Stevens Point’s Lost Carnegie Library: Part 3

With some dispute, land was eventually obtained at the southwest corner of Strongs Avenue and Clark Street. Soon after Architect Henry A. Foeller, of Green Bay was hired and drawings were made. Bid requests for construction of the library began in October. By December of 1901, George Potter’s $17,900 bid, not including plumbing, heating, nor finishing touches, officially had been accepted.

Courtesy of the Portage County Public Library

Whereas things seemed to be running smoothly from afar, communications from Foeller show that there were issues between his design and what the contractor produced, as well as other issues with the pace of Potter’s work. There were several setbacks during construction that irritated Foeller enough that he wrote a few strong worded letters regarding the contractor’s work. In a letter dated January 11, 1904 Foeller tells Potter that he “find[s] it useless to urge you on since you seem to take your own time regardless of all notices.”

Aug 12, 1903, “I will have no more fooling or delaying.” Architect Henry Foeller in regards to George Potter. Courtesy of the Portage County Public Library

It also seems that it was realized early on that the city would be short funds to reach completion, but work continued to move forward until the money was finally needed. Documents show that after balancing the budget for the building, including monies set aside for plumbing, heating, and the interior, that the city would need $1,858 more or the contractor would lose money. When the time came near completion, there was much discussion as to where to obtain the money.

Stevens Point Daily Journal, Dec 26, 1902

Eventually, Common Council and the Library Board chose to ask Carnegie for more money:

“And while the library spirit is excellent in Stevens Point, and our library circulation is larger than in any other city in Wisconsin of the population of Stevens Point, yet the people are poor, and the additional money, small as it may seem, is hard to get, almost impossible at this time.”

-The Library Board and Stevens Point Common Council to Andrew Carnegie, March 1904

Fundraising continued in the form of a Board of Education vs City Council baseball game to pay for the cement walks and landscaping on the new grounds. Carnegie thankfully agreed to donate the additional funds, and completion pressed on. Opening day plans moved forward.                         

Stevens Point Daily Journal, April 18, 1904

Even with setbacks, two years to the month after Dr. Southwick received the letter from Carnegie’s secretary, the Library Board declared the building finished enough for them to move in and hold meetings. Over the months of April and May they raised the librarian’s monthly salary from $25 to $45, hired an additional assistant librarian, hired a janitor with a $25 monthly wage, and set a reception and dedication date for June 1, 1904. In May, Henry Foeller made a last visit to inspect the building, and as architect he finalized the project, only commenting about the paint job on the outside metal pieces.

And once again, the books were moved.

Stevens Point Daily Journal, May 27, 1904

Read Part 1 here / Read part 2 here Read Part 3 here / Read Part 4 here/ Read Part 5 here

Looked Like a Riot!

Though this is the only time it is know that a mob of people were involved, this would not be Peter Pliska’s only publicized encounter with the police and what would consistently be his downfall, alcohol. Pliska would be no stranger to constant troubles. He became well known to Judge Murat, standing before him numerous times over the years, and the local police, as well as the guards at the State Prison at Waupun. Pliska was arrested a few times for abandoning his 5 minor children after his wife died at the age of 39. He eventually sat time in prison for those charges. When he was paroled he could not stay away from alcohol and had soon had his parole revoked. When he was released again he continued to drink and was even publicly blacklisted in the papers. Over the years Pliska was arrested for various crimes such illegal spearfishing, drunk and disorderly, obscene and abusive language, and making his own alcohol during prohibition. At 62 years old he was sent back to Waupun for stealing chickens. Peter Pliska was certainly a local character, He appears in the newspapers a number of times and we will likely revisit him again.

Front Page, February 16, 1905, Stevens Point Daily Journal

Stevens Point’s Lost Carnegie Library: Part 2

Libraries were not typically free to use anywhere in the United States, let alone the world, during the 19^th and early 20^th century. Many, such as the Stevens Point’s library, had yearly or monthly fees, fees which some just could not afford. Philanthropist and steel mogul, Andrew Carnegie, believed in free self-education to a high enough degree that he made it a point to create a foundation. Starting in 1881, thousands of Carnegie Libraries were built across the United States. A community just need write and request the donation, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded. The people would have to come up with their own funding as well. Carnegie required that each city who received library funding guarantee an annual contribution of support consisting of 10% of the original donation before they would be considered.

By January 1902 a few Stevens Point community members had written to Carnegie in hopes of being gifted the funds for a new library building. One of those people was the city physician, Dr. Frank Southwick. Civic minded Southwick had come to Stevens Point from Maine in 1889 and was best known for helping to eradicate diphtheria among the city’s children through immunization. He had managed to gain the attention of Carnegie when others had not, and he had managed to receive a reply stating that consideration would be given to the matter.

Stevens Point Daily Journal April 4, 1902

Shortly after it was announced by local media that Mr. Carnegie wanted to know “how much the city will guarantee,” in support of the library. Specifically, he wanted to know the amount of yearly taxes paid that went currently in support of the library and how much will be guaranteed annually if the building is obtained. At the time, the city had $925 in the annual library tax fund and would need to raise $575 more yearly to support a request of $15,000 from Carnegie, an amount previously suggested.

