Jefferson County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1879 (part 17 of 28)

1874 - Supervisors, Fred Bucholtz (Chairman), Jacob Weidmann and Peter Boetcher ; Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Assessor, John Fink ; Treasurer, Henry Lines ; Justices of the Peace, Owen Collins, C. B. Wilkins, Henry Groth and Terrance Flannagan ; Constables, William Narv, Aug Kropf and Ernst Henning ; Sealer, H. Ohm.

1875 - Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), Fred Vergenz and August Lehmann; Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick; Assessor, John Fink; Treasurer, William Smith; Justices of the Peace, Jacob Weidmann, Fred Rabboch, John Smith and Thomas Shinnick ; Constables, Daniel Pfifer, Emil Witte, Henry Linnes and Ernst Tactha; Sealer, Peter Boetcher.

1876 - Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), August Lehmann and Fred Vergenz ; Town Clerk, John Fink; Treasurer, William Wigand; Assessor, Fred Sydow; Justices of the Peace, Richard Dront, John Nary, C. H. WoUensaek and Francis Smith; Constables, Michael Collins, Herman Wiseman and John Klaush ; Sealer, H. Ohm.

1877 - Supervisors, Charles WoUensaek (Chairman), Peter Scherrer and Christian Henning; Town Clerk, John Fink; Assessor, Fred Sydow; Treasurer, Fred Otto; Justices of the Peace, Emil Zeidler, Richard Sutton, Peter Dorscheit and Eugene Rogan ; Constables, Hermann Karberg, John Lange and Peter GraefF; Sealer. H. Ohm.

1878 - Supervisors, Thomas Shinnick (Chairman), Peter Scherrer and Christian Henning; Town Clerk, Emil Witte; Assessor, Fred Sydow; Treasurer, Frederick Dietzel; Justices of the Peace, C. H. WoUensaek, William Wigand and T. Korberg; Constables, Henry Linnes, William Smith and A. Bergmann ; Sealer, H. Ohm.

1879 - Supervisors - C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), Henry Linnes and T. W. Sydow; Town Clerk, Emil Witte; Treasurer, J. T. Moran ; Assessor, John Klausch; Justices of the Peace, Fred Sydow, Fr. Smith and Christian Henning ; Constables, Fr. Bottler and William Schmidt; Sealer, Thomas Shinnick.

The town of Watertown, for the most part, is well settled up by a very industrious and frugal class of farmers. Wheat, barley, corn, oats, sorghum and hops are the chief products. The beautiful Rock River passes almost directly through its center, affording natural irrigation to many acres of fine meadow land. The river banks on either side are lined with groves of splendid oaks, and ash, and maple, which annually furnish many thousand feet of lumber for ordinary building purposes and large quantities of fuel for the winter's fires.

Watertown was incorporated as a village March 7, 1849, by an act of the Legislature, and on the -22d day of the same month and year, the village charter was adopted, at an election held for that purpose, by a vote of 119 " for corporation " and 12 " against." The village was bounded by the survey lines of Section 4, Town 8 north. Range 15 east, and was divided into two wards - all that part of the said Section 4 lying on the east side of Rock River being

The act of incorporation recognized the village by the name or title of " the President and Trustees of the village of Watertown." Following is the result of the first election for village officers :

For President : Luther A. Cole - East Ward, 102 votes ; West Ward, 14 votes. Alcott Cheeney - East Ward, 71 votes; West Ward, 56 votes. Cheeney's majority, 11 votes.

It appearing that there was a vacancy in the Board of Trustees, occasioned by the refusal of Mr. Cheeney (who was also elected as President) to qualify as a Trustee for the East Ward, the Trustees for said ward appointed Asher H. Nichols to fill such vacancy.

There being three Trustees to be chosen from each ward, Messrs. Kier, Sbultz, Nichols, Gallagher, Jones and Rogan were declared to have received the highest number of votes for such office.

The first business of the Board was the election, by ballot, of a Village Clerk and Village Marshal, and Samuel Baird and Joseph Giles, respectively, were chosen for those positions.

March i?5, 1850. - For President, Benjamin F. Fay; for Treasurer, Alcott Cheeney; for Trustees - East Ward, Aaron Shultz, Charles C. Hamlin and Walter Andrews; West Ward, Patrick Rogan, Amos Bennett and John Becher. Adolphus Menges was appointed Clerk of this Board.

March 31, 1851. - For President, Edward Oilman ; for Treasurer, John Looby ; for Trustees - East Ward, Aaron Shultz, Henry Boegel and William V. Ament; West Ward, John D. Reynolds, Bernard O'Byrne and Edward Johnson. Mr. Menges was also Clerk of this Board.

March 29, 1852. - For President, Peter Rogan ; for Treasurer, Henry Boegel ; Trustees - East Ward, E. W. Cole. Edward Oilman and William S. Turner ; West Ward, Patrick Rogan, A. Bennett and J. L. Carter ; Clerk of the Board, A. Menges, re-appointed.

Incorporated As A City

The marvelous growth of Watertown naturally inspired its citizens with the idea that it should become an incorporated city. Accordingly, at a meeting of the Village Trustees, held January 24, 1853, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

Re.iolrfd, That the President appoint a committee of three, whose duty it shall be to take measures to procure the drawing of a city charter of this village, and to take such measures as they may deem proper to secure the passage of said charier at the present session of the Legislature.

Retotv'd. That the sum of ?-iO be. and the same is hereby, appropriated out of the general fund to defray the necessary expenses caused thereby.

A charter being drawn, it was passed by the Legislature, and Watertown became a fullfledged city. At an election held on April 5, 1853, under that charter, the following city officers were elected :

Executive - Mayor, Theodore Prentiss ; Clerk, Joseph D. Pease ; Treasurer, John Kelly ; Assessor, J. A. Chadwick ; Marshal, Lucius Brugger ; Superintendent of Schools, Daniel Hall;

Municipal Judge, William T. Butler. First Ward Officers - Aldermen, Augustus F. Cady and John Luber ; Justice of the Peace, Henry Mulberger ; Constable, Thomas Elmer ; Supervisor, L. E. Boomer. Second Ward Officers - Aldermen, Henry Boyd and Edward Oilman ; Justice of the Peace, Theodore Bernhardt ; Constable, Francis Belrose ; Supervisor, L. E. Boomer. Third Ward Officers - Aldermen, Daniel Jones and Simeon Ford ; Justice of the Peace. John Chadwick ; Constable, Jesse Reinhart ; Supervisor, Walter Pease, Jr. Fourth Ward Officers - Aldermen, M. J. Gallagher and Joseph Fischer; Justice of the Peace, James O'Keefe; Constable, James Griffin ; Supervisor, Patrick Rogan. Fifth Ward Officers - Aldermen, William M. Dennis and Jacob Baumann ; Justice of the Peace, George G. King ; Constable, William Greve ; Supervisor, Theodore Ravis. Sixth Ward Officers - Aldermen, John W. Cole and Frederick Hermann ; Justice of the Peace, Charles Beckmann ; Constable, Edward Pfenninger ; Supervisor, Ira D. Lounsbury.

Executive - Mayor, Theodore Prentiss ; Clerk, Henry Mulberger ; Treasurer, J. Becker ; Marshal, Ernest Off; Assessor, Walter Pease, Jr.; Superintendent of Schools, James Cody. First Ward Officers - Aldermen, John Luber and Alcott Cheeney ; Constable, E. M. Brown ; Supervisor, Myron B. Williams. Second Ward Officers - Aldermen, Henry Bertram and Henry Maldanner ; Justice of the Peace, E. Rothe ; Constable, Francis Belrose ; Supervisor, Myron B. Williams. Third Ward Officers - Aldermen, Daniel Jones and Peter Rogan ; Justice of the Peace, Daniel Miller : Constable, Michael Cummings ; Supervisor, Patrick Rogan. Fourth Ward Officers - Aldermen, Patrick Rogan and Martin Hoff; Justice of the Peace, Theodore Bernhardt ; Constable, Samuel Friend ; Supervisor, Patrick Rogan. Fifth Wird Officers - Aldermen, Jacob Beaumann and Jacob Staub ; Justice of the Peace, G. G. King ; Constable, Louis Beahr ; Supervisor, George Perry. Sixth Ward Officers - Aldermen, Charles Beckmann and J. A. Koch ; Constable, Edward Pfenninger ; Supervisor, Philip Piper.

The Legislature of 1854 amended the city charter so as to permit the following named Aldermen to hold office two years from the date of their election, April, 1854 : First Ward, Alcott Cheeney; Second, Henry Maldanner ; Third, Peter Rogan ; Fourth, Martin Hoff ; Fifth, Jacob Baumann ; Sixth, Charles Beckmann.

Owing to the incomplete condition of the records, it is impossible to give a list of the officers by wards chosen at the election of April, 1855. It is shown, however, that John W. Cole was chosen Mayor ; Bernard O'Byrne, Treasurer ; Theodore Bernhard, Clerk, and John Ford, Superintendent of Schools. The new Board of Aldermen is believed to have been as follows : Peter V. Brown, E. W. Ford, Patrick Rogan, Gustavus Werlich, John C. Halliger, Edward Oilman, and the si.x '" hold-overs " mentioned above.

At the election of April 1, 1856, William Chappel was chosen Mayor; John Luber, Treasurer ; Ernest Off, Marshal ; P. V. Brown, Assessor, and Calvin B. Skinner, School Superintendent ; Aldermen - A. L. Pritchard, Henry Bertram, Daniel Collins, Bernard O'Byrne, John Becker, Judson Prentice ; Supervisors - Myron B. Williams, Jacob Enos, William T. Butler, Amos Bennett, William M. Dennis, Charles Beckmann.

The result of the charter election of 1857 is not given in the record, but the subsequent proceedings of the Council show that Henry Bertram was elected to the office of Mayor, and D. S. Chadwick chosen Treasurer. The Board of Aldermen was as follows : Gustavus Werlich, A. L. Prichard, Judson Prentice, Amos Steck, Carl Schurz (now Secretary of the Interior under President Hayes), Edward Johnson, Emile Rothe, John Becker, M. Quigley, Bernard O'Byrne, A. Schutz, and Daniel Collins.

The following individuals were chosen as the servants of the people of Watertown in 1858 : Mayor, Henry Bertram ; Treasurer, D. S. Chadwick ; Marshal, Harris Oilman. Justices of the Peace - Emile Rothe, Thomas M. Knox and Charles Beckmann. Aldermen - Joseph Lindon, William Dutcher, Daniel Jones, Amos Bennett, Jacob Baumann and Judson Prentice. Supervisors - Myron B. Williams, Henry Mulberger, William T. Butler, Philip Piper. Assessors - Christopher Schroeder, Gottlieb Baumann and Thomas Moore. Constables - Charles II.

