Transcribed by Lois Brustmann Heidner for the Marquette County WI Rootsweb Pages
The new school bell sounds nicely, but we are afraid we can't tell the difference between it and the locomotive bell, when we get our railroad in running order. The engineers finished the survey from here to Packwaukee and located the road last Saturday. They say that if the railroad is built it will be one of the most beautifully located in the state, the clear waters of Buffalo Lake bordering it the full length. The residence of M.B. Haynes which is situated close to the quarry, was struck by a huge rock which was blasted out last Monday, which carried away the balcony on the north side, and stove in one of the windows on that side, taking glass, sash, window frame and all with it. The graduating class this year consists of Lulu Simonds, Alma Merrill, George Gorsline and Henry Pratt. We understand they are preparing themselves for Commencement exercises, and we trust the friends of education will endeavor to make the occasion as impressive and pleasant as that of two years ago. The work of getting out the rock in Montello has actually commenced. Mr. Stebbins received word from Mr. King of Chicago to begin operations at once, and that a force of men would be put to work on the first of next month. A survey for a tramway from the rocks to the boat landing was made on Monday, and a track will be laid. There can no longer be any doubt about the work going on, and already some of our villagers, whose buildings are situated on the rocks, and in the way of the workmen, are looking around to find suitable places to move their buildings on to temporarily.
LOOKING BACKWARD: MONTELLO IN 1881
Wm. Hartwig captured a twenty-one and a half pound pickerel just below the lock, the first of the week. There are 126 pupils enrolled on the register of our village schools, 26 in the higher department and 50 in each of the other departments. The telegraph poles were distributed between this place and Packwaukee on Saturday last. It will be but a short time before the wires are put in place. The construction train has got far enough down the road to be visible to the naked eye of Montello people. Hold your breath! The engine will be here in a few days, and then we will take a ride. Hon. Neil Dimond, our new County Judge, commenced business last Tuesday. The people of the county will have no cause to complain of his management of the office, and that he will look after the interests of the widow and orphan, nobody has a doubt. A tremendous blast was fired about 6 o'clock Thursday evening which shook the town like an earthquake. The heavy concussion broke nearly all the glass in front of North's store and Straight's building, besides breaking the windows of several other buildings. Felix McPhillips made his annual visit to the Express office on Friday last. Felix is one of the sufferers from the great hail storm, and although he had nearly all his crops destroyed and himself injured, he don't give up like some folks, but keeps at work to save what he can. The brickwork on the Perkins house is nearly finished, which makes a vast difference in the outside appearance of the hotel. Mr. Perkins contemplates building another wing and making other improvements, which will give Montello the largest and finest hotel in this part of the state. We are becoming more and more like a city every day, now that we have a railroad. At least we are to have many of the conveniences for doing business which are enjoyed by people living in such villages as Milwaukee, Chicago, and other places of their size. Besides having a railroad, we are to have a bank started here in a few weeks, by E.G. Newhall, of Johnstown Center. He has been here about a week, looking over the chances, and the prospects are regarded with favor.
LOOKING BACKWARD: MONTELLO IN 1882
Transcribed by Lois Brustmann Heidner for the Marquette County WI Rootsweb Pages
Click here to send Joan an e-mail Back to the Marquette pages Menu Donated by Lois Heidner © 2002 and last updated January 2002