Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin - Chapter 3, 1880 (part 10 of 15)

" The natural channel for communication through Lake Winnebago and Fox River to the Great Lakes, and through the latter to the Atlantic cities, connected with the inherent wealth of the city, forms a combination of advantages seldom found in one place, and have led far-seeing and sagacious business men to make investments in Fond du Lac, not for purposes of speculation, but for permanent residences and thorough business transactions. And, although the city has not grown with the rapidity which has marked the progress of many Western places, it has, been continually increasing with steady pace, in population and enterprise, measuring its business by the legitimate wants .of the population ; hence, it has never suflFered the paralytic influence of re-action from feverish excitements. The prosperity of each year has given its successor momentum, until, with its increased ratio of progress, it is becoming a city of no small importance. Eastern capitalists already manifest their shrewd forecast by purchasing real estate in Fond du Lac. Mechanics of all kinds here find ready employment and high prices for labor. Many of the buildings erected in the early growth of the city were constructed on the principle of securing the greatest amount of room with the least possible expense. The present season [1854] witnesses the erection of noble structures of stone, brick and cement.

" There are at present four school districts in the city. District No. 4 embraces more than half the population of the place. It has a spacious and well-constructed schoolhouse, a library filled with well-selected volumes, a small cabinet of geological specimens, outline maps and other useful apparatus for giving instruction. The yard is enriched and ornamented with shade trees, and has a fountain of water. The schqoil is graded, consisting of a primary, an intermediate, and a higher departipent. A well-qualified teacher is employed in each about ten months during the year, and in the winter the Principal has an assistant in the higher department. There is no school in this section of the State better adapted to give a thorough English educa. tion to the youth of both sexes than this. It gives to all the children of the district the advantages of a school of a high order, and furnishes the surrounding country with some of its most approved and successful teachers. It is truly one of the noblest institutions of this thriving city. The other three districts have hitherto maintained separate schools upon the unclassified plan, but have recently agreed to unite, and establish a school of the first order. When that is accomplished, Fond du Lac may justly be proud of the educational advantages which are afibrded to all the children of the city, without regard to wealth or caste. There are in the city about nine hundred children, between the ages of four and twenty years, most of whom attend the public schools a portion of the year. The amount expended for school purposes in 1853 was $2,072.31.

" The Wisconsin Female Seminary was established in the year 1853, by Rev. 0. W. Cooley and wife, at the city of Fond du Lac. The object of its founders was to secure to the young ladies who should avail themselves of its advantages, a liberal, finished and Christian education. The institution passed the ordeal of its first term with encouraging success, and has commenced its second term with cheering prospects for the future.

" The church edifices in the city are one Roman Catholic, one Episcopal, two Methodist Episcopal, one Congregational and one Baptist. The Catholic and Congregational have both been enlarged since their erection, but the increase of population has increased their congregations beyond their capacity for accommodation, and larger structures are demanded. The others were more recently erected, and are yet equal to the wants of the worshipers. There is a Freewill Baptist Church, but they have not a house of worship ; they occupy the Union Schoolhouse. There are now eight resident clergymen, whose talents and usefulness will compare favorably with their brethren of other cities.

" The Catholic church was organized in 1848, with about thirty members, under the administration of Father Rerhl, who resided at that time in Calumet. But, as their numbers increased, they built a Church edifice, and the congregation was watched over by Father Anthony Godfert, who, after staying three years, was succeeded by Father Louis Dael, who is now [1854] in charge. The church now numbers about two thousand members, thoagh not all residents of the city.

" St. Patrick's Temperance Society was organized on the 17th of March, 1854, with about fifteen members. It now numbers 250, not one of whom has broken the pledge. They hold their meetings the first of each month, when an address is delivered by some one of the members. The Catholics are about erecting a spacious church edifice 130 feet long and 60 feet wide, to be built of stone. They intend to have it completed the present year.

"The first regular missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who prea,ched in Fond du Lac County, was Jesse Halsted, who formed a class in Taycheedah, in 1842. In 1848, Rev. Harvey Bronson organized the M. E. Church in the village of Fond du Lac, with six members. The Presiding Elders to the present time [1854] have been W. H. Sampson, W. Wilcox and W. G. Miller. The Pastors have been H. Bropson, Joseph Lewis, M. L. Noble, H. R. Colman, H. Requa, J. S. Prescott, E. Tucker and E. S. Grumley. There was a second church formed in the North Ward in 1852. The South, Ward church now numbers [1854] 138.

" The first Baptist Church of Fond du Lac was instituted May 21, 1845, with eight members. H. Hovey, W._ H. Card and S. Cornelius, Jr., have successively been Pastors of the church. Since the settlement of the present Pastor, a commodious and convenient house of worship has been erected through his persevering efibrts, at a cost of $3,000. The present number of members [1854] is about seventy.

" The Congregational Church, the largest Protestant church in the city, was organized by Rev. Stephen Peet, July 20, 1845. It consisted at its organization of nine members. In September, 1846, Rev. L. C. Spafford assumed the pastoral charge of the church, and continued in that relation until the autumn of 1852. In 1849, a house of worship was erected, at a cost of $900. When Mr. Spafford left the church, it numbered some seventy-five members. In June, 1853, Rev. Silas Hawley, Jr., of the presbytery of Geneva, N. Y., became Pastor of the church. In the autumn ensuing, such was the increase of the congregation, that a large addition was made to the house of worship. But such has been, and is still [1854], the crowded state of their house, that the members are about to erect one of the largest and finest church edifices in the State. It will accommodate at least 1,000. They have an architect now East to procure the best model. During the brief pastorate of Mr. Hawley, there has been an increaee of the members of the church of seventy-five pprsons.

" St. Paul's Church of Fond du Lac was organized September, 4, 1849. The number of communicants at that time was four ; at the present time [1854], forty -four. The edifice was completed and consecrated July 18, 1852. Rev. Joshua Sweet became Rector of the parish September 4, 1849, and resigned June 24, 1854.

"There are now [1854] in the city of Pond du Lac nine physicians, two dentists, sixteen lawyers, two landscape and portrait painters, three daguerrean artists, two joiner-shops, five carriage factories, five tin-shops, three saddle and harness shops, one tallow chandlery, eight boot and shoe stores, one brewery, four cooper-shops, one billiard-room, three saloons, thirteen groceries where liquors are sold, thirteen grocery and provision stores, one jewelry and music store, one gun and ammunition store, five blacksmith-shops, three livery stables, two cabinet and chair factories, one book-bindery, three bakeries, thirteen dry-goods stores, one leather store, two hat and cap stores, two drug stores, four clothing stores, two tailor-shops, one candy factory, three meat markets, one plow factory, one fanning-mill shop, three bookstores, one music store, two oil and glass stores, one tobacco and cigar factory, one cap factory, two barber-shops, one paintshop, one water-power saw-mill, one sash, door and blind factory, two steam saw-mills, one steam-power planing machine, six millinery stores, eight hotels, one bank, one bank of exchange and brokerage, twelve lumber merchants, two hardware stores, one jewelry store, and one county jail without an occupant.

"Between the opening of the spring and July 10, 1854, there were erected in the city of Fond du Lac, ninety-seven new buildings. There were between 250 and 300 mechanics employed in the place, besides the common day laborers. The annual sales of several of the leading dry-goods houses average about $30,000 each; the grocery and provision stores, $10,000; clothing stores, $10,000, and hardware, $35,000. The annual sales of each of the tin and stove stores average about $10,000, and of meat markets, $10,000. The amount of lumber sold annually is estimated at over 12,000,000 feet. About 6,000,000 shingles are manufactured and sold each year. The population of the city is estimated at a fraction less than 5,000. Since 1850 [to 1854], the capital and business of the place have increased in a higher ratio than the population, which has £^t least doubled. In the mean time, the resident lawyers have decreased about forty per cent, and places for the sale of intoxicating drinks, about fifty per cent. These, together with the fact that in the county jail there is not a prisoner, are encouraging tokens that the civilization and morality of the city are improving. There are four daily mails to Fond du Lac, and eight weekly and tri-weekly mails. Since the post office was established in 1838, it has been in charge of John Bannister, M. C. Darling, Thomas Green, J. A. Eastman, Samuel Ryan, Jr., G. W. Tompkins and G. W. Weikert. Its present revenues [1854] are $1,824. There are received at the office weekly, seventy-five mails, and the same number made up, besides the distribution of twenty-five bags of newspapers."

Fond Du Lac Post Office

The first post office was opened and kept by Colwert Pier, in the Fond du Lac Company's log house, before he had a commission and before there was any regular mail or mail carrier. He was the first Postmaster, and received the first mail on the 5th of February, 1888, which was brought by Baptiste Lavigne, a half-blood Frenchman. Thereafter, mail was received and sent once in two weeks, and consisted mostly of papers from the East, and letters which had no envelopes, but were dexterously folded aad either sewed with thread or sealed with wax. The revenue of the office did not exceed, during the first year, $1.50. Mr. Pier kept for his neighbors parcels of mail sent from Green Bay, before this time.

The second Postmaster was John Bannister, who kept the office in the same log building. He was made richer by the trust at the rate of $3 per year. He became Postmaster soon after the death of Colwert Pier's wife in the spring of 1838, and continued to hold the office about a year. In the meantime, a new mail-carrier had succeeded Baptiste Lavigne, whose name was Narcisse Baudoin. He was a swarthy and tireless half- Frenchman, who brought the mail once a week. He never failed, no matter what the condition of the roads or weather.

