Winneconne Town

Winneconne Town

landing one of the best on the river. It is but a few months since the village was laid out, but quite a number of good buildings have already been erected and everything there wears a business-like appearance. "

May 31, 1850. The arrival of the new steamer, Peytona, is announced. "Provisions are very high here now, and the indications are that a scarcity pervades the entire West. "

Market Report The Weather

September 6, 1850. "In all our experience we have never seen such long, uninterrupted, continued and excessively wet and cold weather, for the time of year, as we have had since the first of July. The whole country is a perfect ocean. It is useless to think of traveling; the oat and potato crops are ruined. During the week past it has rained almost incessantly, and has been so cold as to require overcoats. "

January 12, 1851. "It is announced that the Legislature elected Dr. B. S. Henning of this place Register of the Land Office, and James Murdock, of Dodge County, Treasurer."

January 17. 1851. "We are requested to give notice that the Right Reverend Bishop Kemper, D. D. , Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church forthe diocese of Wisconsin, will hold service in the rooms over A. N. and A. H. Raymond's hardware store on Tuesday evening next."

January 24, 1851. "We learn that $8,000 has been taken of the stock of the Company, and that preparations are making for the rapid progress of the work."

February 7, 1851. "The German concert, Wednesday evening, went off to the satisfaction of all who were present. Mrs. Andrea sang 'The Ship on Fire' with exceeding taste and beauty."

FLOURING. "We think no enterprise in this town would pay better than a good flouring mill. The whole country up the Wolf River gets its flour from this place, which we have to get mostly from Dodge County."

"The Board of Public Works (Fox and Wisconsin Improvement) held a session here on Monday last. The members were all present. The Land Office is now open for entries."

April 25, 185 1. "The weather the past week has been most beautiful. The steamer Badger State has made a trip up the Wolf. Last Saturday the John Mitchell started on a trip to the Little Wolf

"Our neighbors on the south side of the river must be prospering. We noticed several new grocery stores started and preparations for more, and any quantity of new buildings. Prosperity seems to be the word with all.

May 23, 1851. "On Monday evening we were visited with another deluge. It commenced about three P. M and continued until nine, and the whole country was nearly submerged. "

May 30, 1851. "Mr. Rowley informs us that a couple of companies commenced the survey of the Indian Land west of Wolf River and north of the north line of this county a few days since."

May 30, 1851. "Flood! Flood! We mentioned last week the excessive rains we had been visited with. No sooner had we got to press than it commenced raining again, and continued for an entire day, harder than ever. Again, on Monday of this week, itcommenced and continued almost incessantly until Wednesday. The river is higher than we have I ever seen it before by many feet. The whole I county is afloat and it is utterly impossible to ' get about. We have been building a shanty on a lot which we thought to be high and dry, I but we have had to build a raft to get from the I door to the woodpile. " the river here with a good strong sailing breeze, and sailed directly up to the platform of the Oshkosh House, which occupied the present site of Stroud's oil store. Between this point and the river it was flooded all the season, the water from two to four feet deep.

Meadow lands on the Fox and Wolf Rivers, and on Lake Winnebago, that had formerly been fine hay marshes were destroyed. The writer sailed over a cornfield on Long Point, and also sailed a boat drawing two feet of water from Partridge Lake directly across the large meadow between that lake and Gill's Landing. Large tracts of timber on the lowlands were destroyed; for the high water pre vailed all the season, and only partially subsided the next. It was thought that the dams at Neenah and Menasha were partially the cause, and meetings were held and an organized efl'ort made to compel the corporations to lower them.

The Democrat of August 31, says: "On Thursday last five steamers were leaving this place at the same time. The Menasha and Peytona for foot of the lake, the Oshkosh and Badger State for Berlin, and the Mitchell for Mukwa."

Indian Payments

One of the events of the early day was Indian payments. One took place on October 30, 1851. It was held at the "Pay Grounds" on Lake Poygan, and a great concourse of people flocked thither with all those articles that j Indians are likely to purchase. Indian traders from all directions, and merchants from the several villages came with their goods. Eating shanties were erected and every means resorted to to tempt the Indian to squander his money. For full description of these payments see history of Town of Poygan.

In 1852 the continuance of high water created much excitement. The river and lake had risen about two feet above the usual high water mark, and a belief prevailed that it was occasioned by the Neenah and Menasha dams. Meetings were held and counsel employed to commence an action against the corporations at the foot of the lake, but nothing effective was accomplished.

A Historic Bell

May, 1853. "Oshkosh glories in a new bell, and we feel so proud of it that we keep continually ringing it, as a boy blows upon his new whistle."

This bell had an eventful record. It was cast in Oshkosh and it is claimed that it was the first bell cast in the State. After it was cast it was found that there was not material

It was little thought when the new bell first rung out its joyful peals, that it would give warning of the dreadful fire calamity of 1859. In this fire it was fused into a mass of metal which Hon. Samuel Hay, then Mayor, shipped to Troy, where it was recast and sent back to Oshkosh to be hung in No. i Engine House, where it did service for many years, and its ominous tones frequently startled our citizens, as it gave warning of the many fires that desolated the city.

