RAILROAD IN MANITOWOC COUNTY
[1859]
Villages on the Line of the Railroad. ZALESBURGH.- This place is situated seven miles from Manitowoc-contains a population of some two hundred-has two water, and one steam saw mill, one store, one blacksmith shop, and one commodious hotel. A large amount of lumber and shingles is manufactured and sent to market from here yearly. It is a pleasant and healthy location, and as soon as the Railrowd is finished will increasse largely in size and business. HARRIS' CORNERS.- Situated twelve miles from Manitowoc, has been built up within the last two years-has a splendid steam mill, two stores, blacksmith shop, an elegant church building, and a most extensive new hotel in course of erection. This place will grow when the Railroad is built, as there will be a Station there. MAPLE GROVE CORNERS.- This village is distant from Manitowoc fourteen miles, is located in the centre of a finely improved country-contains one hundred population-has one tavern, two stores, and one blacksmith and wagon shop. This place is also waiting for a chance to grow, and the construction of the Railroad will be of great assistance to it, as the farmers around can land their products and receive their supplies. REEDVILLE.- Located eighteen miles from here, has steam grist and saw mills, a number of new dwellings, one blacksmith and wagon shop, and a church and school house. It bids fair to be a large village when the Railroad is built. There is to be a depot here, and the proprietors are men of enterprise and capital. BRILLION.- This place is situated on Spring Creek, twenty-five miles from Manitowoc-has a beautiful location-is surrounded by a fine farming country, and many most excellent farms. It has a saw mill, and as soon as the Railroad is completed will have a steam saw and grist mill, stores and machine shops. The proprietors will aid the Railroad substantially, and are anxious for its completion. We have not space to mention other prominent points on the Road, but will do so hereafter. Manitowoc Pilot, Friday, Sept. 16, 1859 P.3
[1871]
Our Railway goes forward as steady as clock work, the gang of men under Robt. Blake have advanced beyond the County line and are now in the town of Brillion, Calumet County. The rails are laid as far as the Branch, where the long bridge is advancing toward an early completion Manitowoc Tribune, Aug. 24, 1871
[1872]
The Lake Shore Road.—Mr. Vilas has returned, after a somewhat longer absence than was expected, and reports everything favorable for an early completion of the Lake Shore railroad. One of the stockholders of the Chronicle has had an interview with him, and now expects that the road will be completed to Tow Rivers and the cars running to Milwaukee this season. Mr. Vilas confirms the report that 3,000 tons of iron is purchased and on the way to Manitowoc for this road, and assured our Two Rivers friend that nothing shall be left undone to crowd the work along with energy and dispatch. So mote it be. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, May 21, 1872 pg. 3
RAILROAD meeting at Turner hall, in Manitowoc, this evening, at 7 1-2 o'clock, to consider the question of subscribing $75,000 to the capital stock of the Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay railroad. The election takes place Friday. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, June 4, 1872 pg. 3 (*NOTE: The time written that way refers to half past 7.) ***** Result Of The Railroad Election.—At the railroad election held in the city of Manitowoc, last Friday, on the question of subscribing $75,000 to the capital stock of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company, 795 votes were cast, of which 608 were in favor of and 187 were against the proposition. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, June 11, 1872 pg. 3
RAILROAD AID—The Milwaukee, Manitowoc and Green Bay railroad company has experienced a change of name and is now known as the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western railroad company. the line of the road has been located along the lake shore through Port Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Two Rivers, and thence to Green Bay, with a line also from Manitowoc westward to Appleton. In case reasonable aid is given it is proposed to complete the road from Milwaukee to Appleton, via Manitowoc, within the present year. The city of Milwaukee is asked to subscribe for 1,000 share of the capital stock of the company at $100 each, and a proposition to that effect was submitted at the last meeting of the common council.— Milwaukee News, June 6th. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, June 11, 1872 pg. 2
The Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay railroad company has experienced a change of name, and is now known as the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, June 11, 1872 pg. 3