Mr. Bannister was succeeded by Dr. M. C. Darling, who removed the office from the Company's house to his own house, on the corner of First and Main streets, where Darling's Block now stands. He continued to hold it until a mail contract was secured, when he resigned, and Thomas Green, who was keeping hotel for Dr. Darling, on the corner of Main and: First streets, was appointed in 1842.

John A. Eastman, now of Benton Harbor, Mich., succeeded Mr. Green in 1845, and held the office until April, 1849. The post office proper was a small blue desk, furnished by the Government, which could be carried under the arm. Mr. Eastman removed the office to his law office, which stood about half-way between First and Second streets, on the west side of Main;

In April, 1840, Samuel Ryan was appointed by President Taylor to the office to succeed John A. Eastman, being the first Whig Postmaster of Fond du Lac. He moved to a building just north of what is now Baker's Bank, on the east side of Main, near the head of Forest street.

In September, 1850, C. M. Tompkins was appointed Postmaster, and he removed the office to Davis & Tompkins' little law office, between First and Second streets, on the west side of Main. This was by far tod small for the business, which was soon after, in 1851, moved to the Lewis House, on the corner of Main and Sheboygan streets, where the Patty House now stands.

In 1852, Franklin Pierce was elected President, and, as Mr. Tompkins did not expect a re-appointment, being a Whig, he resigned in favor of his partner, Alexander Davis, who was a Democrat. This scheme was defeated by Congressman John B. Macy, in the winter of 1852-53, before the inauguration of Pierce, and George W. Weikert was appointed. After a time, the office was removed by him to what is now Fuerstnow's building, on the west side of Main street, two doors below Division.

- In May, 1861, J. C. Lewis was appointed Postmaster by President Lincoln, and the office moved to the rear of the wooden building then used by the First National Bank, on the corner of Forest and Main streets,the entrance being on Forest. Mr. Lewis was re-appointed in 1865, but resigned in May, 1866, and James M. Gillet, now deceased, was appointed to succeed him by Andrew Johnson, but was removed in the fall of the same year. Edward S. Bragg, a Democrat, was appointed to succeed Mr. Gillet.

Early in 1867, R. M. Lewis' name was sent to the Senate by the President of the United States ; but it was afterward withdrawn, only to be sent in again April 19, 1867. At the second nomination, Mr. Lewis was immediately confirmed. Just before Mr. Lewis' appointment, the office was moved by Mr. Bragg to the Amory Block, corner of Macy and Division streets.

In May, 1869, James Colemain was appointed by President Grant to succeed Mr. Lewis. He moved the office into the present quarters, on the corner of Forest and Macy streets, November 1, 1873. He was succeeded by J. H. Hauser, in March, 1877. About the middle of October, 1879, Mr. Hauser was removed, and, on the 22d of the month, Thomas W. Spence, who now holds the office, took possession.

The present post-office building was erected by W. C. Hamilton in 1873, especially for the purpose for which it is now used. It is a three-story structure of brick, complete in every respect, and of ample proportions.

In July, 1865, a money-order department was. established, but its transactions at that time amounted to but very little. Nowit is one of the most important branches of the service. In 1838, the Fond du Lac Post Office ha4 a revenue of less than $3 per year, and received and sent mail once in two weeks. Now the revenues are $15,000 per year, and 130 mails are sent and received each week. The number of pieces of mail dropped into the office in 1877 was 1,576 per day ; in 1879, the number was 2,617 pieces per day. This is not included in mail matter brought from surrounding offices.

The first step taken to protect the village from fires was in March, 1848, when John Bannister and A. L. Ellsworth were appointed Fire Wardens. In May, of the following year, the sent a petition before the Council, or Board of Village Trustees, asking that a suitable fire engine be purchased. The petition was laid on the table with dispatch, and a resolution passed that three Fire Wardens be appointed for the ensuing year. E. W. Davis, W. A. Dewey and

C. A. Goss. were appointed such ofiicers, and their duties prescribed. They were to "take charge of all fires," and give orders to citizens and bucket companies engaged in fighting flames. But they could not demolish any fence or building at any fire without an order from two of the Village Trustees. This, although not intended as a joke, was bandied about as such. The ridiculous features of the matter were made prominent by the waggish citizens, who declared that if a fire should occur in the night, when the village ofiicers were asleep, or at a time when they were absent from their platce of business, everything adjoining the fire must of necessity be allowed to burn, as no consent could be had to demolish such property as might prevent further spreading ofthefiames.

It was also ordered by the Trustees that any person refusing to obey the Fire Wardens, should be fined $5 and costs, and that a similar fine should be imposed on all persons who neglected to keep open a scuttle-hole in their houses, or provide ladders which would reach the roof.

On the 3d of September, 1849, a meeting of the citizens of the village was held for the purpose of organizing a bucket company, to consist of not less than thirty members. E. W. Davis was chosen Chairman, and J. Hall, Secretary. E. Perkins and J. Hall were appointed a committee to secure pledges of those who were willing " to dip, stand in line and pass it, or throw water." The company was finally organized, and buckets, hooks and ladders were procured by the city. These buckets were of leather, with peculiar bails. The bottoms and seams were stitched with " waxed ends," making a very strong receptacle, which would suffer no injury from harsh or careless handling.

There was an order promulgated, that, in case of fire, any pails or buckets oflered for sale could be seized by the bucket company, and, in several instances, G. N. Lyman's store, as well as others, were emptied of their pails in short order. If any were damaged or lost, prompt payment was made to the owner.

The company, which was composed of some of the foremost citizens of the place, had many opportunities to " dip, stand in line and pass it, or throw water." On one occasion, a line was formed from the block on the east side of Main street, between First and Second, to the river. The thermometer was 22° below zero, and, when the buckets contained any water at all at the end of the line next to the fire, it was frozen to either the outside or inside of them. Very little could therefore be done to stay the flames, although a score or more worked until their hands, noses or ears were frozen. This opened the eyes of the inhabitants to the necessity of obtaining a good fire engine as a more effective means of extinguishing fires, and the matter was freely discussed. Discussion seems to have been a favorite pastime of those days, for, during the next two years, nothing else was done in the way of furnishing further protection against destructive fires. Finally, in 1854, the City Council authorized K. A. Darling to go East and purchase a fire engine. At Troy, N. Y., he found and purchased for $2,800 a hand-engine, which for that sum was delivered at Fond du Lac in October, 1854. The next month, the organization of a fire company was begun.

Washington Volunteer Company, No. 1. - The first meeting to organize a fire company was held in the rear of Darling, Wright & Co.'s bank, on the corner of Main and First streets, and was attended by K. A. Darling, George W. Sawyer, C. N. Snell, Thomas H. Green,

D. W. C. Wright, L. F. Stowe, Edward Farnsworth, C. L. Pierce and C. M. Bowen. They elected K. A. Darling as Foreman ; C. N. Snell, First Assistant, and Thomas H. Green, Second

Assistant Foreman ; L. F. Stowe, Captain of the Hose Company, and George W. Sawyer, Secretary. They assumed the name of " Washington Volunteer Company, No. 1," and were formally accepted by the Council as such, on the 18th day of December, 1854. John B. Wilbor was immediately ordered to make uniforms, and everything was pushed with energy.

This was the pioneer fire company of Fond du Lac, and composed the entire Fire Department of the city at that time. The "machine," as the first hand-engine was popularly designated, was an object of curiosity for some time, and nearly everybody in the city would have joined the company if they could have done so. The maximum number of fifty was easily obtained, and was composed of such as the following : D. Everett Hoskins, C. F. Kalk, E. A. Carey, Allan Carswell. E. A. Brown, C. Childs, Thomas S. Weeks, James W. Partridge, N. L, Bullis, A. B. Taylor, George Burrows, George Burrows, Jr., Thomas Heathcote, Jerome Gibson, John S. Burrows, T. W. Dee, John J. Metzgar, Louis Rupp, Charles Chandler, Dana C. Lamb, W. A. Tanner, Louis Darling, A. T. Little, 0. D. Cory, S. A. Dudley, John B. Wilbor, C. N. Kendall, Henry Shattuck, Asa Pierce, T. G. Adams, I. K. Hamilton, William Burrows, D. R. Curran, S. E. Lefi"erts, C. H. Tuttle, J. H.' Gibson, D. C. Hutchinson, C. L. Ailing, Oscar Bonnell, David Sickles, Delos A. Ward, J. C. Lowell, Mr. Windecker, Volney Chapman, John J. Beeson, L. W. Parmelee, John C. Kennealy, J. M. Taylor, J. G. Miller, A. G. Butler, A. P. Swineford, E. H. Little, F. N. Violet, L. F. Stowe^ David Palmer, John Bonnell, William Sealey^ Isaac S. Sherwood, C. M. Bowen, J. V. Frost, Fred Spink, C. L. Pierce,' J. W. Benson, B. J, Hodges, John Warner, H. J. Hopkins.

The company has served under the following foremen: Keves A. Darling, D. E. Hoskins,. I). W. C. Wright, C. L. Pierce, Thomas W. Dee, Charles Chandler, A. T. Little, J. W. Benson, W. G. Curtis, Thomas Heathcote, D. R. Curran, J. G. Miller, E. J. Hodges, L. W. Parmelee, John C. Kennealy and John Davis.

