business of both companies.

After a thorough canvass of the city stock subscriptions to the amount of $47,000 were obtained, single subscriptions being limited to sums not exceeding $1,000. Aside from these, $10,000 was subscribed by James J. Hill, president of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba railway company.

Authority having been previously secured from congress and from the legislature of Minnesota for the construction of a dam across the Mississippi river at St. Cloud, active work was begun under the direct management of Capt. J. E. West, in August, 1885, extensive borings having shown that the bottom of the river was underlaid with a bed of blue clay, while the east bank, where the end of the dam was to be made fast, was solid clay. The work continued without interruption until January, 1887, when the dam was accepted by the city. The engineers connected with the preparation of the plans and the progress of construction were Col. Smith, of

The dam, which is 750 feet long, not including the abutments, is a most substantial structure and has stood successfully the test of the intervening twenty-seven years. The foundation rests on 2,500 large oak piles, six feet apart, driven sixteen feet into the bed of the river through the sand and gravel into the bed of clay. The crib work built on these was filled with stone and gravel. Rows of sheet piling made of 2x8 oak plank were bolted to the dam, 350,000 feet being used. Thousands of yards of gravel were piled in above the dam, making it water tight. The abutments by which it is attached at either end run into the banks one hundred and fifty feet. In its construction, 6,000 cords of stone were used, besides a large amount of gravel, about 3,000,000 feet of timber, oak and pine, and 125 tons of iron. The canal is 1,100 feet long, 100 feet wide and 18 feet deep, being filled by means of thirteen large gates. The cost of the dam and canal exceeded $200,000.

As a direct result of the improvement of the water power a plant to manufacture tubs, pails and packages from wood fibre was established, but the machinery not being adaptable and the general methods faulty, the enterprise was a failure after a large amount of money had been expended. A paper mill and pulp mill were also located on the canal and were doing a profitable business when destroyed by fire. The financial conditions at the time were not such as to justify their rebuilding, the situation resulting that the Water Power company was left without any source of income save from the Tileston mill. The interest was defaulted on an issue of $100,- 000 in bonds negotiated after the dam had been completed, and a receiver was appointed by the court to take charge of the property.

In 1893 the St. Cloud Water, Light and Power company was incorporated. This was a consolidation of the Water Power, the Gas and Electric and the Water Works companies, and the business of the new company was to provide and furnish water, light, heat, power and transportation in and about St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids. The capital stock of the company was

$300,000 and the officers were H. M. Byllsby, president; Chas. S. Benson, vicepresident; Jesse A. Chase, secretary; F. E. Searle, treasurer. The times proved generally disastrous for the public utilities of the city, and in September, 1897, C. S. Benson was the receiver for four companies - the Water, Power and Mill company, the Gas and Electric company, the Water, Light and Power company and the Water Works company. In January, 1898, the mortgage to secure the water power bonds was foreclosed and the property purchased by Baltimore parties representing the bondholders, for $124,619.44 and E. E. Clark was appointed local manager.

The St. Cloud Water Power company's franchises and property, including the dam, canal, headgates, etc., which had remained in the hands of the Eastern bondholders headed by Richard D,. Fisher, with local management, was purchased May 5, 1908, by A. G. Whitney, who organized the Union Power company and at once began the building of a new hydro-electric plant, located at the foot of the canal. This company has 29 miles of high voltage transmission lines, tying with St. Cloud the villages of Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, Cold Spring, Richmond, Rockville and St. Joseph, as well as the granite quarry districts, the Great Northern shops, the State reformatory, etc. The latter work was begun in 1912. In October, 1913, the Union Power company completed the construction of an auxiliary steam plant at the dam of 1,000 horse-power, and also a 500 K. V. A. water power plant. The steam plant is planned for four units of 1,000 horse-power each, for use at the St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids dams in case of acciden to the water power or of very low water At the present time there is installed elec trical machinery of 2,575 kilowatts in water power and 1,000 kilowatts in steam A large addition to the water power in stallation will be made during the year 1915 at the east end of the dam, this being the first improvement at that end. The dam is capable of developing 7,500 horsepower.