In 1859, the officers of the city of Watertown were: Mayor, Calvin B. Skinner; Treasurer, Henry Bertram ; Marshal, August Tanck ; Police Justice, Jonathan A. Hadley. Aldermen - Franklin E. Shandrew, C. Shroeder, J. P. Van Alstine (two years), Patrick Rogan, Stephen Davis, William M. Dennis, H. Vandell, D. S. Chadwick and rf. J. Steel. Supervisors G. Breckenridge, L. J. Fribert, Patrick Rogan and Charles Beckmann. Assessors - William C. Spalding, Jacob Hoefner, David Collins, John Becker, Hezekiah Flinn, F. Herrmann, A. S. Wood and J. A. Chadwick. Railroad Commissioners - Thomas Dervin. F. Gebhard, James Rogan, F. Rasch, Jacob Baumann, Charles Walther. Henry Steger and Walter Pease. Constables - Thomas Holland, Louis Beahr, Michael Cummings, Daniel Nolan, John Bronndt, E. Pfenninger, Matthias Hass and H. Meyer.

At the charter election of 1860, Myron B. Williams was chosen Mayor ; Henry Bertram, Treasurer, and August Tanck, Marshal. Aldermen - Theodore Prentiss, Christian May, S. J. Steel, Jacob Weber, Amos Baum, Judson Prentice and Thomas Elmore. Assessors - Frederick Hermann, Charles Goldner and John Reidinger. Sealer of Weights and Measures, John O'Connor. School Commissioners - Hiram Barber, Jr., Peter Seaburg, Daniel Collins, William Bieber, Jacob Baumann, Henry Lindermann and Henry Steger. Supervisors - Edmund Sweeney, Emile Rothe, Patrick Rogan and Philip Piper. Railroad Commissioner, S. S. Merrill. Justices of the Peace - Charles M. Ducasse, Bernard Miller and L. Kube. Constables - John Haines, Christian Hansey, Michael Cummings, David Welsh, John Brandt, Charles Walther and J. A. Chadwick. Clerk (appointed), Gustave Werlich.

The city government for 1861 was as follows: Mayor, Myron B. Williams; Treasurer, Charles Beckmann; Marshal, John Haines. Aldermen - William C. Spalding. James Larkin, Thomas Moore, James Cody, William M. Dennis, August Schutz and James Bergen. Supervisors - Edmund Sweeney, Emile Rothe, Patrick Rogan and Philip Piper. Assessors - Matthew Norton, John Riedinger and Frederick Herrmann. Constables - Benjamin Cunningham, A. Schultz, Michael Cummings, Henry Bossinger, Simon Marchant, Charles Walther and Christopher darken. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Frederick Herrmann. City Surveyor (elected by the Board), H. Steger ; City Clerk (elected by the Board), G. Werlich. School Commissioners - H. Steger, Henry Bertram, M. McHugh, Hiram Barber, Jr.

In 1862, William M. Dennis was elected Mayor ; Joseph G. Pease, Treasurer ; Ch. Paraski, Marshal ; Frederick Hermann, Assessor, and John Williams, Sealer of Weights and Measures. Aldermen - Ira E. Leonard, Frederick Fischer, Michael McHugh, Peter V. Brown, D. Kusel, Jr., Charles Stimm and Darius S. Gibbs. Justices of the Peace - C. M. Ducasse, Bernhard Miller and Charles Beckmann. School Commissioners - William Bieber, Francis O'Rourke and John Habbegger. Constables - W. S. Rowe, Francis Belrose, James McBan, James Griffin, Simon Marchand, C. Walther and Christopher Clarkins. Gustavus Werlich was re-appointed City Clerk.

In 1863, Watertown was governed by the following individuals: Mayor, Joseph Lindon ; Treasurer, J. G. Pease ; Assessor, T. Elmore : Marshal, J. Staub ; Sealer, P. March. Aldermen - C. B. Skinner, A. Pfundheller, Patrick Rogan, H. Graves, W. M. Dennis, C. Beckmann, T. H. Breckenridge and J. Bergen. School Commissioners - C. A. Sprague, M. Mcllugh, C. Jacobi and J. Mooney. Constables - Asher Nichols, John Jung, J. McRann, M. Burke, S. Marchand, C. Walther and M. McGraw. Amos Baum succeeded Mr. Werlich as City Clerk.

In 1864, Joseph Lindon was re-elected to the Mayoralty, Gustavus Schnasse was chosen Treasurer; John Haines, Marshal; F. Hermann, Assessor; John O'Connor, Sealer. Aldermen - Theodore Prentiss, J. T. Moak, Aaron Stein, Thomas Baxter, John Riedinger, Louis Kellermann, F. Brandt and James Bergen. Justices of the Peace - Charles M. Ducasse,

Henry Graves and Charles Beckmann. School Commissioners - William Bieber, Francis O'Rourke and H. C. Tack. Constables - John C. Rhodes, F. Belrose, John Cummings, Patrick McHugh, John Staub, F. Berg and Andrew Dunnigan. Gustavus Werlich succeeded to the City Clerkship.

At the charter election of 1865, Robert Howell was chosen for the office of Mayor; Gustavus Schnasse re-elected Treasurer; John O'Connor, Sealer, and Frederick Hermann and Patrick Rogan, Assessors. Aldermen - Justus T. Moak, Henry Mulberger, Amos Baum, Bernard O'Byi-ne, William M. Dennis, Charles Beckmann, Philip Quintmeyer and Herbert Breckenridge. School Commissioners - Charles A. Sprague, Michael McHugh, August Bornschein and John Mooney. Constables - Joseph Giles, Francis McRan, Fred. Misegades, John Brandt, Henry Tiemann and Peter Cronie. Gustavus Werlich, re-appointed Clerk.

In April, 1866, William M. Dennis was re-elected Mayor; F. Hermann, Treasurer: C. Beckman, Assessor. Aldermen - Theodore Prentiss, Christian Meyer, Thomas Moore, John Riedinger, August Tanck, Joseph Saleck and II. Breckenridge. Justices of the Peace - Charles M. Ducasse, Bernhard Miller, August Tanck and Charles Beckmann. Constables - Joseph Merkle, T. Fischer, Michael McHugh, W. D. Sprrcsser, John Brandt, Henry Tiemann and George Reinhart.

The following officers were elected for 1867 : Mayor, Henry Mulberger ; Treasurer, T. Hermann ; Assessor, August Tanck ; Sealer, L. Jaehrling. Aldermen - Justus T. Moak, Charles M. Ducasse, Joseph Lindon, Richard Jones, A. Bornschein, Charles Beckmann and David S. Chadwick. School Commissioners - Henry Bieber, Michael McHugh, F. Hartwig and John McGolrick. Constables - C. F. Krebs, L. Baehr, M. F. Paulfranz, H. Tiemann and George Reinhart. Marshal (by the Board). E. Off; City Clerk (by the Board), A. Francl. At this election, Orsamus Cole received 273 votes for Associate Justice.

In 1868, Charles Beckmann was elected Mayor ; S. Stallmann, Treasurer ; F. Hermann, Assessor. Aldermen - J. B. Gillett, II. Bertram, T. Moore, B. O'Byrne, F. Hartwig, A. Wegemann and Mr. Hennessey. Justices of the Peace - C. M. Ducasse, A. Francl, C. F. Krebs, B. Miller, J. Shaller and C. Beckmann. School Commissioners - J. F. Wiesemann, Jacob Weber and D. Blumenfeld. Constables - P. Holland, T. Kreagen, J. Brandt, A. Melcher, J. H. Kehr and J. O'Brien. A. Francl continued to hold the office of Clerk by appointment, and E. Off was re-appointed Marshal.

In the election of 1869, S. S. Discon heads the ticket for Chief Justice, and Harlow Pease for County Judge, both of whom were elected. City Ticket (Executive) - Mayor, John Richards ; Treasurer, L. Stahlmann ; Assessor, A. Tanck ; Sealer, B. Riley. Aldermen - M. B. Williams, Ch. Meyer, Julius Wiesemann, John Devy, Richard Jones, H. S. Pierrepont, F. Hartwig, John C. Halliger and William Olin. School Commissioners - Charles Goeldner, P. Malloy, Levi Schofield and 0. Quintmeyer. Justice of the Peace, Jacob Schaller. Constables - John Muth, K. Bassinger, Jacob Wagner and L. Hamlin. A. Francl continued in office as Clerk ; also. E. Off as City Marshal. Judson Prentice and Eraile Rothe were appointed to the positions of City Surveyor and City Attorney respectively.

The Legislature having previously passed " An act to enable the city of Watertown to settle with her creditors," the question was voted upon at this election, and defeated by a majority of 294.

Henry Bertram was elected Mayor in 1870 ; Treasurer, Michael Quigley : Assessors, Charles Beckmann and Matthew Norton ; Sealer, B. Reily. Aldermen - T. Prentiss, L. Jaehrling, P. Devy, Thomas Baxter, F. Kusel, Jr., S. S. Woodard, J. Reisdorf, A. Gradewohl, D. Blumenfeld, U. Habbegger, John McCully and F. H. Breckenridge. Justices of the Peace - Charles M. Ducasse, Patrick Rogan, Jacob Schaller and Charles Beckmann. School Commissioners - Philip Schmidt, Matthew Norton and William Dobratz. Supervisors - William H. Rohr, William Bieber, Benjamin Nute, Jacob Weber, W. M. Dennis, F. Hermann and Alanson Boomer. [The names of those elected to the office of Supervisor in the city of Watertown do not appear in the record from 1861 to 1870.] Constables - John Reichardt, W. Van Nees, F.

In 1871, Theodore Prentiss was again called to guide the municipal destinies of Watertown. F. Meyer was elected Treasurer; Charles Beckmann and M. Norton, re-elected Assessors. Aldermen - J. T. Moak, Ch. Meyer, D. Kehr, H. Bertram, George Ryan, R. Jones, H. Bassinger and M. Sullivan. Supervisors - William H. Rohr, William Bieber, Thomas Baxter. Jacob Weber, William M. Dennis, F. Hermann and A. Boomer. School Commissioners - H. Sleeper, Amos Baum, A. Gradewohl and F. Breckenridge. Commissioners of the Public Debt - G. Weriich, W. Pease, F. Hartwig and P. Quentmeyer. Justice of the Peace, AVilliam P. Brown. Constables - John Reichardt, Thomas Dougherty and John L. Kube. Francl and Off remained in oflSce.