It was a lively company, as many of its members were large property-owners and tax-payers, and took great interest in arriving at as great efficiency as possible. The engine in use was a " hand engine " in every respect, the pumps being worked by " brakes," which were churned up and down, and drag-ropes were attached, by which man-power was applied to haul it to and . from fires. The city had few reservoirs when the company was first formed, and water was Slicked out of the nearest pond or hole in case of fire. Frequently mud or rubbish would clog the pumps, although the nozzle was of unusual size. At the burning of Alexander White's house, late one fall, the machine was planted near a neighboring marsh-hole, which contained great numbers of frogs, newts and water animals. These were sucked up, and sent reeling and sprawling through the air and into the fire, greatly to the amusement of the assembled crowd.

At first the company had no engine-house, but one was soon built on First street, where the old Hook and Ladder house is located. In 1861, the building was moved to the west side of Main street to the lot next to the present American House. Two years later it was moved tothe south side of West Second street, where it remained until destroyed by fire on the 22d day of December, 1865. The company had nicely furnished rooms, the portraits of all the members - those of the soldier members who never returned from the battle-fields being especially prized - and a fine set of band instruments. These, with records, clothing and miscellaneous articles, fine banners presented for valorous services on various occasions, were all destroyed. The engine was saved, and a temporary building was soon after erected on Second street, where the brick engine-house belonging to the self-propeller now stands. The citizens gave promptly and liberally ; Winnebago Company, No. 3, donated $50, and a grand ball was given by the business men which placed the company in possession of such means as sufficed to furnish the room anew and secure another set of band instruments. During its entire existence, balls were held annually on Washington's Birthday, which not only replenished the company's treasury, but were occasions of social enjoyment, the best people of the city being either members of the company or friends or relatives of members.

The City Council from the beginning voted $2 annually to each mepiber, and in 1867 the Legislature passed a bill to exempt all active firemen from taxation. This never took efifefit, being unconstitutional, and the Council then increased the firemen's alimony to $1 each per month. This was continued until the Fire Department was re-organized and its members hired and paid regular wages by the city.

The company participated in several tournaments, always with credit, and was called twice to Oshkosh, where it did excellent service and won much praise.

Washington Volunteer Company, No. 1, composed in part of men who were gray-headed and the prime movers in securing its organization, finally disbanded in 1878, after twenty-four years of continuous and faithful service.

Fountain City Company No. 2. - In May, 1857, a second fire company, under the name of " Fountain City, No. 2," was organized, with James W. Partridge, Foreman, Edward S. Bragg, First Assistant; J. V. McCall, Second Assistant, W. T. Coneys, Third Assistant, and Milton Ewen, Captain of the Hose Company. This company had a Button hand-engine. It was a lively and energetic organization, and did noble service at home and at Oshkosh.

Winnebago Fire Company, No. S. - This company was organized May 16, 1857, with Charles R. Harrison, Foreman ; Alexander White, First Assistant ; W. B. Morgan, Second Assistant; John S. McDonald, Secretary and Treasurer. This was more of a "Lower Town " company. It was officered by some of the leading men of the city. In 1866, this company got the "A. B. Taylor" steamer and turned its old Button hand-engine over to a new company then in process of organization.

Fire Engine Company, No. 4-. - When Winnebago, No. 3, purchased a steamer, this company was organized, December 10, 1866, to take and use the old hand-engine the Winnebagoes discarded. The first officers were Frank Seympre, Foreman ; C. H. Tuttle, First Assistant ; Ed. Seymore, Second Assistant, and Solon W. Edson, Secretary.

-^tna Fire Company, No. 5. - In 1874, the City Council purchased the self-propeller "Alexander White " for Washington Company, No. 1. A company called -Sltna, No. 5, was then organized to take No. I's discarded steamer, October 25, 1874, with these officers : M. Richert, Foreman ; A. M. Green, First Assistant ; F. Werner, Second Assistant ; F. J. Martin, Captain of the Hose ; W. H. Hurley, Secretary, and Geo. P. Dana, Treasurer.

Fountain City Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. - This company, which was a very strong one, was organized February 20, 1862, with S. Eudemiller, Foreman ; William Karstens. First Assistant; M. Krembs, Second Assistant; Joseph Wolf, Treasurer, and C. A. Handt, Secretary. At one time this company had forty members, and did efficient service at all fires in preventing the spread of the flames, saving property and guarding goods taken from burning buildings.

This' volunteer system was continued up to August 7, 1878, when the City Council disbanded all the old companies and re-organized the entire Fire Department, paying all members of it by the month. Who should become members was also determined by the Council, after recommendation by the Chief Fire Marshal. Geo. P. Dana is Chief Fire Marshal and Joseph Auchue, Assistant. The department now consists of the following companies.

No. 1, Engine Company. - M. Nightingale, engineer ; Thomas Evans, stearsman ; C. T. Green, night watchman ; James Nary, cart driver; H. Rosenow, J. Buechner, L. A. Lange, J. Niland, Will Becker and D. Fontanna, pipemen. This company runs the self-propeller "Alexander White," and is stationed on East Second street.

No. 8, Engine Company. - John Coates, engineer ; F. Lohmiller, driver ; John Conway, stoker; J. Kennedy, cart driver; 0. Evans, J. Boomer, Joseph Auchue, J. Fontanna and W. G. Casey, pipemen. This company is stationed on Arndt street, corner of Packer.

j^tna Company, No. 5. - H. Rupp, engineer; E. R. Hammond, driver; M. Chamberlain, stoker ; John Haughey, cart driver ; H. Bauman, F. Werner, Charles "Werner, L. J. Homes, H. Sawyer and Theo. Krause, pipemen. This company is stationed on Main street.

JIooJc and Ladder Company, No. l. - M.. Furlong, driver ; H. J. Dircks, J. Q. Haas, A. Buechner, John Sharp, John Jergens and H. Rider. The driver has $25 and the others $8 per month.

The Chief Fire Marshal receives $250 per year ; Assistant $100 ; Engineers, $54.25 per month ; drivers, $32.50 per month ; stokers, $27.50 ; cart drivers $25 and pipemen $8 per month. The average cost of the Fire Department for salaries, fuel, repairs and incidentals is -about $10,000 per year.

The engine-houses are all of brick, well furnished with beds and accommodations for those who always remain with the engines. No. 5's engine-house, erected on Main street in 1874, -cost $20,000, and is one of the finest in the Northwest.

The different Chief Fire Marshals have been Allan Carswell, Keyes A. Darling, S. E. Lefiferts, D. W. C. Wright, Azro B. Taylor, B. F. Sweet, Casper Buechner and George P. Dana. When nearly all the horses of the country were prostrated with the " epizootic," a 'fire broke out and no horses were to be had to haul the engine to it. As a last resort a yoke of oxen which had been purchased for the American Express Company was secured, and attached to the machine. It was novel business, not only for the frightened oxen but for the firemen, who iknew nothing about driving cattle in the yoke. Ropes were attached to the horns of both oxen, and being grasped by a half-dozen firemen on either side to steer the animals, the strange team was started and the engine hauled to its destination at a rapid but very uncertain gait, to the consternation of pedestrians and teamsters.

City Lock-Up

In early days a small wooden building, hardly large enough for a smoke house, located on Portland street, served as a city lock-up. It had no cells, or its single apartment might have been called one cell, and was made secure by weak wooden shutters. It was used only for the incarceration of unfortunates who had become so drunk they could not break out of a paper house. In 1866, a more substantial structure of brick, with cells and apparatus for warmth, was erected near the corner of Macy, on First street. In 1878, this having become too small to accommodate the constantly increasing numbers of tramps, or wandering vagrants, and too dilapidated to secure criminals, the present brick and stone structure was built at a cost of $2,300, on the same site. It is two stories high, with six single and four double cells, and a commodious office for the Chief of Police and police headquarters. The building is well provided with heating and ventilating apparati, and is strong enough to confine any ' criminal. It is usedmerely as a place of confinement for persons charged with crime, until their trial - not as a place of punishishment to those who have been sentenced to imprisonment.

Artesian Wells

One of the most noticeable features of Fond du Lac is its large number of fountains or artesian wells. From them the place took the popular name of " Fountain City." Theodore Conkey, now of Appleton, was building the Badger House, on the corner of Main street and Western avenue, during the summer of 1846, and, desiring to know how deep a well must be to reach the gravel bed, that he migbt calculate how many cords of stone to secure for walling it up, set Mr. Curtis to drilling for the required information. Mr. Curtis drilled to what he considered an unusual depth without reaching water, and one night about the 1st of August, thinking Mr. Conkey might not desire any more money expended, asked if the drilling should be continued. "Yes," said Mr. Conkey, "go on if you reach purgatory." The drill had then been sunk between eighty-five and ninety feet, and when Mr. Curtis returned to pull out the tools for the night, water in liberal quantities, cold and of good quality, began to flow with considerable force. The discharge was at the rate of 1,000 gallons per hour.