Gas and Electricity. - The St. Cloud Gas and Electric company was organized and incorporated in August, 1883, with a capital of $20,000. The officers were Wm. Westerman, president; Geo. Setzler, vice-presi- dent; A. L. Cramb, secretary; D. H. Freeman, treasurer; Wm. Westerman, Geo. Setzler, J. P. Hammeral, A. L. Cramb, D. H. Freeman, J. E. Hennemann, F. E. Searle, Wm. Powell, J. F. Bradford, R. C. Junk and H. J. Rosenberger, directors. The stock was all held by local subscribers. During the year of organization and subsequently three and a half miles of gas mains were laid, the gas furnished being "oil gas," the plant being located near the west end of the St. Germain street bridge.

In November, 1887, a majority of the stock was purchased by Ex-Governor Weston and H. D. Upton, of New Hampshire, and the capital increased to $100,000. In December the Electric Light and Power company's franchise and plant were purchased, the consideration being $4,500, the actual amount of the outlay to that date. A lot with one hundred horse-power was purchased at the dam and preparations were made to erect the necessary buildings for an electrical plant. In the meantime the power for running the machinery was obtained from the wheel at the Tileston mill. Light was turned on for the first time December 17, 1887, and by the beginning of the year 1888 five hundred fifty incandescent and two arc lights were in place.

The venture did not prove profitable, and the company went into the hands of a receiver. In 1901 the property was sold under foreclosure for a total of $127,664, by A. F. Howard, of Portsmouth, N. H., chairman of the bondholders' committee. The plant of the Gas and Electric company included the west flume, penstock and building at the dam. It was purchased later in the year by A. G. Whitney.

In 1899 C. M. Hertig, who had organized the Benton Power and Traction company, erected a building 66x100 feet on Fifth avenue north, for the joint use of an electric light plant and the street railway line.. This power became available December 25, being substituted for the power which had been obtained from the elctric plant at the dam for running the cars on the street railway. , This building was also used as a central heating plant, pipes being. laid in Fifth avenue as far south as the Union school building, and the "dead" steam used for heating a number of business buildings and the school building.

In March, 1900, on application of the St» Paul Title Insurance & Trust Company, E. E. Clark was appointed temporary receiver of the Benton Power and Traction company by reason of default in the payment of the interest on $18,000 bonds. In November A. G. Whitney purchased of C. M. Hertig his equity in the plant, and organized a new company, known as the Light, Heat, Transit and Public Service company, having previously acquired the bondholders' interest, the total investment being about $100,000. He at once rebuilt the steam plant, putting in new boilers, engines, etc., starting it up in 1901. The following year the pole line was extended to Sauk Rapids for furnishing that village with lights. The central heating feature was found to be unprofitable and the lines of pipe were taken out.

In December, 1904, Mr. Whitney organ= ized the Public Service company, taking over the properties of the Light and Power company, owning the hydro-electric plant at the dam and the old gas plant; also the Light, Heat, Transit and Public Service company, which included the Hertig steam power plant on Fifth avenue north, and both companies' pole lines.

A new modern coal gas plant was built in 1906, the first product being furnished in January, 1907. There are now eleven miles of gas mains in the city, which will be materially extended during the year 1915. The Public Service company has about ninety miles of 2,300-volt lines in the city and immediate vicinity, furnishing light and heat, as well as power for manufacturing purposes. This company has been active and progressive in all of its building operations by extending its pole lines, and there is no city of its size anywhere which is better lighted or has better service than St. Cloud. The company is given a front rank by electric and also by gas authorities.

Street Railway Company. - While several street car and motor companies had formerly been organized at different times they were without practical result until 1887, on February 28 of which year the St. Cloud City Street Car company filed its articles of incorporation. A franchise was granted by the city council April 9, 1S87, exclusive for thirty years. The capital stock of $100,000 was all subscribed by

A contract was made with W. M. Hewitt, of Superior, Wis., for the construction and equipment of the line. Work was begun September 10 and the first round trip made October 3, 1887, the line extending from Eleventh street, south up Fifth avenue to St. Germain street, out St. Germain street to Ninth avenue, north two blocks and east one block to the (old) Manitoba passenger station. The equipment consisted of two cars drawn by horses. On this initial trip the lines were held by J. R. Boyd, as the driver of the first street car ever run in St. Cloud. The regular drivers were N. F. Reynolds, Ed. Cullen and Smith. The party aboard included a band, with a number of the officers and stockholders of the company. The time required in going from the dam to the Manitoba depot was forty minutes. R. L. Gale was the first superintendent.

