[ 1855 ]

STIEBER of Maple Grove

HORRIBLE AFFAIR.
A friend has furnished us with the particulars of a most horrible affair 
which occurred at Maple Grove on the night of Wednesday last.
An insane man named Stieber residing at the house of a Mr. Fred. Hartman 
during a paryxism of his disease insisted upon removing his bed to the 
cellar, to escape as he said from the devils which were pursuing him. He 
took a pitchfork and a clasp knife with him and the family retired for 
the night.
In the night Mr. Hartmann was wakened by a noise in the cellar and sprung 
from his bed to learn the cause. A soon as he reached the cellar the 
pitchfork was thrust into the breast piercing the lungs, and as he fell 
to the floor his assailant sprang upon him with the knife. He was terribly 
cut but was still living at last accounts though not expected to survive.
His wife hearing his shrieks of distress, went to his assistance, and the 
knife was buried to the hilt in her back, near the shoulder blade. The 
wound though severe is not dangerous. Stieber escaped and has not yet been 
secured. -Later. We learn that the injured man has since died.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, March 29, 1855 P. 3
*********
THE MAPLE GROVE TRAGEDY.
In another column we give the particulars of a heart rending occurrence 
at Maple Grove copied from our Extra of Friday. The tragedy has a second 
act still more appalling in the details.
After leaving the house of Hartmann, Stieber met a Norwegian whose name 
we could not learn and stabbed him to the heart killing him instantly. 
He then cut his own throat and sprang into the river near Clarks mills (sic)
but was rescued through the exertions of Mr. Ira Clark. The wound was dressed 
and he is expected to recover. About two years since Stieber had a stick 
thrust into his eye and doubtless injured the brain which caused the insanity. 
When taken from river he seemed quite rational but we learn that he has again 
relapsed.
LATER STILL. Stieber was brought to the Village on Sunday last but managed to 
evade the vigilance of those who guarded him, and has not since been heard 
from. Doct. Kellog dressed his wound, but he twice tore away the dressings, 
and Doct. Ks. opinion would justify the supposition that he has perished.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, March 29, 1855 P. 3


[ 1855 ]

BAKER'S GRIST MILL

Mr. Thos. W. Baker has purchased the whole of E.D. Beardsley's interest 
in the Baker and Beardsley's property and is now sole proprietor of the 
mills and about 800 acres of valuable land situated about four miles 
from the Village of Manitowoc. We give a brief description of the mills 
last summer; but since then a number of improvements have been introduced, 
and their capacity has been greatly increased. Neither pain nor expense 
have been spared by the enterprising gentlemen who built them; and they 
had reason to feel proud of the results of their efforts. On Tuesday last 
we accepted a polite invitation from the present proprietor and stepping 
into his carriage rode over for the purpose of seeing them in full 
operation. Though very little acquainted with the oporations (sic) of 
intricate Machinery, it was easy to discover that every thing about the 
mill was as regular and smooth as clockwork.
No jar was perceptible even in the upper rooms of the mill and the india 
rubber belting seemed to work with scarely any friction.
The effective machinery consists of one upright saw, one siding mill, 
bolting saw and lath mill, all of which were running and doing good 
service.
The foundation is solid rock, which perhaps is one reason why there is no 
shaking in the mill.
Mr. Baker informs us, that he proposes to fit the upper rooms and to devote 
them to manufacturing purposes as most of the time there is nore power than 
he can use.
A short distance above is another ????power, upon which it is proposed to 
build a Grist Mill at some future time.
The value of the property is estimated at $14,000, at present rates of 
valuation we consider it low.
Manitowoc County has some of the finest Water Mills in the State and the 
one to which we have alluded is inferior to none that we have seen, either 
here or elsewhere.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, May 24, 1855 P. 3.



CAPSIZED BOAT

CAPSIZE AND NARROW ESCAPE.-Mr. A.L. Edwards, a young merchant of this 
village, who is displaying commendable energy in establishing a branch 
of his business at Wolf River, started with a boat load of supplies on 
Wednesday of last week, for that place company with Wm. Babcock and 
F.A. Bocher, with a fair wind and prospect of a fine run, but when 
nearly opposite Kewaunee their boat was capsized in a squall and for 
three long hours the young men clung to the boat, mutually encouraging 
each other, until chilled and exhausted, they were about giving up in 
despair.
Fortunately the wind was off the Lake, and they were drifted toward the 
shore, when a boat manned by six stout men put off from Kewanuee and 
rescued them from their perilous position.
The boat and cargo afterward drifted on the shore and the loss was but 
trifling and the boys are on hand for another tussle with old Boreas, 
or to form another circle to call up the spirits of the vasty deep.
Since writing the above, we have seen and conversed with the "the boys." 
They are desirous of expressing their gratitude to the brave fellows 
who perilled their own lives to rescue them from impending death, and 
have furnished us with their names which we publish as follows:
Wm. Flawirt?, Gilbert Duprey, Geo. Cole, Frank E?utin, Joseph Alonzo,
_____Maurice.
The citizens of Kewaunnee by their generous conduct in assisting to save 
their boat, and by a thousand kind attentions, deserve more than a passing 
notice, and they secured the heartfelt gratitude of those to whom their 
attentions were so acceptable.
It gives us pleasure to note such generous acts as these, and to express 
the hope that they will be repeated wherever the occasion demands.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, October 11, 1855 P. 2


[ 1856 ]

STRAY PIG ORDINANCE

To restrain hogs from running at large:
Be it Ordained by the President and trustees of the village of Manitowoc-
1. That good and suitable pounds in one or more divisions of this village 
be contracted to be placed under the care and direction of a pound keeper, 
for each division, to be appointed by the trustees: Provided, the pound-
keeper now appointed shall hold his office during the time he was 
appointed, and be entitled to the compensation thereinafter provided:

2. No swine shall be permited to run at large in the village at any time, 
and if found running, each and every one may be impounded in the common 
pounds, from whence it shall not be released until the owner or owners, 
or some other person, shall pay to the pound keeper thereof the sum of 
two shillings, for each swine, other than sucking pigs, and sixpence for
each pig so impounded besides the pound keeper's fees, and expenses, for 
the use of the village; and such owner shall be subject to a penalty of 
three dollars for every such animal so found running at large.

3. It shall be the duty of the pound keepers to provide necessay 
sustenance for all animals so impounded; and the reasonable cost for 
providing such sustenance for each animal shall be paid to the pound 
keeper before such animal shall be released from the pouund: and it 
shall be lawful for pound keepers to sell at public vendue any animal 
or animals impounded as aforesaid at any time after the expiration of 
three days from the time they shall be so impounded, the said pound 
keeper giving at least forty-eight hours previous public notice of the 
time and place of sale, by four advertisements; one of which shall be 
put up at the door of court house (when completed,) and another at the 
post-office, and the other two in two of the most public places in the 
village; but if said animals or any of them are redeemed, or an offer 
is made to redeem by paying the pound keeper's fees, and the penalty 
prescribed in the proceding section, together with the expenses of 
sustenance as aforesaid, before they are actually sold, the same shall 
be released by the pound keeper.

4. The pound keeper shall render to the trustees quarterly a true statement 
of all fees and moneys received for penalties or for animals sold by him; 
and shall pay all moneys received, to the village trusurer, after deducting 
therefrom the fees and charges for sustaenance.

5. If any person or persons shall break open, or in any manner, directly 
or indirectly did or assit in breaking open any pound, said person or 
persons shall severally forfeit and pay the sum of ten dollars besides the 
damage done to the pound by breaking it open.

