Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-31

to be made of stern stuff in that earl
day, those old pioneers! Their wor
by day was not counting money, no
working at the pleasant pursuits whicI
their descendants now follow, and thei
weary forms at night did not recline OF
the downy couches which Low wot
their children to sweet slumbers Ir
1914 Dir. Edward johnson and man,
others, now residents of the place
came to Watertown. In this wear tht
Aourishing city of Watertown boastec
Of twenty-five roofs, all told, including
houses, saw-mills, barns and taverns
The tired traveller Of that day had
CHOICE OF TWO INNS,
both well kept and reasonable in their
charges. "Gilman's Tavern" and "Ca.
| dy's Tavern" were the names of the
houses Provisions were scarce and
dear, too, at that time, but one could
get meal at either of the above pla-
ces tor twenty-five cents, and bed for
the same money. One met many
merry comrades at that day, as is al
ways the case when
A fellow feeling makes men won
drous kind"
Walker & Co.'S stage line was the
only means OF communication between
Watertown and Milwaukee,. and there
was no regular conveyance going north
or west. One stage arrived from and
one departed for the metropolis every
day Sundays excepted), and 1t was a
long and tiresome days journey from
end to end. It was fifty miles of a
rough road through the woods, and
men suffering from liver disorders Of
ten felt immensely better after it,
though they never knew the reason.
From 1916 to 1850 the progress was
not very rapid, but it was steady
growth. In the latter year Messrs.
Cole and Cady erected the first -four
lng-mill. The settlers from lS45 to
1855 were mostly Irish, and this nation
ality was the controlling element for
many years. They came from the
factories, canals and railroads of the
eastern states, and brought very little
money with them. In 1850 the Ger
numbers, and bought up land IN quar-
ters, halves and whole sections, at the
government price. A small sch ool Of
| Welsh came in about the year '55 and
seemed to be as prosperous as any 9th
| ers.
TUE FIRST CHURCH.
was erected by the Methodisis as ear
ly as the year 1910. 1t was a plain
Eastwood structure and was the only
house of worship in the place until the
year 1916, when a Catholic church
was erected; this last was structure
26 by sc feet, and the congregation
which erected it was presided over by
Father Keernan, who was the first res
ident priest. In 1855, the plat which
now includes the Second and Sixth
wards was laid out and settled very
fast. The Milwaukee and Watertown
railroad was projected and commenc
ed in the year 1852, and was finished
to Watertown in 1858. From that
time the town commenced to feel the
impetus Of new life; it grew rapidly
for some years and would undoubtedly
by this time have been large and
fourishing city had it not been for
the unfortunate complications in
which it became involved by issuing
bonds to aid the construction OF rail
roads passing through it.
WATERFOWL AT PRESENT.
is city Of 5000 inhabitants, two.
thirds being German and the balance
American, irish and other nationali-
ties. 1t is situated at the junction OF
the Chicago and Northwestern and the
Milwaukee and St. Paul railroads, and
SO offers the advantages of two large
markets to both buyers and shippers
Its industries are numerous and pros
porous. There is one large factory
here for the manufacture Of chairs
rakes and farming implements; foun-
dry wherein are constructed reapers
mowers, steam engines and machinery
of like kind; three large sash, door and
blind factories, and two extensive
breweries. The Rock river runs di
rectly through the center of the city
north and south. 1t is rather sing
ular fact that in city Of this size there
IS not one cozored indiviauaz, man OF
woman, boy or girl. The great blight
which is now sapping the life blood o.
this place is its
BONDED INDEBTEDNESS.
and this if nothing else, would have
made it famous. Just now the sub.
/ ject is being stirred to its depths, ane
one hears nothing but "bonds. bonds, ;
on every side. In the year 1852 tn,
city of Watertown loaned its credit t,
the issue of $4,000 of bonds to aid i,
the construction of the Milwaukee an,
J Watertown railroad, the understand
} ing being that the railroad com mpan,
would pay the interest and also tax
l IL l. J. T.