After the expiration of about four years with horse-car service, it was decided advisable to change to electric power and secure an extension of the lines. Following a period of negotiations the sale of the street car line was completed September 28, 1891, the purchaser being Howard C. Levis, of St. Paul, vice-president and treasurer of the Northwest Thomson-Houston Electric company. The stock of the St. Cloud City Street Car company, 1,800 shares, was surrendered, and with it the plant, the holders accepting a price considerably less than its cost. Electric power was substituted for horse power, and the track was relaid with new and heavier rails. The line was extended from the dam to the Great Northern car shops and to Sauk Rapids, through East St. Cloud, for each of these branches a bonus of $10,- 000 in city lots adjacent to the line being given. With the reorganization of the company, H. M. Byllsby of St. Paul was

The line was completed from the dam to the Great Northern shops and the official opening made June 24, 1892. Three cars were put on by the company, giving a car each twenty minutes, with a fourth car held in reserve. The force at the time of the opening was composed as follows: X S. Bassett, superintendent; Chas. Beidleman, assistant superintendent; barn foreman, F. O. Wood; conductors, J. Lindbaum, C. P. Baxter, J. Harris, W. P. Gullett; motormen, C. F. Winters, J. Gustave, W. H, Baddy, J. H. Rice.

The line to Sauk Rapids from the east end of the St. Germain street bridge was completed in October, 1892, but it was not until June 16, 1894, that the first car propelled by electricity crossed the bridge.

In August, 1895, the St. Paul Title, Insurance and Trust company again began proceedings for the appointment of a receiver by reason of default on $125,000 in bonds, and E. E. Clark was appointed receiver, until a reorganization was effected.

In 1899 the reorganized company also defaulted and went into the hands of a receiver. The stock was purchased by C. M. Hertig, who, as has been already said, organized the Benton County Power and Traction company, put up a building with machinery to generate power by steam for use both by his electric plant and the street car line. At the end of a few months Mr. Hertig's property was in the hands of a receiver. A. G. Whitney came into possession of the street car line as well as the electric plant, continuing however to operate the former through the receivership until December 27, 1905, when it was reorganized as the Granite City Railway company, with a capital of $100,- 000. Mr. Clark, who had been the receiver, after the reorganization of the company by Mr. Whitney, was continued as manager until his death, March 15, 1914, and to his untiring labors under great difficulties is due much of the credit for the final success of the enterprise. It is now in a prosperous condition, furnishing not only the city with good service, but also Sauk Rapids, Waite Park and the Great Northern railway company's shops. There are nine miles of track, seventeen cars, and a large

As will be seen from the foregoing outline these corporations, comprising the public utilities of the city, are under the control of one man, Albert G. Whitney, who has shown great business ability in taking them when they were wrecks, having all passed through repeated stages of bankruptcy, and placed them on a good, sound foundation, to his own interest and to the interest of the people they serve.

Fire Department. - The history of St. Cloud's fire department begins with a public meeting held at the courthouse December 16, 1864, in accordance with a resolution previously passed by the town council, at which St. Cloud Pioneer Fire Company No. 1 was organized, with the following officers: J.. L. Wilson, foreman; James K. Miller, first assistant; Addison Gilmore, second assistant; G. S. Mattoon, secretary; C. C. Tobey, treasurer; August Riehm, steward.

It was on November 27, 1865, that Little Giant Engine Company No. 1, the first company of real fire fighters, was organized in George Herberger's paint shop. The engine secured was a small hand-tub, the old "Prince" machine of St. Paul, the first fire engine brought into the state of Minnesota, purchased second-hand, with 300 feet of rubber hose, which had to be filled with water and soaked before it could be used. The first foreman was John R. Clark, who served one year; succeeded by Henry Lunkenheimer and Gerhard Lieser, the second year; and these by C. A. Leagle, who served for twelve years, broken only by the terms of Sheriff Mickley and B. Overbeck. In 1864 he was succeeded by Sebastian Schaefer. During all these years until 1871 the outfit was stored in any old shed or barn that was available. In that year the company at its own expense secured and fitted up fairly satisfactory quarters and later bought two fire bells. In 1873 the city voted $3,000 in bonds with which a first-class Hanneman hand engine was purchased with 600 feet of hose, received in July.

In 1873 the first department was organized with Frank D. Hall chief; in 1875, Lorenz Enderle was chief; in 1876, J. M. Rosenberger, for six years; 1882, J. Andrew Benson; 1883, Jos. H. Kostenholz; 1884, Chas. Leagle; 1885, John Coates.

