History of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA

Osukosii, a flourishing post-village, capital of Winnebago county, Wisconsin, is situated on the Neenah or Fox river, at its entrance into Lake Winnebago, about 90 miles N. N. E. from Madison. The lumber trade is carried on here extensively, the river and lake being navigable by steamboats. It contains 3 churches, an academy, a land-office, 3 news paper offices, 1 manufactory of pumps, 1 of threshing machines, 1 foundry, 6 mills, 9 dry- goods stores, and about 20 other stores. Plank- roads ure projected from Oshkosh to Waupun and Neenah. Laid out about 1840. Population in 1853, estimated at 2500.

The lumber industry became well established as businessmen took advantage of navigable waterways to provide access to both markets and northern pineries.

The fire had engulfed 70 stores, 40 factories, and 500 homes costing nearly $2.5 million in damage.

With an average speed of six miles per hour, it took Alexander Gallagher of Oshkosh approximately twenty-two hours to win the race.

About five o'clock Sunday morning the brewery on Duty street just south of 16th street owned by A. Horn and Leonard Schwain estate was totally destroyed by fire. It seems that a fire broke out in the brewery about the boiling kettles early on Saturday evening but was put out entirely as it was thought with pails of water. Evidently, however, some smouldering embers remained unextinguished for about four o'clock the building was discovered by the neighbors in a mass of flames. Two or three of the employees slept in the brewery and they barely had time to escape. The fire department were on hand, but the long distance to the brewery permitted the flames to get beyond control before the steamers could reach the spot. The steamers were mainly used in protecting adjoining property and saving the ice house. The ice house was badly burned but a large portion of the ice can probably be saved by repacking with sawdust. The brewery itself was totally consumed together with a large amount of...