May, 1853. "Business opens in a very flattering manner this spring. There is more building, more life and activity all around town than formerly. Last season untenanted houses abounded here; they are occupied now, and the demand for houses exceeds the supply. All our dealers are receiving heavy stocks of goods in their respective lines of trade, and prosperity and activity is apparent on every side. "

Oshkosh Becomes A City

"In these progressive days, when boys are 'young men' at fifteen, and girls 'young ladies' at twelve - in an age when everything is decidedly 'fast' - we do not know why a burg of two or three thousand inhabitants may not shake off the reproach implied in the word village, and assume a place among the mature characters of the age. Is there any good reason why Oshkosh should not be a city. A majority of our citizens believed that no such reason existed, and on last Friday the City charter was adopted by 177 majority. The charter election has been held, and mayor, aldermen, etc., have been chosen. Oshkosh is a city. "

" The two houses of the Legislature met in joint convention on the 28th of March 1853, when the nominees of the Democratic caucus were elected:

May 6, 1853. "Mr. Ames, we hear, has just purchased of Mr. McNeil, eighty feet on Ferry Street for two thousand dollars. Tiventy five dollars a foot. This tells something for the growing business of the place."

The Democrat, of May 13, 1853, contains the following extract from an article in the Milvvaukee Sentinel, in favor of a railroad from Oshkosh to Milwaukee:

"Here are two large rivers - the Wolf a very large one - converging at Oshkosh, the central point of Winnebago County, and emptying by a common mouth into Lake Winnebago, the one a hundred and twenty miles long from the southwest, and the other a hundred and twenty miles of navigable water from the north, and sending their united business to their common business center - Oshkosh. On the Fo.\ are the thriving villages of Omro, Delhi, Eureka, Sacramento, Berlin, St. Marie, Princeton, Marquette and Montello. South of this, bordering on it, is the county of Columbia, and parts of Marquette and Winnebago. On the Wolf are the villages ofAlgoma, Buttes j des Morts, Winneconne, Fremont, Mukwa, J Benton and Shawano. East of the Wolf are the counties of Oconto and Outagamie, and part of Winnebago. In the angle formed by the two rivers, are the entire counties of Waushara, Waupaca, and Shawano, and parts of Marquette and Winnebago. These rivers are the outlet of this whole extent of country, and Oshkosh is the key and commanding mart of the whole. "

For quite a period at this time - 1853 - the Maine liquor law seems to have been the great sensation. Number after number of the paper contains temperance articles and notices of temperance meetings.

The organic election under the charter organization of the city of Oshkosh, was held on the fifth day of April, 1853; and on that day, Oshkosh commenced her career as a fullfledged city, having adopted the city charter by 177 majority.

The Council, in May, 1853, passed a resolution granting licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors to hotels for $20, and to saloons for $25, and fixing the salary of watchman at $20 per month, and an additional $5 a month, to be paid him for his services in ringing the city bell at nine a. m., twelve m., and six p. m.

In 1855 Mr. John Fitzgerald purchased the entire steamboat force on the lake and rivers, and systematized the business, running regular lines. The passenger and freight business was very large and highly remunerative.

Mayor Jackson, in his inaugural of this year, states that there is six hundred and seventyfive rods of p'.ank side-walk in the First Ward, four hundred rods of street, which has been graded. In the Second Ward, 950 rods of side-walk, an J 80 rods of graded streets. That the whole amount expended since the organization of the city, is about six thousand dollars; this sum includes the amount paid for the bridge.

" The transportation business on the waters of Lake Winnebago, and the Wolf and Fox Rivers, is beyond all precedent this season, and is far exceeding he anticipations of the most sanguine of our business men. The amount of travel and emigration to, and through this place is astonishing. This forenoon no less than five steamers cleared from our docks, bound for various places on the lake and rivers. The 'Oshkosh City' for Menasha, the 'Queen City' for Berlin, the 'Eureka' for Gills Landing, the 'Menominee' for New London, and the 'Shioc' and 'Peytona' for Fond du Lac. All had full loads of passengers, and as much freight as could be stowed upon their decks. Two of them had barges in tow, heavily loaded with merchandise, mill machinery, and the furniture and baggage of emigrants. Oshkosh is the liveliest town of its size in the State, and is growing, both in business and population, at a rate which those who are ignorant of her unrivalled location, and commanding position would hardly believe unless they were hereto witness it." (May 13th. 1856.)

May 28th, the Courier announces that "The contractors have gone to work in earnest on the Winnebago Railroad between this city and and Ripon."