In March, 1876, the Hook & Ladder Company was organized, with a farm wagon for a truck and a set of old ladders, a good outfit being secured later. L. A. Evana was the first foreman, succeeded by C. W. Kingsbury, L. W. Collins and P. R. Griebler.

Immediately after the completion of the water works system Hose Company No. 1 was organized, with G. S. Curtis foreman, succeeded the following year by J. E. Henneman. This company had a fine cart and 1,000 feet of hose. At this time the Little Giant Company disbanded, its hand engine, which had done duty so long and faithfully, being useless.

Hose Company No. 2 was organized January 5, 1886, at which time 1,000 feet of new hose was purchased to be divided as equally as possible among the three companies.

December 22 following, the Little Giants reorganized as a hose company, with Frank Beste foreman; M. Burkle, first assistant; Jos. Griebler, second assistant; W. P. Remer, secretary; H. Tenvoorde, treasurer. This company fell heir to the apparatus of the original company.

St. Cloud has an excellent fire protection and a well-equipped Fire Department. The Central station is located on Seventh avenue North, between St. Germain street and First street North. Plans are under way for the building of a combination city hall, fire house and city offices, to be located south of the postoffice on Eighth avenue South.

The equipment consists of one hose cart, one hose wagon, one American La France fire auto truck, which is a combination chemical, ladder and hose truck of the most up-to-date type, being 70 horsepower and is one of the best automobile fire ap- paratuses in the United States, one American La France hook and ladder truck equipped with extension ladders, chemical hand fire extinguishers and other miscellaneous equipment, 3,500 feet of good hose, a Gamewell fire alarm system with a siren whistle at the pumping station, this system consists of 18 alarm stations and is fed with electric storage battery. There is also an alarm by telephone connection.

The paid department and the volunteer department was organized in the spring of the year 1892. William Albrecht was appointed chief of the Fire Department and served from 1892 to 1900. In the spring of 1900 John Coates was appointed chief and L. A. Moosbrugger was appointed assistant chief. In April, 1901, Louis Moosbrugger was appointed chief of the Fire Department and city fire marshal and served until April, 1912, when Geo. G. Magnuson was appointed chief and fire marshal and served until April, 1912, when he was appointed to the position of city fire marshal and city clerk, L. A. Moosbrugger being again appointed chief of the department which position he still holds.

During the spring of 1911, Fire Marshal Magnuson with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal's Department made a vigorous campaign of removing old buildings and fire traps by condemnation, each owner was given 30 days' notice in which time they were to remove the buildings and in most cases all complied.

During the year 1911 and the year 1912 forty-seven buildings were condemned and removed, among the most prominent buildings were the following: Grand Central Hotel barn, located on St. Germain street, between Fourth and Fifth avenues. The Spicer building. No. 811 St. Germain street; E. E. Clark barn, located at the corner of Fifth avenue and Second street South; McGregor Sash and Door factory, located north of the high school, known as the Union school building; Reichert barn, situated on First street North, between Fifth and Sixth avenues; Market Hotel and Market Hotel barns, located on First street North, between Seventh and Eighth avenues; Geo. Wakely dwellings, situated at the corner of Seventh avenue and First street South; Lahr blacksmith shop, same location; McClure store buildings and warehouses, No. 415 St. Germain street; McClure barns on Tenth avenue North; six barns located in the alley, between Fiftlj and Sixth avenue between St. Germain street and First street South; the Collins' barn, situated on Second street South, between Seventh and Eighth avenues.

Nineteen fire escapes were erected on all three-story buildings, including hotels, schools, and mercantile establishments with public halls, although it was necessary to cause ten arrests and convictions to complete the work. All doors on public buildings of the city were changed to swing outward - all of which greatly reduced the fire hazard.

