Post Office

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Watertown Post Office

1847

06 30 Daily Mail to Milwaukee

In compliance with the wishes of the inhabitants of this village, Messrs. FRINK & Co. have commenced carrying a daily mail between this place and Milwaukee. By the terms of their contract, they are only required to carry it tri-weekly. This generous effort on the part of these gentlemen to place our businessmen in daily communication with the east is worthy of all commendation. By this arrangement, all the post offices between here and Milwaukee are also furnished with daily eastern and western mail. Watertown Chronicle

1855

12 27 Post Office moved to one of the rooms in the new block erected on Second St.

Building now used as Post office is about to be taken away to make place for a three story brick block. WD

1858

07 08 Regulation on newspapers and periodicals WD

07 15 Appointment of Gen. James Potter as postmaster WD

07 15 Move from Second St to the Democrat Block, on Main St WD

09 30 News Room opened, John Miller, in Post Office bldg WD

1859

02 17 Call for more direct mail service between Watertown and Jefferson WD

04 28 Post Office moved to corner of West Avenue [Main St] and Water streets

06 16 Proposals for carrying mail from post office to railroad depot WD

1860

02 02 Postmaster James Potter removed, Patrick Rogan appointed; moved to room in bldg known as Cramer’s Block WD

1867 Justus Moak was appointed postmaster in 1867 by President Andrew Johnson and held the office during the succeeding administrations of Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Arthur. He was relieved by President Cleveland and reappointed by President Harrison, retiring about one year after the commencement of President Cleveland’s second term, making his service as postmaster cover a period of 23 years.

While postmaster Mr. Moak made the postal service a careful, practical study, bringing it up to the dignity of a profession in Watertown, making that office a model for neatness and accuracy. He was an excellent authority upon all subjects pertaining to postal laws, rules and regulations. Quite a number of young men have graduated under his tutorship and are now holding important and responsible positions in various branches of the service, and he had a host of friends throughout the state and nation who sincerely regret his death.

When J. T. Moak received the appointment of postmaster, William Voss became his deputy.

1875 Post office next to Watertown House, S. First St. [1875-76 City Dir].

1892 December 5, 1906, was the fourteenth anniversary of the 1892 establishment of the free mail delivery system in Watertown. A fact in connection with the same is that George Weber and Frank Schulz, present carriers, have been in the service ever since the inauguration of the system. They are two of the original four.

1895

02 13 A new post office has been established in the eastern part of the town of Watertown WR

08 21 Wisconsin Telephone exchange located in the Post Office block WR

1899 Post Office 101 Main - Wm. F. Gruetzmacher, postmaster; J. T. Moak, asst. postmaster. Office hours from 7:30 A.M. to 8 P.M.; money order department, 7:30 A.M. to 6 P.M.; mails close twenty minutes before departure of trains. Watertown City Directory

1905

02 14 "Representative H. C. Evans called at the post office department today at the request of Postmaster General Wynn to consider the dismissal of Postmaster William F. Gruetzmacher of Watertown, Wis., and to make a recommendation for a successor in that office. It appears that the removal of Postmaster Gruetzmacher was decided upon by the department on the strength of the report of a post office inspector who claimed to have found irregularities in the Watertown office, but not attributing wrong-doing on the part of the postmaster nor making charges involving turpitude against him. The point was simply made that the irregularities had occurred during his service as postmaster. Mr. Adams has not heard anything about the charges or any suggestions of a change in the Watertown office until called to the department today. He made a strong plea for Postmaster Gruetzmacher. The reply of the Postmaster General was that the postmaster has been removed but the department would take under consideration a request for further hearing in the case. Postmaster Gruetzmacher has been in office about three years, having been appointed on the recommendation of former Representative Dahle, and the term does not expire until sometime next year." The above appeared in the Washington correspondence in last week Wednesday's Milwaukee Sentinel, and caused great surprise here. On being interviewed by The Gazette editor regarding postmaster W. F. Gruetzmacher stated that he had received a wire from Congressman Adams asking him if he desired a hearing. He answered in the affirmative and expects a date to be set soon for a hearing of the case.

06 01 A Washington dispatch of May 24 says: The post office department today made an order to the effect that Postmaster W. F. Gruetzmacher at Watertown will not be removed for the present and will probably be permitted to serve out the remainder of his term, which does not expire for about a year. Upon an order made in the closing days of Postmaster General Wynne's term, Mr. Gruetzmacher was to be removed. This was based upon a report by a post office inspector who asserted that there were irregularities in the office, and although the postmaster was not directly responsible therefore, he was held to be generally responsible for the conduct of his office and his retirement for the good of the service was ordered. Postmaster General Cortelyou declined to rescind the order of his predecessor, but decided to have another investigation made, the result of which is that the postmaster will be retained.

