davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR
FINAL SETTLEMENT.

WOOD COUNTY COURT-In Probate.
In the matter of the last will of Hannah
NJ. BurcheI deceased.
On reading and filing the application of
William Burcheu, executor of the last
viii of Hannah NJ. Burcheu, deceased,
representing among other things that he
has fully administered the said estate, and
praying that a time and place be fixed for
examining and allowing his account of his
administration, and that the residue of the
said estate be assigned to such persons as
are by law entitled to the same;
IT IS ORDERED, That said application be
heard before this court, at a regular term
thereof to be held at the probate office, in
the city OF Grand Rapids, on the 9Th day of
February, 1912, at 10 O'Clock a. N.
AND IT is FURTHER ORDERED, that notice
of the time and place OF examining and al
lowing said account and of assigning the
residue of said estate, be given to all persons
interested, by publication of copy of this
order for three successive weeks in the Wood
COUNTY REPORTER, a newspaper published
in said county, before the day fixed for said
hearing.
Dated this End day of January 1912
BY the Court,
B. NJ. VAUGHAN, W. j. CONWAY,
Atty. for Executor. County Judge
(First pub. Jan. A. final pub Jan. 49,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
ONE WHO KNOWS
FROM EXPERIENCE
IN EAU CLAIRE

(Reprinted from the Eau Claire
Leader Of Dec. %, 1919
The City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin,
came under the commission form of
government in April, 1910.
In Wisconsin, the law prescribing
commission government for cities
provides for a mayor and two coun-
cilmen, the mayor having a vote but
no veto power, and this body is
known as ''The Council"
City officials such as treasurer and
clerk, are appointed by the Council,
which has large discretionary pow
ers, for in the language of the law it
can discontinue old offices or create
new ones.
According to the census of 1910,
Eau Claire had a population of 49,
$40 with an assessed valuation of
$1,000, 900.
Owing to its location at the juno
ton of the Eau Claire and Chippewa
rivers, it has a large number of
bridges to maintain, and in the year
1884, suffered a loss of several of
these bridges by an unusual flood.
The rebuilding Of bridges, the lay
ing of pavements and sewers, with
other expenses, coupled with a loose
financial policy, left the city with a
large bonded debt, and the tax rate
for many years had been nearly or
quite three per cent.
The bonded debt in 1910 was
100000 on which we were paying
an average of Az per cent interest,
but on all except $3O,O of these
bonds, there was an offset in the
form OF a sinking fund. This sink,
ing fund consisted of none, on de-
post in the banks which was held
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

Net amt. of bonded debt. $149, $50
In one respect our policy has been
opposite to that advocated by many
progressive men. There are many
who think it best to make large i'm
proVements on borrowed money and
to expend money raised by taxation
to bring in new industries. They
say 1--WE are building for the future
and let posterity pay the debt"
We have believed that the best
policy for our place is to pay off our
debts, reduce the amount Of interest
to be paid and by getting value re-
ceiYed for every dollar expended, re-
duce the tax rate as much as posi-
bic without depriying ourselves Of
needed improvements.
Pursuing this course our duty is
plain and we know what to do, but
in following the opposite policy it
would be hard to know where to stop
Or what the end would be-
In regard to new industries it has
been our belief and is now that they
viii come if We do business. right
and that We should not give away the
peoples money even in a good cause.
We believe this policy will make Eau
Claire good place to do business
in, and a good place to live in, but
in this belief We do not lay down
rules for others or say what policy
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

