Kiessling, Elmer C., Watertown Remembered, (Milwaukee) 1986, pp. 166-170.

The Saturday Club, founded in 1885, and the Euterpe Club, founded in 1896, are grace notes in Watertown literature and music. But they were also instrumental in arousing interest in a Watertown library, since both clubs needed books and source materials to do research for the papers given in their ambitious programs.


Long before the women's clubs began to agitate for a public library, attempts had been made to provide more reading materials for Watertown readers. Back in 1857 a Young Men's Association opened reading and debating rooms in the Watertown Bank building and subscribed to a number of domestic and foreign magazines, which were "on the table" and available to readers. Late that year the Association took up its quarters in the larger Cole Hall and expanded its work, purchasing books and inviting outside speakers to give public lectures. A speech by Horace Greeley on "Europe As I Saw It" was given in such a drawling tone that it prompted Editor Ballou of the Democrat to write: "A donkey could roar like a lion as easily as the renowned philosopher of the press could be an impressive and graceful speaker." Ballou praised the first part of a lecture by Carl Schurz "until he lowered himself to the level of partisan politics" by praising the Republican Party.


Some years after the Association disbanded, most of the books it had acquired were turned over to the Northwestern College Library, which was then housed in a building nicknamed "Die Kaffeemuehle," because it resembled a huge coffee mill. Most of the books were destroyed when the coffee mill was struck by lightning one night in July, 1894, and went up in flames. But one, Hinton Rowan "Helper's Impending Crisis," is still on the shelves of the college library. Its bookplate shows that it was the property of the "Watertown Library Association" and contains precise rules concerning the borrowing of books from this organization.


Books for rental could be obtained in the stores of F. Baebenroth, the bookbinder, William Buchheit, Romuwald Weis; and Stanley Clark. The last-named opened a stationery store and circulating library with fanfare in August, 1873. In a series of advertisements Clark announced that he would operate in all departments of literature and purchase new books to keep abreast of current fiction. His terms were 3 cents a day for three days per book and 10 cents thereafter. For $24 a year one could draw six books at one time. Besides that the borrower had to deposit the complete price of each book. The sum would be refunded when the book was returned.


Before 1900 a free public library remained in the realm of dreams and wishful thinking. In that year Mrs. Frank E. Woodard and Mrs. George C. Lewis hit on the idea of putting on a benefit play. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Johnson of Whitewater directed the production - Bulwer Lytton's "The Lady of Lyon" - and Mrs. George Lewis was the leading lady. The play netted only $60 but it focused attention on the cause of establishing a Watertown library. In May, 1902 some 25 representative citizens were invited to the home of Mr. Frank E. Woodard, Mrs. Woodard having sent out the invitations. Here they were addressed by the secretary of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, and Dr. J. H. Ott was asked to appoint a committee of twelve to make arrangements for a mass meeting of citizens at the Turner Opera House. President A. F. Ernst of Northwestern College presided, and Mayor J. Brusenbach, ex-Mayor William F. Voss and Pastor, Haupert of the Moravian Church spoke in favor of the project. The main addresses were given by F. A. Hutchins and Miss Lutie A. Stearns of the state library commission. Then and there it was decided to raise $5, 000 in a door-to-door collection.


As usual in Watertown, the collection went over the top; the German Sixth Ward, in which Mrs. Samuel Kussel acted as captain, turning in the largest number of subscriptions. The collection was somewhat of a course in education besides, for many people believed that a library would serve only the rich, who already had enough money to buy books. Miss Maud R. McPherson was appointed librarian, and the library opened March 2, 1903, in a vacant store that once stood next to the Merchant's National Bank.


The new institution proved to be so popular that in a short time it outgrew its restricted quarters, and the need for a new building became obvious. It was known that part of John W. Cole's estate would be conveyed to the city for library purposes after the death of his son and heir, Oscar Cole. Since no other money was available, some suggested waiting for this bequest. As it turned out, that would have meant a wait of 25 years. It was decided instead to approach Andrew Carnegie, who made a hobby out of parting with his fortune by donating money for libraries. Eventually he endowed more than 6,000 of them. But Watertown's first letter to the steel king for $25,000 must have been too bold a plea for funds because Carnegie's secretary sent back a curt refusal. James Moore and William F. Voss then sent a more tactful letter, and this time the secretary wrote that Mr. Carnegie would be glad to donate $20,000, provided that the city furnish a suitable site and agree to maintain the library.


A bone of contention now arose between the east and west sides as to the location of the new building. The Library Board favored the east side, but the City Council, then under the control of west-siders, had its heart set on the site of the old Tremont Hotel. After six months of wrangling the Council voted $6,666 for the site, all the law allowed, the balance, $1,334 being raised within 48 hours by private subscription, mainly on the jubilant west side. Dedication Day, June 14, 1907, was a happy one, however, as Watertown citizens proudly viewed the classically styled structure and were assured by visiting librarians that it was a model library for the price paid and for a town this size.