Since that time, fountains have been sunk in every portion of the city. The water is used for domestic purposes, to supply the Fire Department, and to furnish the boilers of steam machin- For this latter purpose, the water of some fountains is not well adapted, the lime and mineral substances with which it is impregnated being injurious to the iron. These substances, which more strongly impregnate the water of some fountains than of others, possess medicinal properties. These are contained in the oxide of iron, chloride of sodium, sulphate of lime, sulphate of magnesia, sulphate of soda, carbonate of soda, and carbonic acid, which have, by analysis, been discovered in liberal quantities. Hunter's Magnetic Fountain, which discharges -a strong stream several feet above the surface of the ground through a two-inch pipe, became particularly famous for the cures wrought by its use in cases of kidney disease and rheumatism. The fountain was sunk to get water for a paper-mill, which proved to be unfit for the .desired purpose. The analysis ordered by Mr. Hunter, to discover what the water contained to render it unfit for use in the manufacture of paper, resulted in developing the fact that it possessed valuable curative properties. A large bath-house and hotel were then erected on the spot and the fountain advertised. This resulted in bringing invalids from all parts of the Union, many of whom came on crutches and returned home cured.

For fire purposes these fountains furnished an ample supply of water at a trifling cost - -without cost, in fact, except to maintain pipes and reservoirs. The water from the large fountains on the high-school grounds, at B. Wild & Co.'s bakery, on the premises of S. B. Amory, and from others, is discharged into the fire reservoirs which are located at all the necessary quarters of the city. These are all connected by large underground mains with each other, so that when water is being pumped from any one of them it receives a supply from all the others and also from the several fountains whose flow never ceases. No city has a cheaper or more efiective water supply than Fond du Lac.

For ornamental purposes, the fountains can also be utilized in all possible ways, as the supply is inexhaustible and not effected by frost or drought. Those who have put up ornamental fountains with the best effect are S. B. Amory and T. F. Strong, Sr., the jets being about twenty feet in height, and of undiminished volume at all seasons. Mr. Strong's fountain throws over 100 distinct jets of water, and Mr. Amory's has three large jets in as many different localities, all supplied from one bore.

No fresher, purer, sweeter water can be found anywhere than flows from these fountains, and no city in the West is so fortunate in this respect as Fond du Lac.

Gas Woeks

On Saturday evening, September 21, 1861, Mayor J. M. Taylor called a special meeting of the Council for the purpose of taking action on propositions to light the city with gas. There were two propositions submitted - one by J. Lockwood, of Milwaukee, and one by John P. Crothers. The latter was accompanied by an ordinance, which was unanimously adopted. It gave to said J. P. Crothers, his successors and assigns, the right to all streets, lanes and alleys, for the purpose of laying and maintaining gas mains and pipes, upon giving proper notice to the Street Commissioner ; provided, that he or they repair as soon as possible, and be liable for, all damage done in laying the pipes and mains. The work of erecting and maintaining the gas works was subject to the conditions of Section 2 of the ordinance, as follows :

" Section 2. The privileges hereby granted are upon the express conditions that said John P. Crothers, his associates successors, and assigns, shall, during the month of September, 1861, commence the work and arrange the apparatus for the manufacture of gas from coal or any other material from which gas is now or may hereafter be made, which shall be equal to and as good as any ordinary coal gas, and will prosecute said work with vigor and all diligence to completion ; and that the gas furnished the city for public use shall be furnished at a price not $3 per 1,000 cubic feet ; and that the gas furnished to the citizens of said city shall -be furnished at a price not exceeding $4 per 1,000 cubic feet; and that the service pipe, from the main pipe to the curbstone or side of any street or alley or public grounds, shall be furnished, provided, placed and fixed by the said Crothers, his associates, successors and assigns, at their own cost and expense; and that the service pipe'from the curbstone or side of streets, alleys or public grounds to the building, shall be furnished, placed and fixed by said parties at ^ cost to the city or person using the same not exceeding 25 cents per lineal foot ; the lamp-posts, containing pipes, lamps and other necessary apparatus, being furnished by and at the expense of the city. The right hereby granted shall not be forfeited by reason of accidents not the results of the acts of the said parties, provided, such accident be remedied and said work resumed and completed within a reasonable time."

The Council also passed an ordinance guaranteeing these rights and privileges to Crothers, his successors and assigns, during a term of fifteen years, without being in any manner interfered with during that time by any person or corporation claiming to have any rights in opposition to him, his successors and- assigns.

On the 12th of November, 1867, the Council passed an ordinance extending the gas monopoly during a period of twenty -five years, subject to the conditions of the ordinance of September 21, 1861, and upon the new and further condition that the gas works should at all times be kept in suitable condition to supply their consumers with a good quality of gas and in sufficient quantities.

The land upon which the works were built was purchased of Isaac S. Sherwood, in Block "K," on Macy street, between Second and? Court streets, and the gas works built in 1861. Their capacity was not equal to that of the present works^ - in fact, they were very small compared to those in existence at the present time. On the 16th of October, 1862, J. P. Crothers, the founder of the enterprise, sold his entire interest to H. J. Hayes for $9,700, and, the following June, according to the records, Mr. Hayes sold to James G. Miller for $12,100. In September, 1863, the firm became Miller & Bonesteel, and, September 4, 1867, James G. Miller and Augustus D. Bonesteel sold the entire works, buildings, pipes, site and good will to Jesse Beckley for $33,000. He immediately enlarged the works to their present capacity, and laid several miles of new pipes and mains. Mr. Beckley continued sole proprietor until August 13, 1879, when he sold for $85,000 to Joseph Andrews, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who, on August 16, three days later, organized and had chartered the Fond du Lac Gaslight Company, the present proprietors. The city contains 183 street lamps, which are lighted by gas at an annual cost of a little less than $5,000.

Notwithstanding a few childless croakers who have, during many years, never failed to do what they, could to cripple the efficiency of the schools of the village and city. Fond du Lac has, with one or two unimportant exceptions, always maintained a liberality toward her educational institutions which is a credit to the good sense of her citizens and a precious benefit to the yOung "who have grown up in her midst. Excellent teachers have generally been procured, and ample accommodations provided for the children in every quarter of the city.

In former times, parents were compelled, by circumstances, to consult their resources rather than their desires, and during several years the cause of education Was in any but a flourishing condition. When, however, once the limits prescribed by inexorable necessity were overcome, and the inhabitants began to accumulate faster than they expended, a lively interest was taken in all educational matters, and school affairs received the earnest attention and support of the foremost citizens of Fond du Lac. This was not spasmodic, but was continued during more than a quarter of a century, to which the city is indebted for her fine school buildings, thorough organization of teachers, and admirable system of grading.

The first schoolhouse erected in what is now the city of Fond du Lac was built on land owned by Dr. M. C. Darling, on the east side of Main street, between Second and Third streets, in 1843, and, in 1848, was moved to the north side of Fifth street, between Marr and Main streets, where it burned in December of that year. Dr. Darling did not give a deed of the land

-on which the building stood for school purposes, and as building lots soon became more valuable, the modest structure, which stood on wooden blocks, was removed.

The first teacher was Theodore Conkey, now of Appleton. The following fall and winter, 1844, John A. Eastman opened a " select school " in the same building, having at one time twenty- scholars, though not all of them in Fond du Lac.

The Franklin School. - The first free public school established in Fond du Lac was projected and organized under an act of the Territorial Legislature, passed and approved February 1, 1846. The more important sections are these :

Sectios 1. That School District No. 1, in the town of Fond du Lac, as now established by the School Commissioners of said town, is hereby organized into a separate school district for educational purposes ; and shall enjoy all the powers of a corporation, so far as is necessary to carry out the objects of this act, to be known as the Board of Trustees of the Franklin School and by that name may suft and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended in stll courts of law and equity, in all actions, suits, causes and complaints whatever, and may have a common seal, and alter the same at pleasure.

Sec. 2. The inhabitants of said school district who are qualified by law to vote at any district school meeting, shall be authorized to levy a tax not exceeding $2,000 in any one year, for the purpose of building or repairing a schoolhouse, and the necessary fixtures and appendages thereto, and for the payment of the wages of teachers, and for the providing of fuel, for the purchase of all needful apparatus for the use of said school, and for defraying the necessary incidental expenses for keeping the school in operation.

Sec. 4. The Board of Trustees of said district shall from time to time appoint a Board of Superintendents for such district, not less than three nor more than five in number ; said Superintendents to hold their offices for the term of two years, unless sooner removed \>y the Board of Trustees, whose duties shall be as follows, to wit: To determine the qualification of teachers to be employed in said school ; to direct and prescribe the course of instruction in said school, and from time to time examine into its condition and make report thereof annually to the School Commissioners of the town, as required by law ; to direct, in consultation with the Principal of said school, the arrangement and classification of the scholars in the several departments of study ; to establish, with the advice and consent of a majority of the Board of Trustees, different departments of the school for the classification of scholars of different ages and advancement in studies, as the future wants and necessities of the district may require ; to -advance scholars, upon evidence of merit, from one department to another; to prescribe the proper text-books; to have power to remove any of the teachers of said school for incompetency or other sufficient cause, and to have a general supervision over the government and discipline of the school.

Sec. 6. All schools kept in said district, in pursuance of this act, shall be free to all scholars between the ages of four and twonty-one years inclusive, who shall permanently reside therein. Nothing therein contained shall be construed to prohibit the IJoard of Trustees from admiiting scholars not residents of said district,, into said school, upon such terms and conditions as they may deem proper.

Sec. 9. All taxes raised for the purposes contemplated by this act shall be assessed upon the taxable property of such district as exhibited by the assessment roll of the town, and shall be levied and collected in the same manner as now provided oy law for collecting taxes for the building of schoolhouses in school districts in the counties under the township system of government.

Sec. 1-5. Whenever school shall be kept in said district, in accordance with the provisions of this act, the length of time now required by law, the said district shall be entitled to receive its portion of the public school moneys in the same manner as other districts.