claire IS making a steady, healthy
growth, and we have no right TO
complain although ike others, we
hope for still better things in the
future.
The writer does not believe that
there is any romance or magic in
commission government. It is self
evident that if you were to have a
bad commission you would have a
badly governed city, if you had a
corps Of men who were asleep and
half dead, you would have a weak
government which might be worst of
all
Government by commission is
nearer to the methods which are
found to be the best in every large
business. Up to the present time
conditions have been such that bet
ter business men, and men who were
more in touch with the needs of the
whole people were chosen than
would have been possible under the
old system.
1t was feared by some, including
the writer, that it would be a depart
ure from representative government
but in practice it is found that the
average man is much nearer to the
governing power than under the
ward and common council system.
If hard question arises, a hear
ing can be granted, every man who
is interested can state his side OF
the case, all conditions can be learn
ed and the matter decided at once
generally to the satisfaction of all
for those who fail to get what they
want are given the reasons why the
decision is against them.
1t is said by some that the sys,
TEN is good SO far, because it is
new, and that in time evils may
creep in. I believe myself, that
there is some truth in this, and the
old saying that "a new broom sweeps
clean" is far more than a figure Of
speech. I believe that this form Of
government has led men to study
all problems of their merits alone
and from actual conditions rather
than by old methods and by prece
dents.
The system being entirely new
has led to free discussion and a bet
ter understanding between the gov
erning power and the people, anC
those in charge have been led to dc
their work openly and to take the
public into their confidence. The
man who has no secrets to keep from
those who employ him tells all thai
he does, and his reasons for doing
it, will not go far wrong.
The people have a right to know
what is being done with their money
before it is gone, and nothing should
be done that will not stand the light
of day
In presenting the foregoing state
ment of our work up to the present
time, it is due to the people OF Eau
Claire to say that without the con
fidence, patience and forbearance OF
all classes, high and low, rich and
poor, the council could not have
| done this well. We hope to do bet,
ter in the future, but whether sue.
cessful or not, it will always be our
duty to keep our course open to the
view of those for whom we are do
| ing our work
For The Council,
ROBERT K. BOYD.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

to pay the principal of the bonds
when due, and this amounted to
$62 ,083, leaving the net amount of
the bonds $197,917.
The city owned its water plant
purchased at cost of $3.50, 5000,
later expenditures making it's value
in 1910, about 100000.
Conditions Leading to a Change of
Government.
Eau Claire was not corrupt city
There had been charges of favoritism
and unfair dealing, some complaints
were made that members of the old
council and their close friends had
their own streets improved at the
general expense, while others had to
pay for macadam according to their
street frontage. It was claimed that
purchases had not always been made
to the best advantage, but for many
years there had been no authentic
cases of fraud or embezzlement.
What led up to the change was
mostly a feeling that We were under
clumsy and unbusinesslike system.
and there was a general belief that
government based SO rigidly on ward
lines, put premium on unfair deal
ing and led the most influential of
the aldermen to forget the general
interests of the city in their zeal
for their own particular wards, and
for their immediate followers and
friends.
Both of the daily papers advocated
a change in government and there
was q general growth of sentiment
in this direction, some prominent
men in the old council were leaders
in the cause while the mayor and
some others opposed it.
A mass meeting was held, and at
this time it was conclusively shown
that the movement was led by the
best and most progressive element,
! some being prominent business men;
some were members of the old coun-
Gil, but not candidates for office, and
there We're many small taxpayers in
Guiding a fair proportion of laboring
men.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
P O. Address: Grand Rapids w Wood 9( Cou
STATE OF WISCONSIN. CIRCUIT COURT WOOD

STATE OF WISCONSIN, CIRCUIT COURT wooD
COUNTY.
W. S. Braddock, plaintiff; vs. Joseph Al
Drecht and Emma @. AIbrecht, his W fe, de-
PENDANTS.
By virtue of a judgment OF foreclosure and
sale made In the above entitled action on
the 5th day of December, 1910, the
Undersigned Sheriff of Wood County, State
of Wisconsin, viii sell at the front door OF
the Court House in the city of Grand Rapids
Wood County, Wis, on the 29th day of Janu
airy, 1912, at 1000 O'Clock in the forenoon OF
that day, the real estate and mortgaged pre-
misses directed by said Judgment to be sold
and therein described as follows, to-wit:
All OF the southeast quarter Use n OF sec
ton number nineteen 49,, and all of the
southwest quarter (sw n of section numb
er twenty (20J allin township No. twenty-one
(2l) north, Range number two east of the
fourth (4thJ principle meridian in Wood
County, Wisconsin, and containing three
hundred twenty 1920 acres, more or less,
according to the government survey there
of. Terms of sale cash.
GRAHAM Dc GRAHAM, JOHN SCHMITT,
Plaintiffs AttyS., Sheriff of Wood Co.,
Tomah, Wis. Grand Rapids, Wis.
First publication Dec. IA, final pub. Jan. 49,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
Debts in excess of available