The result of the election in 1872 was as follows: Mayor, Fred Kusel. Treasurer, Fred Meyer. Assessors, Charles Beckmann and M. Gallagher. Aldermen - C. Mayer, William Bieber, Thomas Moore, George Ryan, Richard Jones, T. Becker, L. Reisdorf, F. Hartwig, J. Prentice, William Weber, James McCuUy and John McGolrick. Supervisors - D. W. Ballou, E Grossman, Daniel Jone.s, E. Sweeney, W. M. Dennis, F. Hermann and F. H. Breckenridge. Justices of the Peace - C. M. Ducasse, C. F. Krebs, J. C. Halliger and Charles Beckmann. School Commissioners - J. Benkendorf, J. W^eber and F. Voss. Commissioners of the Public Debt - C. Schroeder, M. G. Gallagher and U. Habbegger. Constables - E. Oft", George Reuse, John Reichardt, James McRan, J. L. Kube and Ph. Manz. Appointed by Board - City Clerk, A. Francl; City Marshal. E. Oif; City Surveyor, Judson Prentice.

In 187;'5, Christian Meyer was elected Mayor; William Schulte, Treasurer; Charles Beckmann and August Volkmann, Assessors. Aldermen - Eugene W^iggenhorn, H. Bertram, William Bieber, Joseph Lindon, F. Kusel, Henry Winkenwerder, John Alwart and Luther May. Supervisors - D. W. Ballou, William Volckmann, T. Ba.xter, Edward Sweeney, Ferdinand Hartwig, Fred Hermann and H. F. Breckenridge. Justice of the Peace, John L. Kube. School Commissioners - F. Specht, Amos Baum, H. Wilber and A. P. Wood. Commissioners of tiie Public Debt - G. Weriich, F. Fischer, W. Pease, William Spence and P. Quentmeyer. Constables - Sylvester Burns, John Reichai-dt, James McRan, Casper Schilling and P. Dougherty. Clerk (appointed), A. Tanck. Marshal (appointed), John Reichardt.

Municipal honors were accorded as follows, in 1874: Mayor, Hezekiah Flinn (the first Milesian who succeeded to this oihce in Watertov. ii) ; Treasurer, William Schulte; Assessors, August Volckmann and M. J. Gallagher. Aldermen - C. Mayer, C. Schroeder, Thomas Moore, H. Meyer. James McHugh, F. Misegades, H. Wilbur, H. Winkenwerder, F. Mertzke, J. Alwart, F. Block and William Olin. Supervisors - D. W^. Ballou, William Volckmann. Thomas Ba.xter, Edmund Sweeney, F. Hartwig, Fred Hermann and F. H. Breckenridge. School Commissioners - William Bieber. Jacob W-eber and U. Habbegger. Commissioners of the Public Debt - Joiin Muth, M. J. Gallagher and L. Vogel. Justices of the Peace - C. M. Ducasse, Charles F. Krebs, John L. Kube and Chai'les Beckmann. Constables - S. Burns, William Wilson, James McRan, J. Rissmeyer, P. Dougherty and John O'Brien. P. Devy was appointed Clerk, and P. Dougherty, Marshall.

In 1875, Watertown had the following oflRcers : Mayor. Jacob Weber; Treasurer, William Schulte ; Assessors, Charles Beckmann, and Michael J. Gallagher. Aldermen - Seniors, J. T. Moak, H. Pritzlaif. Piiilip Quentmeyer, Stephen S. Woodard, Marshall J. Woodard, F. Maerzke and D. S. Chadwick ; Juniors, Eugene Wiggenliorn, J. Benkendorf, G. B. Lewis, John Weber, L. Kellermann, J. Alwart and William Olin. Supervisors (three from each ward, in accordance with the act of an Legislature, approved March 5, 1875 - J. B. Bennett, C. W. Schulz, John Ford, A. F. Mueller, C. Ahrenberg, Joseph Bursinger, Edward Johnson, Henry Rice, John O'Neill, Edmund Sweeney, F. Kusel, Patrick Rogan, Frank Koenig, J. Pritzlaff, Caspar Shilling, Charles Ruebhausen, William Henze, Louis Vogei, F. H. Breckenridge, H. Frederick, Amos P. Wood. Commissioners of the Public Debt - Gustavus AVerlich, Walter Pease, John Bauraaiin, A. Volckmann and Simon Ford. School Commissioners - Fred Specht,

J. Mowder, WHliam Herbst and M. Sullivan. Constables - Sylvester Burns, Joachim Cordes, Thomas Heil, James McRan, Henry Bogel, Philip Dougherty and Jacob Reinhard. A. Tanck, and J. F. Barber were appointed to the positions of City Clerk and City Marshal respectively.

Jacob Weber was re-elected Mayor in 1876 ; Treasurer, August Block, ; Assessors, M. J. Gallagher and August Block. Aldermen - Seniors, William Rohr, Henry Pritzlaff, P. C. Quentmeyer, S. S. Woodard, H. Wilber, Fred Maerzke and Fred Block ; Juniors, J. B. Bennett, John Muth, G. B. Lewis, Timothy DriscoU, H. Winkenwerder, J. Alwart and William Olin. Supervisors - D. W. Ballou, Charles Schultz, Philip Hackett, A. Miller, J. Bursinger, C. Ahrenberg, E. Johnson, C. J. O'Neill, John Weber, F. Kusel, Peter Malloy, John McGraw, F. Hartwig, F. Ott, L. Reisdorf, Ch. Ruebhausen, L. Vogel, H. Peters, H. Breckenridge, A. P. Wood and A. Dunnigan. School Commissioners - Emil Gaebler, James McHugh, and August Volckmann. Commissioners of the Public Debt - J. Benkendorf, B. O'Byrne, Philip Dougherty md A. Boomer. Justices of the Peace - H. Bieber, Henry Rice, Theodore Schroeder, John McGolrick, C. M. Ducasse, Charles F. Krebs and Charles Beckmann. Constables - Sylvester Burns, J. Reichert, J. M. Bartlett, J. Riesmeier, Jacob Schaller and P. Dougherty. Appointments - A.' Tanck, City Clerk ; H. Cunningham, City Marshal.

The municipal officers for 1877 were : Mayor, Charles Ruebhausen ; Treasurer, Angus: Block ; Assessors, August Volckman and M. J. Gallagher. Aldermen - Seniors, Charles Goethe, A. Zickert, H. Flinn, F. Kusel, H. Wilber, F. Maerzke and William Olin : Juniors, D. B. Fute, F. Stylow, M. McHugh, H. Winkenwerder, J. Alwart and G. Rinehardt. Supervisors - (one From each ward), S. E. Randall, A. Wegemann, H. Mulberger, F. P. Brook, F. Koenig, C. Ruebhausen and F. H. Breckenridge. Roadmasters - L. Prochazka, H. Muselmann, J. Klever, M. Murphy. John Baumann, F. Hermann and Charles McDermott. Justices of the Peace - Samuel Baird, Simon Melzer, M. Ambrose, Patrick Rogan, J. L. Kube and Charles Beckmann. School Commissioners - Frederick Specht, Patrick McCabe, H. Wilber and D. S. Chadwick. Commissioners of the Public Debt - Charles Goeldner, A. W. Carlin, F. I^artwig md Michael Moran. Constables - S. Burns, John Reichart, John Blair, W. F. March, Henry Bode, P. Dougherty and George Forkenbridge. Appointments - City Clerk, Charles Beckmann; City Marshal, D. Kehr.

In 1878, the city government was as follows: Mayor, Charles Ruebhausen ; Treasurer, Anton Schumacher; Assessors, M. J. Gallagher and Charles Noack. Aldermen - Seniors, J. B. Bennett, A. F. Miller, H. Flinn, F. Kusel, Albert Baumann, F. Maerzke and D. Crowley ; Juniors, Dwight Nute, Julius Wiesmann, Joseph Lindon, Richard Jones, Franz Lathh;immer, Joachim Alwart and H. Doberstein. Supervisors - John Davis, William Bieber, Henry Muel- Derger, W. D. Stacy, John Bird, F. Hermann and A. P. Wood. Justices of the Peace - Charles Arnold, M. Ambrose, J. L. Kube and Z. C. Cole. School Commissioners - Emil C. Glaebler, Edmund Sweeney and Charles Ruebhausen. Commissioners of the Public Debt - rhomas McCabe and Ulrich Habhegger. Constables - William Krebs, John Reichart, S. Ford. tVilliam Martsch, Sebastian Monrian, Henry Rassenger and George Forkenbridge. Appointnents - City Clerk, Charles Beckmann ; City Marshal, D. Kehr.

At the charter election of April last, the following individuals were chosen to guide the nunicipal destinies of Watertown for 1879: Mayor, F. Kusel; Treasurer, A. Schumacher; Assessors, M. J. Gallagher and Cliarles Noack. Aldermen - Seniors, John Habbegger, H. F. Vliller, Thomas Baxter, Richard Jones, F. Hartwig, William Voss and Daniel Crowley ; Junors, William Krause, Julius Weisemann, Adolphus Blair, Thomas McCabe, Henry Jaeger, Fohn Muth and F. Henoch. Supervisors - H. S. Howell, William Bieber, Henry Muelberger, F. P. Brook, Frank Koenig, Ulrich Habhegger and A. P. Wood. School Commis.°ioners - Eugene Wiggenhorn, A. Salliday, H. Wilber and John McGolrick. Commissioners of the Public Debt - A. K. M. Pickert and A. W. Carlin. Justices of the Peace - John C. Halliger, VT. Ambrose and Charles Beckmann. Constables - William Krebs, John Reichart, Peter Blair, 1 Horn, Peter Euper, P. Dougherty and Luke Dunnigan.

At the last meeting of the Council of 1878, it appears from the report of the City Marshal, that, during the month of March, 1879, four persons were arrested for vagrancy b_v that officer and brought before Justice of the Peace Arnold, who discharged them with the injunction to sin no more ; also, one person for violating a city ordinance, who was fined §5. The report of William Wilson, Deputy Marshal, shows that seventeen persons were arrested as vagrants by that officer, sixteen of whom were discharged and one committed to jail at hard labor ; also, three persons were arrested on charges of violating a city ordinance, one being dismissed and the other two fined §3 each.

Resolved, That the salaries of the different city officers hereinafter named be, and they are hereby, fixed for ihe ensuing year as follows: Treasurer, $500; Marshal, $400; City Clerk, $400 ; Superintendent of Public Schools, $800.

A communication from the School Board, estimating the amount necessary for the support of the schools during the coming year, to be raised by taxation, at $8,500, was laid over.

Resolved, That there be, and is hereby, levied upon all the taxable properly in the city of Wnlertown, in addition to the taxes now levied in said city by Section 3, Chapter 204. of the private and local laws of Wisconsin, passed March 3, 1871, the following taxes for city, school, ward and poor purposes for the year IST'J. to wit : For the current expenses of the city general government, 5 mills on the dollar ; for school purposes, none : upon the First and Third Wards, for ward purposes, J mill on the dollar ; upon the Sixth and Seventh Wards, for ward purposes, 1 mill on the dollar.