6. Each and every person who shall hinder, delay or obstruct any person 
or persons engaged in driving to the village pound any animal or animals, 
shall for each and every hinderance, delay or obstruction, forfeit and 
pay a fine not less than five nor more then ten dollars.
Passed January 21, 1856.
CHAS. ESSLINGER, Pres't.
CHAS. ROESER, Cl'k
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, January 31, 1856 P. 2


GROWTH OF TWO RIVERS

Two Rivers, Wis., May 30, '56.
A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune thus speaks of the neighboring 
village of Two Rivers, which will be found interesting to our readers:
This town lies on the western shore of Lake Michigan, and is one 
hundred and eighty miles north of Chicago. It is the only port of any 
importance between Manitowoc and 'Death's Door,'-the entrance to Green 
Bay. The place derives its name from the fact that two parallel streams 
of considerable size form a junction in the shape of a half circle, 
directly in front of the town,-having but one outlet to the lake. One 
of these rivers is named the Neshoto and the other is known as the 
'Mishecotte.' Both run about north and west from the town, through a 
heavily timbered country, and a small propeller tug is kept constanly 
employed at this time of the year towing immense rafts of logs down 
the stream to the mills, near the confluence of the two rivers. Large 
rafts of lumber etc., are also brought down the 'Neshoto' from three 
mills located on its banks, some four miles from the town, and owned 
by N. Pendletor, of Racine. Most of the lumber, laths and shingles 
manufactured at these mills is loaded on to vessels, and forwarded to 
Racine, where the owners of the mills have an extensive yard, and sell 
all they can obtain to the country surrounding that beautiful city.
On the "Michecotte,' are extensive lumbering mills, belonging to Daniel 
and Alfred Smith and to Sprague and Owen. The shipments from these 
mills go directly to Milwaukee and Chicago.
On one of the streams about three miles from the town, is the extensive 
tannery of the Wisconsin Hide and Lether (sic) Company-the largest 
establishment of the kind in the State. I am not able to give the 
figures of the business of this concern during the past year, but learn 
that they are being compiled, together with other staticties (sic) of 
the place by the Post Master, and will soon be made public through some 
of the Lake journals. Scarely a steam vessel the?ches either of the 
piers without having a large consignment of hides for the tannery; and 
as soon as manufactured, the leather is shipped to Milwaukee, where the 
Company have a large store occupied by their trade.
Near the mouth of the rivers are the lumber mills of Harvey & Smoke, 
Pierpont, Hall & Co., F.& C. L. Linstedt, and Aldrich, Smith & Co. The 
lumber manufactured by the first firm goes principally to Milwaukee, 
Mr. Harvey having the superintendence of the yard and business of the 
concern in that city. The second firm have a large new mill and will 
ship to Milwaukee, Chicago, and all along shore. Mr. Pierpont, the 
senior partner is recently from LaSalle in your State, having lived 
there a number of years.
Aldrich, Smith & Co. have a resident partner in Chicago--Jas. F. 
Aldrich, Esq., corner of Market and VanBuren streets. This firm does 
the heaviest lumber business at Two Rivers, and is the pioneer house 
here in that trade. They own two mills, and are running fourteen single 
saws. The exports for last year are as follows; Six and a half million 
feet of lumber, five million of shingles, four and a half million of 
laths, 800 cords of wood, and 150 cords of bark. This does not include 
nearly one million feet of lumber sold here. Most of it was shipped 
to Chicago by vessels owned by the firm. This shows that there business 
enterprise and energy 'up along shore,' and that the aggregate amount of 
exports from Two Rivers has never been fully understood as appreciated, 
excepting by those directly interested.
This town was first settled about eight years since. At that time, there 
were but a few huts here, and their occupants were a few adventurers and 
fishermen. The growth has been steady and healthy, and the inhabitants 
are chiefly lumbermen, shipwrights and those engaged in the fisheries. 
They are principally Americans, with a thick sprinkling of German and 
French. There is now a population of about 1,200, and nearly every 
steamer and propeller brings new settlers.
The only harbor accommodations at present afforded here consists of two 
strong and substantial piers, running due east from the town into the 
Lake Superior and Collingwood Lines almost invariably stop here, on 
their trips to and from Chicago, and the uncertainty of their arrival 
is often a source of great annoyance to the traveler, who is compelled 
to rely in seasons of navigation wholly on their moments-there being nor 
railroad or turnpike by which one can travel hence in any direction. It 
is to the lumber interests and the value of its fisheries which will 
ever constitute Two Rivers a point of attraction to the enterprising 
settler, or to the capitalist.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, June 19, 1856 P. 3


[ 1858 ]

CHARLES ROSE

THE POST OFFICE ROBBERY.
We mentioned in Saturday's paper the arrest of a clerk in the Manitowoc 
Post Office on a charge of robbing the letters which passed through the 
office. Mr. Wittman has furnished us with the following statement in 
reference to the affair, which we publish for the information of those 
interested.
It seems that only registered letters were robbed, unless there were 
some other means of ascertaining that money was sent in them, another 
proof that the present system of registering is merely a nice little 
plan for showing a thief where to find the money.
It seems that Mr. Wittman, P.M. having occasion to make out his report 
to the Department, on Saturday July 3d, was in the act of throwing the 
concept into the stove, when he discovered two packages of the New York 
Staats Zeitung ready to be consumed. Mr. W. attributed this act to 
carelessness, or want of inclination or time to distribute them on the 
part of Rose, and discharged him forthwith. But immediately upon his 
discharge, Mr. Jacob Stephani, who lives six or seven miles in the 
country, heard of it, and hurried to town to find Mr. Wittman, to whom 
he related the following facts: On the 15th of December, Mr. S. had 
mailed a registered letter containing $11, to Wolf River, Kewaunee Co., 
which Rose entered on the Register book as usual. Mr. S. shortly after 
received a letter from Wolf River saying, that his letter had not been 
received and immediately went to Rose, who said the letter had certainly 
been sent, but he would write on to the P.M. at Wolf River and see about 
it, although he had no business to conduct any correspondence connected 
with the Post Office business, and contrary to Mr. Wittman's repeated 
instructions, who alone attends to the correspondence. Mr. S. again 
called on Rose, and this time told him he should see Mr. W. in relation 
to his letter and money. Rose objected to this, and told Mr. S. that 
he (Wittman) would be angry, &c., and finally said he would pay him 
the money out of his own pocket, and on the next Sunday, did pay him 
$6.00 of it. On examining the books, Mr. W. Found that Rose had marked 
an "R" on the margin, indicating that the letter had been "received," 
at its destination, although the letter never left this place, as the 
postmaster at Wolf Rivers says he never received it, and other 
circumstances prove his statement. This is only one case in many. A 
poor woman, whose husband is in Milwaukee, laboring by the day, and has 
been in the habit of sending home three dollars a week to support his 
family, is among the sufferers, the letters being deprived of part of 
the contents in this post-office. Mr. Richter, wishing to send home the 
daguerrotype of his family, over a year ago, gave them to Rose to forward 
them to Germany. Rose stopped the correspondence between Mr. Richter and 
his father, averring all the time that the daguerrotypes had been sent, 
but finally handed them back to Mr. R. a week or two ago in the same 
condition they were in when given to him to forward to Germany. Mr. 
Wittman showed us several statements, of different persons who had lost 
money and drafts, which were sent in registered letters, and which were 
undoubtedly abstracted by Rose. The amount stolen is not known although 
several of our citizens are losers by his dishonesty. Rose will be taken 
to Milwaukee, and tried before a Commissioner appointed by the Department 
for that purpose.
The Daily Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Tuesday, July 13, 1858 P. 2


[ 1886 ]

MANITOWOC COUNTY. 
GIBSON: E. Wilsmann, Health Officer. Population 1,972.

Board of Health organized. Water supply from springs 
or wells. There is no hospital building belonging to
the town, but any stranger suffering under contagious
disease would be removed to the county hospital. No
sanitary ordinances have been adopted, but the
residents have been advised to see that privies are as
remote from wells as possible. There has been no
systematic work done, and it has not seemed that any
has been needed as "every farmer for himself is
anxious to keep his family well and healthy." 
There have been no cases of Diarrhoea, etc., and there
are now no cases of contagious disease. Such cases are
reported when they occur. 