St. Cloud Bridges. - An act of the territorial legislature of Minnesota approved March 2, 1856, designated J,. L. Wilson, H. T. Welles, S. B. Lowry, F. Sisson, G. P. Brott, J. P. Wilson and R. C. Burdick as incorporators of the St. Cloud Bridge company. The project lay dormant, with the exception of a survey, until March 2, 1865, when the original act received a number of important amendments. On the 15th of January, 1866, almost exactly ten years after the passage of the territorial act, books were opened for the subscription of stock and May 10th a meeting was held for the purpose of electing a board of directors. An adjournment was taken until June 5th, when the following directors were elected: H. C. Waite, J. P. Wilson, L. A. Evans, H. T. Welles, N. P. Clarke, Chas. Taylor, H. C. Burbank. The directors organized by electing H. C. Waite president, and L. A. Evans secretary and treasurer.. A survey of the river was or- dered to be made, but no definite action was taken until August 10, 1867, when tlie directors made a proposition to the city council to turn over to it all the rights and franchises of the company, without any charge beyond the refunding of the money already paid, if the city would agree to have the bridge completed within one year from that date; or the company would proceed with the construction of the bridge if the city would give a bonus of $8,000 in bonds payable in five years at ten per cent interest. The latter proposition was at once accepted by the council, which action was unanimously ratified at a public meeting of citizens subsequently held.

The company promptly took up the matter of building the bridge. There was a lively strife among the business interests affected as to the location. St. Germain street offered $6,650, while Chapel street offered $6,000, whereupon the bridge was located at the foot of St. Germain street, where it stands today. The secretary was authorized September 23 to close a contract for the construction of the bridge with Chas. A. F. Morris, of St. Paul, and Col. Wm. Crooks was appointed to superintend the work on the part of the company. Assessments were made from time to time until December 28, by which date the stock subscribed for had been fully paid. The following is a list of the stockholders, with the amount of stock taken by each: H. C. Waite, $2,500; T. C. McClure, $2,500; H. C. Burbank, $2,000; N. P. Clarke, $2,000; L. A. Evans, $1,600; L. Cram, $1,000; L. Gorton, $1,000; H. T. Welles; J.. W. Tenvoorde, N. Lahr, W. B. Mitchell and Sarah N. Tobey, $500 each; John Zapp, B. Vossberg, A. Schroeder and Elizabeth Cram, $200 each; J. G. Smith, $100.

A proposition previously made by E. B. Litchfield of New York, on behalf of the railroad interests he represented, to give $5,000 in case the bridge was constructed, was accepted at a meeting of the directors January 11, 1868. The amount paid the contractor was a fraction over $38,000, which with the work done directly by the company brought the cost of the structure to about $42,000. The bridge was approximately 700 feet long, with two piers, the stone for which was brought by rail from St. Paul.

It was opened for foot passengers April 6, 1868, and for teams April 8. The formal opening took place April 11, when the mayor, the members of the common council and other officers of the city, preceded by the brass band and escorted by the fire company and artillery company, marched from the courthouse to the west end of the bridge, where the exercises took place. Addresses were made by Mayor Curry, H, C. Waite, the president of the Bridge company, Gen. C. C. Andrews and others, after which the assembled citizens crossed en masse to the east side and after recrossing dispersed, all being highly gratified that the Father of Waters bad been so successfully spanned. The toll rates were five cents for each foot passenger and twenty-five cents for teams. Jos. E. Wing was the toll keeper. These toll rates were reduced January 1, 1875, to double teams over and back, 25 cents; single teams over and back, 20 cents; foot passengers, 2^^ cents, being a reduction of one-half.

A strong feeling existed that there should be no toll rates whatever, that the river should be spanned by a free bridge, thus enabling the people to pass and repass at their pleasure. It was believed that this would be especially beneficial to the business interests of St. Cloud. In response to this sentiment the directors of the Bridge company at a meeting held P'ebruary 18, 1874, had offered to sell the bridge to the city for $20,000, but this proposition did not meet with favorable consideration. Nothing further was done for several years, by which time the plank floor had reached a condition which rendered traffic unsafe,. The Bridge company made a proposition in the early spring of 1878 that the city either purchase the bridge and make it free or contribute a reasonable sum toward its repair. The matter was submitted to a vote of the people in April and the majority being adverse, the directors adopted a resolution directing that the bridge be closed, stripped of its plank and the piers offered for sale. For a time the only means of reaching the railroad station on the east side was via the Sauk Rapids bridge. The situation became intolerable, and an offer of $5,000 made by the city for the bridge was accepted June 7, a previous offer of the Bridge company, made May 6, to sell foi

$7,000 in fifteen-year bonds or $6,000 in casli having been declined. Contracts were made in July with D. S. Burns, of Sauk Rapids, for rebuilding the trestle work forming the approach to the east side for $7,024; and with H. E. Horton, of Rochester, to remove the superstructure, including the west approach and two long spans, and rebuild with one span of fifty feet and two spans of 232 feet each, the superstructure to be part iron and part v/ood and be four feet higher than the old bridge, thus better suiting the grade of St. Germain street, the entire cost to be $17,- 000. The bridge was completed and teams began crossing October 18.

