Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-08-18
PIONEER DEAD.

A telegraphic dispatch to the Mil
waukee papers Of Thursdays issue
announced the death of Col. Charles
Shutter at Sparta, man whose name is
well known to the old settlers here,
where he spent nearly twenty years of
his life. The dispatch did not relate
the cause of death but it is presumed to
have been old age for he had reached
the advanced age OF eighty-four years.
A half century ago Mr. Shutter was one of
the best known men of this section and
contributed to its lumber maaufactur-
ing development. He was born in Lon
don, Eng, about the year 1919. We
have been unable to learn very much
of his early life before coming to Wis
consin river, other than that he lived
for time in St. Louis. This was in
the early '40's. At that time Morrison
q Bosworth, wealthy men of st. Louis,
owned a sawmill in the vicinity of
where the Stewart mills now stand
and they sent Mr.. Shutter here to
take charge of this MILL The time
OF his coming was about The year 1913
About five years later w. d. McIndoe
acquired the interest of Morrison, and
Mr.. Shutter came into possession of
Bosworth's share in the business, and
the firm was thereafter known as Nc
lndoe q Shutter. This firm also ac-
quired title to nearly all of the land
situated north of what is now Mcclellan
St., east from the river, to Fifth street
and as far as the present location of the
Murray foundry. 1t was then mostly
woods, but is now indicated on the plat
as McIndoe & Shutters addition. This
firm built new mill in 1852 and con-
tinued as partners until 1860; they also
conducted the largest general store
here.
Previous TO the outbreak of the war,
this section of Wisconsin was known
as the Third congressional district, and
was represented in congress by Mr.
McIndoe. The war came on and a
multitude of internal revenue collectors
were appointed by the president, to col
lect internal revenue for the support
of the government in prosecuting the
war. Congressman McIndoe secured
the appointment of his partner TO such
a position for this district, and he was
the first official by that title for this
district. AT that time collections, were
required to be made on a great many
more articles than fall 10 the lot of that
official today. Money was almost an
unknown article in the pinery, the cur
rency most used being lumber.
Mr.. Shutter left Wausau at about the
close of the war going to Sparta. Shortly
after this the mineral waters of that
vicinity Became noted ana received p
great sale and he became interested in
that enterprise and also Turkish baths,
in which business he has been interest
ed for many years.
The mail in an early day used to be
carried on foot in relays from Milwau-
kee, and it used to fall to the lot of
someone to go down from here to Plo-
yer frequently and get the mail sack.
The village was six miles beyond Stew
ems Point, and anyone who travelled
the distance, over the crooked roads of
those days, can testify as to the length
of the journey. Yet it is said that Mr..
Shutter won III often volunteer the task,
and would walk the distance and back
again in two days. Those were good
old days when the strife of trade was
not as keen as it is today, and a spirit
of brotherly love pervaded the village.
In this connection it is said that any
one who went to the store of McIndoe
& Shutter, which was located on the
west side of Main street, between Jack
son and Washington streets, always
got the goods he wanted whether be
had money or not.
Mr. Shutter was much different in his
habits and manner of dress than other
men here at the time, and was to some
extent what might tie called "dendy."
He was good looking, fins appearing,
dapper little Englishman. He was
polished in manner, refined and cour-
teous in his treatment of others, and a
gentleman of literary tastes, and had
the best library in town. He went well
dressed and wore what was termed at
that time a boiled shirt" He was
honest and so democratic in his affiilia-
ton with his towns people, that he was
held in high regard, and was liked by
everyone. He married Miss Farm
ham, lady of Oxford, who died few
years ago. They never had any chill
dren. As remembrance of the man
we can state that the building now oc-
cupied by the Alexander Stewart Lbr-
Co. as an Office was built by him. This
building was first located on about the
middle of the old opera house block
and years later moved to its present
location.