MANITOWOC CITY: Drs. F. S. Luhman and A. C. Fraser, 
Health Officers. Population 6,879. Board of Health
organized. Water for drinking purposes obtained from
wells entirely. No hospital or building to which
contagious cases could be admitted. No sanitary
ordinances adopted. When the local board of health was
organized in May last four inspectors were appointed,
each having a certain district assigned to him.
Streets, alleys and public thoroughfares are thought
to be in fair sanitary condition. A number of places
have been cleaned under the direction of the board of 
health; and at present, to my knowledge, there are no
accumulations of filth on private premises. 
There have been no cases of Diarrhoea cr Dysentery in
the city, and only a few scattered cases of Typhoid.
There are no contagious cases in the city. The law
regarding contagious cases is not complied with in
this locality. 

MANITOWOC RAPIDS: R. Klingholtz, Health Officer.
Population about 2,300. Board of Health organized.
Water obtained from wells and springs. No hospital
building. No sanitary ordinances adopted, no sanitary
work done, and nothing known of existing sanitary
conditions, public or private. 
There has been no Diarrhoea or Dysentery, nor has
there been any contagious disease that I am aware of.
Our town lies close to the city of Manitowoc, and the
physicians who practice here all reside there. I have
had no reports made to me since I have held office,
but I have known of no contagious disease. 

MAPLE GROVE: A. Kiekhaefer, Clerk. Population 1,621. 
Board of Health organized. No public water supply;
water for domestic purposes obtained from wells. No
hospital building. No sanitary ordinances adopted. The
board has given some time to examining into causes of
sickness in the town, and to the removal of all such
causes when it was deemed necessary. Every place where
it was thought probable that any danger to the public
health might exist was examined, the whole board
taking part in the work. We have no streets, alleys or
public buildings other than school-houses, and those
are in good condition without exception, together with
their surroundings. On private premises there is
nothing that can cause danger except it may be a few 
manure heaps, and none of these are thought to be
badly located. 
There have been no cases of Diarrhoea, Dysentery or
Typhoid Fever in the town, and there are none of any
contagious disease. There is no resident physician,
but the one who practices here would be prompt to
report any cases should they occur. 

ROCKLAND: C. Etzler, Clerk. Population 1,290. Board of
Health organized, (but no report made to the State
Board for this year.) No public water supply; water
for drinking purposes is obtained from wells. No
hospital building. No sanitary ordinances adopted, and
no systematic work done. Streets, alleys and public
thoroughfares are well kept. Little if anything is
known of sanitary conditions. 
There has been no sickness of any kind, and there is
none at present. Contagious cases are reported.
 
TWO RIVERS (city) : Dr. C. 0. Barnes, Health Officer.
Population 2,500. Board of Health organized. No public
water supply; water for domestic uses is obtained from
wells. No hospital building but one could be secured
if necessary. The local board has adopted orders
requiring all decaying matters to be removed and
buried or destroyed, their place to be covered with
lime or fresh earth, all outhouses to be cleaned,
cellars to be drained and ventilated as also all barns
and outbuildings. Notices to this effect have been
widely distributed and posted in all public places.
All dwellings and their surroundings have been
inspected, two inspectors having been engaged in the
work, one for three months, the other for a year and a
half. All streets and thoroughfares are in good
condition, but there are to a limited extent some 
nuisances on private premises. It is very difficult to
make butchers keep their yards in decent condition. 
There has been no Diarrhoea, Dysentery or Typhoid 
Fever in the city during the summer, nor is there at
present any contagions disease, except a few cases of
Mumps. The law relating to such diseases is complied
with as a rule

"Report" by Wisconsin State Board of Health, Brookline
(Mass.), Hospital, Wisconsin Hygienic Laboratory,
Madison, Board of Health Published 1886 
Pages 186-188


[ 1899 ]

MANY NEW BUILDINGS.
Spring of 1899 Will Surpass Previous Years in the Amount of Improvements.
SCHUETTE BROS. WILL BUILD.
Architects Are Drawing Plans For Several New Business Blocks and 
Many New Residences.
The present indications are that the spring of 1899 is to surpass 
any other spring in the history of Manitowoc in the amount of 
building to be done. Architects are already rushed with the work 
of preparing plans for residences and business blocks. The 
extraordinary mild weather that we have enjoyed during the month 
of January seems to have reminded people of the approach of spring, 
and there has been a general rush to get things in shape for active 
operations as soon as the winter is gone.
Eighth street is to be graced with at least two new business blocks-
Zabel's on the north side, which was mentioned in the Herald last 
week, and on the south side will be an imposing structure erected by 
Schuette Bros.
The latter is a building that has long been expected but only very 
recently became an assured fact, Schuette Bros. are to replace their 
entire store building with a three story brick business block. But 
in order not to interrupt the trade of the store the work will be 
done only part at a time. The first part to be rebuilt will be that 
facing on Jay street. The buildings now occupied by Gelbke & 
Sohrweide's shoe store and Schuette Bros. grain and feed store will 
be torn away and in their places will go up the first part of a 
handome three story brick block which when completed will occupy the 
entire corner. When this part of the buiding is finished, the store 
will be moved into it and the business continued there while the 
frame structure on the corner will be demolished to make room for the 
completion of the palace which is to be the future home of the big 
store. Architect C.H. Tegen is at present employed in drawing up 
plans for the first part of the new building. It is to be a modern 
structure in every respect with plate glass front and up-to-date 
conveniences.
Archietect Wm. J. Raeuber is drawing plans for a brick block to be 
built by Emanuel Oberland to take the place of his present frame 
building at the corner of Washington and Eleventh streets. The new 
building will be two stories high and 25 by 70 feet. The first story 
is to be occupied by his wholesale and retail liquor store and the 
second story will be used as a flat.
Another down town building that is to receive attention is that of 
Mrs. Dumke, 805 Jay street, now occupied by a millinery store. 
Architect G.H. Raeuber is preparing plans for an addition 21 by 88 
feet and two stories high to be built onto the rear of the building. 
The old structure is also to receive a new plate glass front.
Mr. Tegen is also at work on the plans for the new Zabel block to be 
built on Eighth street between Commercial and York streets. Work will 
begin on the new building April 1. A Milwaukee firm is negotiating 
for a five year lease of the main floor to be used for a general store. 
It is announced also that a hardware and crockery department will be 
placed in the basement.
A large number of new residences are also being planned for. Among 
those which are definitely decided upon, the following may be 
mentioned. Wm. Krueger is to erect a handsome new residence up to 
the standard of the stylish residences already located in that part 
of the city. C.H. Tegen is drawing the plans for the building which 
will cost in the neighborhood of $2,000.
Emil J. Miller is preparing to build a home for himself on Cleveland 
avenue near Eighth street. He expects to put $1,600 into the house and 
has employed W.J. Raeuber to draw the plans.
Richard Rudolph, the happy man with the mail pouch, is also among those 
who are taking the initiative steps toward building a house after his 
own heart. He has had Mr. Raeuber figure out a plan for a building 
56 by 42 feet, which he expects to have built, as soon as the trees 
begin to leaf in the spring, on Marshalll street just west of Twelfth.
Fred Koehn is another man with a house in his head which when it 
assumes material form will be 22 by 44 feet and will be located in the 
new Schroeder addition south of the city. Mr. W.J. Raeuber will draw 
the plans as soon as he can get around to it.
L.J. Anderson, who handles agricultural implements, pianos and organs, 
will build new quarteers for his store next fall on the same site 
occupied by his present building at 718 Commercial street. The new 
building will cover all the space now occupied by his office, warehouse 
and the adjoining barber shop and will be the full length of the lot. 
It will be a two story brick buidling will be especially adapted to his 
line of business. The building cannot be started until fall when most 
of his stock of machinery will have been sold out and the busy season 
over. No plans have been drawn up yet.
Chas. Glander has the plans ready for a residence 26 by 48 feet, and 
will build as soon as the weather permits provided he can find a lot 
that strikes his fancy to build it on.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Manitowoc, Wis. Wednesday, January 25, 1899 P.1