Tenth Street Bridge. - A bill passed the legislature in 1889 authorizing the issuing of $80,000 in bonds for the purpose of building a bridge across the Mississippi river at Tenth street south, subject to a vote of the people. The question was submitted at the annual charter election April 1, 1889, and was carried by a vote of 1,004 to 374. On the thirteenth of the following November a contract was made by the city council with the St. Cloud Bridge company, composed of D. T. Calhoun, C. F. Macdonald. P. R. Griebler, A. F. Robertson and Frank Tolman, for the construction of the bridge for the sum of $81,876, to be completed by June 1, 1890. This company in turn made a contract, January 9, 1890, with Foley Bros. & Guthrie to build the bridge complete for $50,- 500, exclusive of the grading, to be ready for crossing by July 1, 1890. The cost of the bridge when fully completed, including the grading, was $53,600. The final payment to the bridge company by the city council was made July 9, 1890, the total of the payments being $81,876. The bridge is iron, of the Pratt type, four spans, each 201 feet 6 inches long, resting on solid granite piers and abutments; roadway, 20 feet wide.

It was understood by everybody when the bond issue was voted that there would be a considerable margin to be used in providing bonuses for manufacturing industries. Of this margin $10,000 was promptly given to the Anderson sawmill.

which was struck by lightning and burned soon after it was built. It was rebult in 1892, but was afterwards destroyed by fire, and the site abandoned. As is the general history of municipal bonuses, St. Cloud derived very little benefit from its investments along this line.

Telephone Exchange. - The first telephone service in St. Cloud began in July, 1883, a charter having been granted the Northwestern Telephone company by the city council for a term of ten years. Connections had been made with St. Paul and Minneapolis the previous October. The exchange started off with 38 instruments in place, the rates being $4.00 per month for business houses and $3.50 for residences. The toll rates were 25 cents to subscribers and 35 cents to non-subscribers for a ten-minute talk with either St. Paul or Minneapolis.. The exchange was in the rear of Thos. Jones's blacksmith shop and Chas. Jones was superintendent. The results were mutually unsatisfactory, and December 12, 1884, the instruments were taken out and the exchange closed.

In the summer of 1887 the Erie Tele' phone company renewed the line between St. Cloud, Minneapolis and St. Paul, bringing this city within speaking distance of the Twin Cities. The toll office was in Montgomery's bookstore.

A year later, in the fall of 1888, C. P. Wainman, general superintendent of the Telephone company, was in the city and renewed the promise made the year before to put in a local exchange. But it was not until December 5, 1889 - five years almost to a day after the first lot of instruments had been taken out - that the new exchange was opened, with 44 subscribers; Owen Hines acting as superintendent, with Miss Shields operator. In October, 1896, B. G. Fahnestock succeeded as superintendent.

The exchange, which had been in the McClure block, was transferred January 1. 1904, to the First National bank building, the system at the same time being greatly improved and brought up to date. The ringing of bells was done away with, the "common battery" or "relay" system being installed, a tiny electrically lighted lamp in front of the operator indicating the number of the caller who had taken down his receiver.

In January, 1906, negotiations were completed whereby the Northwestern Telephone company secured control of the Minnesota Central Telephone company, with offices at Willmar. It had been organized in 1897 with a capital of $50,000 and covering an area of about 200 miles, which had increased until the territory covered was 2,000 miles and the capital almost a million dollars. The Sauk Centre and connecting rural telephone lines were purchased in June of the same year.

A district office of the Northwestern Telephone company was established in St. Cloud, in August, 1906, covering at the present time 22 counties, representing 7,793 of its own instruments and connecting with 3,900 more. Forty-six rural lines run out from the St. Cloud office, and in the district are 300, with 135 country exchanges, in all representing 65,000 telephones.

In the year 1914 the company erected a modern fireproof building on Sixth avenue, between St. Germain street and First street north. It is 51 by 56 feet, two stories and finished basement, brick with stone trimmings, costing with the lot $31,- 000. In all its appointments it is fully modern, and is capable of extension, as the business may demand, to the full depth of the lot. There are now 2,151 instruments on the switchboard of which 1,642 are in the city. In 1910 the number of city instruments was 896, the increase during the past five years having been 896.