Sec. 17. No relieious creed or sectarian principle shall ever be made a requisite either for the admission of scholars into the school or for the employment of the teachers therein, and no particular religious creed or sectarian principles shall ever be taught in said school.

In January, 1848, the matter of affording better accommodations for the school children of the village was vigorously agitated. Edward Beeson wrote that the district contained 100 scholars and but one schoolroom, which was hardly large enough to accommodate 40 children. He advised that, if a suitable building could not be secured any other way, certificates of stock be issued, at 12 per cent interest, for the required amount, the debt to be paid by taxation when the district should have grown richer. The plan was not adopted.

On the 2d of February, 1848, the Board of Trustees and Superintendents of the Franklin School, consisting of Edward Pier, J..M. Gillet, J. A. Eastman, Isaac Brown, M. C. Darling and M. S. Gibson, reported a set of by-laws for the government of the school, and recommended the erection of an addition to the schoolhouse for the small children, and " the purchase -of a suitable apparatus for illustrating the higher branches of education, such as a set of globes, geographical maps and charts and a planetarium." They also ordered that Thursdayafternoon of each week be set apart for the reception of visitors and school officers.

The plan of maintaining the Franklin School free to all residents of the district does not seem to have been satisfactory, for, in March, 1848, the bill chartering the school was amended so that the expenses should be paid by the scholars, at a rate not exceeding $1.50 each for a term of three months, and the debt against any parent or guardian for "schooling" could be collected in the same manner as any tax.

Matters must have got on indifferently, for, in October, 1848, a correspondent noted that " The Franklin School District can boast of a ball-alley, a billiard-room and a number of doggeries, all well patronized, while 100 scholars are amusing themselves in the streets, for want of a school."

From bad the Franklin School affairs went to worse, and, December 4, 1848, the citizens met in the schoolhouse, and defeated, by an overwhelming majority, not only a resolution to raise a tax to pay arrearages, but a resolution to raise a tax for the ensuing year, as the foUowlowing proceedings, copied from the Fond dn Lac Repuhliean of December 8, 1848, amply testify :

"Pursuant to notice given ten days previously, the citizens of the Franklin School District met at the schoolhouse (on Fifth street) in said district, on Monday evemng, December 4, 1848, and organized by calling George McWilliams to the chair, and appointing E. W. Davis Secretary, when, on motion of Sam Ryan, Jr., voted, That no tax whatever be raised in the Franklin District for past arrearages, or for the support of schools the coming winter.

" On motion by Sam Ryan, Jr., voted, That our Representative be requested to use his influence to procure the repeal of the law organizing the Franklin School District.

" When, after considerable discussion and an expose of the financial condition of the Franklin District, it was, on motion of E. W. Davis, voted to reconsider the vote previously passed, to. raise no tax whatever.

" A motion was made by M. L. Noble that we raise no tax this year ; to which an amendment was offered by John Bannister, That we raise tax enough to pay up all arrearages, which was lost by h to 1. The original motion (to raise no tax whatever) was then put, and carried by an overwhelming majority.

' "On motion by G. Henning, voted. That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published in the newspapers of the village."

To pay for this summary manner of depriving the village of the proper and necessary educational facilities, the schoolhouse was burned by some unknown person eight days later, December 12, 1848. The crime of arson was by no means justifiable on account of the acts of the School Board - or such a meeting of citizens as was called a School Board - but the very free expressions of opinion by those who had children whom they wished to educate without leaving the place where they had cast their lot in an endeavor to found homes and build up a creditable village, seem to have been fully justified by these acts.

This much has been devoted to the Franklin School to show the trials and tribulations through which all educational enterprises must pass before they become as strong and beneficial as those of Fond du Lac at the present time.

During the succeeding winter, that of 1848-49, the village had no school. In July, 1849,_ a meeting was held at the court house to elect school officers and levy a tax for school purposes. Permission of the Town Superintendent had been obtained to raise $2,000 for the erection of a schoolhouse, but when the resolution to levy that amount came to a vote, the matter was laid on the table and the meeting adjourned. There was something of a contest over this matter, a large number of the inhabitants regarding the sum of $2,000 for a school building as altogether too extravagant.

On the 19th of November, 1849, F. R. Kinsman was engaged " as a proper person to teach youth," to conduct a school "on the normal plan," in a building rented for the purpose of Carmin Wright. The next year, 1850, the building now known as the Marr Street Schoolhouse was erected, and the only schoolhouse in the village. School was continued regularly thereafter, and, although there had been some growling because the Marr street building had been made so large, in a short time it was found to be too small, and the city, as it was after 1852, was divided into four common-school districts.

North and South Union Schools. - On the 5th of August, 1854, by the order of E. Hodges, who had been elected Superintendent of Schools for the city of Fond du Lac ; E. H. Galloway and George W. Sexmith, of District No. 1 of the city ; J. Q. Griffith, Hiram and Robert A. Baker, of District No. 2, and H. R. Colman and Edmund Delany, of District No. 3 of the city of Fond du Lac, these three districts were consolidated into one, called the Union District No. 1, or North Union, and- bids called for to build a schoolhouse. Edmund Delany was elected Director ; John L. Henry, Treasurer, and Robert A. Baker, Clerk of Union District No. 1, August 12, 1854.

At the same time, District No. 4 was, by the order of the Superintendent and Isaac Brown and W. H. Walker, officers of the district, changed to District No. 2, or South Union, now known as Marr Street School. The building which is in use at the present time, had been built previously to that time, and used by District No. 4.

A site was purchased of E. H. Galloway, for $500, on Lots 52 and 53, Block 11 (the Cotton Street Schoolhouse site), and a building costing $2,000 ordered to be built for the use of District No. 1. The structure thus ordered is now known as the Cotton Street Schoolhouse.

In September, before the consolidation took place, the Clerk of District No. 1 made a report showing that 83 children had attended school during the year at a cost for 8 teachers, fuel and other expenses, of $250. For 10 months of school only $184 was paid for teachers' wages. The report for District No. 2 showed 32 scholars and an expenditure for teachers' wages, fuel and incidentals of $202. The report for District No. 3 showed 88 scholars and an expenditure of $296 for teachers' wages and fuel. Carlos A. Ryder finished the school ' building for District No. 1 in 1855, at a cost of $2,088, less $190 damages awarded to the Distrwt by referees for neglecting to follow the plans and specifications ordered by the district. This did not include painting, sidewalks and miscellaneous items. In 1858, a fountain was dug in the school-grounds and a reservoir sunk at a cost of $260, and $100 was expended for a library.

A deep interest was taken in school matters, and both the North and South Union Schools were well patronized and efficiently taught. When the High School was formed, it in nowise interfered with the other public schools, which have increased in numbers and attendance.

In 1862-63, 0. C. Steinberg, Principal of the High School, was impowered to grade all the schools of the city, making a course of instruction extending over a period of thirteen years .and embracing every possible degree of advancement in scholarship. In the published report of the School Board in 1867, Mr. Steenberg, then Superintendent of Schools, recommended compulsory attendance of all healthy children of school age, using the following language :

" Those who attend school irregularly, and those who do not attend school, number 3,046. From the best data that can be secured, I find that at least 600 of that number are habitual truants or idlers, or have parents who are, to a greater or less extent, indifferent to their best interests. * * * Can a community ignore the moral welfare of 500 of its children ? If they were diseased, either physically or mentally, hospitals and asylums would be provided for them ; were they criminals, prisons would be built for them. * * * Argument seems unnecessary. In the minds of those who have the "future good of our city at heart, there can be but one conclusion. It is the duty of the city not only to provide means by which our youth may become good citizens, but by its authority, to constrain those who are too young or too ignorant to appreciate and employ those advantages."

, This was the first recommendation in a published educational document, of a compulsoryschool law. In 1878-79, the Legislature passed such a law for the benefit of cities, which took effect September 1, 1879. It is certainly beneficial in a city like Fond du Lac, where a large number of children are engaged in mills and factories.

In 1852, nine teachers were employed, at a cost of $1,087.41, to teach 498 scholars. In 1858, the Superintendent reported 1,020 scholars, taught by ten teachers, at a cost of $3,525.08. In 1863, there were 1,177 seats, and an average of 1,253 scholars, while during the winter term, 1,378 students were accommodated in those 1,177 seats.

The city now contains, in addition to the High School building, eighteen public schools, which, with the sites, are owned by the corporation. These are located on First street. Cotton street, Ruggles street, 2 ; Grant street. Walnut street, Marr street, Cherry street, Amory street. Fifth street. Hickory street, Rees street. Doty street, Sibley street, 2 ; Prospect street, Clinton street and Second street. These contaii^ forty main rooms, will accommodate 2,800 students, and have a cash Valuation of $98,700. The sites are valued at $22,000, making the city's school property worth, in cash, $120,700. Nearly every schoolhouse is provided with a fountain.

The High School. - About the 1st of October, 1858, the citizens of the two districts into which the city was divided, sent to the School Boards of the respective districts a petition praying that a Union High School be established. The petitions were heeded at once, and George B. Eastman, the Schopl Superintendent, authorized to take the necessary steps to accomplish the desired result. In accordance therewith, Mr. Eastman, on the 8th of October, 1858, made the following report :

"I have this day formed a Union High School District in accordance with the expressed desire of the districts comprising the same, which determination has been properly certified to by me as required by Section 2 of Chapter 138, of tho General Laws of 1858, to be called the Union High School District of the city of Fond du Lac, of which the following is a description : The entire corporate limits of said city of Fond du Lac as designated in ' An Act to amend an act entitled an act to incorporate the city of Fond du Lac,' approved March 19, 1852, and as exhibited in the map of said city, published by George R. Harrison, in the year 1857. Such formation to take eflfect immediately."