12 13 Extensive improvements are in progress at the telephone exchange and when completed, this city will have one of the largest and most convenient exchanges in the state. The entire second floor of the post office building is to be occupied, and will be so arranged that the superintendent's office and the apartments for the male employees will be in the front end of the building, the operating room in the center and ladies' rooms in the rear reached by a side door at the south end of the balcony. Each of the office apartments will be provided with lavatories and every appointment up-to-date. A new large switchboard has already been received, as well as other necessary equipment for making it a perfect exchange in all the requirements for a first-class service. The improvements are being made under the personal supervision of W. C. Stone, and it is unnecessary to remark, that nothing will be left undone to give the people of this city as good a telephone service as is possible to be obtained. During the past year many improvements have been made in the local post office looking toward the safer and more speedy handling of the mails. The prosperity of our city is shown by the increase in receipts during the period from December 1, 1904 to Dec. 1, 1905 as compared with the same period a year before. The importance of the office is shown by the fact that 18 mails are received and 13 dispatched daily. Night service has recently been inaugurated whereby mails are dispatched at all hours of the night, thereby giving us the same service as the first class offices, and mail deposited in the post office or package box at the P. O. corner before 3:00 am will reach Milwaukee and Chicago or intermediate points in time for the first morning delivery. Mail received on the night trains is immediately sorted for the carriers, whose average time of leaving the office is 7:45 a.m. The present force consists of the postmaster, his assistant and 4 clerks, besides 5 city and 8 rural carriers. WR

1906

01 11 1906

The post office controversy has been settled and H. T. Eberle is to be the next postmaster for the city of Watertown for reason that it is unnecessary to state, but which are well known to the other aspirants for the place, it became necessary for Congressman Adams to recommend a third man as a compromise and he recommended H. T. Eberle. His appointment, as far as the writer has been able to ascertain gives general satisfaction to the public and patron of the office. Mr. Eberle is a druggist [Eberle Drug Store, Racek Building, 204-206 Main Street], has resided here many years, and is a good businessman and an exemplary citizen. He is uprights manly and has high ideals to moral and social requirements. Those who are intimately acquainted with him are confident that he will make a very efficient and popular official and be a worthy successor to the present postmaster, who will retire from the office at the expiration of his term, after eight years of service, with a consciousness of having been a faithful officer with no reflection upon his honor and character as a man, either at home or in the post office department at Washington D. C.

The rumor that Mr. Eberle has chosen a deputy is untrue. He has made no promises and does not propose to appoint a deputy until he has received his commission and is about to enter upon the discharge of his duty and will then give his entire time to the performance of his duty, his son Ralph taking charge of his drug business thus relieving him of all responsibilities outside of the post office.

1906

01 12 1906

The post office inspector has been here and recommended a remodeling of the post office in this city. The changes contemplated, are an enlargement of the lobby which all will admit, is altogether too small for the convenience of the public, the private office of the postmaster is to be made larger in order that the safe may be under the personal supervision of the postmaster and constantly under his control. The working office or distributing room has to be enlarged by utilizing the room in the rear now occupied by the Union Telegraph Co. which will seek quarters elsewhere. Work on the improvements are to be begun in the near future and be thought completed by the time that Postmaster Gruezmacher retires from the office so that his successor will step into an office more convenient and in keeping with the size and business of the city that it is at present. The work of remodeling and improving the office will be under the supervision of W. C. Stone, the owner of the building which is a guarantee that they will be substantial and up-to-date.

1906

03 09 1906

Through the influence of postmaster Gruetzmacher a post office inspector will be sent here at an early date to investigate the necessity for an additional mail carrier in the city. For a long time it has been found impossible for carriers now employed to cover the territory in the city twice a day and the residence district. The coming of an inspector will no doubt demonstrate that our postmaster is right in asking for an increase of the force, in order that the city may have prompt and efficient service. W. F. Gruetzmacher has been a very enterprising and thoughtful official as is evidenced in the good service he has rendered with the limited force at his command and the public owe him a debt of gratitude for his uniform courtesy and thoughtfulness in his official capacity.

1906

03 13 1906

Saturday evening, W. F. Gruetzmacher who had taken postmaster of this city turned the office over to his successor, H. T. Eberle who was recently appointed to the position. In retiring the office, Mr. Gruetzmacher can do so with a full consciousness that he had discharged every duty as a public official well and faithfully. During his administration he aided in establishing eight rural routes which have been of great convenience to the agricultural districts adjacent to the city. Under his administration the postoffice was remodeled and made more convenient and metropolitan in appearance and other changes are anticipated . . .