A GROWING INDUSTRY.
The Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Company a Growing Concern.
ARE DOING A BIG BUSINESS.
Manitowoc County Furnishes Over One Half Of the Aluminum Combs 
for the Country.
Other Articles of White Metal.
The Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Co., although it has been engaged 
in active operations less than four months, has become one of the 
leading manufacturing establishments of our little city. Since 
the day that the wheels of their factory commenced to go around 
October 1st, 1898, up to the present, the business has grown with 
remarkable rapidity and it is now recognized as one of the leading 
establishments of its kind in the country. And, as might be supposed, 
the work is yet merely in its infancy. The field before it is 
unlimited and opportunities for expansion, along new lines of work 
are presenting themselves faster than they can be followed up. 
At the head of the business is expostmaster Henry Vits who is 
president and treasurer of the company. Associated with him are his 
son W.H. Vits, vice president, and his son-in-law, W.F. Pflueger, 
secretary. Mr. Pflueger has for years been a member of the firm of 
Jerman, Pflueger & Kuehmasted Co., wholesale druggists of Milwaukee 
and when he came to the Aluminum company brought with him the 
goodwill and patronage of numerous firms throughout the country 
that has been of much value to the new concern.
HOME OF THE COMPANY.
The Manitowoc Aluminum Novelty Co., has for its home the building 
formerly occupied by Mr. Vits' tannery at the corner of Franklin 
and Fourteenth streets. The structure is a large, substantial brick 
building that was entirely remodeled for the use of the Aluminum 
factory. It is said by traveling men to be the best arranged plant 
in the United States.
A HERALD representative visited the factory the other evening and 
Mr. Pflueger obligingly showed him every work and course of the 
establishment and explained the complete modus operandi by which 
sheet aluminum is converted into artistic puff boxes and delicately 
carved pocket combs. There are at present forty-five persons employed 
by the company, a number of them being skilled workmen that draw 
large salaries. Girls are employed in the packing room, where every 
article is thoroughly inspected before it is sent out.
ALUMINUM COMBS.
Aluminum combs are one of the specialties of the company, forty-two 
different styles being manufactured at the present time. It is not 
generally known, but nevertheless a fact, that Manitowoc county is 
at present turning out more than half of all the aluminum combs 
manufactured in America. The factory here and the one at Two Rivers 
being the leading establishments of the kind in the world. The 
aluminum comb is rapidly coming into universal use. It is driving 
the rubber and bone combs out of the market as it is lighter, 
stronger, prettier and much cheaper. There are only four factories 
at present in this country where aluminum combs are manufactured. 
Besides the one at Two Rivers there is one at Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
other at Lamont, Ill.
Combs of almost every conceivable design are made at the Manitowoc 
factory. There are plain little pocket combs that are made so cheap 
that they can be retailed at ten cents each and still leave a handsome 
profit for the manufacturer and the wholesale and the retail dealers. 
Then there are beautiful hand engraved combs with rounded teeth and 
of artistic shapes.
One of the latest uses that has been made of the aluminum comb is that 
of an advertising novelty. The Novelty company has recently turned out 
thousands of combs for this purpose for large firms in different parts 
of the country. The Milford Manufacturing Co., of Minneapolis, is one 
that quite recently placed a large order. The combs for this firm are 
made in a fantastic shape, are handsomely engraved, have the name of 
the firm stamped on each comb, and are inclosed in a neat case. This 
case also bears the name of the firm. The combs are given away to their 
patrons and prospective patrons. The gift is apparently a very valuable 
one, and yet the cost of each comb, when purchased by the thousand 
direct from the factory, is trifling. Cheaper combs are also made for 
smaller concerns, and other aluminum articles are used in the same way.
The process of manufacuring coms seems simple to the uninitiated and 
yet it requires intricate machinery and skilled laborers to do the work. 
The aluminum metal is purchased in Pennsylvania and shipped here in 
large plates. The plates are cut up by machinery into strips of metal 
the size of the comb which it is desired to make. They are then taken 
to the sawing machines where the teeth are cut out, or more accurately 
speaking, the space between the teeth. Seven of these sawing machines 
are kept busy and each machine saws three pieces of metal at a time, or 
in other words three combs are made at once by each machine. Thus they 
are turned out with lightning rapidity.
After coming from the sawing machines they have the points of the teeth 
sharpened and then the best grade of combs are put through another 
machine which rounds the teeth and takes off all the sharp corners. 
After they are completed they are taken through an extensive process 
of polishing and cleaning. A unique device has been arranged for 
accomplishing the latter. 
Large wheels are made of layers of cloth which are placed on shafting 
and turned with great rapidity. When a comb is pressed against this 
wheel, the cloth runs between the teth and removes the grease and dirt.
All articles turned out at the factory are finally washed in benzine 
and dried in sawdust, after which they are ready for the packing room. 
There the combs are gone over and girls are employed to test every 
comb to see that it contains no flaws and that the teeth are all uniform 
width.
ALUMININ (sic) SCALE PANS.
Mr. Pflueger, having been formerly connected with the drug business 
has turned his attention to articles especially needed in that line. 
He has devised several useful articles to be used in an apothecary 
shop. His latest success in this line is aluminum scale pans for 
prescription scales. Aluminum seems especially adapted for this use 
as they are light, durable and not easly tarnished. So delicate are 
the finishing touches to be put on these articles that it cannot be 
done at the factory because of the jar, and Mr. Vits takes them to 
his home to do that work. They must not vary in weight a fraction of 
a grain. The company has acquired great dexterity in this work and 
are now turning out the scale pans in large quantities. 
TRADE CHECKS.
A recent law prohibits trade checks from being made round in that shape 
of money. As there is a great demand for these articles, the Novelty Co. 
has excerciated new shapes and designs for them. They make them oval, 
octogon and scalloped and have many beautiful designs. Special machinery 
is required to make these. A die must be cut out of steel for stamping 
them. An under die must also be made, and this is done by the use of a 
400 pound hammer.
OTHER ARTICLES MADE.
One divice (sic) that the machanics of the company are still experimenting 
with but promise soon to perfect is an aluminum portable music stand. The 
present iron stand so extensively used weighs between four and five pounds 
and as soon as the enamel begins to wear off has a very unsightly appearance. 
The new aluminum stand of the same size and equally as strong will weigh 
less than a pound and will always retain its bright lustre.
Puff boxes of much fantastic finish that they cannot but satisfy the most 
fastidious feminine taste are turned out by the gross. What is called a 
"satin finish" is placed on them which is done with a buck skin wheel. So 
delicate is this finish that the employes handle the boxes only with soft 
gloves on.
Napkin rings, hand carved and hand painted, are made so cheep that the 
retailer can sell them for twenty-five cents. There are many other beautiful 
and handy articles made, only a few of which can be mentioned. There are 
shaving mugs, patent match boxes, key chains, tablet covers of five different 
kinds, dainty book marks, new fangled hair pins and countless other articles.
The company sells only to jobbers or to large buyers and they are already 
receiving orders from all parts of the country. The Manitowoc Aluminum Co. 
has already been an enormous benefit to the city and as it grows, and grow 
it surely must, it will bring more money and draw more attention to the city.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, January 26, 1899 P.1