And be it further resolved. That there be, and is hereby, levied tipnn the Fourth Ward, forward purposes, 1 mill less than levied by law; and that there is hereby levied upon the Fifth Ward, for poor purposes, 1 mill less than levied by law.

The Council then elected the following officers ; City Clerk, Henry Bieber ; City Marshal, George Henze; Night Watchmen - East Side, Charles Henke ; West Side, Joseph Monreau; Weighers of Hay and Measurers of Wood - East Side, William Jaedeke ; West Side, George Mc^Iillen ; City Surveyor, A. Seiffert ; City Attorney, Charles H. Gardner; City Auctioneer, John Reichart ; Health Officer, Dr. Wigginton, the latter at a salary af §40 a year.

Thus we have an interesting epitome of the records of Watertown - town, village and city - for the past thirty-seven years. Generally speaking, the books of the city have been kept in a readable manner ; but there is evidence, in the shape of unintelligible chirography in some parts of the records, that political influence has outdone itself by placing certain individuals in the important position of City Clerk. Mr. Bieber, the present gentlemanly incumbent of that office, is in every way qualified for the position.

Location

The corporate limits of the city of Watertown embrace nine sections of land of 640 acres each. About one-third of this area lies in Dodge County, but the principal business and residence portions of the city are in Jefferson County. The streets are laid out at right angles, and are broad and pleasant. The city is on the line of the La Crosse Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, 44 miles from Milwaukee, and lo"2 from La Crosse. A branch of this line extends to the capital of the State. 37 miles. The Chicago & North- Western Railway also passes through the western limits of the city.

For the past twelve or fifteen years, the city of Watertown has been without perpetual municipal government. While this may appear not to be a very desirable condition of affairs, still the people of Watertown manage to exist, and strangers visiting the place, were they not itherwise informed, would not know that it was a Mayorless city, or that it was unencumbered ly that most important of all distinguished bodies - a Board of Aldermen. Nevertheless, Vatertown has its charter elections every April, at which a full complement of city officials is hosen. Under the provisions of the city charter, they may qualify at any time within ten lays from the date of election. As an old resident of Watertown forcibly expressed it, it is "a foman's secret " that the City Clerk, appointed by the previous Council, has already prepared, irior to the date agreed upon for the qualification of the new officials, the resignation of each ncumbent, ready for their individual signatures. If he be a competent man, with the interests if his constituents at heart, he will also have prepared, in advance of " qualification dav " - rhich, by the way, is not "a woman's secret," for none but the officials themselves know of t - other documents necessary to the legal management of the municipality for the next twelve Qonths, to which the signatures of the proper officials may be attached during the intervening pace of time between their qualification and their resignation.

The explanation of this mysterious method of conducting the public affairs of a city is ound in the fact that Watertown has had, among other overdoses of " progress," too much ailroad. Twenty-five years ago, the people thought all they needed to make them permanently lappy was an extensive system of railway lines. All other schemes of improvement were made ubservient to the prevailing craze. Aid was extended with a lavish hand. The voting of (100, nOO in city bonds to any number of individuals calling themselves a railway corporation fas a common occurrence, attended by almost unanimous results ; and the great number, ven at that early day, of enterprising gentlemen anxious to build railroads with other people's noney was simply surprising.

We first find Watertown enacting the role of an eleemosynary institution for the benefit of his class of geniuses in 1853, when the qualified electors of the city, by what may be termed a landsome majority, voted aid to the extent of $80,000, in bonds, to the Milwaukee & Waterowii Railroad Company, the bonds to run ten years at 8 per cent interest. Watertown, before he advent of the iron horse, was a prosperous city, and its paper found advantageous ami eady negotiation everywhere. The city was ''secured" in this bond issue by iha promise of a econd mortgage on the railway property when constructed - a rather illusory security. At the xpiration of the ten years, when the bonds fell due, the railroad corporation had undergone Qany changes in the management, and was beyond the reach of any legal process for the satisaction of this mortgage, had it been given by the Company. The bonds, however, having fallen nto the hands of speculators, were held against the city, together with accrued interest on their ull value. Litigation followed, ending in numerous judgments against the city, but, for easons which will appear hereafter, these judgments have not been satisfied.

In December, 1854, another special election was held in Watertown for the purpose of oting the credit of the city in the interest of a railroad company - the Rock River Valley Jnion Railroad. There were 224 votes cast, the majority " for the railroad " being 176. Phe amount of bonds authorized to be issued at this election was §120,000, at about the same erms of the previous issue to the Milwaukee k Watertown Company.

Encouraged by their success in obtaining $80,000 from the people of Watertown by the acre promise of a second mortgage on what was then virtually an imaginary property, the corlorators of the Milwaukee & Watertown road made an effijrt to get a second issue of bonds rom the same source. The City Council authorized the people to vote on the question at the iharter election held April 10, 1855, and the scheme was defeated by a majority of 167. This lefeat, however, turned out to be a most profitable one for the railroad people. The electors of iVatertown were severely criticised by the press for having gone " directly against their own nterests." They were made so heartily ashamed of themselves that when, on the 7th of Janlary following, a proposition came up to subsidize the Milwaukee, Watertown & Madison Com- )any to the extent of $200,000, they voted solidly for it. On the same day, the same electors ;ast their ballots in favor of giving the Chicago & Fond du Lac Railroad Company (formerly he R. R. V. U. R. R. Co.), $200,000 of the city's bonds. The vote on both question* stood : " For the railroads. 326 : against the railroads, none : majority for the railroads, 326 I This election was well managed. A small army of men was at that time engaged in building tl Milwaukee, Watertown & Madison road. Many of them became temporary residents of tl citv in time to entitle them to a voice in the bond question. The history of many similar exe cises of " the rights of freemen " at the polls, teaches us that these laborers did not vote again their bread and butter.

The Chicago & Fond du Lac Company (now the Chicago & North- Western) subsequent] converted their Watertown bonds into stock of the road, at the rate of 60 per cent on the do lar ; that is to say, stock of the company was issued to the city as security for its bonds. Th stoek has been disposed of and the bonds redeemed at various times and prices, until the; remains at the present time about §20.000 to be taken up.

No security was ever given the city for the bonds issued to the Milwaukee, Watertown Madison Company, but numerous suits have been brought against the city by the bondholder in a few of which judgments were obtained. Interest upon these judgments has compound( until, added to the principal, the total reaches the enormous sura of §750,000, or thereabou Various futile attempts have been made to compromise with the bondholders, but they hai exhibited a disposition to exact the last pound of flesh. The Legislature of 1878 passed a act permitting the city of Watertown to levy a tax of 2J per cent for two years toward the liqu dation of this indebtedness. It was stipulated in the act that the bondholders should file bone in the City Clerk's office agreeing to accept the sum thus raised (probably §70,000, had tl levy been made) in full payment of their claim. This they failed to do. The means employe to obtain these bonds, and the failure of the original railway company to secure the people < Watertown, as it agreed to do, have served to incense a majority of them to the point of utt« repudiation. Especially is this the case among the poorer classes, who fear taxation and despis the tax-gatherer. The question has entered largely into municipal politics for the past twent years. The oflBce-seeker who announces himself as a repudiationist, is almost certain of electio) The most popular political platform is the one with the longest repudiation plank in it. N long since a candidate for the mayoralty paid his respects to a large assemblage of citizens, somi thing after this style. Appearing on the speakers' platform with a huge hickory club in h hand, he said :

" Fellow-Citizens .^nd Fellow-Countrtmen: Idonotclaim tobeamanof £esthetictastei and perhaps I don't know enough about the fine arts of oflBce to make a mayor with a great des of style about him, but there is one thing I do know - and I believe the expression reflects th views of the respectable and representative classes I see before me to-night - and that is, that don't care a for all the railroads and bondholders in the country."

The history of a portion of the litigation in connection with the bonds of the Milwaukei Watertown & Madison road is found in the report of the " cases argued and adjudged in th Supreme Court of the United States, October term, 1873." The case is that of Rees vs. Th City of Watertown, on appeal from the Circuit Court for the Western District of Wisconsir The statement of the case and the opinion is by Associate Justice Ward Hunt, of New Yorl In it will be found an explanation of the cause which, for the past twelve or fifteen years, ha prompted the municipal officers of Watertown to resign immediately upon their qualification. 1 is in substance as follows :

" Rees, a citizen of Illinois, being owner of certain bonds issued under authority of an ac of the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin, by the city of Watertown, to the Watertown i Madison Railroad Company, and by the company sold for its benefit, brought suit in the Circui Court of the United States for the District of Wisconsin, against the city, and, in 1867, recov ered two judgments for about §10,000. In the summer of 1868, he issued executions upon th two judgments thus obtained, which were returned wholly unsatisfied. In November of th same year, he procured from the United States Circuit Court a peremptory writ of mandamus directing the city of Watertown to levy and collect a tax upon the taxable property of the cit

;o pay the said judgments ; but before the writ could be served, a majority of the members of ;he City Council resigned their offices. This fact was returned by the Marshal, and proceedngs upon the mandamus thereupon ceased.

"In May, 1869, another Board of Aldermen having been elected, Rees procured another vrit of mandamus to be issued, which writ was served on all of the Aldermen except J. C. Haliger, who was sick at the time of the service upon the others. No steps were taken to comply vith the requisition of the writ. An order to show cause why the Aldermen should not be )unished for contempt, in not complying with its requirements, was obtained, and before its six of the Aldermen resigned their offices, leaving in office but one more than a [uorum, of whom the said Halliger, upon whom the writ had not been served, was one. Varilus proceedings were had and various excuses made, the whole resulting in an order that the Vldermen should at once levy and collect the tax ; but before the order could be served on lalliger he resigned his office, and again the Board was left without a quorum. Nothing fas accomplished by their effort in aid of the plaintiff, but fines were imposed upon the ecusant Aldermen, which were ordered to be applied in discharge of the costs of the proceedngs-

" In October, 1870, the plaintiff obtained a third writ of mandamus, which resulted as the ormer ones had done, and by the same means on the part of the officers of the city. A special lection was ordered to be held to fill the vacancies of the Aldermen so resigning, but no votes rere cast except three in one ward, and the person for whom they were cast refused to qualify. Phe general truth of these facts was not denied. No part of the debt was ever paid.

