The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-10-11

ment of the state was held in Water
town. Mr.. Beynon resided in Wash
ington street until his tragic death
from burns in an accidental explosion
| in his home. He was one of the most
kind hearted men that ever came west
| to make a home, and his memory is
revered by many who in want in those
| days of long ago felt the pinch Of
poverty and the pang of death. When
a friend meant more than a passing
nod, when it meant actual help in the
hour Of distress. He has gone to the
bourne from whence no traveller e'er
returns but his kindly nature and gen.
erous impulses, although not possess
ed himself Of much of this worlds
goods, remains as a kindly reminder
of what constitutes a christian.
| Speaking of the late Barney Gard
ner, the veteran bus man, reminds
one Of the story oft told by the late
Joe Lindon, proprietor of the old
hotel where the New Commercial
now stands. That was more than
forty years ago though. Barney was
the pioneer hack driver, proudly pull
ing the reins over the team attached
to the first hack in Watertown,
brought here shortly after the Mil
waukee road was built this far. In
| those days there were no kerosene
lamps in use in hotels and gas did
not make it's appearance here until
! 1856. Candles were used in hotels and
homes, the tallOw dip also being used
This consisted Of a small dish in
which lard or other melted fat was
placed and a small rag placed therein
which afforded a rather poor but
nevertheless welcome light. Barney
Gardner did not trouble himself about
making candles or dips, but drew up
on the hotel supply to light the lam
terms which adorned the interior Of
ais bus. He made" the trains for
many years and was probably years
ago the best known figure in Water
town.
/ Len Jaehrling, who by the way, is
one OF the oldest tonsorial artists in
the city, tells of the members of a
volunteer fire company forty years
ago Or more who, upon the sounding
Of an alarm Of fire, fastened home
and put on their belts and helmets.
The old hand engine manned Oy John
Reichardt and others, called the
water WITCH" did yeoman service in
those days. She could be set on a
river bank, a creek or alongside a
tub of water and could be worked like
a Trojan. But there were not many
regrets when the steamers were put
into service in 1876 Barney O'Byrne,
the pioneer boot and shoe maker was
an early day fireman. He afterward
ran a little saloon where the express
office is now, and his cherry "fill the
bill, me lad" was a most welcome
sound in the morning, as he was up
with the lark.
Gus Cushman, 70 years old he
claims, but to hear him talk, ITO,
says he is the third oldest child born
in Watertown now living. He gives
the palm to Byron Hill, an early day
} blacksmith, now in the harness bust
) ness in Beloit. Mr.. Cushman farmed
for awhile with his parents. He was
born where the Hotel Waukesha now
stands and was one of the first en-
; ployes of the old Woodland & Stone
! bakery company, entering their en-
ploy in 1873. His uncle, Dudley Beech
: er carried the mail between Milwau-
kee and Watertown before the advent
Of the iron horse, and the stage barns
were then located in North First
street at the intersection of Jones
street Mr.. Cushmans father was the
first gunsmith in WATERFOWL and
when he died his funeral was attend
} ed by large number of Indians then
encamped near Watertown, with
whom he was on the most friendly
termA, He relates that after his
fathers death many hunk Of venison
and supply of fish was left at his
mothers door. When a boy, Gus Cush-
man played among the stumps and
marshes in what is now the upper
section of the old First ward.