Debts in excess of available
Before the next tax levy we had
no income except saloon Licensees and
water receipts, and in addition to
what is shown above the Fire and
Police departments had to be kept
up large number of sewers and
water mains must be laid, and many
street improvements must be put in.
During the season We had to pay
$4,000 for normal school site and
we built a reservoir at the source of
our water supply at cost of over
$4,000 To do all this besides pay
ing the salaries of officials and Of
flee employees and many other ex-
penses which could not be avoided,
We were compelled to borrow money
from the banks and trust to the next
tax levy to put us out of debt.
We made no sweeping changes in
the matter of officials and employees,
the rule being to keep all who were
doing good work and who desired to
stay.
We found the water rates too high
and in many respects inequitable as
between one class of consumers and
another. This was not remedied I'M
til January of the next year, owing
to the difficulty of making up an en-
tirely new schedule of rates which
must be fair to all consumers, safe
for the city, and in accordance with
the rules laid down by the Wisconsin
Railroad Commission, which has con-
troll of all public utilities in the state
and which must give its approval to
our new schedule of rates.
During the summer of 1910, al
| though we were working on borrow
ed money, the usual street work was
not neglected, and the administration
| was given credit for keeping UP its
work at least as well as it had ever
been done before.
In November when the new tax
roll was made up we had to provide
for the payment of all our debts and
expenditures as stated above and in
addition to it all wree called upon
to raise $4,000 for the building of
a new school.
The new tax rate, which must pro-
vide for the payment of all our
debts and furnish money for the next
years support of the city, was a lit
tie higher than the rate of the pre-
vious year (Which was abnormally
! low but it was two mills lower than
the average of the fiveI preceding
years.
In January, 1911, we made up the
new schedule of water rates, making
a reduction of at least % per cent, a
saving to the people of over $4,000
year. The new water. rates make
a liberal reduction to the small con-
sumner, who now pays four dollars
per year and can use on an average
over forty gallons per day, and not
go beyond this charge of one dollar
every three months.
With the new taxes we paid the
banks in full, cleaned up all our
floating debts, paid the salaries of
clerks and officials, supported the
Fire and Police departments through
the winter, and in April 1911 made
up new statement of our financial
condition on exactly the same lines
as the one made in April, 1910, when
we took charge.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
Over HaIf-Century,

Humphreys Specifics have
been used by the people with
satisfaction for more than 80
years. Medical Book sent free
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

To the reader who may not be
familiar with details, and to whom
an itemized statement might be con
fusing-and considering that state
ments made for a purpose are not
always fairly put together-it will
perhaps be best TO simply show how
much money we had at the end Of
the year, as compared with the
amount on hand at the time We com
menced
On April 18th, 1911, after one
year Of commission government, our
actual cash was as shown below.
We had paid up all our current
debts and expenses including interest
on our bonded debt, and in addition
to this had made a substantial in
crease to the sinking fund on de-
posit in the banks.
Amount paid into sinking
fund $13, 121
On deposit subject to check. 67,762
Total cash on deposit. ....... 8O,883
Deducting what We had the
year before .............. 11,713
Increase in cash during the
year OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 500 ITO
The above statement is fairly made
up and absolutely true, there being
no facts which, if stated, would make
the conclusion any different. We
had decreased the bonded debt
$13,121, had no floating debts or I'M
settled accounts to deplete the
amount of cash on hand, and actual
ly had the $67, 1852 to commence the
seasons work on, instead of 81, 713
as on the day we commenced.
The debt of $4,000 which our
predecessors had tried to pay by an
issue of bonds, was now entirely
wiped out, and the ordinance provid-
ing for this bond issue was repealed
and expunged from the records SO
that no one ever need think of this
debt again.
These bonds would have run for
twenty years with an interest charge
of at Least AZ per cent or over 3d.
900 per year. Instead of this we
paid $500 interest to our own banks,
saved $1,325 interest for one year
and $2,025 interest per year fol-
nineteen years in the future.
In the early part of the second
year we bought in some of our own
bonds at par, to the amount of $780,
600 making saving in future inter.
est payments of $500 per year fol-
thirteen years.
During the summer of 1911 a
large amount of street work, sewers
and water extensions were called for
and the outlay in these lines was
more than the average of previous
years.
In November, 1911, the tax roll
was made up and there was sub
stantial reduction in the rate and
this was not accomplished by an ove1
valuation of property. In 1910 the
valuation was SO, 100000 and in
1911 it was $1O,166, 900, the increase
being fully justified by the actual
growth of the city.
The following is a statement OF
the tax rate Excluding the ward
highway funds which were not the
same in all parts of the city, during
the naSt ten wears
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
DRUG STORES WILL
CLOSE NIGHTS