There are sixty persons connected with the company who are permanent residents of St. Cloud, handling the business here, and an average of 100 more are worked in crews, during the entire year, from the St. Cloud office. The investment in this city is $225,000.

The present district officers of the company are: M. L. Lane, commercial superintendent; Fred Speechly. district commercial manager; J. A. Schroeder, local commercial manager; I. A. Hyde is district plant chief; H. W. Ricker, district traffic chief.

At an election held September 17, 1912, an ordinance was adopted admitting the Tri-State Telephone company and giving it a franchise to erect poles through the streets and alleys of the city for long distance service, but without a local exchange.

The Public Library. - Probably the handsomest public building of Stearns county is the library in St. Cloud, erected with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, Esq. It is built on a site presented by the Ladies' Reading Room Society, and sustained by a perpetual tax amounting to a minimum of $2,500 per annum, supplemented by occasional generous gifts from the Ladies' Reading Room Society. The first recorded library of St. Cloud was formed in 1857, the nucleus being a collection of books presented by Edward Everett to the schoolhouse bearing his name and sent by him in recognition of the honor. The first Public Library association was formed June 8, 1865, at a meeting held at the residence of Z. H. Morse for this specific purpose. An organization was effected by the election of Mrs. C. Bridgraan, president; Mrs. L. Cramb, vice-president; Miss Minnie Morse, secretary, and Mrs. J. N. Mason, treasurer. It was resolved to hold regular meetings every alternate Thursday evening of each month. Invoices of books for circulating purposes were received from New York from time to time and at the regular annual meeting held June 13, 1867. Mrs. C. Bridgman was again elected president; Mrs. H. C. Waite, vice-president; Miss Minnie Morse, secretary, and Mrs. H. P. Bennett, treasurer. The society was reported to be in a flourishing condition and a large number of new books were intransit from New York to Dr. Silas Marlatt as custodian, whose drug store was used as a library.

The following year Mrs. Bridgman was re-elected president; Mrs. N. F. Barnes, vice-president; Mrs. N. P. Clarke, secretary; Mrs. H. P. Bennett, treasurer. The library (called the Union library) received an addition of 128 volumes of new books, and was removed from Marlatt's drug store to P. Russell's residence and for several years thereafter was housed in private dwellings, being open on Friday and Saturday afternoon of each week from two to nine o'clock. Books were contributed from time to time by the members to be added to the library. At the annual meeting of the Ladies' Library association held June 10, 1869. the following named officers were elected for the ensuing year: Mrs. H. C. Waite, president; Mrs. Charles Taylor, vice-president; Mrs. N. P. Clarke, sec- retary; Mrs. J. H. Owen, treasurer. Resolutions were adopted providing that each lady entertaining the society became entitled to full membership for the year; those not entertaining could obtain membership by paying $5.00; book rentals, 15 cents per week.

The war between two factions of the Library association, which had been waged during the past year, resulted in each side electing its own set of officers in June, 1872 - one headed by Mrs. J, H. Owen, with N. F. Barnes, librarian, and the other with Mrs. J. E. West, president, and Mrs. N. W. Allen librarian, the library being in the custody of the latter. At these meetings a committee of three was appointed from each to bring about an amicable settlement of the existing differences. At a meeting of these committees, held July 2, it was decided to incorporate the Library association, with a board of nine directors, four from each side, the ninth to be selected by these eight.

The St. Cloud Library association was duly incorporated December 2, with Mrs. Mary Tobey, Mrs. A. West, Mrs. D. M. Sprague, C. Bridgman, L. W. Collins, T. C. Alden, J. H. Owen and T. C. McClure, trustees. The library was removed to E. Tobey's bookstore and kept open every day.

Trustees were elected from time to time until October, 1878, when the library, which had been in Hall's bookstore, was temporarily closed for the reason that the receipts were not sufficient to pay expenses. It was re-opened at the beginning of the following year in a room adjoining that occupied by the city council, with N. F. Barnes librarian. The next year the quarters were shifted to the telegraph office over L. Clarke's store, "with Master Willie Wakefield in charge." This shuttlecocklike existence of the library continued until March 31, 1883, when the city council accepted the tender of the books by the Library association, making it, under the provisions of the law of 1879, a public library, to be known as "The St. Cloud City Library." L. W. Collins, G. S. Spencer, B. Reinhard, J. E. West, Frank Tolman, Theo. Bruener, N. F. Barnes, P. B.. Gorman and H. J. Rosenberger were appointed by Mayor Macdonald, April 28, 1883, the first board of directors of the St. Cloud City

Library. The board organized May 11 by electing J. E. West, president; Geo. S. Spencer, vice-president; N. F. Barnes, secretary and treasurer.