In the city districts was included a portion of the town of Fond du Lac, and when Mr. Eastman formed the High School he cui, this portion olF, much to the disgust of i^s citizens, who wanted the benefit of the school without paying any of the city taxes by which the school was supported. The act above quoted gave the Superintendent authority to appoint the necessary officers,' and he therefore appointed Robert A. Baker, Clerk; W. H. Hiner and B. F. Moore, Directors. A meeting of these officers was held October 21, 1858, in Amory Hall, and $1,961.40 authorized to be raised by tax for room-rent, teachers', wages and fuel. The tuition was fixed at $7 per term of thirteen weeks, for non-residents. It was, of course, free to all residents of the city, whether of school age or not.

The first High School in the city of Fond du Lac was organized and opened in January, 1859, by Edwin C. Johnson and Miss M. S. Merrille, in what was known as the Sewell store on Main street, between Johnson and Merrill streets. The students perpetrated many a gibe over the fact that the nearest streets and the teachers had the same names. The school opened with with nearly one hundred students, being free to all residents of the city who could pass a prescribed examination in geography, arithmetic and grammar. In 1860, Prof. Johnson resigned, and Selim H. Peabody was engaged as Principal, who opened the school in the Marshall Block, on Second The next year the location was changed to the Warner Block, on the corner of Main and Second streets. There was no other change of location until a High School building had been erected. In July, 1859, the first steps were taken to secure the erection of such a building, as the High School had grown into popular favor, and was considered an important and indispensable department in the rapidly advancing system of education. This resulted in opening negotiations for a site, which was an important matter.

In July, 1859, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the establishment of a Normal Institute in connection with the High School, and the provisions of the resolution were carried into efiiect and during several years thereafter, Normal students were taught in the school and received annually the proper apportionment of the State Normal School fund.

In January, 1860, the School Board appointed a committee to secure the west half of the McGinty tract, situated on the north side of Merrill street and east of Amory street, at a cost of $1,400, which they did in April of that year. In October, 1863, the Finance Committee of the School Board, presented for the approval of the Board a form of bond to be executed for the purpose of raising money to build a High School building, also a mortgage executed to S. B. Amory, of all the school property in the city as collateral security. Both were adopted, and authority given to the President of the Board and the Clerk to execute the bond and mortgage. There appeared at this time no inconsiderable amount of dissatisfaction over this location of the High School in what was called an "out-of-the-way place," and J. M. Taylor offered to donate, free of cost forever, twelve and one-half acres of land on Forest street, for a High School building, but the offer was declined on account of the advanced state of matters in another direction. In February, 1864, a plan for the proposed building by Isaac Brown was accepted, and the contract was let to W. M. Phelan and William Heathcote in March, Mr. Brown, now of Harrington, Delaware, being the Superintendent. The structure was pushed rapidly to completion, but Mr. Brown was unable to supervise everything, owing to the severe illness of his nephew, George L. Arnold. A public dedication was had, and the building taken possession of by the High School, with 0. C. Steenberg as Principal, in 1865.

" Some twenty-odd years ago," said the speaker, "a school was organized by and with the children of three families, and two half-breed boys, belonging to no family in particular. It was held in a little log cabin over yonder, on Elihu Phillips' farm that now is, and was taught, ostensibly, by James Duane Ruggles. When, however, ' Duane,' as we called our teacher, lured by the more fascinating pursuits of hunting or the gentle craft, failed to make his appearance at the conventional hour of 9 A. M., we did not, like the degenerate school-boys of to-day, take advantage of the opportunity and scamper off home ; but some two or three of us larger toys, taking turn and turn about as it happened, would carry the institution along for the day in the accustomed routine. Now, some of my young friends among the school-boys here may deem this statement a little strong, and the school-boy comparison slightly invidious. Well, I relieve them with a little further explanation. The site and surroundings of that old schoolhouse were to us the most captivating imaginable. It was on the brink of that deep dell you all know so well. In that dell were the greatest woods for chipmunks that ever grew, and through their deep shade murmured the nicest streamlet for wading and catching crawfish, with here and there an eddy or deep hole full of -chubs, possessed of a most remarkable natural affinity for pin-hooks. We were the only youngsters in the country, and absolutely had no other place to go, unless to our respective homes and the never-failing boys' work thereunto appertaining. Furthermore, our course of study bore close resemblance to that of the ancient Persian schools, where the youth were carefully instructed from their fifth to their twentieth year in three things alone - to ride, to draw the bow and to speak the truth. You may judge of the amount of magnanimity and self-denial involved in keeping that school without the master.

"In the meantime," continued the speaker, "the Legislature of the Territory of Wisconsin, acting, I presume, on the hint contained in Article 3 of the celebrated Ordinance of 1787, which provides that, ' Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged ' - acting on this hint, and in the plenitude of its wisdom, had enacted that ' every town in this Territory, containing not less than ten families, shall be a school district, and shall be provided with a competent school master or mistress to instruct children.' In due time, the country hereabout achieved a population of not less than ten families, with that ancient burgh, Taycheedah, as the center and nucleus. (Be it here known that Taycheedah was immensely larger than Fond du Lac.) The town of Fond du Lac was, territorially speaking, almost indefinite in extent. My ancient geography is a little rusty, but I think it was bounded on the north by the then State of Green Bay, on the south by the commonwealth of Milwaukee, on the east by the Sheboygan woods, while in the matter of the west line, the taste of the most fastidious could be gratified by locating it where he might choose, without fear of contradiction or interference.

" I presume this town was duly organized under the statute as a school district, and provided with a competent school master or mistress, to instruct children. I know that the Messrs. Moore and Doty, the proprietors of Taycheedah, furnished the funds and built the framed schoolhouse with the little cupola, still standing in that classic town. There was hung in that cupola a pretty, cle^^toned steamboat bell, brought by Henry Conklin all the way from the dismantled wreck of the steamer Advocate, on the Hudson River, which in that day was the never-ceasing wonder of the wandering aborigines, as well as admiration of the white pioneer. And, by the way, that same old bell (appropriated without title, leave or license), even now, from the belfry of the public school, awakes the echoes and disturbs the solitudes (and, I hope, the consciences) of that quiet, peaceful haunt of somnolent humanity. The first schoolmaster here was, I think, one of the Conklin family, on whose pedagogic career the, constitutional modesty of the family will forbid extended comment ; but the genius and glory of that pioneer school, unquestionably, is associated with a worthy pedagogue, by name Mr. Maxon. He was a good, worthy man, a veritable, old-fashioned Yankee schoolmaster, such as the land of steady habits has ever sent forth with her legions of frontier woodmen, supplying the Union with pioneers for the mind, as well as for the wilderness. He was withal an enterprising, active little man, and, as Irving says of Ichabod Crane, ' Truth to say, he was a conscientious man, and ever bore in mind the golden maxim, " Spare the rod and spoil the child !' "

" The pupils of that school were of rather a miscellaneous make-up. There were the Ruggles, the Elliots and the Conklins from 'up under the Ledge;' the Moores, Carltons and Perrys at Taycheedah. Keyes A. Darling, his brother Lewis, and sister Helen (now Mrs. John A. Eastman), - the whole juvenile population of Fond du Lac - made their daily advent in a primitive vehicle drawn by a small pony, and followed by a large dog, while through this group was interlarded an occasional young Frenchman pr half-breed.

" This school was also a kind of paradise for wild youngsters. The adjacent creek and lake shore, abounding in water-fowl and Indian canoes, tended further to stimulate and advance the aquatic and venary tastes and habits of the' old log schoolhouse by the dell ; and, if the course of instruction at the old place on the ' Ledge ' was upon the ancient Persian system, that of Taycheedah resembled, perhaps, the ancient Athenian plan, where every citizen, under a severe penalty, . was required to teach his son to read and to swim.

" The first schoolhouse was built in the village of Fond du Lac in 1843, and was situated on Main street, where now stands Valentine & Olmsted's store, and it was removed, in 1848, to Fifth street, where Mr. Benson now lives, and, during the winter following (December 12, 1848), was burned down. This school was first taught, I think, by Theodore Conkey, and probably on much the same principles as hereinbefore adverted to.

'- But the course of empire westward brought with it that remorseless wave of immigration, surging along, and overwhelming in its course every vestige of the romance and charm of the wilderness ; and before the pioneers could well realize the change, a strange, eager and motley crowd of Celt, Gaul, Teuton and Saxon, of Yankee, York State man, Pennite and Buckeye - aye ! even you whom I now address - had gained a foothold, forced back the wild man and beast, and built up the village and city of Fond du Lac.

"As if to compensate and console us for our little Utopia you had so riithlessly invaded' and blotted out, you brought to us the fruition of the ideas of Martin Luther, Pestalozzi and Fellenberg ; of John Knox and Joseph Lancaster ; of Henry Barnard, Barnes Sears and Horace Mann - that glorious system of public schools, evolved and perfected by the wisdom and.;, experience of your native States.