"In this state of things, the District of Wisconsin having been divided into an Eastern ,nd Western District, and the city of Watertown being in the latter, Rees brought suit in the itter district on his judgments obtained in the general district before the decision, and got a lew judgment upon them for $11,066. He now filed a bill in the Western District, setting Drth the above facts - the general truth of which was not denied - that the debt due to him had ever been paid, and that, with an accumulation of fourteen years' interest, the same remained npaid, an^ that all his etforts to obtain satisfaction of his judgments had fiiiled. All this wa.squally undenied. The bill set forth, also, certain acts of the Legislature of Wisconsin, which, ; was alleged, were intended to aid the defendant in evading the payment of its debts, ami 'hich, it seemed sufficiently plain, had had that effect, whatever might have been the intent of tiie legislature passing them. The bill alleging that the corporate authorities were trustees for the benefit f the creditors of the city, and that the property of the citizens was a trust fund for the payment of ;s debts, and that it was the duty of the Court to lay hold of such property and cause it to be istly applied, now prayed that the Court would subject the taxable property of the city to the paylent of the judgments, * * and that the Marshal of the District might be empowered to jize and sell so much of it as might be necessary, and to pay over to him the proceeds of such lie.

" The answer (or argument made in the brief upon it) set up among other things that 'the ity of Watertown contained a population of but 7,5.53 inhabitants ; that the value of its proprty was assessed at but little over a million of dollars; that the debt of the citj' is §750,000 ; lat it was impossible for the city to pay this debt; that it was expected and provided that the lilroad company would pay the bonds in question; that the city had compromised and settled portion of its debt ; that it had levied the taxes necessary to effect such compromise, and that was ready to compromise all outstanding bonds and judgments at as high a rate as can be illected of the people of Watertown ; that there was no law to compel the retention of the Bee by Aldermen to levy taxes ; that the plaintiff took his chance of its being voluntarily me, and that, not being voluntarily done, there was no violation of law.'

" This case is free from the objections usually made to a recovery upon municipal bonds. It is beyond doubt that the bonds were issued by authority of an act of the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin, and in the m;inner prescribed by the statute. It is not denied that the railroad, in aid of the construction of which they were issued, has been built and was put in operation. Upon a class of the defenses interposed in the answer and in the argument, it is not necessary to spend much time. The theories upon which they proceed are vicious. They are based upon the idea that a refusal to pay an honest debt is justifiable because it would distress the debtor to pay it. A voluntary refusal to pay an honest debt is a high offense in a commercial community, and is just cause of war between nations. So far as the defense rests upon these principles, we find no difficulty in overruling it. There is, however, a grave question of the power of the Court to grant the relief asked for. We are of opinion that this Court has not the power to direct a tax to be levied for the payment of these judgments. This power to impose burdens and raise money is the highest attribute of sovereignty, and is exercised, first, to raise money for public purposes only ; and, second, by the power of legislative authority only. It is a power that has not been extended to the judiciary. Especially is it beyond the power of the Federal judiciary to assume the place of a State in the exercise of this authority, at once so delicate and so important.

obstructed in the pursuit of his legal remedies, we should be quite willing to give him the aid requested, if the law permitted it. We cannot, however, find authority for so doing, and we acquiesce in the conclusion of the Court below that the bill must be dismissed."

This is one of the most important decisions ever rendered by the United States Supreme Court. It is frequently, and will doubtless continue to be, cited as a precedent in similar cases. The situation in Watertown, however, is an embarrassing one, and the people are anxious and willing to acquiesce in some e([uitable arrangement for removing the shadow which hangs over their prosperity like a pall. It is natural that they should resist every effort of the bondholders to make them pay an enormous sum on a property whose emoluments are enjoyed by others.

Chicago ^ North- Western. - In this connection, something of the history of the progress of the roads in question will be of interest. The Rock River Valley Union Railroad was the one, perhaps, to which the people of Jefferson County looked forward to as affording them the first and best outlet. Every movement in connection therewith was eagerly recorded by the local newspapers. The commencement of operations in 1851, at Fond du Lac - which had then been decided upon as the northern terminus of the line - and the completion of a few miles of the road southward from that city was joyous news to the citizens of Jefferson County. Everybody had railroad on the brain, and it is not surprising that the voting of bonds became of frequent occurrence. To give the minor details of the many phases of the railway history in question would encroach upon valuable space in this work which must be devoted to subjects of quite as great importance. Brief mention of the most essential events must suffice :

The Watertown Democrat of October 26, 1854, speaking of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad, saiil the Company had " apparently passed through the ordeal of all projects that conflict with the lake shore interests."

About this time, A. Hyatt Smith of Janesville, and John B. Macy retired from their positions as Directors, and an entire new Board was elected as follows : A. G. Butler, of Fond du Lac ; Alonzo Wing, Jefferson ; L. P. Harvey, Shopiere ; George P. Delaplaine, Madison ; Daniel Lovejoy. Cooktown ; Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson; J. B. Doe and Joseph A. Wood, Janesville ; William B. Ogden, Daniel Brainard and Henry Smith, Chicago ; Charles Butler, New

York; William Jarvis, Middletown, Conn.; John Wooster, Boston ; J. W. Hickok, Burlington, Vt. At a subsequent meeting held at Janesville, the following officers were elected : Charles Butler, President ; J. B. Doe, Vice President and Treasurer ; J. W. Currier, Secretary.

The report of the Directors at this meeting showed that $1,067,073.80 had been expended on the road. Soon afterward, the bonded and floating debt of the Company was converted into stock. About the same time, soon after the election of the new Directory, a meeting of citizens of Watertown was held in Cole's new block, to give expression to the feeling on the subject and to allow certain parties interested to state their views. Mayor Prentiss presided, and E. Quiner acted as Secretary. Speeches were made by Mr. Hickok, of Vermont, Ex-Gov. Tallmadge and A. Hyatt Smith. The following resolutions were adopted :

-' Resolved, That the people of Watertown look upon this new movement with the deepest interest, believing as they do, that this work, when completed, will be of incalculable benefit, not only to this city, but to the State at large.

"Reyiilved, That they tender their full confidence and cordial co-operation to the new Board of Directors, believing them all to be honest and honorable men, capable of bringing to a speedy and successful termination the work intrusted to their charge.

"Resolved, That they cordially approve of the main features of the new movement to wit: An appeal (o the people along the line of the road for subscription to its stock, and that the people of Watertown will contribme its full quota of the material aid necessary to the completion of the work, in full confidence that it will liberally remunerate its stockholders.

" Resolved, That measures be taken to procure the passage of a law for submitting, at an early day, to a vote of the people, the question of loaning the credit of the city to this Company, in aid of said road, to the amount of $120,000.

For some reason there had been a loss of confidence on the part of the people in the early management of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad. While the citizens of Jeft'erson County were with patience awaiting its completion, Janesville and Beloit were engaged in one of their periodical quarrels as to which should pay the largest sum toward the building of the line. When the difficulty had been settled and the road passed to new hands it became necessary to ro-assure the people of Jefferson County that the scheme would thereafter be vigorously prosecuted. To this end a meeting was held at Jeflerson on December 1, 1854, at which Fort Atkinson, Watertown, etc., were well represented.

J. B. Doe, one of the new Board of Directors, defended the company from the damaging aspersions circulated against it, and denied a statement that the bonds had been sold at nominal and various prices. David Noggle, a Janesville lawyer, said he knew that there had been too much "gas" about the early management; that the manner in which the affairs of the company had previou.sly been conducted was a matter of no practical importance, and no indication of the future. He advocated the mortgage system of taking stock, saying that every man who had $2,000 worth of real estate could take $1,000 in stock, give his mortgage runnmg five years at 5 per cent, and, at the expiration of the time, in his opinion, the road would pay the principal and the individual would have his stock clear. The force of Mr. Noggle's argument was manifested by a large number of farmers present following his advice.

Work on the line between Fond du Lac and Watertown was being pushed rapidly, the route being graded nearly the entire distance. A new locomotive, which was taken from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac by teams, was announced to have arrived at the latter place for service on the completed portion of the road running from that city, and from this time forward confidence was restored.

On the 27th of November, 1854, the Watertown City Council passed a resolution ordering an election to be held on the third Monday of December following, for the purpose of voting upon the question of issuing city bonds to the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, to the amount of $120,000. The result of this election is already known. Similar action was taken by several other cities and villages along the route.

It was subsequently arranged that the cities and villages voting in favor of the issuance of bonds to the road should take stock and use these bonds in payment therefor. This conversion

The embarrassment experienced by the early management, and under which the Company still continued to labor, soon necessitated a change, and we find that, on December 30, 18.55, the Trustees disposed of the road at public sale for the benefit of the bondholders. William B. Ogdcn, J. H. Hicks and C. C. Wolden, of New York, became the purchasers, paying $20,000 therefor. The road was then consolidated with the Illinois & Wisconsin line, at that time in course of construction from Chicago toward the Northwest, and the Company was thereafter known as the Chicago, Fond du Lac & St. Paul Railroad Company. The issuance of the bonds voted by various cities and villages along the route, then became an important question. Concerning this subject, the Watertown Democrat, of May 3, 1855, says :

" If this railroad company strictly comply with the provisions of the act authorizing the issue of the city bonds, and give ample security that the payment of neither the interest nor principal shall fall on the city, we think the bonds should be granted. We want the railroad, and should be willing to help its completion, when we can do so without loss to ourselves. We hope that, so far as the success of the enterprise depends on us, we shall be found ready and willing to do our part. This is a subject for the deliberation and action of our City Council."

Owing to a failure of the managers of this Company to agree upon a course of action, the building of the road was delayed beyond a reasonable length of time, and the people of Jefferson County, so long kept in a condition between hope and fear, were again upon the point of despair, when an extract from a letter written from New York August 23, 1855, by Mr. Ogden, the President of the Company, published in the different papers throughout the county, re-assured them, and restored, in a measure, their lost confidence. The letter was as follows :

" The affairs of the road are looking up. Five thousand tons of iron have been bought, and a part of it is now being forwarded, with a view of getting to Janesville early in the spring, and of finishing the upper end of the road to the junction of the Milwaukee & La Crosse road. In fact, the whole thing looks very encouraging. The purchase of the balance of the iron will probably be closed to-day."

At a meeting held at Cole's Hall, in Watertown, on October 11, of the same year, Mr. Ogden addressed the assemblage. He said that most of the old bonds of the company had been converted into stock, the liabilities incurred under the former Board of Directors liquidated, seventy miles of the road placed in running order, and iron purchased for a large share of the balance of the line. The Directors, he said, were then making efforts to complete the road from Woodstock to Janesville, and from Waupun to the crossing of the La Crosse road within the following year, and the balance of the road as soon thereafter as possible. Mr. Ogden said the Company looked to the people along the line for bonds and stock subscriptions to the amount of $1,000,000. About one-third of this sum had already been secured at the north end of the road, and to Watertown and Janesville and the villages lying between these cities, the Directors looked for the balance. Before the meeting adjourned, Daniel Jones, A. L. Pritchard and William M. Dennis were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions.