Fox River Improvements

June II, 1856. "The work on the Lower Fox between this city and Green Bay has been so far completed that two boats, the Ajax and Pioneer, have passed successfully through the locks and canal from below Appleton. The steamer Aquila has for some weeks made regular trips between this city and Appleton, passing through the lock and channel at Neenah, so that our water communication with Green Bay is now open. It is hardly possible to over estimate the importance to Oshkosh of the completion and successful operation of this great enterprise."

October 31, 1856. "At a meeting held October 23, at Mark's Hall, for the purpose of the organization of an Engine Company, Mr. O. Cook, was called to the chair, and after a few remarks the company was enrolled as the Pioneer No. i, of the City of Oshkosh, Foreman, Wm. Wall; Assistant Foreman, Robert Howell. " t

November 25, 1856. "No Eastern mail since night before last, and we are compelled to go to press without late news of any kind. It has rained every day for four days, and the roads between here and Fond du Lac are impassible. "

February 4, 1857. "Niagara Company, No. I , paraded yesterday for the first time, with their new engine, escorted by the Oshkosh City, Band. The appearance of the Company was highly creditable to the public spirited young men of which it was composed. * * * The Company has been fortunate in the selection of its officers; Wm. Wall, Foreman; Robert Howell, Assistant." * * *

February 4, 1857. "We understand the:t an arangement has been concluded between the Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company, and the proprietors of the land on the south side of the river, opposite the foot of Broad street, in the Third Ward, by which the Com- pany are to have the right of way, and the free use and occupancy of about tvventy-eiyht acres for depot grounds, and other purposes connected with the business of the Company. The Company stipulate to estabUsh and maintain both passenger and freight depots upon the land so ceded, and that they are not to establish any other depots, either for freight or passengers, in any other part of the city.

The work on the line of the road between this city and Fond du Lac is progressing finely; about one-third of the entire distance is already graded, and if the balance of the season should be ordinarily favorable for operations of this nature, the whole route will be ready for the iron by the first of June. "

February 9, 1857. "The Common Council of the City of Oshkosh have received the necessary securities and will immediately issue the city bonds to the Ripon & Oshkosh Railroad. "

February 11, 1857. * * * " Real estate is advancing steadily in value and will continue to advance with the increase of population and business.

Among the buildings and other improvements contemplated, are the new church edifices, to cost from $6,000 to $10,000 each, a new court house, a railroad bridge across the Fox River, a new bridge at the foot of Ferry street, and another at the foot of Jackson street. " * * *

February 26, 1857. "Germania Fire Company, No. I. This Company paraded this afternoon, for the first time, with their new engine This Company is composed of about forty active young men, who made a fine appearance in their neat uniforms, and looked as if they were capable of doing good services in case of an emergency.

May I, 1857. "Our City. Never, since Oshkosh was first laid out, has its prospects been so encouraging as at present. Although navigation has hardly commenced yet, there are more new buildings in course of erection than ever before. Six or seven stages arrive daily, filled with passengers, most of whom reniain permanently. Mechanics of all kinds are in demand at good wages, and day laborers can choose between two railroads and street grading, as all these works are going on.

The Fond du Lac Railroad is graded to within four miles of our city, and the remainder will be done early, while the iron for the road is already on its way from New York. The

The Winnebago Railroad Company are making arrangements to finish their road as far as Ripon by the first of December, and to Portage City during the next season. The people along the line from here to Portage City are anxious to take hold of the matter with a will, as it offers them their most favorable route for a railroad. When this road is finished, it cannot fail to be of great help to our city in a commercial point of view, as it passes through the most productive portion of our State, which will take this route for an outlet, making this a place for transhipment. The offices of the road are to be located at this place, and with the business of building and repairing would build up quite a town of itself. Already there are two lumber yards at Portage City, furnished with Wolf River lumber, and in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, &c., on the completion of this road, a largelumber market will be opened up; not only at Portage but the whole line of the road will have to be supplied.

Our steamboats are all prepared to do a large business, and they will all be needed. There are eight steamboats owned at this place, all of vi'hich run from or to this point each day, besides one or two more owned at different places. During the boating season our docks present quite a city like appearance on the arrival and departure of boats. Emigrants from all parts of the world center here on their way either to the north, via Lake and Lower Fox River; north-west, via Wolf River; or west, via Fox River.

Our lumbering business is immense and increasing each year; acres and acres of logs are coming down Wolf River, and are either used up at our mills or are disposed of for the mills below us. The amount of lumber manufactured and the capital employed in this city alone, would astonish even our own citizens. There are eighteen saw mills, running near one hundred saws altogether, besides shingle, lath and sash machines; two grist mills kept constantly going with custom work; two heavy, foundry and machine shops; two large shops for the manufacture of agricultural implements, besides a host of other manufacturing mechanical establishments. Our population, has increased from four thousand one hundred and eighty-four, on the first, day of June, 185S1 to over eight thousand at the present time, as ascertained by Messrs. Kohlmann & Brother, whol heve been engaged in taking the census preparatory to getting out a city directory. Take!