" Those germs and cions from that 'tree of centuries ' you have carefully planted in this, new soil ! You have jealously guarded and cultivated them with a most noble spirit of public liberality. In times of -early struggle and hardship, of high taxation and large expenditui'e consequent on the erection of a new and vast social and political edifice, you have faithfully kept and applied the proceeds of munificent national land grants; heroically deyoted a large' share of local taxation ; and generously contributed by private subscription to the encouragement and support of the common school: An illustration of the perfect adaptability of this admirable system to the end sought on the one hand, and on the other hand the magical growth of our young city, is furnished in the remarkable number and capacity of the school edifices erected here already.

" Through the kindness of Mr. Isaac Brown, than whom no gentleman in our city has been more closely and honorably identified with our public-school interests, I am enabled to layjjefore you a summary of the school-building operations, up to the period of the consolidation of all the districts embraced by our city limits. In the year 1860 (which is really the beginning of our school system proper), we had the old Marr street house, ycleped the " Union School," comprehending within its walls three departments, and filled to overflowing with young ideas, learning to shoot at all grades of intellectual targets - in truth, it ever was, and is now, a busy hive. The Cotton street house was next erected in 1855 and 1856. These two schoolhouses furnished accommodation for about four hundred and seventy-five scholars, and have been amply filled from first to last.

" Under the present dispensation have appeared, in 1860, the Harney street, house, and one on Ruggles street, with seats for 256 scholars. In 18^,1, another on Ruggles street, one on Rees street, and an addition to the Cotton street house, containing in gross 208 seats.

" In 1863, a new schoolhouse was built on Scott street ; another on Walnut street ; another on Cherry street, and another on Fifth street. These last-named houses furnish in the aggregate accommodation for 384 pupils. And now, during the past year, this splendid edifice has been erected, with ample space for 430 scholars, and at a cost of $17,000."

The building, at the dedication of which the foregoing remarks were made, was three stories high, with brick outside, and accommodated nearly as many scholars as the present high^ school building. After it had been in use about two years, the heavy ceiling of the chapel fell with a resounding crash. Very fortunately the room was not occupied at the time, or an appalling destruction of life must have followed. The work had been improperly done, and to repair the damage cost $3,000. The building burned in 1868, on the night of December 4, and, next morning, many of the scholars, not knowing ofthe conflagration, appeared at the usual place and time with their books. The cause of the fire was set down as something "very mysterious," and the public was never fully satisfied on this point, although the impression generally prevailed that it was of incendiary origin. The High School was continued in rented rooms until September, 1873, when the present building, a splendid four-story structure of brick and stone, was completed on the site where the first one was burned. It was built by Theodore Eul, and cost $45,000, exclusive of the foundation. It is admitted to be the best high-school building in the State and to possess much the-finest yard and location. It contains ten large schoolrooms, an oflSce and library, apparatus-room, chapel, halls, and wardrobes. In front of the building is such a fountain as can be found nowhere in the Northwest outside of Fond du Lac. The waterjet is from a two-inch pipe and is discharged with great force. It is beautiful as well as useful. The school is managed with thoroughness, and affords almost collegiate advantages to those who desire them.

Marr Street Academy. - In 1859, Mrs. R. S. Palmer opened, in the town of Lamartine, a boarding-school for pupils over fourteen years of age. The text-books were the same as those in use in the High School, and the venture was a success. In 1867, the school was moved to Forest street, Fond du Lac, where it continued with greater patronage and success until 1870, when it was moved to its present location on Marr street. It is now known as Marr Street Academy, and is under the direction of its founder, Mrs. R. S. Palmer. The curriculum is the same as that of the High School. Special branches are taught when desired.

Forest Street Association. - In 1857, a select school was organized under the name of the Forest Street Association, which built an addition to the First Baptist Church, corner of Forest and Union streets, and opened a school therein, under the direction of Miss M. S. Merrille, now of Merrille Institute. It was a successful and satisfactory school. Miss Merrille remained less than two years, and, on going to Madison, was succeeded by Miss Sarah Henry, since appointed Matron of the Wisconsin State Prison. The building is now used for church purposes, the school having been discontinued for some time.

Merrille Institute. - This school, which is exclusively for the education of young ladies> was opened on Division street, in a building now the residence of W. C. Ogden, in September? 1866, by Miss M. S. Merrille. It was not opened as a boarding-school, aijd has never been conducted as such. The curriculum of the High School was adopted as nearly as possible,, and Miss Merrille had, the first term, as many students as her building would accommodate.

In 1868, she built a three-story brick building 56x58 feet, on the corner of Union and Cherry streets. This has accommodations for ninety scholars, and some terms has been as full as possible. To the High-School curriculum were added French and music.

Merrille Institute was chartered by the State in 1868-69, and has been an unusually successful young ladies' seminary, not depending for its pecuniary support upon furnishing food, lodging and courting rooms for young ladies. It occupies a large plat of ground in a pleasant portion of the city, near enough to depots and post office, and is pronounced one of the most wholesome schools for young ladies to be found anywhere.

G-erman and ^English Academy. - This is one of the most important institutions of learning in Fond du Lac. It was organized in 1854, for the purpose of teaching English and German to German and English children in the most .natural and thorough manner. French and Latin are also taught when desired. On the 4th of Octgher, 1858, the school was incorporated, and now owns its school buildings and grounds on Portland street. The scholars, of which there are usually about one hundred, are graded into three classes, with a teacher for each. No aid is received from public taxes, and no religious belief is taught or tolerated. Twice each week, all kinds of needle and fancy work are taught, at 25 cents per month additional. To become a member of the German and English Academy Association, a fee of $5 is required. Fees thus paid in go to make a reduction of 10, 15 and 25 cents per month, according to grade, in tuition fees for the children of members. Those not members must pay $1.50, $1.75 or $2 per month, according to grade, for each student. Neatness of dress, cleanliness of person, punctuality and systematic habits are taught in addition to other studies. New classes are formed twice each year - in April and October. The ladies of the Association give annually an exhibition and fair, the proceeds of which go to better support this school. For the Same purpose, a masked ball is held annually by the patrons of the school, always adding comfortable sums to the treasury.

The officers, consisting of a President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board of Directors, are elected semi-annually. The teachers are Julius F. Harthun, Dora L. Pinney and Theodore A. Lucke. The officers are: President, Franz Lauenstein ; Secretary, C. L. Encking ; Treasurer, L. Muenter. Directors - F. Rueping, Joseph Lenz, F. Krumme and E. N. Korrer.

The German and English Academy has turned out some of the most accomplished scholars in Fond du Lac, and is considered a most excellent school in which to thoroughly teach the German language to those whose mother tongue is English, or the English to those who speak German.

Bonded Indebtedness

The first bonds issued by the city of Fond du Lac were by resolution of the Common Council of March 4, 1854, under Chapter 58, Laws of 1854, when |19,800, at 10 per cent interest, was issued in bonds to the Waupun, Fond du Lac & Forest Plank Road Company. 'At the same time, $1,900, at the same rate of interest, were issued to the Fond du Lac & Oshkosh Plank Road Company. In July of the same year, $200 were issued to the Mayville branch of the Waupun, Fond du Lac k Forest Road. August 12 of the same year, $3,000 were issued to the Green Bay & Taycheedah Plank Road Company. This makes a total of $24,900. In 1864, $3,075 were issued in bonds for unpaid interest on the above- enumerated plank-road bonds; total, $27,9t5 in plank-road bonds. In return for tliese bonds, the city received the capital stock, at par, of the various plank roads.

The City Council, on May 21, 1855, voted $200,000 of aid to the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad Company (Chicago & North- Western), at 7 per cent interest, payable semi-annually at the Exchange Bank of New York. May 1, 1856, the city voted to subscribe $150,000 to the capital stock of the same company, and issue bonds therefor at 8 per cent interest, payable semi-annually. This second issue was on condition that $100,000 of the first issue be surrendered by the railway company. This was done, and the bonds burned by a committee appointed by the Council. i

On March 4, 1864, these two issues, with the due and unpaid interest upon them, were paid by issuing $103,500 of new bonds at 6 per cent interest, due in 188-1:, and called " compromise bonds."

On the 1st of March, 1863, there were issued $12,000 of bonds, at 8 per cent interest, for the construction of the High-School building, due March 1, 1873. In 1871, the city issued $75,000 of 8 per cent bonds, interest payable semi-annually, to aid in the construction of the North-Western Union, or Air Line Railway. These are due in ten annual installments, beginning with 1881. In 1876, the city guaranteed the interest at 8 per cent for ten years, on $200,000 of the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway bonds ; but these were destroyed by mutual agreement in 1879. Thus the city has issued to railroads, plank road, schoolhouses and to compromise old bonds, $568,475 in bonds. Of this amount there are outstanding $90,000 of , the compromise bonds, due in 1884 with 6 per cent interest, and $75,000 of the Air Line bonds due in ten equal installments, beginning with 1881.

Public Halls

The First Hall. - The first public hall of any consequence was in Darling's Block, erected where it now stands, corner of Maine and First streets, in 1847. The third floor is still used by various secret societies, but it has not been a public hall for a good many years. Before Darling's Hall was built, the schoolhouse on Main street, between Second and Third, was, in addition- to being a court house and church, used as a public hall.