In June, 1884, through the efforts of N.. F. Barnes, the librarian, 93 volumes, all that remained of the original donation by Edward Everett, were obtained from C. Bridgman, in whose custody they had been, and placed in the library.

In 1880, February 12, the Ladies' Reading Room Society was formed with the announced intention of purchasing a home for the library and securing the services of a paid librarian. It was not until April, 1886, that a rented location was secured and $300 voted toward the maintenance of a room. Since that date the Ladies' Reading Room Society has given in financial aid or expended for furniture, pictures, etc., over $13,000 for direct library aid. The Reading Room Society was incorporated in March, 1882. so that it might legally become the owner of some real estate with the intention of purchasing a site for the city library, which meanwhile was housed in rented quarters in various parts of the city. February 8, 1901, the West Hotel, in which it was then located, was entirely destroyed by fire. The books and fixtures were saved with the exception of a loss of $1,422.46, which the insurance companies paid, and February 9, before the ashes were cold, two of its citizens, without each other's knowledge (one being the late H. C. Ervin, a member of the board of education and by whom a part of this paper was prepared) applied to Andrew Carnegie for aid, and on February 18 he responded with an offer to give $25,000 if the municipality would furnish a site and guarantee the appropriation of at least $2,500 annually to maintain the library. The city council accepted the proposition and passed the necessary legislation. The Ladies' Reading Room Society collected the money needed and purchased and presented the site on which the building now stands ($2,000 of the amount being subscribed by James J. Hill) ; Patton, Fisher & Miller, of Chicago, being selected as architects. The contract for the building was awarded to Carl Kropp, and on November 1, 1902, the building was occupied, the total cost having been $25,933, of which Andrew Carnegie's gift of $25,000 was used and $933 paid from the general fund. Competent builders have since asserted that the board had expended the money so wisely that the result showed the handsomest Carnegie Library ever erected for a $25,000 gift. The Ladies' Reading Room Society, in addition to presenting the site, also pre- ,sented four beautiful St. Cloud polished granite columns for the auditorium and the handsome oak furniture, tables and chairs necessary. Judge Loren W. Collins presented a handsome brass tablet, manufactured by the J. & R. Lamb Co., of New York, and reading as follows:

Donated By The Ladiies' Reading

"THIS TABLET IS INSCRIBED TO ANDREW CARNEGIE THROUGH WHOSE GENEROSITY THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN ERECTED UPON A SITE DONATED BY THE LADIIES' READING ROOM SOCIETY. 1902."

The Carnegie Library is of classic design, built of Roman brick, with St. Cloud granite basement and terra cotta trimmings, with St. Cloud granite steps, polished granite columns, exterior and interior, and faces 77 feet on Fifth avenue upon a lot 132 feet in width and the same in depth. At the rear of the building is the stack room, 62 by 32, containing the books in steel stacks. It is lighted by an art glass ceiling with wide side windows and has a capacity of 35,000 volumes. The ceiling is 18 feet high and will permit, should the occasion ever arise, the doubling of the stack capacity by a second story of steel stack shelves. The library at the close of the year, June 1, 1914, contained 12,497 volumes, had a circulation that year of 36,357 books; 576 new ones were added during the year, and was operated during the year at a total expense of $3,042.42 for new books, magazines, salaries, fuel, light, etc. The contribution from the Reading Room Society this year was $350. The present library board consists of C. F. Ladner, president; Mrs. Mary L. Stewart, vice-president; Mrs. E. Everett Clark, secretary; Paul Ahles, Dr. P. M. Magnuson, Dr. J. H. Beaty, Mrs. W. B. Mitchell, Mrs. Martin Molitor and Mrs.. E. F. Moore. Mrs. Marie Brick is the librarian.

Among those who had previously served as librarians were: Mrs. N. W. Allen, N. F. Barnes, Ellen Davis, Lizzie Beebe, Julia Harte, Ida Biggerstaff, Jennie Owen and G. S. Spencer.