Local Parties Are Interested In Street Railway Scheme.
PETITION BEFORE COUNCIL.
Referred to Committee for Investigation.-Matter Is One for 
Consideration by Citizens.
Shall Manitowoc have a street railway system or not? The 
question is one that presents itself to the public mind in 
a most forcible manner. The matter is one that demands the 
attention of the citizens and the consideration which must 
be accorded it can no longer be delayed.
At the meeting of the city council Monday evening a petition 
was presented asking that the right of way on certain streets 
be granted for the purpose of building a street railway line. 
The petition was in the form of a skeleton ordinance which 
the council is asked to consider and is as follows.
To authorize the construction and operation of a street 
railway in the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Be it ordained by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the 
City of Manitowoc,
SECTION I. There is hereby given and granted to John Murphy, 
Isaac Craite, Henry Schmidt and W.A. Walker, hereafter 
called the Grantees and to their successors and assigns, 
the right permission and authority to lay a double track 
for a street railway, with all the necessary and convenient 
tracks, crossings, connections, switches, turntables and 
appurtenances, in and along the course of the streets, 
avenues, bridges and approaches thereto, in the City of 
Manitowoc hereinafter mentioned, and the same to use and 
occupy in the manner and upon the conditions hereinafter 
provide including all rights, subject to the provisions 
thereof, to at all times make all necessary excavation, 
ditches and trenches and to make all necessary sewer 
connections.
SEC.II. The right permission and authority hereby and 
herein granted shall expire, cease and terminate fifty 
years after the passage and publication of this 
ordinance.
SEC. III. Commencing at the northern city limits of the 
City of Manitowoc on the so-called Two River road; thence 
extending south-westerly and westerly along said road and 
on Cleveland avenue, to intersection of Sixth street and 
Cleveland avenue; thence south along Sixth street, to 
Chicago street; thence west on Chicago street to Eighth 
street; thence south on Eighth street to the northerly 
approach of Eighth street bridge; then over and across 
said northerly approach and said bridge, and southerly 
approach thereof; thence south on Eighth street to Madison 
street; thence west on Madison street to Main street; 
thence south on Main street to city limits. 
Also commencing at the western limits of said city on 
Michigan avenue; thence easterly and southeasterly to 
New York avenue; thence east on New York avenue to 
Eleventh street; thence south on Eleventh street to 
Huron street; thence east on Huron street to Eighth 
street; thence south on Eighth street to Chicago street.
Also commencing at the intersection of Eighth and Franklin 
streets; thence west on Franklin street to Thirteenth 
street; thence north on Thirteenth street to Clark street; 
thence west on Clark street to city limits.
Also commencing at the intersection of Eighth and Marshal 
streets; thence west on Marshal street to city limits.
SEC. IV. At least twenty-four hours before the opening of 
any streets or public place the said grantees, the 
successors and assigns, shall notify the Board of Public 
Works or such other officer or officers, or department 
or departments of the City of Manitowoc, as may hereafter 
perform the duties of said Board of Public Works in 
writing of such intention, stating the street where and 
the object for which such opening is to be made and said 
grantees, their successors and assigns, after the 
completion of said work shall place said street in good 
condition, subject to the approval of said Board of Public 
Works.
Said grantees, their successors and assigns, shall employ 
none but skilled workmen familiar with the execution of 
such work; and no public sewer shall be tapped unless a 
permit therefore shall be duly issued in the manner 
provided.
SEC. V. The said grantees hereinbefore mentioned, their 
successors and assigns, shall commence in good faith the 
construction of said street railroad on or before 
the....day of...18.., unless delayed by order or injunction 
of some court of competent jurisdiction not obtained by 
consent procurement or connivance of the grantees.
SEC. VI. The said grantees, their successors and assigns 
are hereby authorised to operate their cars by power 
produced by electricity by means of a storage battery, or 
conducted by wire suspended over and above their tracks 
and along the streets, avenues, bridges and approaches 
thereto, where it is authorized to maintain a street 
railroad and to erect and maintain the necessary plant, 
machinery and power houses for the purpose of generating, 
distributing and applying such electric power, and to 
erect and maintain the necessary poles, wires, cable and 
fixtures for the purpose of conducting distributing and 
applying the power as aforesaid.
The poles to carry the wire of said grantees, their 
successors and assigns including feedwires, shall be 
neat and ornamental and shall be placed at the curb line 
of the street, and shall not be set at a less distance 
than a pole to every one hundred and twenty-five feet, 
except at intersections of streets, and the wires shall 
be conducted at not less than 15 feet above surface of 
the street.
The grantees, their successors and assigns, may use 
horses to pull their cars temporarily or in case of 
emergency.
SEC. 7. The tracks of said grantees their successors 
and assigns shall not be elevated above the surface of 
the street, and shall be as near together as practicable, 
so that carriages and other vehicles can easily cross 
said streets in all directions.
SEC. 8. The rate of fare upon said railway for distances 
between its terminal points in said city, or any part 
thereof, including any extensions which may hereafter 
be built and operated in said city by said grantees, 
their successors and assigns shall be five cents, except 
where cars or carriages shall be chartered for a special 
price. One ticket or fare shall entitle any person to a 
continuous ride from any point on the railway hereby 
authorized to be built in said city to any other point 
on the said road in said city, and a convenient system of 
transfers shall be established by said grantees their 
successors and assigns.
SEC. IX. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 
from and after its passage and publication.
The petition before the council on Monday evening last, 
brings the matter to the front and places the question 
squarely on its feet. The petitioners are, directly 
speaking, all local parties and that they mean business 
is evident from the manner in which they have presented 
their plea. The promoters of the movement are Judge Isaac 
Craite, John Murphy, Henry Schmidt, of this city, and 
W.A. Walker of Milwaukee. Mr. Walker was a former Manitowoc 
resident.
Manitowoc has a reputation throughout the state as a 
growing city and the addition of a street railway system 
to the improvements of the place, is only one more step 
toward the advancement of our metropolis. That the time 
is ripe for the movement, there remains not a question of 
doubt and the opportunity now accorded the city should be 
well considered. The building of the line in our midst 
means much. The advantages to be derived affect us, not 
alone as a city, but as individuals. The route outlined 
in the petition covers the entire city and the petitioners 
pledge themselves to faithfully carry out the issue. The 
HERALD will have more to say in the near future.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Manitowoc, Wis. Wednesday, February 8, 1899 P.1


THE RIVAL IS COMING
Wisconsin Telephone Company Will no Longer Be the 
Whole Thing.
MATTER IS NOW SETTLED
The Councel Committee Refers Back the Ordinance and 
Suggest Few Changes-Get Ready to Celebrate.
Manitowoc will have a new telephone exchange. The matter 
was promotionally settled at the meeting of the city dads 
last evening. The few details remaining before the 
franchise can be granted will be attended to before the 
next meeting and then-well readers of the HERALD may have 
their expectations realized. The ordiance was referred 
back to the council last evening by the committee who had 
the matter in charge and a time limit was fixed. A 
suggestion was made that an instrument be placed in the 
house of Chief Dueno in addition to the other three 
instruments that the city will received free of charge. 
This change will make no material difference and will 
no doubt be readily agreed to by the officials of the 
new system.
The HERALD has advocated the new system from the time it 
was first proposed. We are satisfied that it will be an 
advantage to the public and a benefit to the city. The 
success of the system in other cities has been a motive 
which has actuated us, to a great extent, and now that 
the matter is settled, we feel assured that our 
solictitude for the welfare of the city, will meet with 
approval. We stand ready at any time to publish the views 
of others, but as far as the paper is concerned, it will 
at all times advocate the best interest of the 
community.
The council met at the city hall, Mayor Torrison presiding. 
C.J. Vogel made application to have the license issued to 
the Atlantic saloon transferred to K.K. Houghen, who will 
conduct the business. The matter was referred to the 
committee on License and upon their recommendation the 
petition was granted.
Albert Lange, admistrator of the estate of the late F. 
Albert Schmidt made application to have license 
transferred to Albert Karnofsky and upon report of 
committee to which the matter was referred, the license 
was transferred.
A communication was read from Daniel Krumely in which 
he stated that he had been illegally assessed on personal 
property and requesting the council to refund $2.95 which 
he had paid under protest. Matter referred to committee 
on assessment and taxation.
Petition of Mr. Hess for spin track was referred to 
engineer of C. & N.W. Ry., for a map of proposed track. 
The resignation of Joseph Willott, as alderman of Second 
Ward was accepted and upon recommendation of the ward 
committee, Wm. Frazier was elected to fill the unexpired 
term.
The following resolution was presented and passed:
RESOLVED-That our assemblyman and State senator from this 
county be, and they are hereby requested to favor the 
passage of a law compelling railroad companies to 
recieve (sic) cars from each other in the city of 
Manitowoc and deliver the same to factories or business 
houses on the line of the road receiving the same within 
this city, or a general law accomplishing the same 
object. 
The city clerk is directed to notify our senator and 
assemblyman.
A number of minor matters came up, claims were allowed 
and the meeting adjourned.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Feb. 21, 1899 P.1


FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.
Extractor at Snow Flake Laundry Torn to Pieces While Revolving 
at High Speed.
TWO GIRLS NEARLY KILLED.
Flying Fragments of the Machine Cause Great Damage to Laundry. 
Breaking of Shaft Causes the Trouble.
By the bursting of a large copper extractor at the Snow Flake 
Laundry this morning, two of the young lady employes were badly 
injured and the building and machinery damaged to the extent of 
about $250.
The accident occurred shortly after nine o'clock. The extractor 
is a heavy copper basket twenty-six inches in diameter and about 
eighteen inches deep. This is surrounded by a cast iron cover. 
Clothes are put in this machine which is revolved at the rate 
of about 1800 revolutions per minute.
It was while running at full speed that the accident happened. 
The shafting broke and the extractor, revolving with such 
frightful velocity was litterly torn to fragments. The flying 
pieces tore down the partition to the dry room, smashed a heavy 
pully on the washing machine, and severely injured the two girls 
who were working in the room at the time.
That either of the two girls escaped with their lives is miraculous. 
Miss Bertha Burtt was struck on the right arm and side by a heavy 
piece of metal. The bones of the arm were shattered from the wrist 
to the elbow and broken in two places. Her most serious injury 
however was an internal one caused by the blow on her side. She 
was taken to her home, 830 North Ninth street, where Dr. Roberts 
attended her. She was suffering great pain from the injury to her 
side and was given an opiate. The physician says the injury is a 
serious one but is not able to give a definite opinion as to the 
result.
Miss Minnie Spoentgen the other young lady who was a victim of the 
accident, was struck on the top of the head by a piece of metal and 
sustained a deep gash about four inches long above the eye. She was 
struck on the palm of the hand and severely cut, and also hit in 
the abdomen. She was taken to her home 920 South Twelfth street and 
Dr. Frazer dressed her wounds. The cut on the head bled profusely 
and it was a difficult matter to take the necessary stitches. She 
was bruised all over her body and Dr. Frazer stated that it was too 
soon to determine whether or not she had received any serious 
internal injuries.
The news of the accident spread rapidly and it was reported that 
there had been an explosion. Messrs Gibson and Groffman both said 
that nothing of the kind occured. The shafting broke and the great 
speed at which the machine was revolving caused it to be torn to 
pieces. Just what caused the shafting to break is not known but 
the proprietors say that the extractor requires some skill to load 
so that it is evenly weighed all around and if this is not done it 
will not run even.
The force with which the pieces of iron, brass and copper were 
thrown was terrific and the wash room in the basement were the 
accident happened looked as though struck by a cyclone. One piece 
of copper and brass rim about a foot long and six inches wide went 
through the window carrying part of the sash with it and was 
picked up a few moments later in the middle of the street by a 
representative of the HERALD.
It is too soon to say anything about the extent of the injuries 
sustained by either of the young ladies. In both cases they are 
much more serious than was at first supposed and their many 
friends can only hope for the best.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, May 12, 1899 P.1
*********
INJURIES WERE SERIOUS.
Miss Burtt's Condition Is Not Improved and Is Admitted 
to be Serious.
The condition of Miss Bertha Burtt, who was injured in the 
accident at the Snow Flake Laundry Friday morning, remains 
about the same. Dr. Roberts says she was very seriously 
injured internally but that it is too soon to tell just how 
serious or what the result may be. 
She is resting as easily as can be expected under the 
circumstances and unless there is a change the worst is not 
anticipated. Dr. Fraser reports Miss Spoentgen to be getting 
along very nicely. She is not severely injured internally 
and unless complications arise she will not be confined to 
her bed for more than a few days. Luckily the cut on the 
head was not below the hair line on the forehead and she 
will not be visibly scarred. The cut on her hand is very 
painful but not serious.
The damage at the laundry is being repaired as fast as 
possible. The proprietors have not decided whether to 
put in another extractor or a large power wringer.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, May 13, 1899 P.4


IT WAS A LIVELY BOUT
Charles Higgins, the Pride of Sheboygan, Meets Defeat at 
Two Rivers.
MANY LOCAL SPORTS ATTEND
Wells Birdsall, of Two Rivers, Given the Decision Over 
Higgins-Tournament a Success.
Chas Higgins, the pride of Sheboygan's sporting element, 
was knocked out in a ten round sparing contest by Wells 
Birdsall, a Two Rivers man. The event was pulled off at 
Voshardt's Opera House Saturday evening under the auspice 
of Arion Athletic Club of Two Rivers. The affair was 
attended by a large crowd of sports, among the spectators 
being a number of people from Sheboygan and Manitowoc. 
This was the first public exhibition of the kind ever 
attempted at Two Rivers and the result was satisfactory 
both financially and otherwise.
The HERALD'S Two Rivers correspondent says of the event: 
"Higgins, who has been in training for some time, was in 
good condition. He has participated in several recent 
events and his backers had a great deal of confidence in 
his ability to put up a good fight. Birdsall is a Two 
Rivers man with a local reputation as a scientific scrapper 
and his friends were not in the least disappointed in him. 
The two men were very evenly matched in weight.
As they faced each other in the ring Higgins tipped the 
scales at 145 pounds and his opponent at 143 pounds. The 
fight was refereed by John T. Herzog of Manitowoc, and his 
accurate and prompt decisions were heartily commended by 
all.
The first round was not marked by any special features, 
but it convinced Higgins that he had a warm task ahead of 
him. After the first few rounds it was quite evident to 
the spectators that Birdsall was punishing his man to a 
finish and at the close of the sixth round Higgins was 
practically out. However he recovered sufficiently to 
enter the ring when the seventh round was called and was 
able to finish the ten rounds. Birdsall was declared an 
easy victor. His future in the prize ring is promising.
Previous to the event of the evening there were several 
interesting bouts between local boxers, and a six round 
contest between Jim Manning of Sheboygan and Billy Verno 
of Two Rivers which ended in a draw. Considerable 
enthusiasm was shown during the evening but not much 
money changed hands.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, March 6, 1899 P.1
********
It looks now as though Wells Birdsall, the Two Rivers man 
who won the decision over Chas Higgins Saturday evening 
is going to be unable to stand prosperity. He has issued 
a sweeping challenge to meet any 140 pound man in the 
country and wants to hear from George Kirwan, of Chicago.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, March 8, 1899 P.4
********
Billy McLean the man who is stated to meet Wells Birdsall of 
Two Rivers, formerly of California, in a bout in this city soon, 
is in training for the event at the Daly school, Buffalo.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Apr. 19, 1899
********
Wm. McLean who is to meet Wells Birdsall, of Two Rivers, in 
a ten round go at Turner Opera house Saturday evening next, 
is in the city. McLean has been in training at Daly's school 
Buffalo and is in excellent trim. He says he never felt better 
in his life and is prepared to make somebody "go," when he 
enters the ring. Local sports are pushing things in a lively 
manner and will spare no effort to make the coming tournament 
a success.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, April 24, 1899 P.2