Amory Hall. - By far the largest and finest hall in Fond du Lac, is in Amory's brick and stone Block on Main, at the head of Sheboygan street, erected in 1857. It is 66x80 feet on the* inside, 25 feet high and capable of seating 1,500 persons. The architect was Thomas H. Green. When this hall was finished it was the largest and finest in Wisconsin, and the decorative work still makes a costly appearance. In addition to double doors opening outward, for more complete safety in case of fire during an entertainment, a " fire-escape " was added on the south side in 1877. The hall was built and is now owned by S. B. Amory. It is estimated that from 1858 to 1880 1,500,000 people have been accommodated in Amory Hall, at a cost to them of $250,000. During 1879 and 1880 the hall has been rented by Swift & Arnold.

Opera Hall. - In 1865, a brick block was erected at the head of Forest, on Main street, by Charles Johnson, and the second and third stories fitted expressly for a public hall. It is centrally located, and only one story from the ground, but is not capable of seating so large a gathering as Amory Hall. During several years after 1873, the name was changed to Neocosmian Hall, being rented and controlled by the Neocosmian Society. The old name of Opera Hall was resumed after that society died. The building is now owned by A. G. Ruggles, Mrs. M. H. Galloway and J. P. Bonesteel. It will seat 800 persons.

Other Public Malls. - Music Hall, built and owned by the Amorys, situated on the corner of Main and Division streets, is now used mostly for balls, masquerades and other entertainments of that nature.

In the brick block on the corner of Fourth and Main streets, B. F. Moore owns a hall which has been used as a military headquarters, by the South-side Turners, and as a place for dancing.

J. R. Colman has a hall over his store on Western avenue ; Smith & Ailing have a splendid hall in the third story of their block on Main street; there is a large hall in John Reinig's Block on Main street, near the Patty House, and Miller's Hall, in " Lower Town," on Scott street.

Fond du Lac House {No. T). - The first hotel ever opened in the city or county of Fond du Lac was built by the Fond du Lac Company in 1836, at a cost of $500 for furniture and all, and opened in June of that year by Colwert Pier. It was of logs, and is elsewhere described.

Fond du Lac House {No. S). - In 1838, Dr. M. C. Darling erected a log house on the corner of Main and First streets, and opened it as a hotel under the name, also, of the " Fond du Lac House." It was a temperance house. About 1840, having erected a dwelling-house, and moved into it, Mr. Darling had Thomas Green come from Green Bay, and " keep tavern " in his Main street building.

Exchange Hotel. - Soon after Dr. Darling arrived in the settlement, in 1838, he sent for Theodore Hebert, a French blacksmith, agreeing to give him throe-quarters of an acre of land, if he would come and permanently locate. Mr. Herbert came and built a log blacksmith-shop and residence where the Opera Hall now stands, at the head of Forest street. He, or rather his wife, who is yet a resident of the city, began to entertain such travelers as would not stop at a temperance house. Mr. Hebert had always on tap a barrel of the best whisky, and Mrs. Hebert sold the first liquor by the glass ever sold in the county of Fond du Lac, although at that time all the settlers kept whisky for the purpose of trading with the Indians. In a few months, Mrs. Hebert's custom grew to such proportions that her husband left his blacksmithing, and built a frame addition to the house. In 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Hebert had accumulated suificient means to build a new hotel, which they called the Exchange Hotel. It Avas three stories high, and by far the largest structure in the city, and earned for its builders such epithets as " fools " and " bullheads." But it was a success.' It was afterward moved down Main street to where it now stands. It is owned by W. H. Wells, and leased for hotel purposes by George Q. Campbell, as the " City Hotel." although the old lettering of " Exchange Hotel " is not yet Mrs. Hebert, who had nearly as much todo with the building and management of the " Exchange " as her husband, is a resident of Fond du Lac, in good health, and still keeping a boarding-house.

Temperance Cottage. - In the spring of 1846, John J. Driggs, now deceased, built and opened as a hotel a small building on the corner of Main and Court streets, where the American House now stands. Its name was Temperance Cottage, but the bloods of the village dubbed it " Dish-water Castle," because no liquor was sold on the premises. After the " Badger House " was opened in the fall of 1846, across the Court House Square, there sprung up a lively -competition between the two hotels. In 1848, the Cottage was enlarged by an addition 21x54 feet, and otherwise improved. Some time afterward, it fell into the hands of H. P. Olds, who -changed the name to the Globe Hotel. When Henry Shattuck built the first American House in 1861, he used a portion of what was the old Temperance Cottage.

Badger House. - This was a popular and fashionable hotel in an early day. It was built l)y Theodore Conkey in 1846, on the corner of Western avenue and Main street, and was opened

November 18, 1846, by J. C. Lewis and R. L. Morris. In 1848, it was leased to Quartus Olcott, and, in 1849, was sold to E. M. and M. M. Simmons. Finally, the business portion of the city becoming established farther north, the " Badger " was moved away. A portion of it now stands on Linden street.

Lewis Souse. - The original Lewis House was built by Robert Wyatt in 1848, on the corner of Fourth and Ellis streets. Fourth street was then called the " Sheboygan road." This hotel Mr. Wyatt called "The Eagle," and for a sign was hoisted a very large wooden eagle, made by Henry Jens, which now serves as a sign at Lamartlne. The building was 30x40, and two stories high. In 1849, Mr. Wyatt moved " The Eagle " to the corner of Main and Sheboygan streets, enlarged it to three and one-half stories, and rented it to J. C. Lewis. On, October 1, 1850, James Ewen purchased the building and named it the Lewis House, after " Curt " Lewis. In October, 1860, Mr. Ewen rented the property to B. S. Patty, and sold it to him three years later. Mr. Patty was its manager and proprietor when it burned, in 1866.

In 1871, J. C. Lewis erected the present Lewis House on the east side of Main, below Division street, and opened it as a hotel. He left it after the great fire at Chicago, in 1873. It is now owned and managed by Stephen Oberreich, and is doing a thriving business.

American House. - The original American House - a portion of which is now located on Seventh street, and used as a dwelling, the balance doing duty in the rear of the present American House - was a three-story wooden building, built by Henry Shattuck in the fall of 1861, on the corner of Main and Court streets, at a cost of $4,000. It contained forty-five bedrooms, diningroom, office and kitchen. Mr. Shattuck left; the Exchange Hotel, which he had managed two years, in January, and opened business in his own building. The American House was a success at once, and remained so until 1875, when the building now occupying the same site was built. The new building is of the best cream-colored brick, four stories high, including basement, and is elegantly appointed for a public house. It fronts ninety feet on Main street, and, when the west wing is completed, will front ninety feet on Court street. The large office and readingroom and the dining-room are on the ground floor, and as pleasant as those of any other publichouse in the State. The grand opening ball, by which the new American House was dedicated, occurred September 27,. 1875, and was a liberally attended and brilliant afiuir. The building, which was designed by H. P. Thompson, of Fond du Lac, is one of the noticeable features of the city. Henry Shattuck is its owner and manager.

Patty House. - The largest and costliest hotel in Fond du Lac is the Patty House. It wasbiiilt on the old Lewis House site, corner of Main and Sheboygan streets, in 1867, by B. S. Patty. , It was constructed of brick and "Taycheedah marble," which is a creamy-white limestone, and fronts eighty feet on Main, and 140 feet on Sheboygan street ; is four stories high,, and cost about $66,000. It is the most noticeable building in Fond du Lac, and the largest hotel in the State outside of Milwaukee, containing 105 rooms, all of them large and high. The Patty House was opened to the public May 9, 1868, and dedicated by a grand ball June 9 of the same year. This opening ball was an elaborate afiair, for which 1,400 tickets at |5 each were sold. In January, 1871, B. S. Patty died. His sons, J. W. and Gr. R. Patty, managed its afiairs until May 8, 1871, when Byron Town leased it for a term of five years. He remained three years and a half, doing a large and profitable business, after which the Patty brothers again took possession. A recent writer gives this description of the Patty House:

" The Patty House is the architectural pride of Fond du Lac. It stands on a prominent corner of the commercial center of the city. Its 220 feet of solid marble frontage on two streets^ point it out as an evidence of the prosperity of the city which it adorns. Designed by a leading New York architect, who had made hotels a study, and erected under his supervision at an outlay of $65,000, it will ever remain a monument to the memory of its enterprising projector."

National Hotel. - The National Hotel is a handsome, two-story brick structure, built by Edmund N. Korrer in 1866 and 1872, on the corner of West Division and Brooke streets. It has a frontage of ninety feet on Division, and sixty feet on Brooke street. It was opened in 1872, by Mrs. Bessie Riley, who is the present lessee. It is a pleasant and neatly kept hotels and, being near the depot, has a good trade.

Mr^ National Hotel. - In 1872, M. Van Dresav purchased the large wooden building then located on the corner of Forest and Main streets, and used by the First National Bank, whence it took its name, and moved the structure bodily to the corner of Fourth and Marr streets. The inside was remodeled, and the building opened as the " First National Hotel." Prices were put down one-half; large sheds for horses and stock were erected - the first ever built for such a purpose in the city - and the business was pushed in the direction of the farmers and laboring people. It was the greatest success of the time as a hotel, where good lodgings and plenty of wholesome food could be had at cheap rates, and cleared $6,000 the first thirteen months after it was opened. It is now leased by Mr. Van Dresar to the Dockstader brothers, who manage it on the plan first adopted by him, and with good success.

Other Hotels. - The "Washington House," corner of Main and Fifth streets, by Martin Franey, is a large hotel, patronized largely by farmers.

The " Serwe House," by C. Serwe, on Main street, is a three-story, wooden building, which has served as a hotel during a long term of years. It is a popular hostelry with the German travelers and farmers, and has a large patronage.