Commencing tonight, all drug
stores will close at 8 o'clock until
the first day of April; excepting on
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
STATE OF WISCONSIN IN CIRCUIT COURT FOR

STATE OF WISCONSIN IN CIRCUIT COURT FOR
WOOD COUNTY.
Evan Roberts and Mary a. Roberts, his
wife, plaintiffs, VS.. Mrs. Gunder Christensen,
Auren Knapp, Jr and Phebe F. Knapp, his
wife, A. G. Ellis Jr. heirs OF Arson @. Pot
win, deceased, Mechanics Savings Bank of
Wester y Rhode Island, f. w. Field, E. W
Fields, Martin Smith, and Mrs. Martin
Smith, his wife, Mrs. Seville Smith, jose
phine Beringer, A. NJ. Nelson and Mrs, A
NJ. Nelson, his wife, unknown owners and
all heirs, grantees and representatives OF
the above named person, defendants.
The State OF Wisconsin to the said defend
ants:
You ARE HEREBY SUAIMoND to appear with
in twenty days after service of this sum-
mons, exclusive oil the day OF service, and
defend the above entitled action in the
court aforesaid; and in case OF your failure
you according to the demand of the COM
/ plant, OF which copy is herewith served up
on you.
CHAS. Z. BRIERE,
Plaintiffs Attorney.
P. o, Address: Grand Rapids, Wood County
Wisconsin.
The above action is brought by the plain
tiffs to establish their title and claim, and
! to forever bar the above mentioned de-
PENDANTS, known and unknown, against
having or claiming any right, or title ad-
verse to the lainud, in and to the follow
ing described premises: The south half of
the northwest quarter (S1a-nw n of section
thirteen (15), and the southeast quarter of
the northeast quarter Use A-ne n OF section
fourteen "a, all in township twenty-five
(22), north of range seven % east.
CHAs. f. BRIERE, PLAINTIFFS Atty.
First pub, Jan. 4, final pub Feb. 81
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

Saturday nights and pay day (the
10th Of each month";. Patrons please
bear this in mind.
Get the AID READING Habit.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

No. FOR Price
L FeyeFs. COMPOSITIONS, Infammations.. 2 )
Worms. Worm Fever, or Worm Disease. = 5
3 Collie. Crying and Wakefulness of Infants. = 5
Diarrhea. Of Children and Adults. ......,....s5
2 Coughs. Colds, Bronchitis ..,...............25
8 TOothache, Faceache, Neuralgia. ...........25
9 Headache, Sick Headache, Vertigo. .........25
10 Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Weak Stomach. ..,. 2 8
IS Group. Hoarse Cough, Laryngitis. IS
II Salt Rheum, Eruptions, Erysipelas. .........25
is Rheumatism, or Rheumatic Pains ..........2 %
16 Fever and Ague, Malaria ..-..........2 5
II Piles Blind Bleeding, External, Internal. 5
,19 Catarrh Influenza, Cold in Head ....,.......25
30 WhOOping Cough, SpasmOdic Cough ,
81 Asthma. Oppressed, Difficult Breathing 80. =
IS Nervous Debility, Vital Weakness II 90
so Urinary Ipcontinence. Wetting Bed. ......95
81 Sore Throat, Quinsy - ------------........25
~ Grip, Hay Fever and Summer Colds, .....25
Sold by druggists, or sent on receipt OF price.
HUMPHREYS HOMEO. MEDICINE CO., Corner
William and Ann Streets, New York.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

Past due and due in near
future $67 TAI
Available cash in hands of
Treasurer ............. 11,713I
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

the financial condition in April. 1910,
when the commission government
took charge:
We were owing the school
department s43,474
The public library .......... 1915
The different wards for high
way purposes ......... II ,2O9
Interest on bonds coming
due, July 1st .-.... 5,513
Other debts demanding i'm
mediate payment ........ $3.50
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18
$4,000

Total bonded debt as above. $21O, 900
Sinking fund deducted -. 60,25O
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

For The Council,
ROBERT K. BOYD.
Eau Claire, Wis, Dec. 1911.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-01-18