The next event of interest in the history of this road, was the voting of the $200,000 in bonds by the city of Watertown, already referred to.

In August, 1856, the road was completed between Chicago and Janesville. In the mean time, work upon the northern end of the line had been pushed slowly forward, and all that was now necessary to insure the eternal happiness of the people of Jefferson County was the completion of the connecting link.

In the Democrat of January 15, 1857, occurs the following, which will give some idea of the exertions then being made by both the railway managers and the citizens interested :

"At a late meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad, a resolution was passed to put the road under contract as soon as stock to the amount of $600,000, on the line from Junction to Janesville, and they expect the following amounts to be subscribed at the places named ; Fort Atkinson, $100,000 ; Watertown, $150,000 ; Jefferson,

" The Directors are now here, and will remain this week, and the amount set down for Watertown should be made up at once. We are assured that, if the required amount of $600,000 is not 7iow subscribed, the road will not be put under contract ; but, if promptly taken, it will be put under contract immediately."

Within a month, the required amount was subscribed, and the Directors took their departure for Chicago. But the embarrassments which had attended the construction of this road from its first inception, seem to have increased, and the memorable railway crash of 1857 so crippled the Company that it was only by the most remarkable management the finished portions of the road were kept in operation. It was not till late in the fall of 1858 that the Company began to show signs of recovery from the paralyzing effects of the panic. The first evidence of this is found in the Democrat of September 30, 1858 :

" We have been called upon during the past week by the Directors, bondholders and Trustees of this Company. They have visited the various places on the line of the road to ascertain the state of the work and take the views of the stockholders and inhabitants as to what should be done in the present embarrassed condition of the road. The line is now completed and trains running regularly to Oshkosh, and the land-grant secured for the benefit of the Company. The grading and bridging from this city to the La Crosse Junction is finished and ready for the iron. The plan now proposed is to capitalize the second 8 per cent mortgage and the floating debt of the Company on some fair and equitable basis - the present stock to be taken up and new stock at a reduced amount issued therefor ; and, if not done voluntarily, the first mortgage will be foreclosed by the Trustees, and the present stock, floating debt and secured mortgage will be rendered worthless. The plan as proposed is a good one, and meets with the hearty approval of all the larger stockholders, and, with proper exertion, can and will be successfully carried out ; indeed, it seems to us that there is no other alternative, and it is either this or nothing. * *

* * With this fortunate turn in their affairs, they can go on free from debt and complete the road from Janesville to the La Crosse Junction within twelve months, and thus we shall be put into connection with Chicago direct on the south, and Fond du Lac and Oshkosh on the north.

* * * * understand that the towns along the line, the stockholders and people generally, approve of the plan proposed, and will adopt it almost unanimously."'

In March, 1859, a meeting of the bondholders and others interested in the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac, was held at the New York office, at which it was agreed that the old stock should be exchanged for a new issue so soon as arrangements for the sale of the road could be completed. This was consummated early in June, the creditors being the purchasers, and the Chicago, St. Paul k Fond du Lac Railroad Company became a thing of the past. With the change in management also came a change in name, and the institution has ever since been known as the Chicago & North- Western Railway. A 10 per cent assessment was levied upon all the stock to enable the Company to complete the road from Janesville to La Crosse Junction.

" Work on the Chicago & North-Western Railway is fairly commenced, and we really begin to believe that the Company are in earnest in what they say. Under the old regime, or what was known as the Chicago, St. Paul k Fond du Lac Company, we were so often humbugged into the belief that the work was to be prosecuted with renewed energy and ' finished up this time without any mistake,' that we had about made up our minds that the next time we believed it, or announced it, would be when we saw it done and heard the whistle of the locomotive. Gangs of men are scattered all along the line of the road. Hon. Perry H. Smith is securing the right of way, and pays cash in hand for the damages when agreed upon."

October 8, of the same year, Wells & French, railroad builders on the North-Western road, i^rtve a -' railroad supper" in Watertown, at the Exchange Hotel. Among others present on that occasion were Russel Sage, Judge Rose, D. C. Jackson and Gen. Chappell.

November 3, a terrible accident occurred eight miles south of Watertown. The southbound passenger train ran over a large ox and was thrown from the track, five passenger cars being smashed to pieces. Eleven persons were killed outright, three fatally injured and twentyfive badly hurt. Among the killed was Theron Minor, formerly editor of the Watertown Chronicle.

In March, 1860, the road was completed to Watertown ; work was continued on the route north, but the events attending its progress ceased to be of any great interest to the people of Jefferson County.

In March, 1861, the Legislature passed an act authorizing the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company to consolidate their line with any road north of the La Crosse road. Gradually, the North-Western extended its Briarean arms until to-day it is one of the most powerful and important corporations in the United States.

Chicago, Mihvaukee <|- St. Paul. - Originally known as the Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad. This road was originally incorporated in 1853. The interest taken in its success by the people of Jefferson County, and especially those of Watertown, is manifested by the readiness with which they voted substantial aid for it. The road was completed to Oconomowoc, from Milwaukee, in the fall of 1854. Here the enterprise rested until the following spring, when work was resumed. June 5, 1855, a contract was made with A. L. Graham & Co., for grading, bridging and ballasting the road from Oconomowoc to Columbus, via Watertown, the work to be completed by August 1, 1855. The receipts upon the completed portion of the road, from December 15, 1854, to the last of May following (five and a half months), amounted to §83,848.52.

The road was completed to Watertown September 21, 1855. The event was to have been celebrated by a grand demonstration on the part of the people, but the Common Council having refused to vote funds for that purpose, the movement, beyond the opening of a few baskets in a quiet way, was a failure, and the Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad soon became an old institution, the object of frequent complaint when its managers assumed to dictate terms to those who had aided in its construction. In less than a month after its completion, the following item relative to the transportation of freight appeared in the Watertown Deniocrnt :

" At both ends of the route, there are heavy and rapidly accumulating amounts of freight of all kinds, ready and waiting for immediate transportation, with no means to move it but such as the railroad furnishes. In fact, as things now are, the owners of this property are entirely dependent upon the Company. Under these circumstances, it is earnestly to be hoped that some effectual way will soon be devised to do awaj' with all cau.ses of complaint.

"Railroads do great things in the way of introducing 'city fixings' into inland places, when once the iron horse bejrins to make his regular visits. We notice that Mr. Peter Rogan, the proprietor of the American, has just bought a large and fine omnibus. This is the second establishment of the kind in the city, the one belonging to the Planter's having been bought some months ago. Our hotel-keepers are up to the times."

The next complaint on the part of the citizens of Watertown against this Company was of more serious nature. City bonds to the amount of §80,000 having been issued to the Company, they had failed to give tlie stipulated security. This was the source of much caustic criticism by tlie local press.

In May, 1856, the village of Waterloo voted twice on the question of extending aid to the Madison & Watertown. The first election showed eighteen majority against the proposition. The Board of Supervisors, not being pleased with the result, ordered a new election, which resulted in fourteen majority for the railroad subsidy, $35,000. About the same time, a consolidation took place between the Watertown & Madison and the Milwaukee & Watertown Companies, and on the 10th of June, 1856, ground was broken on that part of the road which now connects Watertown with the State capital. A month later, 400 men were engaged on the work. September, 1850, a consolidation took place between the La Crosse & Milwaukee and the Milwaukee & Watertown Companies. This had the eifect of harmonizing the many railway interests which had at tliat time begun to assert themselves. Under the new arrangement, three of the former Directors of the La Crosse retired, and Eliphalet Cramer, Alexander Mitchell and W. B, Hibbard were elected to fill their places. Byron Kilbourn continued in the office of President.

As showing the importance of this road and the interest with which it was regarded abroad, the following from the New York Tribune's money article of April 14, 1857, is given :

" The Watertown & Madison Railroad Company have disposed of $150,000 of the $200,000 of its Watertown city bonds, issued in aid of that road, at very satisfiictory rates. They have also sold a portion of the Madison City bonds. This negotiation places the completion of the road to Madison by the 1st of October next beyond a doubt. The iron is all proivded, and the grading is two-thirds finished."

The diiferent lines, under the combined management, were operated and extended in accordance with previous arrangements until February, 1858, when the Watertown Division was sold to a new company, under the presidency of Hon. S. L. Rose, to be known as the Milwaukee, Watertown & Baraboo Railroad.

In July, 1863, the various railroad companies in the State re-organized, " pooled their issues," and at the pesent time are virtually under one and the same management, so far as the regulation of rates is concerned.

Watertown is now one of the principal railway centers in the State. It is a sort of halfway house, as it were, for the difterent lines passing north and south, east and west. An important interest, in the shape of railway shops, freight and passenger depots, etc., has grown up in the suburbs of the city, aiTording employment to many citizens at fair compensation.

Tlie Watertown agents of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.' Paul - Jonas H. Sleeper and John J. Moulding - furnish the following interesting figures concerning the road : The revenue accruing from the passenger and freight traffic to and from Watertown in 1867, amounted to $98,059.82. In 1877, it was $153,660.80. In 1857 (the first year of the road's existence), the gross earnings of the entire road are given at $882,817.89. In 1867 (with 820 miles of track), the gross earnings were $5,683,608 ; total expenses, $2,880,434. In 1877 (with 1,412 miles), the gross earnings were $8,114,894.27 ; expenses, $4,540,453.57.

Chained Liijhtning. - The thunder of the iron horse is invariably followed by the lightning of the telegraph. The first electric wire reached Watertown on the 26th of August, 1856. It was erected by the Wisconsin State Telegraph Company, and connected Watertown with Milwaukee. The office was located in Cole's Block. John Hawkins was the first operator. The Western Union office is now located in the express office on West Main street, a perfect network of wires being required for the service.

Express Coynpany. - The American Express Company established an office in Watertown in 1854, a Mr. Hayward being the first agent. The office was first located at the corner of West avenue and Water street, where Roper & Ferry's agricultural implement store is now located. In 1856, Mr. Hayward was superseded by C. A. Sprague, who removed the office to the east side of the river, next to Wiggenhorn's cigar store. In 1867, Mr. Sprague was succeeded by a Mr. Piper, and, in the following year, E. L. Patch became the agent. In 1872, Mr. Patch withdrew in favor of H. B. Dodd, the present agent, who removed the office to Dennis' Block.

Water

Watertown is famous far and wide for its artesian wells, and the peculiar quality of the water that flows from them. Never-failing streams of water, containing a large percentage of iron and magnesia, are obtained at a depth of about fifty feet. There are two magnetic wells in Watertown, so-called from the fact that a knife-blade, or other steel utensil, held for a few seconds in the water that comes from them will attract a needle. The water is very wholesome, and its use has effected many cures of chronic diseases, and afforded wonderful relief to others.

