Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-06-18
1S94-F. L. TibbitS.
1895. 1SA6-GeO. W. Baker.

1S91-F. l.. TibbitS.
1895. 1S96-GeO. w. Baker.
In the early history of the city the
prohibition party was very enthuSi.
astic and fought hard to carry the
city election. but they never accom-
| plished anything.
The bridge question in its day was
a very interesting one. Everybody
wanted to have a bridge. but the
| location could not be decided upon.
The people in the upper part of town,
above the rapids wanted the bridge
there, while the people at the lower
end of town wanted it nearer the
| center of business.
In the early SiXt!rS charter for a
bridge to be built somewhere above
the rapids was gr; nted.
In 1864 meeting of the business
men from the lower part of town was
held for the purpose OF repeating the
old charter and obtaining a new
charter for a bridge at the lower end
of town. In 1865 the old charter was
repealed and a new charter for a
bridge at the lower end of town was
obtained. This charter provided for
toll bridge for period of five years
after which the county had right to
condemn it as a public bridge and
make it a county bridge.
This being done it was of course
required that the bridge be kept in
repairs at the expense of the county.
This caused a great deal of dissatis-
faction in other parts Of the county.
especially the northern part: their
argument against it being that they
received no benefit from the bridge
and therefore ought not be compelled
to pay out money fer'it. The princi-
pal leader in this opposition was our
neighboring city of MarShtield.
About this time Marshtield was
having a boom, and as her population
was rapidly Outnumbering ours and
were increasing in wealth they of
course thought that the County Seat
ought to be there. AS the city grew
in wealth and population this feeling
grew stronger and ever since then
MarShtield has been our rival.
When in 1888 the high water swept
away our bridge there was great
rejoicing in Marshtield and surround
ing towns; and when the Twin Cities
asked for a charter for a new bridge
the County Board refused to grant it.
During this time an anti-bridge party
was formed, composed of people from
towns west of the river, principally
Marshtield and Pittsville, who were
opposed to our having a county bridge.
In the fall of 1889 at the regular
election this was voted upon and we
were badly defeated. The only alter
native was for the cities to build a
bridge at their own expense; bonds
nt of
the new bridge was begun. 1t was
completed in 1890.
In 1894 the Republicans carried the
state and county by large majority,
the office of Governor being given to
Upham a resident of Marshtield. This
gave the people of that city a great
deal of influence in the State LegiSla-
ture. This influence they used in
trying to get the county seat moved
to their city; failing in this their next
step was to create new county with
Marshtield as the county seat. On
February 10. 1895, a. committee was
sent to our city to get our consent to
a division of the county. The matter
was considered but Grand Rapids
refused to consent to a division and
the committee went back home with
nothing accomplished. This trouble
has not been caused by the city of
Marshtield SO much as by prejudiced
few who have selfish motives in view
and who like to gain nOtOriety.
Nothing further has been done in
regard to the matter, but the Marsh
field people have not given up yet. If
our present governor is reelected
next fall, the matter as to division
of the county will be considered next
winter in the state legislature. If he
| is not reelected, we can safely say
that the matter will end right where
| it is.
On September -, 1898, a special
meeting of the city Council was
called to get their views in regard tC
building stone wall on Water Street
from near the engine platform to a
point at the foot of the hill. On a
motion the Mayor appointed a COM
mittee to report at next meeting on
| the cost. etc, of the wall.
A petition signed by a number OF
prominent citizens was sent to the
Council asking it to pass an ordinance
authorizing and ordering that stone
wall be built. The council at the
next meeting, Sept. 81, ordered that a
special election be held on October
9th for the purpose of submitting tc
the vote of the people the following
proposition: To authorize the city tC
issue bonds to the amount of $4,000 fol
the purpose of raising money for the
! construction of the stone wall.
On October 9th, 1894, the election
was held with the following result
1st ward, 80 for. 9 against.
2nd ward. 2S :. Is
3rd ward. 25 -