Total cash on deposit. 80,883
Deducting what We had the
year before .............. 11,713
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-01

again." she said with just the suspi.
cion of a fearful sniff
Kendall withdrew his gaze from the
ceiling with little start lie looked
around at Dorothy keenly, his face
taking on look that was almost
cheerful.
Honest. Dorothy" he asked, Gag
erly. Honest and truly black and
hluely. lay you down and cut you in
twoly?"
"Why-why-yes," said Dorothy. un.
certainly. Il guess So"
Kendall gave subdued yelp of de.
light. Say. Dorothy" he whispered
eagerly. IF you'll promise that you
won't ever dance with me again, hope
to die If you do, I'll give you half OF
my apple that got out In the dress
ing room. VIII you promise?"
Dorothy, indignant. not to say scan
dalized. nodded her head so that her
ribbon danced wildly. I'm promise"
she said, III you'll give me the whole
apple
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-01
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
County Officers.

Clerk A. Il. Ferguson. Barlow.
Supt. Public Instruction 7. T..
Kirk. Barlow.
Shcriff-John Logan Barlow.
County Judge W. 5. Preston,
Barlow.
Tax Collector II. Lancaster.
Barlow.
Tax Collector r. NJ. I.anicr, Bar
tow.
Treasurer j. 7. Harmon, Barlow.
County Commissioners 5,
Whidden, Chm. Mulberry; a. J..
Lewis, Barlow; X. F. T.angford, Fit.
Meade; J. +. Bryant, Kathleen; I.
r. Holbrook. Lakeland.
School Board.-R. W. Hancock,
Chm, Fort Meade; W. J. J. Whid-
den. Barlow; J. A. Cox. Lakeland;
I. b. Kirk. Secretary, Barlow.
State Senator-D. H. Sloan. Lake
land.
Members OF House-A. J. Angle,
Barlow: Geo. Fortner, Pierce.
City Officers.
Mayor-Jno. F. Cox.
Marshal-W. II. Tills.
Clerk and Treasurer-H. l.. Swatts
City Attornty-Epps Tucker, Jr.
City Council-W. S. Irwin, r. L.
I Mayes, G. z. Southland. w. II. Pugh.
]. NJ. Keen. ii. d. Bassett. O. NJ.
Eaton.
State Officers.
Governor-A. w. Gilchrist. Talla-
hassee.
Secretary of State-H. Clay Craw-
ford. Tallahassee.
Comptroller-A c. Groom. ITALIA
hassee.
Treasurer-W V. Knot. Tallahas-
see
Attorney -General-Park NJ. Tram
NELL, Tallahassee.
Commissioner of Asriculture-B.
Z. McLin. Tallahassee
Supt. of Public lnstruction-Wm.
VI. Holloway, Tallahassee.
Railroad enthusiastically. Hud-
son Burr. Chairman; Newton A.
Bitch. Royal c. Dunn. W. c. Yon.
Secretary. All communications
should be addressed to Tallahassee
President of the Senate-Fred P
Cone, Lake City.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-01
ForeWsrned.

Your father tells me- said the
earl, tina; he intends to leave all his
money TO charity" "Oh, don't let
that worry you At all" replied the
beautiful heilrss I'm sure he doesn't
mean t. Ne tod N" last night that
he was going to try 10 tirc an wheth-
or you really loved ne for myself
alone
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-01
Pride in Savinu.

Only weilhred traiEed People who
are used to having things take pride
In saving They who have never mad
breeding or training and have never
been used TO having anything know
nothing of saving Most mcniils ana
beggars and sraidthritts Gelieve
sGuanderirg and biz tipping and wide
spending are a ign Of Zig folk; aye.
even Of dcccnry
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-01
Practical Domestic Science.

"Wha; is this domestic science?" In.
quiret the engaged girl. ut consists
of making hash out of the leftover
meat and croquet'es out of the eft
over hash explained her more en-
perienced friend. Pittsburgh Post.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-01
WHAT NEW YORK CRIT
The Telegraph

The Third Degree " is a
better play than The Music
Master or The Lion and the
Mouse ]. Tremendous heart
interest. !. "A smashing human
story that raps the tyranny OF
the police department and the
evils of yellow journalism,
and introduces real people with
real emotions"
The Evening Telegram
Twill rival in popularity
The Lion and the Mouse
Absorbing story. Gripping
situations Remarkable act
ing of the cast"
The Evening World.
"A human pulse beating in
the play"