LAKE SHORE ROAD.—The Sheboygan Times says that thirty men are employed in the gravel pit of the Lake Shore railroad, in that city, loading cars for the ballasting train. the roads is ballasted for about eight miles south from Sheboygan, so thoroughly that engineer Donohue says it safely warrants a speed of 60 miles an hour with a loaded tarin. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, June 25, 1872 pg. 3
FIRST SHIPMENT BY THE CARAGO OF FREIGHT DIRECT FROM OUR WESTERN ROAD.—The vessel is in our harbor this morning which was chartered to carry oil barrel staves to Cleveland. It is the first of three already chartered for the same kind of freight, and in fact the first direct shipment of freight from our western road to vessels for transportation. We are just beginning to feel what it is to have a railroad. It is expected that, by next Saturday night, the iron will be laid to the south bank of the Fox river. they are laying it at the rate of 3-4 of a mile per day. With our western connections and lake shore road completed, the future of our city will be just begun, and we challenge any young city in the state to keep pace with us in increase of population or growth of commercial importance. Our connections across the lake at Marquette will take care of themselves inasmuch as they are assured from the force of our locality as the most northern port of this lake that is always accessible, which is as an undivided interest in the right way through the whole length and breadth of the state of Michigan.—[Manitowoc Pilot, 27th ult.] The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, July 2, 1872 pg. 3
THE LAKE SHORE RAILWAY.—On Tuesday, of last week, H.G.H. Reed, chief engineer of the Lake Shore & Western road, paid us a visit. He informed us that the line of road from Manitowoc to Two Rivers is now being surveyed, and that the party of surveyors are expected to take up their residence in this village for a few days the fore part of this week. On our return from Manitowoc, one day last week, we met this party a short distance this side of C.C. Barnes' residence and were informed by them that they were running directly to the warehouse, on the shore end of the south bridge pier. This will probably take them across the plank road, just west of Mr. Deidrich's land, on which he has lately moved his dwelling house. We are informed that the town board will hold an adjourned meeting next Monday, when it is expected that the railroad company will submit a proposition for $25,000 aid from the town of Two Rivers. If the proposition is accepted by the boar, a time will be fixed for holding the election, pending which a public meeting will be called to discuss the matter in all its bearings, so that on the day of election a full expression may be obtained as to whether the citizens of Two Rivers will allow this opportunity to pass to obtain this needed improvement. Of course our town board cannot do otherwise than accept the proposition and refer it to the people for their decision. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, July 9, 1872 pg. 3
The Appleton Times says that Coe, one of the contractors on the Manitowoc railway, is working his way through a cut 1,000 feet long on the bank near the paper mill, in that city, making way for the cars. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, July 9, 1872 pg. 3
Trains on the Manitowoc and Appleton railway are now running regularly into Kaukauna, connecting with the Chicago & northwestern road. It is expected that by the 1st of August Appleton will be reached. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, July 9, 1872 pg. 3
FIRST TRAIN OF CARS.—The Appleton Crescent, of the 6th inst., says that the first train of cars, from Manitowoc reached Altamaha (opposite Kaukauna) about noon of the fourth. A large crowd from Kaukauna, Appleton &c., were on hand to hail the auspicious event, and a federal salute was fired in its honor. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, July 16, 1872 pg. 3
THE MANITOWOC RAILWAY.—Sup't Harris, of the Wisconsin Central railway, who earned a reputation of the Michigan southern of being one of the best railroaders in the county, after make a personal examination, pronounces the Manitowoc & Appleton one of the best constructed railways in all respects to be found in the United States. this is a high compliment to Superintendent J.S. Buck.—{Appleton Crescent.] The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, July 30, 1872 pg. 2
The locomotive "Neenah" and four platform cars from the Wisconsin Central railroad, were towed on scows from Sheboygan to Manitowoc by the tug Kitty Smoke on Sunday last, for use on the Western road. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, August 6, 1872 pg. 3
