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