Waupaca32

 

OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN

August 27, 1868

 

WAUPACA

 

Special Correspondence of Daily Northwestern

 

                                                                                                            WAUPACA, Aug. 19^th, 1868

            We are now sojourning for a brief season at he County seat of Waupaca Co., distant from Weyauwega about ten miles, and purpose sketching the place.  It becomes necessary, however, to state in the first place, that we left Weyauwega upon a sunny afternoon, in the month of August, for the village of Waupaca. Before starting we inquired of “Tom” which route he purposed taking, he replied, “through the timber,” and before arriving here, some two hours later, we thought the timber would go through us.  Methinkest those roads “through the timber”, should be well stocked with toll gates, for the man doth not live who hath told his story of a trip “through the timber”.  But hold, our readers have learned of our safe arrival at this wonderful town, therefore what care they for our numberless joltings and crashings over a rough forest road.  But to return to Waupaca.  This is really a nice place.  The Waupaca people think so; and we rejoice, yes, we lift up our voice in thanksgiving thereat.  The place was originally settled in June, ’49, W.B. Hibbard, E.C. Sessions and J.B. Hibbard, squatted here in that year, therefore they were known as squatters.  There are a great many squatters here.  Some men have so little to do that they squat most of the time. We saw one man squat in front of the “Putnam House”, rather suddenly, a few evenings since, and directly after “stood on his ear”.  He was unwell, and doubtless taken cold water on an empty stomach.  With W.B. Hibbard, esq., we had a pleasant interview, and learned many interesting facts regarding the first settlement of Waupaca.  Among others, the following:  One beautiful Sabbath morning when the Waupackers were in attendance upon divine service, at the only Church in the place, a large bearess and two cubs entered the sacred edifice, proceeded to the pulpit, drove the Reverend Apostle from his post, and then went for the congregation.  (The remainder of this thrilling tail, may be seen today in the streets of Waupaca.)

BUSINESS

“The mills of the gods grind slowly

But they grind exceeding small,”

            The mills of Waupaca also grind slowly, being as how their motive power is cold water.  Dayton, Dewey & Co. have a very excellent mill, built in ’66 at cost of $16,000.  They grind with equal facility, wheat, rye, corn, hay, oats and stabling, likewise axes all of which is notwithstanding.  Mr. W.C. Lord is proprietor of what is without doubt the best mill in the county; although not so large as its neighbor, it is nevertheless capable of performing much work, and in a very thorough manner, we should judge although not being a millerite we can make no positive assertions.  We next called upon Messrs. Vaughn and Evans, who are about converting an old grist mill, located about a mile from the village, into a woolen mill which is to be supplied with the best machinery in market.  The establishment is 40 x 50, three stories in height, and ten feet from the floor to the ceiling.  The first floor will be devoted to finishing purposes, the second to carding, and the third to weaving.  The machinery has been ordered from Worcester, Mass., and Messrs. Vaughn & Evans, hope to commence work before the middle of next month.  They will probably give employment to eighteen hands.  The people of Waupaca seem to appreciate this desirable addition to their manufacturing interests, and will doubtless unite in sustaining so important an item of manufacturing in their midst.  There are also two planing mills, a steam mill owned by Messrs. Bently & Sherwin, and one on the bank of the river, owned by parties whose names we did not learn.  There are also one or two saw mills reported to be doing well, although we regret our inability to visit them.  We called on Sheriff Taggart at his quarters in the pleasant and commodious jail building, on the rocks, by whom we were pleasantly entertained.  We are indebted to him for many courtesies, and will attempt to reciprocate when opportunity offers. Mr. I.H. Kean, has a fanning-mill manufactory.  We think his work will compare favorably with that of any similar establishment in the State.  Messrs. H.J. & A. Stetson, proprietors of an extensive dry goods store, are erecting a handsome building on the corner of Main and Union streets 42 x 80, two stories in height, and 14 feet from floor to ceiling.  The first floor consisting of two large stores, division wall between, but also arches, through which persons can pass from one to the other will be occupied by the Messrs. Stetson, with their stock of dry goods.  The entire second floor will be used as a pubic hall.  Mr. Royal Green has charge of the erection of the building.  Mr. Orin Rice of the firm of Orin Rice & Co., is also superintending the erection of a very fine brick building, 28 x 70 which he hopes to have ready for his stock of dry goods, crockery &c., ere Oct. 1^st.  Messrs. P.A. Chesley & Co. have the most extensive stock of hardware which we have inspected since leaving Oshkosh.  We hope Mr. C’s trade may increase so that he will be compelled to get in a still larger stock.  Mr. Chesley is erecting a handsome dwelling, 34 x 56 near the lake, which will be completed before the snows of winter are upon us.  Mr. Geo. Strickland, the Jeweler of Waupaca, is doing a fine business.  We trust his profits may be large, and his circle of friends never be broken.  Mr. Strickland is also engaged in building a store on Main Street, into which he will move so soon as finished.  We have only space to refer to the pleasant store of R.R. Roberts, Esq., corner of Main and Union Streets, and his very superior stock of groceries and dry goods.  The streets of Waupaca are broad and pleasant, its residences are pleasantly located, and handsome, its churches numerous, its school building quite pretty, and its newspaper the Criterion, edited by Leslie J. Perry, Esq., a good one in every respect.  We hope to again visit this pleasant village, and make an addition to this letter.                                                   LILLIE  PUSHEN.

 

 

OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN

July 30, 1868

 

            The Criterion gives the following items respecting Waupaca County, furnished by Mr. Sorenson, Clerk of the Board, to the State Board of Immigration:

            No. acres of improved land, 50,000; average price per acre, $10; acres unimproved, 370,000; average price per acre, $1.50; post offices, 22; school houses, 70; church buildings, 16; flouring mills, 12; saw mills, 10; woolen factories, 1; foundaries and machine shops, 2; smelting furnaces, 1; other manufacturing establishments, 4; population of county in 1868 (estimated) 15,000; names of villages, with population of 1868 (estimated), Waupaca, 1500; Weyauwega, 1200; New London, 1000; Fremont, 400; Northport, 200; Ogdensburg, 200