1906

03 17 1906

Friday noon, Postmaster Gruetzmacher being a witness before the grand jury in the United States court and anxious to leave for home on an early afternoon train, a motion was made to adjourn. Mr. Gruetzmacher forgetting himself and thinking no doubt that he was in an old fashioned caucus, objected much to the amusement of the jurors, but his objection stood however and the evidence of the witnesses who desired to go home was taken and they all left for home thanking Mr. Gruetzmacher for his “objection” and the kindness of the jury.

1906

03 18 1906

Special Inspector Gould of Washington was in the city Thursday inspecting the post office. It is reported that he found considerable fault with it, because it was too narrow and inconvenient. It is the best location in the city and should be remodeled as is anticipated it will do until we have a government building which ought to be erected within the next three years.

1906

03 10 1906

When the post office building has been remodeled, the room now occupied by the post office will be occupied in part by C. A. Gamm as a drug store, the room in the immediate rear, by Joseph Robinson as a barbershop and the Western Union Telegraph office will remain where it is at the present time. The location is one of the best in the city, being in the business center, in close proximity to Masonic Temple into which the post office is to be moved, two banks and on a prominent corner by which passes many people during each day in the year . . . The gentlemen, who are to occupy rooms in the building, were fortunate in securing the same at a moderate rental.

MOVED TO 2 E MAIN

1906

05 11 1906

A week from this Sunday morning the post office will be moved into the new quarters in the Masonic Temple building [2 E Main]. The change will be made so quick that on Monday morning following, Postmaster Eberle and his force will be ready for business in the new quarters, which will make a most desirable place. The lock boxes will be run across the front of the room, giving a most excellent light for the patrons of the office and the working force. The postmaster's office will be located directly back of the elevator shaft. The arrangements will be excellent and will add further in giving the patrons the best service possible. During the process of moving and arranging the new office the patrons of the office will undoubtedly be inconvenienced to a certain extent, but they should be charitable and overlook any trifling inconvenience.

c1907, 2 E Main St, Portion of PC_325

1906

07 18 “Where will the new post office be located” is the common question now, and as yet no one seems to be willing to risk an answer. The sites are being discussed but there are always objections to be offered so that no site seems to be universally agreed upon on the general talk. There are really no available sites on Main Street that can be purchased at the moment that has been appropriated by the government for this purpose. Consequently a site will have to be secured on a side street large enough to comply with the requirements of the treasury department, unless the citizens will contribute a sufficient amount to make up the amount appropriated and the cost of a desirable site large enough to meet the requirements of the government. It is a matter that should receive the earnest consideration of every citizen at an early date.

08 17 Offers of three sites for a government building in this city have been sent to the treasury department at Washington. There may be other offers, if there are, they have not been reported to the Leader.

The sites offered here are the property at southwest corner of Second and Madison streets, the Duffy property on Fourth street and a parcel of land on the west side, the location of which is kept a secret. The property at the corner of Second and Madison streets is the most desirable, being near the business center of the city and comes nearer to the demands of the government as to area.

In the course of time a representative of the government will be sent to view the several properties offered and upon his judgment, as to size, availability and location of the sites offered the government will be influenced in making a choice. The Leader is disinterested in the matter insofar as to have the location central so as to accommodate the greatest number of our citizens, especially the business men of the city.

1908

03 31 (50 years after 1858 move to Main St) Another move has been made toward the government building for Watertown, to be erected on the site at the corner of Second and Madison streets, the title to the same having just been cleared for the government. The following dispatch appeared in the Evening Wisconsin last night: Washington D.C., March 27 - (Special) Representative Nelson introduced a bill appropriating $50,000, for the erection of a public building at Watertown, Wis. The government has already secured a site at this point. WG

06 07 $65,000 appropriation becomes $20,000. WL

06 10 Bill granting $65,000 for the government building passed Congress and signed by President. WL

07 10 House removed from the property sold U. S. government WG

07 17 Clerks and carriers received a raise of $100 per annum. WG

08 07 W F Richards appointed railway mail clerk. WG

09 18 John Carey and Elizabeth Kioes marriage. Carey carried the mail between the railway stations and post office.

1909

02 05 Winter storm cripples rural mail delivery WDT

03 13 Rural free delivery of mail is now eleven years old WG

04 09 Transcript of the post office site at Watertown WG

05 07 Nettie Saban-William Richards marriage, post office employee WG

06 11 Examination for clerks and carriers WG