The first frame house built on the west side of the river now stands on the southeast comer of West avenue and Water street. It vas built in 1845 by Patrick Rogan, one of the most enterprising of Watertown's early settlers.

The first brick building erected in Watertown is the one now occupied as a shoe store by Henry Meyers, on the north side of Main street, between First and Second.

The first brick structure on the west side of the river is now the property of ex-Mayor Mulberger, at present occupied by W. C. Stone as a restaurant. It was built by Patrick Rogan.

Historical Ite.Ms

John Richards was the first lawyer who came to Watertown. He was duly admitted to the bar, but did not practice. He found other pursuits more profitable in those days. He was the first District Attorney in Jefferson County.

Drs. Cokeley and Goodenough were the first practicing physicians ; Drs. Cody and Spalding are the leading physicians in Watertown at the present time.

The Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad depot was burned in July, 1865 ; burned again December 8, 1874. The junction depot of the same road met a smiilar fate September 29, 1872 ; burned again November 12, 1875.

Every intelligent and public-spirited citizen who can afford it has a copy of the Jefferson County History in his library. A few wealthy individuals, however, believe that they can pass through the eye of a needle and take their riches and the record of their lives to a better world.

The Cemeteries

Let US draw the curtain upon this panorama of progress. We have witnessed the birth of Watertown, as near as such a thing is possible forty-three years after that important event occurred ; followed the course of its existence down to the present time, viewing the various stages of its growth. Among the groves that surround this beautiful city, in the bosom of the cold earth, lie in eternal rest, many of the pioneers whose names are recorded in these pages. Their graves are appropriately marked, but the most imperishable tablets to their memory are the tall spires of almost a score of churches, the enduring walls of schoolhouses and business blocks, and the grand structures of commerce, throbbing with the pulsations of prosperity, which beautify and give fame and fortune to the city of Watertown. Now let us visit the homes of the dead.

The first lonely habitation for the repose of the dear departed was laid out as early as 1840, located near the present site of the Lutheran College. It was a public burying-ground, where the earthly remains of the highest and the lowest, without distinction as to religious creed, might be laid in peace forevermore. Crumbling tombs still mark the solitary spot. In 18.50, John Richards, L. A. Friebert, Andrew Peterson and Daniel Jones organized, under an act of the Legislature, the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, and procured suitable grounds for the purpose within the southwestern limits of the village. In 1864, thirty acres of land were purchased by the Association in the eastern suburbs of the city, about one-half of which was laid out in lots. Many of the bodies buried in the original plats on both the east and west sides of the city were taken up and re-interred in the new cemetery grounds. Under the superintendency of Mr. Chris. Schroeder, the place has been made to "blossom as the rose." The present oiBcers of the Association are Daniel Jones, President ; Theodore Prentiss, Treasurer ; Justus T. Moak, Secretary. Trustees - Daniel Hall, William H. Rohr, J. T. Moak, Theodore Prentiss and Daniel Jones.

Many of the various religious denominations in Watertown have their cemeteries, supported from the church funds and managed by the church oiBcials. The Lutheran cemetery is located on a beautiful elevation north of the city, on the Hustisford road. The United Brethren, or Moravians, bury their dead in the same vicinity.

Upon the sloping surface of a gently rising knoll near the Milford road, in the western suburbs, may be seen a somber forest of crosses, marking the last resting-places of many disciples of the Church of Rome. This spot is devoted exclusively to the interment of members of St. Bernard's Parish.

Ten years ago, the German Catholics established a burying-ground on the north road, where lie the remains of the departed members of St. Henry's Parish, awaiting the final summons.

City Of Jefferson

Jefferson, the county seat of .Jefferson County, is a pleasant city of about three tliousand inhabitants, delightfully located at the junction of Crawfish and Rock Rivers, in the central part of the county, surrounded by a rich firming country, thickly settled and contributing vast resources to swell the general prosperity of the county seat.

The first settlement of the present city was made in 18-36. December 18 of that year, Rodney J. Currier, Daniel Lansing, Robert Masters, with Imogene, his daughter, David Sargeant, Peter Rogan, Rufus C. Dodge and Edward and Alvin Foster came from Bark Mills and Milwaukee and distributed themselves about Jefl'erson and the immediate vicinity.

On June 13, 1837, Silas R. Stevens, following in the wake of these pioneers, landed at the residence of Robert Masters, located on Rock River, about (me mile below the present city. In 1887, E. G. Darling piloted a scow from Hebron on Bark River to Rock River, thence to Jefferson, where he took up his permanent abode. He was accompanied by Melissa and Marion Brown, half sisters, Alonzo Brown, half brother. Lavina Carpenter, Edward Sawyer and David Bartlett. The scow was also laden with their household goods and the frame of a house, which was fashioned at Bark Mills and brought to Jefferson ready to be completed and occupied. The emigrants took possession of a log shanty said to have been "put up " by James and Peter Rogan a year previous (which, if true, makes this unpretentious protection of logs rolled up together the first habitation constructed in this section of the county), and prepared to locate and finish a house, framed at Bark Mills. In October of the same year, arrangements were completed in that behalf, and the "frame " elevated on a piece of ground, the present site of the Jefferson House. The building was completed during the fall and used as a tavern, court house and salesroom for dry goods and groceries, the first goods ever sold in the town of Jefferson. A man named Buck officiated as salesman and no doubt realized a fair profit on his venture. In this month, also, came Hiram Z. Brittan, his wife, daughter (Jane), and one son. It should also be observed that the first session of the Circuit Court was held in the bar-room of this hostelry, Judge Irwin presiding. His Honor was a bachelor and a queer compound of ability and eccentricity. He occasionally adjourned court to go fishing, and was in the habit of improvising rules for the government of his subordinates, which, in those days, while not attracting particular attention, were regarded as arbitrary ; to-day, they would be considered as e.\tra-judicial. During tliis year, occurred the first death in the vicinity. It was that of E. Foster, Sr., which took place October 10, at the residence of his son in the south part of tlie town ; he was buried at Big Bend, four miles down the river. It is also said that Robert Kennedy and wife came to Jefferson from Janesville during that year and kept house for Rodney J. Currier and Andrew Lansing.

In 1838, the population of the settlement was increased by the arrival of William Sanborn, a man named Minor, who remained but a short time, Harvey Foster, with his father, Hopesdale Foster, possibly Ebenezer M. Seaton, and others who have left no record of their advent to guide the historian.

In the spring of 1839, William Sanborn built a two-story frame on Main street where the Sawyer House now stands, a part of which is the identical "frame " erected forty years ago. David Bartlett also built a house this year on the west side of the river, half a mile from the

Jefferson House. He took a claim and put on a block house, part of which is said to be now standing, though in an improved and reconstructed form. The first white child born within what are now the city limits of Jefferson was a daughter to Hiram Z. Brittan, in a log house which stood near the site of the present residence of Orrin Henry, on the west side of Rock River. The first marriage celebrated in the village was that of Martha Fellows and Frank Roberts ; it took place in the fall of 1839.

In 1840, accessions were made to the population by the arrival of future residents, who speedily identified themselves with the public interests and aided in promoting the promising success which has since been realized unto the citizens of Jefferson. Among those who claim to have come hither during that year, was George Crist, who says that the residences of E. G. Darling (the Jefferson House). William Sanborn and Abram Vanderpool made up the sum total of houses erected up to that period. These were added to in the following year by the houses of Andrew Lansing and Rodney J. Currier on Main street. The premises are now located on Milwaukee street, west of Main street, and in the early days, with those above cited, were the only buildings Jefferson boasted of except a little house on the northwest corner of the present public square, used as a Register's office, and said to have been erected in 1838.

During the spring and summer of 1841, E. G. Darling planted a field of wheat on his " fraction," from which he harvested a generous crop, that was ground at the mills in Whitewater. In the fall of that year, George Crist and D. H. Miller built a double house on the present site of Frommader's saloon and residence, for their own occupation. These houses stood on their original foundations for many years, but were finally disposed of by removal, and what remains of them is to be now seen located on the lot east of the Presbyterian Church, one of them being now occupied by Dr. John Fallehr. In the winter of 1841, Laban Hoyt put up a "shanty" on Racine street, on the same ground now occupied by the residence of Dr. W. W. Reed. During that and previous years, flour and other edibles, except game, etc., was procured from Whitewater, Milwaukee and other accessible points, and commanded exorbitant prices.

In the spring of 1842, the first Germans came to Jefferson, settled in the village, and included many whose names are to-day as household words to citizens and residents. Among these were John Rockdaeschel, who was the first cobbler to fashion goloshes and moccasins for the hardy pioneer. In this year also, or perhaps the year previous. Dr. Charles Rogers came hither with a German Count. The latter remained in Jefferson but a short time, when he removed to Sauk County; but Dr. Rogers established himself here professionally, married Miss Mary Braman, and, on the 4th of March, 1857, died in the city of his adoption. In the spring of this year, the dam was built and saw-mill put up on the east side of the river by Darling & Kendall. In the fall, a building was erected on Milwaukee street, near the river on the east side. The same season, Andrew Lansing was married to Melissa Brown, and built a house, in which they afterward resided, on Dodge street, opposite the Court House, then, too, in progress.

The year 1843 witnessed rapi<l strides by the village in the pursuit of prosperity, and the success toward which its founders directed their efforts. A number of settlers joined their fortunes with those of the pioneers who had preceded their coming. New houses were built, and a variety of improvements completed, which added materially to the list of substantial attractions that always contribute to swell local wealth and population. Among the houses was a two-story frame, built on North Main street, by George Crist ; one, at present occupied by Joseph Mansfield, is supposed to have been built in that year by Dr. Barber ; also the blacksmith shop on the corner of what is now known as Milwaukee and Third streets, owned at that time by a man named Sherman, who started to California in 18-50, but died of cholera before he reached that distant territory. The City Hall occupies the corner to-day.

About this time, the Indians were numerous in the vicinity. They belonged to the Winnebago, Menominee and Pottawatomie tribes. One of the chiefs of the Menominees was known as " Chief John," and as a representative of the aborigines, was much respected by the settlers. He camped with his tribe on the river, two or three miles from the village, and commanded the confidence of his white neighbors. He supported himself by the sale of furs, venison, etc., and raade his headquarters at Alonzo Wing's store. One evening, while visiting at the store, a wrestling match between him and Geo. Crist was engaged in, in which Crist was thrown ; this caused the latter to become excited, whereupon the Indian remarked, " white man got mad," and thereafter eschewed athletic sports with any but his own race. Chief John was murdered in 1844, and his body was found by his former antagonist in the swamp, about three miles northwest of .Jefferson. Inquiries as to who the murderer was resulted in charging its commission upon a settler, who was arrested and tried, but acquitted. Some years afterward, a man, who had subsequently emigrated to Iowa, confessed the crime on his death-bed.