THE HAMILTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, TWO RIVERS,WISCONSIN.
MANUFACTURERS OF PRINTERS’ FURNITURE OF WOOD AND PRESSED STEEL: WOOD
TYPE; DENTAL OFFICE FURNITURE OF WOOD AND STEEL; RAILROAD TICKET
AND THEATRE BOX OFFICE FURNITURE.
This is one of the largest and most important manufacturing institutions 
located in Wisconsin. The product of its factories are shipped to every 
point of any importance in all of North America and to all foreign 
countries where the printing press has made material progress. The fact 
that some twenty government printing offices in foreign countries have been
equipped with Hamilton Furniture is conclusive evidence of the wide 
distribution and appreciation of the product of this concern.
The business was started in the year 1880 by Mr. J. E. Hamilton, who is 
still president of the company. Two Rivers was then a small city with one 
local printing office. The local printer, Mr. William F. Nash, having in 
hand the printing of a small poster and having no wood type in his office, 
required the words—”Grand Ball at Turner Hall” as a heading to his poster.
At that time Mr. J. E. Hamilton was employed in a local chair factory and 
he undertook the work of cutting this block for the printer. The idea 
worked out so well that a font of type was undertaken. This was also found 
serviceable in poster printing, and the office was equipped with several 
fonts. Some of the printers in surrounding towns were then supplied with 
wood type of Mr. Hamilton’s manufacture and later a little circular was 
sent out to the printers in eastern Wisconsin soliciting orders for what 
was termed “Holly Wood Type,” the name originating through the fact that 
this type was made with a face of holly wood cemented to a maple base, in 
this particular differing from the ordinary wood type cut upon a solid 
block which has been manufactured and sold to printers since type was first
cut in wood by Darius Wells in the year 1826.
Orders for more type was the outcome of this advertising. The product was 
cheap and within the reach of the ordinary printer. Mr. J. E. Hamilton
having an idea and ambition gave up his position in the chair factory and 
started the business in a room on the second floor of his residence. This 
was the nucleus of the present Hamilton Manufacturing Company, whose plant 
now covers fifteen acres of land, with a floor space of more than thirteen 
acres or approximately six hundred thousand square feet.
For a time Mr. Hamilton worked alone, and in 1881 he joined interests with 
Mr. Max Katz of Milwaukee and the firm of Hamilton & Katz appeared. A 
little factory was erected and a few hands were added to the force, which 
at the beginning consisted, as stated, of Mr. Hamilton alone and later, as 
manager, and a young lad by the name of Paul Hendricks as the force.
In November, 1885, Mr. Katz retired and the firm was changed to Hamilton & 
Baker. Mr. William B. Baker of Springfield, Illinois, purchasing the 
interest of Mr. Katz. At this time Mr. H. P. Hamilton entered the business 
with the technical knowledge of a practical printer. The business of 
manufacturing Holly wood type was continued at the little original plant 
until 1891. On October 1, 1887, the old Sash & Blind factory of Hintze & 
Baker was purchased by Hamilton & Baker, and the manufacture of printing 
office furniture was undertaken. Previous to this only Holly wood type and 
a few minor articles of printing office equipment had been made.
Toward the close of the year 1889 Mr. William B. Baker disposed of his 
interest to Mr. J. E. Hamilton and on January 1, 1890, the Hamilton 
Manufacturing Company was incorporated by J. E. Hamilton, H. P. Hamilton, 
L. J. Nash and other associates. The two plants were maintained until 1891,
at which time the old plant was deserted and the whole business 
concentrated at the present site, new buildings being added from time to 
time as the growth of the business demanded. The old plant lay idle for 
some years, and was finally taken over by a new corporation. The Aluminum 
Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Joseph Koenig, J. E. Hamilton and H. P.
Hamilton were the incorporators.
On January 4, 1891, the business of the William H. Page Wood Type Company, 
of Norwich, Connecticut, was purchased. The Page Company was at the time 
the largest manufacturer of wood type in the world. Mr. William H. Page, 
the head of the concern, having succeeded most of the old—time wood type 
concerns which had been established in this country since the industry of 
manufacturing wood type had first been undertaken in America. The factory 
was operated at Norwich, Connecticut, for a few months and was then closed 
and the business brought to Two Rivers.
In December, 1897, the business of the S. Simonds Company, of Chicago, 
manufacturers of printers’ furniture, was purchased. This factory was 
abandoned in February, 1898, and the business consolidated with the plant 
at Two Rivers.
In December, 1897, the plant of the Morgans & Wilcox Manufacturing Company,
located at Middletown, New York, manufacturers of printing office 
furniture, and wood type, was purchased. This at the time was the largest
competitor of the Hamilton Company in the field. The factory was operated 
at Middletown by the Hamilton Company until August, 1899, when the factory 
plant was dismantled and the manufacturing end of the business consolidated
with that of Two Rivers, the Company maintaining a distributing warehouse 
and office at Middletown for eastern customers.
In 1904 a new eastern warehouse was built at Rahway, New Jersey. Shipments 
from this warehouse were first made on December 9, 1904, at which time
the Middletown, New York, warehouse was discontinued.
In August, 1899, a purchase was made of wood type patterns and factory
equipment from Heber Wells of New York city. Mr. Wells had succeeded
the old-time firm of Vanderberg & Wells, who in turn had succeeded Darius
Wells, the father of Heber Wells, in the business of manufacturing wood 
type. This Darius Wells was born in the year 1800 and was the first man in 
the world to cut printing types of wood.
The business and good-will of the American Cabinet Company, a local concern
at Two Rivers without a manufacturing plant, was purchased January 1, 1903,
and the manufacture of dental office furniture was commenced. This branch 
of the business later assumed important proportions. The product in dental 
goods has been handled under the name of The American Cabinet Company, with
Mr. H. C. Gowran as manager of this department.
The commodious new home office now occupied at Two Rivers was erected in 
1904-5, and was first occupied for business on May 9, 1905, and enlarged 
during the summer of 1912. The new shipping warehouse comprising eighty-
five thousand square feet of floor space was completed and ready for use 
November 1, 1906. New and modern drying kilns for the lumber stock were 
erected and put into operation during the year 1907.
On March 12, 1908, the Company purchased the business and good-will of 
Ransom & Randolph. Toledo, Ohio, at the time the largest manufacturers of 
dental cabinets in the country. This new business was transferred to the 
Two Rivers plant and the manufacture of dental furniture assumed still 
larger proportions.
Previous to the appearance of The Hamilton Manufacturing Company, the 
business of manufacturing printers' furniture and wood type had been 
carried on by several concerns of more or less importance, most of whom are
mentioned in the preceding notes. After the purchase of these concerns and 
until the year 1904, the business was largely consolidated in the Hamilton 
Company. At this time The Tubbs Manufacturing Company was organized at 
Ludington, Michigan, by local capitalists and former employes of The 
Hamilton Manufacturing Company. A large plant was erected at Ludington, and
a purchase made by the new Tubbs Company of the wood type business of 
Charles H. Tubbs located at South Windham, Connecticut.
This concern continued in business for nearly five years. On June 9, 1909, 
the plant of the Tubbs Company was purchased by the Hamilton Company. The 
factory was continued in operation at Ludington until July 1, 1912, when it
was sold and the manufacturing end of the business was again consolidated 
at Two Rivers.
In 1911 steps were taken by the Hamilton Company to begin the manufacture 
of printing office furniture and dental cabinets of pressed steel 
construction, the firm foreseeing in advance the inevitable decadence of 
the wood furniture business due in large part to the continually increasing
price and scarcity of suitable lumber stock. Men skilled in the manufacture
of steel furniture were secured to develop this branch of the industry.
Ground was broken for the new steel addition on November 23, 1911, and
the press room was completed and put into operation during the following
winter. The first shipment of steel cabinets was made March 13, 1912. The 
erection of the entire steel plant was resumed in the spring of 1912. This 
new departure in the business of The Hamilton Manufacturing Company will 
virtually add a new plant and new industry to the already diversified 
manufacturing interests of the city of Two Riyers.
The present officers of the firm are: J. E. Hamilton, president and general
manager; H. P. Hamilton, vice president; L. J. Nash, secretary; H. C. 
Gowran, treasurer.
Continued growth and development in volume of business and quality of 
product have been the dominant characteristics of the business since its 
inception in the mind of Mr. J. E. Hamilton, who with nothing but an idea 
and an ambition to start with, having developed the one and satisfied the 
other, still continues at the head of the Company, directing the activities
of the younger men who in late years have assumed much of the detail 
consequent to a business comprising such a diversified line of 
manufactures.
The Company maintains its own machine shops and drafting department where 
the special machinery incident to a business somewhat exclusive is designed
and built. The consequent high degree of efficiency in the volume of 
production and the high quality and accuracy of the product have obviously 
been vital factors in the success of the business.
Millions of feet of the finest native hard and soft woods enter into the 
Company’s manufactures. This stock is purchased far in advance of the 
actual requirements and is put through a long season of drying and curing 
before it enters into the finished product, thus securing the stability and
accuracy which have made the Hamilton line famous in its field throughout 
the civilized world.
The present working force totals approximately seven hundred hands, many of
whom have been with the concern since its infancy. It is a somewhat 
remarkable fact that during the thirty-two years since the business was 
first started by Mr. Hamilton, there has been no general reduction in wages
in times of business depression. No instance can be cited where an 
employe's individual wage has been lowered while he remained with the 
concern. Each workman has been taught to do his work well, quality being 
the first consideration. This policy has developed to a high degree the 
greatest asset any manufacturing concern can possess—the good-will of its 
customers, has resulted in a close communion between the customers and the 
manufacturer.
"The History of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin" by Dr. Louis
Falge, 1912. pages 606-611


