Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-07-19
lUbULEE CELEBRATION.
Whistles Blown and Bells Rang.
Citizens Rejoice that the Rail-
road Bonds are a Thing of
the Past and the City
Free.
PARADE, rIUSIC, SPEECHES
AND FIREWORKS.


years within the limits of the munich
pality. Fitty-two years ago the
electors of the city voted to bond them
selves in the sum Of $500 900 and be
tween that date and 1856 increased
the bonded indebtness so that it ae-
gregated $4SO,OOO which bonds were
exchanged for the railroad shares, the
proposed railroads only existing on
paper or in the minds of clever rogues.
The proposed lines of road were
never constructed, the bonds sold by
the schemers and the railroad stock
which had been given the city in ex-
change for the bonds became value
less-not worth the paper upon which
they were printed aud the people bun
coed by the purchase of lot of gold
bricks
For years by resorting to various
substifuges, the city authorities man
aged to evade the payment Of the
bonds until the limitations had expired
except the sum of SIS 900, which by a
blunder of appearing in court and ad
mitting service judgment was rem
dered against the city the last of which
was paid Saturday at 2 p. IN. the order
being signed by Mayor Wertheimer
l. VI l
the whistles blew and the bells rang
1t was meet and proper that the
citizens should celebrate the event
with appropriate demonstrations of
qualification that the incubus upon the
city had been lifted, which will mark
the beginning Of a new epoch in the
history and experience in Watertown,
which had 1t not been for it5 bonded
indebtedness would today have been a
city Of 25, 900 inhabitants Instead OF
10000. And now. there is nothing to
interfere with its growth. development
and prosperity, and all can spit In their
hands and lift for the city which for so
long time has been under financial
cloud.
During the forenoon the city hall
and many Of the business places in the
city were decorated with red, white
and blue bunting and flags giving the
city the appearance of being engaged
in celebrating our natal day and all
Joined in manifestions OF thankfulness
and joy, that the city was free and
men owned their homes.
At 7,30 d. m. Thacker's band
appeared upon Main street and
played several selections which
were listened to by large crowds of
citizens. At about $50 procession
was formed on East Main street headed
by the band and followed by Mayor
Wertheimer carrying a new broom,
indictive of a clean sweep and several
Of the ex-mayors of the city and many
citize MS, there being several transper-
ancie5 IN the line, upon which were
painted expressions Of JOY as well as
to the city. The column passed down
Main street marching through red
lights to the intersection of Main and
First streets where platform had been
erected on the last mentioned street
where the speech making took place.
After the band had played a selection,
Mayor Werthcimer who presided in
troduced the speakers the first being
Theodore Prenti5s the first mayor of
the city and a member Of the first con
stitutional convention held in Wiscon
sin. He was followed by Joseph Lin
don, Christian Meyer, Col. A. Solliday
William H. Rohr, @Ex- Senator Fred
Kusel, Ex-senator William F. Voss, j.
L. Moak, Edward Rack, Henry Null
berger, IL. g. CRUDE, John Brusen-
bach aud Herman Wertheimer the
present executive of the city. All
spoke of the experiences of the past
and expressed thankfulness that the
sun of prosperity could shine upon the
city and Watertown experience the
growth to which it is entitled by reas-
on of its location ana many advantages
After the speeches fireworks were dis
charged from the Main street bridge
and hundreds of pounds of rice from
the hands Of gay celebrants.
A history of the long fight will be of
interest and we copy the following