Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-04-18

that was occupied by Samuel Wilson,
an early pioneer merchant. Previous
to this Wilson had been a clerk for
D. A. McKensie. He purchased the
stock of merchandise from parties
(names UNKNOWN who in 1910 were
doing business in this building. WIZ
son continued in business until his
death in 1856. He was a particular
friend of Latimer, the attorney, who
was killed by Glouster in a duel on
the street of Potosi in 1845. Latimer
died in the arms Of Wilson.
This old building was torn down by
David BanfieId in 1870, who at that
lime erected a stone barn at the foot
IF the hill back Of the old store build
ing, that yet stands, though the walls
show the marks of the fire in 1916.
A buggy shed was built in front OF
the barn that went down in the fire
of 1916.
In the very earliest days Of Potos1,
Johnathan Huey conducted saloon
in a log cabin near where the stone
barn now stands He later moved in
to a frame building on the street. He
continued doing business here until
he failed, and then Conrad Kalten-
bach bought the place and moved his
hardware store into the frame build
ing. An addition was made in the
rear for tin shop. Mr.. Kaltenbach
continued business here for many
wears in this building, and later re-
tired with a fair income.
HE COOns succeeded Mr.. Kalten-
bach to the business and was occupy
ing the old building until it went
down in the fire of 1916. The Vogels-
berg garage now stands on the lot.
A three-fOot alleyway between the
Huey saloon and Wilson's store was
used by Sunday patrons to the back
entrance of the Clark and Woods sa
loon. later owned by Coons. This
was done for at intervals the front
entrance to saloons were closed
There was also a four foot space be-
tween Simon e. Lewis store building
and the Clark and Woods saloon.
The front part of the saloon build
was used for other purposes, with
stairway leading to the upper story
Some time in the forties, MyrOn
Patterson, an early arrival to Snake
Hollow, began the construction Of a
large building adjoining the Huey sa-
loon. About the time he had the
foundation completed his funds gave
out, and not receiving financial aid
that he was depending on, the build
ing proposition was abandoned. The
foundation for about twenty years
stood as an eyesore to the inhab-
itants.
In 1864 Celestin Kaltenbach built
a tWO-story stone store building on
this foundation, it still being i'll good
condition. Mr.. Kaltenbach continued
doing a general merchandise business
at this location until he retired from
active business He still retained the
post office.
The building was afterward con-
verified into grist mill by Peacock
and Downs After a few years this
proved an Improbable venture and
the mill business was given up.
Andrew Kern of EllenbOro, bought
the building with the intention of do
ing milling, but this he abandoned.
In 1877 he bought a lot of Centennial
furniture and bedding that he brought
to PotOsi and stored in this stone
house. Some of this he disposed OF
at auction, and the remainder was de-
strOyed by a mysterious fire. The
village then purchased the building
for a hall and engine room. The sec
Ond story walls were damaged by the
fire to such an extent that it was un-
safe for use. Therefore the walls
were removed down to the first story
walls, end the second story was re
placed by a frame structure several
feet longer, that made it handsome
and cOmmOdiOus hall, equipped with
a stage, scenery and chairs. This al
so went down in the fire OF 1916. This
building was so far gone, and the
heat SO intense. before the fire was
Is. = tI,t lor h1T N hT
fire apparatus in the lower story was
destroyed.
The village then built the hand
some building they now occupy for an
office and engine room, with a Gala
boose i'm the rear A calabOOse was
also in the rear of the building de-
stroyed, and it was in here that the
fire originated, started by an unfOrtu-
nate man VINO was confined for the
night. and was burned to death be-
fore his cries for help were heard.
We next come to an old frame
buiIing that was used for saloon
and ten-pin alley that was conducted
by many different persons. Chris
ScheppaIl, who afterward removed to
DUBUQUE, and operated a grist mill
there. was the last man to run this
saloon and ten-pin alley The old
building was taken down ana femoy-
ed many years ago.
Now comes the Henderson block,
as it was known in early days. 1t
was a large three-story brick build
ing that was erected by a man named
Henderson. in 1S47. 1t was at one
time the only three-story building in
the county 1t was occupied for vari-
Gus purposes. The Potosi Republican
a newspaper published in Potosi, oc-
cupied rooms in the third story. Cole
and Biddlecome had their law offices
on the first floor Orsamus Cole and
family occupied rooms in the second
story. G. Lee Anderson had a large
general store in the first story. Judge
Cole before being elected associate
Justice of the Supreme Court, was the
owner of this property. DR.. t. L.
Graham afterward became the owner
and had his office in the second
story. and where he dwelt with his