In 1845, the population was quoted at from seventy-five to eighty inhabitants. It contained a blacksmith-shop, Isaac Savage's gunsmith-shop, one or two carpenter shops, county buildings, two lawyers - George F. Markley and Winslow Blake ; two physicians - Barber and Rogers ; a sciiooihouse near where Charles Stoppenbach's present residence is, which was also used conjointly with the Court House for places of worship ; a saw-mill and other resorts of trade. During the summer of 1844, a steamer came hither from St. Louis, which was made the occasion of a dance at the Jefferson House.

' In 184U, the first brick building in the village was put up at the corner of Milwaukee and Third streets, hy Andrew Lansing, and yet remains. The grist-mill was commenced, and nearly completed during the winter, by James Wadsworth and others. That year, the California fever broke out in the settlement, and many therein resident were persuaded to cross the plains and search for gold. The disease, so to speak, became epidemic in 18.50, and many followed in the wake of those who had gone before, a large proportion, however, returning to Jefferson, where they have since remained.

In 1850, James Barr, now connected with the Jefferson Manufacturing Company, erected the first brick store of which the records make mention. It was located at the corner of Racine and Main streets and is now a portion of Breunig's brewery. Alonzo Wing had put up a store on Main street, between Milwaukee and Dodge streets, several years previous, but Mr. Barr enjoys the distinction of having been the first to locate in a brick building, devoted to merchandising. From that date until 1854, the population and improvements in the town were steady and substantial, though by no means rapid. The last half of that decade, however, was more satisfactory. A brick block was erected on Second and Main streets: the Jefferson House block, the Universalist Church, a brick block on Milwaukee street, near the City Hall, the Presbyterian Church and a number of private residences, were begun and completed during that period.

In 1856, the discussion as to the location of the county seat, which had been in progress for some time previous between Watertown and Jefferson, culminated. During the session of the Legislature of that year, a bill providing for submitting the question to the voters of the county was introduced by William Chappell and adopted. The bill, among other provisions, exempted "repeaters" from the penalty hitherto attaching to the " citizens " who were accustomed to vote often if not early, and, as is now believed, enabled the constituency at Jefferson to prevail over Watertown. The bill was approved October 11, and the election held in pursuance thereof on the third Tuesday in December. Upon that occasion, in addition to the polling-places ordinarily provided, a poll known as '- Krummenauer's Poll " was improvised at a point on the Milwaukee road, about two and one-half miles east of the city. Here ballots were deposited containing the names of every known voter, as well as those of every schoolboy in the village, and also a large number of names copied from a Cincinnati directory. When the polls were closed, a delegation came down from Watertown, bearing the result of the vote in that city and demanded the records from the county officers. The vote had been canvassed in Jefferson, but not that at the polls above mentioned. These came in under the call for '- the supplemental returns." They were displayed on the poll-list, which was of the " dimensions of a stove-pipe," and evidenced the defeat of Watertown so pronouncedlr that the delegation were convinced beyond dispute and retired with expressions of disgust and disappointment.

Since that date, no matter of particular import has occurred to affect the prosperity of Jefferson disadvantageously. From an obscure settlement it has become a citv of prime importance, and large interests, connected by rail with all the important points East and West, and containing a population who have, by their industry, enterprise and frugality, become the possessors of wealth and factors of influence throughout the State.

Official Roster Under Town Orgasizatios

Previous to 1857, the present city of Jefferson was under the same government as the township. In 1857, the village of Jefferson was incorporated and represented in the township Board of Supervisors. This continued until 1878, when an act "to incorporate the citv of Jefferson" was passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin and approved March 19 of that year, since which date the whilom town and village has been considered as a municipal corporation, entitled to certain privileges and immunities thereunto appertaining, in consideration of securing to the citizens life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The city of Jefferson is still connected with the town or township government for town purposes.

The records of the town previous to April 5, 18-15, are missing, and doubt is expressed bv those assuming to be familiar with the facts, as to whether any exbted prior to that date. From the records accessible to inquiry, it appears that a town meeting was convened on April 5, at which William Sanborn presided as Moderator, and C. W. Hayden discharged the duties of Clerk. The business disposed of included the raising of a fund for the support of schools for the year ; the sum of 8100 to build a bridge across Rock Eiver opposite the county seat ; also across " Crawfish River where the road crosses near the fork," and the appropriation of S50 to establish a free ferry at the forks of Rock River. After the election of the following officers, the meeting adjourned, with an understanding that the next annual meeting should be held at the house of Enoch G. Darling :

Supervisors - Robert Masters, Chairman, Alvin Foster and Asa F. Snell ; Clerk, Lucius 1. Barber ; Assessors - Alvin Foster. Elbridge G. Fifield and Hiram Z. Britain ; Treasurer. Erastus C. Montague; Commissioners of Highways - Joel C. Jenks. Frederick A. Potter and Alvin Foster; Commissioners of Schools - Asa F. Snell. Hiram Z. Britain and Alvin Foster; Collector. George Crist : Sealer of Weights and Measures. Lucius L Barber : Constables. Abram Yanderpool and George Crist : Overseers of Roads - Enoch G. Darling. Cyrus Curtis. Eschillus Masters. William Burton, James M. Cole, Joel H. Jenks, Elbridge G. Fifield, Franklin Roberts and Zenas I. Roberts.

The following officers were elected at subsequent meetings held annually until 1857 : Supervisors for ls43 - Asa F. SneU. William Sanborn and John Crosby ; 1844 - Davenport Rood, John Crosby and E. Masters; 184.5 - John Crosby. Harvey Foster and Charles Hoyt: 1846 - William Sanborn, Asa F. Snell and Aikens Foster: 1847 - William Sanborn, Alonzo H. Waldo and Sherburn Huse : 1848 - H. Sanborn. William Crosby and Aikens Foster; 1849 - Alonzo Wing, William A. Whipple and H. V. D. Hellen ; 1850 - William Sanborn, H. V. D. Hellen and Joseph Blodgett ; 1851 - Alonzo H. Waldo. John Haas and Emanuel Hake; 1852 - James Barr, A. B. Curtis and Peter Oelberg ; 1853 - Thomas D. Barr. Peter Oelberg and S. R. Stevens ; 1854 and 1855 - E. D. Masters, Peter Oelberg and Emanuel Hake ; 1856 - A. H. Waldo, Frederick Hake and John Haas.

Connnissioners of Higlnvays - 1843 - Enoch G. Darling, Rodney J. Currier and A. P. Birdsey ; 1844 - Joshua Crosby, Rodney J. Currier and E. W. Hayden ; 1845 - E. D. Masters, J. H. Jenks and Daniel Lansing ; 1846 - A. H. Waldo, S. A. Rice and C. W. Hayden ; 1847, none elected ; 1848 - A. H. Waldo, Stephen Davenport and Emanuel Hake. Thereafter the office was abolished.

Comit/issumers of Sclwoh - 1843 - Winslow Blake, Frederick A. Potter and D. W. Kellogg ; 1844_W. P. Ward," Alonzo Wing and Alpheus Taylor ; 1845 - C. W. Hayden, John E. Holmes and Alonzo H. Waldo; 1846 - Asa F. Snell, Harvey Sanborn and John D. Barker; 1847, none elected ; 1848 - Alonzo AVing, Harvey Sanborn and Caleb S.Smith. Thereafter the office of School Superintendent was substituted for the Commissioners, and filled in 184S 1850 and 1851, by Alonzo Wing; 1852, Daniel F. Weymouth; 1853-54, John Wheeler; 1855, A. Wing; 1856, 0. C. Merriman.

Collectors - In 1843, no election, Frederick A. Potter and James 0. Frost having each received thirty votes ; 1844, George Crist was elected ; 1845, Caleb Stevens ; 184G, Harvej D. Phelps; 1847, Nathan Crosby ; 1848, 0. S. Brandon. Thereafter the office was abolished.

Constables - 1843, James C. Frost; 1844 - George Crist, Josiah Drew and Gay Hayden ; 1845 - Harvey Sanborn, Abram P. Birdsey and Charles Hoyt ; 1846 - Charles Hoyt, Gaj Hayden and H. D. Phelps ; 1847 - Othello S. Brandon, Nathaniel Crosby and Harmon V, Heilen ; 1848 - Othello S. Brandon, Solon Brown and Ralph P. Harrington ; 1849 - Zebulon Whipple, Moses Phillips and Peter Oelberg ; 1850 - Othello S. Brandon, Franklin J. Roberts and John Anthony ; 1851, John Anthony and Charles Frissell ; 1852 - E. G. Darling, Jesse Hubbell and W. W. Seeley ; 1853 - Jesse Hubbell, John Anthony and Eber Stone; 1854, S, A. Brown and A. G. Locke ; 1855 - Jolin Brown, A. G. Howes, Eber Stone and J. F. W. Meyer ; 1856 - C.J. Bell, John Young and Conrad Heger ; 1857 - IraW. Bird, Isaac Savage and George Hebard (to fill vacancy).

Justices of the Peace - 1846 - George Trucks, Robert Masters and H. Foster; 1847, A. Foster and Winslow Blake; 1848 - W. Blake, Isaac Savage and John E. Holmes; 1849 - Isaac Savage, Charles Rodgers, William Sanborn and D. H. Miller ; 1850 - Isaac Savage, Alonzo E, Avery, Pearley D. Bagley and A. B. Curtis; 1851, Winslow Blake and Charles Rogers; 1852 - John E. Holmes, 0. Bullwinkcl and E. D. Masters ; 1853 - W. W. Torrey (to fill vacancy), Charles Rogers and Isaac Savage; 1854, George Hebard and G. W. Hoyt; 1855 - I. W. Bird, Charles Rogers and P. D. Bagley ; 1856, 0. Bullwinkel and Rufus Dodge ; 1857, Ira W. Bird, Isaac Savage and George Hebard.

Village Charter

By an act of the Legislature, approved March 9, 1857, a certain piece or parcel of land, described by metes and bounds, and known as the Toffn of Jefferson, was set apart as a township proper and created a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of the Village of Jefferson, to be competent to have and e.xercise all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all the duties and obligations, pertaining to a municipal corporation. The government of the village was vested in a President (ex officio a Trustee), four Trustees, one Marshal, a Treasurer and an Assessor, to be elected on the first Tuesday of May, annually, and to hold their respective offices one year, or until their successors are chosen and qualified.

At the first election held in pursuance of the act of incorporation, N. C. Hurlburt, Charles Stoppenbach, George Trucks and E. G. Fifield, were chosen Trustees, with J. E. Holmes, President, and Charles T. Clothier, Clerk.

The meetings were held at stated periods, and the business transacted being such as is ordinarily disposed of by municipal Boards of Aldermen.