The Pilot says the "arrangements have been completed so that the Wisconsin Central and Western roads will have direct connections via our Lake Shore road when completed, with the Northwestern, Milwaukee and Chicago road, by a straight shoot through the third ward in Milwaukee city, so that passengers from along the Wisconsin Central and from Appleton by the Western and Two Rivers will go to Chicago without hindrance or delay, and without change of cars or baggage. "A new engine with more cars will arrive on Saturday next. The work on the Lake Shore to Sheboygan will be pushed as fast as men and money can accomplish it, while the Western road to Appleton will soon be completed so as to accommodate all their wants in that direction." The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, August 6, 1872 pg. 3
GLORIOUS NEWS! THE M.L.S. & W.R.R. UNDER CONTRACT BETWEEN MANITOWOC AND TWO RIVERS! Work to Commence at Once! Messrs. Smith & Mann, having made an examination of the line of the Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western Railroad between Manitowoc and Two Rivers, on Saturday last, closed an engagement, on the part of the Two Rivers Manufacturing Company, to grade, bridge and complete the entire line ready for the iron rails, and are to enter on the work without delay, and intend having the same completed as soon as men and means will accomplish it. for this work the company have not asked a dollar in cash, but have agreed to take the bonds of Two Rivers at par. We understand further, that they have engaged to erect all the depot buildings, platforms, &c., required, which work will also be taken hold of as soon as specifications are furnished. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., Tuesday, August 13, 1872 pg. 3
[1881]
Considerable complaint is current among the people concerning the railroad crossing near the depot. We are told that last Wednesday a freight train stopped fully 15 minutes on the crossing, obstructing the passage of teams as well as pedestrians. That is in direct violation of a city ordiance recently passed, is well known. We do not suppose that the raiload official authorize such wrongful action, but the people will hold them to account. It is their business to exercise proper discipline over their employes. Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, Tuesday, November 22, 1881 P. 1
[1884]
The Goodrich Transportation Co. have been victorious in the suit brought aginst them by parties in Green Bay to recover damages for property destroyed by fire, which it was alleged was caused by sparks from one of the steamers. The case was bitterly contested by both sides and occupied three weeks in the trial. Some of the ablest attorneys in the state were engaged. The case was a test case and had it gone against the Co. other suits to the amount of $200,000 would have been commenced. Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, Tuesday, December 30, 1884 P.4
[1885]
Reedsville news: Hubbard & Noble shipped last week one car of their land rollers to Minneapolis Minn. They are having quite a run in the Roller business this winter having orders for three car loads in advance of any past year. They shipped a car of base ball bats and are making two more car loads of them. Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, Tuesday, February 3, 1885 P.6
Another railroad change takes away C.W. Barlett to Ledyard. We are sorry to lose him but live in hopes that the railroad changes may return him here at no distant day. Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, November 3, 1885 P.4
The Lake Shore officials are said to be meditating another change in the arrangement of trains. This has been made neccessary by the great increase in their ore traffic. Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, Tuesday, November 17, 1885 P.4
[1916]
OSLO POWER CO. IS GRANTED PERMIT FOR ISSUING OF BONDS The State Railroad Rate commission has granted the petition of the Oslo Power and Lighting company for permission to issue and sell $55,000 of bonds for improvement and enlargement and the certificate granted the company will probably close the plans for taking over by the company of the Rapids power. A.O. Anderson, this city, is president of the company, which was reorganized a year ago. Joseph Ourada is secretary, Charles Hacker treasurer and Emil Miller, vice president. Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, February 23, 1916 P.4
[1927]
DEPOT AND NO TRAINS LARRABEE, Wis.-A depot waits here for the railroad that never came. The station was built in the late 60's, and it is two and a half miles from the nearest railway. Jason Pellet was so sure the road was going to pass his place that he built a depot on a knoll which overlooked his farm. The road went up through Brillion instead. Manitowoc Herald News, July 15, 1927 P. 9