The history of the library since 1907 has been one of continuous expansion. Its affairs are managed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the mayor with the approval of the City Council. Dr. J. H. Ott was the first president of the Board and H. T. Eberle the first secretary. Miss Betty Faber has been head librarian since 1940, more than half the years the new library has been in existence. The building that seemed to be spacious when it housed a collection of only a few thousand books is now overcrowded with 57, 000 books and nearly 9, 000 pamphlets. Cole Memorial Hall, added in 1931, provided comparatively little library space.


A sinking fund was begun several years ago, and before long the old structure will have to be replaced. There will be no Carnegie to supply money, but Watertown has never shied away from a major improvement because of cost. When the new library becomes a reality, it is likely to be called another "model" for a progressive town on the eve of a new century.

Ott, John Henry, Ed., Jefferson County Wisconsin and its People, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co (Chicago), 1917

In the early 1850s there was a young men's association that collected a stock of books, but after a few years it languished and then disbanded. In the '80s some of their books were turned over to the Northwestern College Library, but many of these were destroyed in the fire of July, 1894. However, Hinton Rowen Helper's "Impending Crisis," containing a book plate of the Young Men's Association is still on the shelves of the college library.


In the '90s a small fund of money, part of the profits of a lecture course, was set aside as a nucleus for a library fund. Very few people at that time, however, thought that they would ever see or have a chance to use this library. In fact the library made its appearance sooner than any one expected it.


In the forepart of May, 1902, some twenty to thirty representative citizens were invited to the home of Mr. Frank E. Woodard, Mrs. Woodard having sent out the invitations. Here Mr. F. A. Hutchins, the secretary of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, addressed the meeting, showing the benefits of a public library and urging the citizens to establish one. Dr. J. H. Ott, having been asked to act as chairman, was requested to appoint a committee of twelve to see what might be done. This committee made arrangements to have a public meeting of citizens on the 26th of May at the Turner Opera House. Pres. A. F. Ernst of Northwestern College presided, and Mayor J. Brusenbach, the Reverend Haupert of the Moravian Church and ex-Mayor W. F. Voss spoke in favor of the project. The main speakers were F. A. Hutchins and Miss L. A. Stearns, both of the library commission. Then and there a committee of twelve was appointed, Professor Ernst and Mayor Brusenbach being authorized to choose the committee.


The twelve citizens, in the order of appointment, were: J. H. Ott, Julius Wiggenhorn, W. D. Sproesser, Edward Schempf, C. F. Viebahn, G. Terbrueggen, Jas. W. Moore, F. E. Woodard, H. T. Eberle, John Habhegger, William F. Voss and Carl Manz. This committee with the aid of public-spirited women succeeded in raising $5,000 by October. The city council looked favorably upon the project, the library all along having the wholehearted support of Mayor John Brusenbach. The council then agreed to pay the running expenses of the library; on November 20, 1902, the board of library directors was appointed by the mayor. They were: Wm. F. Voss, Julius Wiggenhorn, J. W. Moore, H. T. Eberle, W. D. Sproesser and J. H. Ott, C. F. Viehahn as superintendent of schools being ex-officio member. The board secured the services of Miss Maud R. McPherson and rented the lower floor of the building at No. 104 Main Street. The library was opened to the public on March 2, 1903. From its very inception the library was popular, and it can truly be said that it filled a long-felt want.


In the forepart of 1906 overtures were made to Mr. Andrew Carnegie for a gift of $25,000, this amount being suggested by the city council. Mr. Carnegie after some haggling on the part of his private secretary gave the city $20,000 on the usual conditions. The only available lot on Main Street suitable for the library was the site of the old Tremont House. The majority of the library board did not care to go so far away from the center of the city, and it is doubly unfortunate now, seeing that the new high school is on Eighth and Wisconsin streets. But since the library board had to ask the council to pay for the site, and since the old apportionment into seven wards gave the West Side an inequitable preponderance; the board, rather than drop the project, chose the only site that would be accepted by the council. The council voted $6,666 for the site, all that the law allowed, the balance - $1,334 - being raised by private subscription, mainly on the West Side.


Claude and Stark of Madison, Wis., drew the plans of the new library; on July 10, 1906, the contract was awarded to Stuart & Hager of Janesville, who agreed to erect the building for $16,311. The building with fixtures and sidewalks cost nearly twenty thousand dollars.


The old library was closed on June 5, 1907; the new library was opened June 14, 1907, dedicatory exercises and a reception taking place in the afternoon. In the evening a meeting of friends of the library was held in the Turner Opera House, in which Miss L. A. Stearns and Mr. Legier, now librarian of the Chicago Public Library, were the main speakers.


The library has been in charge of the following librarians: Miss Maud R. MacPherson, Miss G. Ackley, Miss E. M. Smith, Miss G. Lutkemeyer, and Miss V. G. Little, the present librarian. The library now contains about seven thousand eight hundred books and has a circulation of nearly forty thousand volumes annually.


The library has been fortunate in receiving bequests of public-spirited citizens. Mr. Carl Manz bequeathed $500, Mr. Charles Straw $2,000, and Mr. Michael Carroll $2,000. According to the decision of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin the library will some day inherit valuable property under the will of Mr. John Cole.