WILLIAM KOCH

TWO RIVERS MAN HURT IN COLLISION MAY NOT SURVIVE
WM. KOCH, CIGAR MANUFACTURER, HURT IN COLLISION OF MOTORCYCLE AND TEAM, 
IN CRITICAL CONDITION
LUNG PUNCTURED BY RIB; HORSE KILLED IN MIX-UP
BULLETIN
As result of reports that Koch had died, reaching the city this morning, 
Coroner Falge had made plans for calling an inquest and the sheriff was 
preparing to draw a jury when the report was denied and it was learned 
that the man was still alive. It is said that Koch was unconscious for 
some time yesterday and this gave rise to rumors of his death which were 
published by the Two Rivers Chronicle.
Injured in a motorcycle team collision near Two Rivers late Saturday 
night, William Koch, a well known cigar manufacturer of that city, is 
near death from internal injuries which he sustained in the accident. 
Fred Schmidt, a Sheboygan man, owner of the motorcycle, escaped serious 
injury. Koch occupied the side car of Schmidt’s motorcycle when the two 
started out for a drive Saturday night and made a run into the country. 
Just west of the city limits the machine collided head-on with a team 
driven by Frank Koldorf, a farmer residing a few miles from the city 
and who was on his way home. The motorcycle struck the team and Koch 
was thrown from the side car under the feet of the horses and was 
trampled upon by the frightened animals and badly injured. One of the 
horses was injured and it was found necessary to kill the animal. 
When Koch was removed to Two Rivers and his injuries attended it was 
found that he had sustained the fracture of four ribs and his collar 
bone was broken and he had suffered internal injuries which physicians 
said made his recover doubtful. The man was taken to his home and it 
was reported yesterday that he had died, but this proved untrue, reports 
from Two Rivers today saying that Koch is still alive, though his 
condition is extremely critical. The man’s lung has been punctured by 
one of his ribs. Schmidt, owner of the motorcycle, is a former Sheboygan 
man who has been employed at Two Rivers for some time past. He claims 
that the absence of lights on the farmers’ vehicle and the fact that 
the road is shaded at the point where the accident occurred, made it 
impossible for him to see the approaching team until too late to avoid 
the accident. Schmidt was badly shaken up and bruised but escaped serious 
injury in the accident. 
Koch is well known in this city and is said to have married a Manitowoc 
girl from whom he was lately divorced. He is about 32 years of age and 
had resided at Two Rivers for years.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, July 21, 1915, Page 8
*********
INJURED TWO RIVERS MAN, REPORTED DEAD, FUNERAL POSTPONED
Two Rivers Chronicle: “The old saying is that ‘when a man’s death is 
announced and he is not dead, he will live to a ripe old age.’ If this 
is true, William Koch has a long life coming to him. He was so seriously 
injured a week ago that it was feared his injuries would prove fatal, 
but he is slowly recovering. Just as we were going to press last Tuesday, 
a party came into our office and informed us that Koch had died and we 
announced it in the paper. The next morning Koch read about the accident 
in the Chronicle and noticed that his funeral was to take place, but the 
date was not set. Koch says the funeral has been postponed indefinitely.”
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, July 28, 1915, Page 4


JOSEPHINE TADYCH

TADYCH GIRL, VICTIM OF BIGA-MIST PITCHER, 
HOME FOR DAY, DEFENDS MAN IN PRISON
Says She Will Rewed Him when Term Expires and He Clears Way By 
Securing Divorce as He Has Promised - Was in Court at Trial but 
Kept Identity a Secret
Intimating that she will remain true to the man who wronged her and 
that she intends to await the expiration of the prison term which he 
is serving on his promise to secure a divorce and remarry her, 17 
year old Josephine Tadych. The Manitowoc girl whom Chas. Pitcher, 
married and fled to Canada with while a Milwaukee wife and several 
in other states sought his arrest for bigamy, today left the city 
after a visit of one day at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Joseph Tadych, Buffalo street. Miss Tadych or Mrs. Pitcher, as she 
pleases to be known, declined to state her destination and it is 
said that even her parents are in ignorance as to where she is 
going.
Pitcher, who was formerly a bugler on the U.S. Tuscarorn, is serving 
a four-year term at Waupun, having pleaded guilty to the charge of 
bigamy when he was brought to Milwaukee after his arrest at Winnipeg, 
Can., six weeks ago. At the time it was reported that Pitcher had 
deserted the Tadych girl and married a woman at Winnipeg but the 
Manitowoc girl today denied this in emphatic terms, declaring that 
she was with Pitcher at Ottawa and Winnipeg.
Was present at Pitcher's Trial
Contray to reports from Milwaukee, the Tadych girl says that she was 
present in court when Pitcher was sentenced to Waupun. Canadian 
Immigration authorities furnished her with transportation to return 
to the states and the girl says that when she reached Milwaukee she 
kept her identity secret and that even Pitcher was uninformed of her 
presence.
That she had visited Pitcher in jail at Milwaukee after his sentence 
and had also visited Waupun to see him was stated by Miss Tadych today. 
She said that on her visits to Pitcher he had promised her that when 
he had served his term he would take steps to right the wrong to her, 
by securing divorce from his wife and remarrying the local girl. 
According to Pitcher's statement to the girl he intends to get four 
divorces from his many wives.
"Pitcher treated me well and I have no complaint to make against any 
one but the Milwaukee wife," declared Miss Tadych. "She knew that 
Pitcher was coming here to visit me and that he intended to marry me 
and she might have warned us before the marriage was performed instead 
of waiting until after the ceremony. It would have saved everybody."
Pitcher Gave Her Money
After leaving here Pitcher and the Tadych girl, who believed herself 
his wife, went to Chicago and thence to Canada where Pitcher sought to 
enlist in the Canadian army. Pitcher, says the girl, gave her his money 
and took good care of her in Canada and during the time they were 
together the two never had a quarrel. Asked why she had not written her 
family here, th (sic) girl said: "That's my business. If I didn't want 
to write, I didn't have to and I didn't. Pitcher did not tell me not to 
write."
Then said that she was not worried when Pitcher was arrested in Canada. 
"I had two hands and was never afraid of work and knew I could take 
care of myself," she declared. Later, however, the Canadian officials 
furnished her transportation back to the states and it is believed that 
she has been in Milwaukee since Pitcher's committment. Pressed for a 
statement of her future, plans, Miss Tadych delined to give any 
information.
The girl left the city at 6 o'clock this afternoon. She is an attractive 
young woman, though her appearance now would indicate that she had been 
ill or under great mental strain.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Thursday, Feb. 17, 1916 P.8