Courtesy of the Portage County Library

With a few local donations, some from members of the building committee, the Library Board and Common Council decided to ask for larger sum. At the end of April 1902, Dr. Southwick received a letter written by Andrew Carnegie’s secretary letting him know that Mr. Carnegie would be donating $20,000, approximately $613,000 today, towards the completion of a free public library building in Stevens Point.

Read Part 1 here / Read part 2 here Read Part 3 here / Read Part 4 here/ Read Part 5 here

This article was published in the Stevens Point City Times / Portage County Gazette February 20, 2021

An Abridged Timeline Part 3: Madame Extraordinaire, Amelia Berg

This timeline is a work in progress. It is the initial first step in the process to create an article on what is known on the notorious Amelia Berg over the course of her time in Stevens Point, expounding on Wendell Nelson's previous work. We found Amelia's story so sensational that we could not help but share our progress with you. Mrs. Berg has already proven to be an interesting character of Stevens Point's past, but honestly, the story is just getting started. Please enjoy this next selection of our timeline on the life and literal trials of Madame Extraordinaire, Amelia Berg.

The Grand Central Hotel, Ole Berg’s Saloon can be seen on the left. Amelia’s brothel was just behind it, hidden by the hotel in this photo.

1901 Arrested AGAIN!

1901-02 Directory, Ole Berg, Saloon 126 Clark, Res 115 S First, also listed under saloons

May 17, 1901 Amelia Berg arrested again for keeping a disorderly house on First Street, complaint made by M Cassidy, owner of the hotel across the street, specific dates April 23 and 25. Berg said she’d needed to call to Chicago for a lawyer, bond set at $200. Case will be “prosecuted under the city ordinances and the penalty for the offense is a fine not less than $50 nor more than $100, or imprisonment not less than thirty nor more than ninety days.”

May 1901 Guilty! CD McFarland for the defense.  Fined, but she appealed and was bonded in the sum of $250 to appear at her next court date, Andrew Geodal and Ole Berg were her sureties

June 7 1901, Arson at Mrs Hannah Booth’s property, saloon, house, barn, bowling alley, multiple out buildings, “both sides of Church street burn at McDill. Miss Daisy Clark mentioned as occupant of house.

June 18 1901 M Cassidy, owner of hotel across the street, protests Ole Berg’s license

June 19, 1901, write up mentions concealed passage to brothel from saloon and previous conviction, “The place kept by Mrs. Berg has long been a stench…ought not to be permitted longer to brazenly defy the moral sentiment of the community.”

July 1901 official protest published in Stevens Point Daily Journal by Cassidy

July 2 1901 License denied!  Map used in court to show connection of establishments, in a twist JH Brennan represented M Cassidy. Brennan identifies Mrs Berg as sole owner and proprietor and that she and Ole Berg occupy the property. McFarland argued that no one could prove that any other females were in the Berg house and that Cassidy wanted the Berg property so he could build a new stable for his hotel.

Nov 13 1901 SPJ City of Stevens Point vs Amelia Berg, appeal from May

Nov 21 1901 Asphyxiation reported at notorious resort of Berg, apparently one of the girls tried to kill herself and her lover with gas poisoning. On Nov 27 when she was brought to court, she denied the attempted murder instead saying that it was an accident that the gas jet was left open. She was allowed to go home to return the next day, but instead skipped town.

Nov 22 1901 previous Amelia Berg case continued, bond of $500 set, this was the appeal from May, “she was not able to secure the attendance of important witnesses”

Dec 9, 1901 Police raid on South First Street again, Ameila Berg, Cora Edwards, Gladys Russell and Daisy Clark arrested. $100 each bail

Bliss Avenue circa 1904

1902 On the Move!

Jan 20 1902 reported that Amelia Berg raided on Bliss avenue, “last Saturday night,” two other inmates, pleaded not guilty

Jan 21 1902 Berg found guilty, 237 Bliss ave, Anne Christianson and Gladys (Lillian?) Russell, $50 bond

Fall 1902 Amelia moved to Church Street on the south side

Shekell’s Addition where Amelia moved in1902,
Sanborn Map circa 1904

1903 State Charges! The gig is up!

1903-1904 Directory Lists “Ole Berg, saloon 126 Clark, res same; Mrs Ole Berg, res w.s. Church in. limits.” This is the only time she was mentioned in the directories.

July 9 1903 Amelia Berg arrested, disorderly house, Daisy Clark, Lillian Russell and Dolly Miller, Church Street, house of ill fame, $100 bond, Charges dropped for Berg then she was arrested again before leaving the room, charged with State offense, neighbors annoyed with her since she “became a resident of that part of the city sometime last fall (fall 1902)” A patron of Berg’s knocked on Alderman Dwinell’s door, he kicked the stranger off his porch, four other men were with him, got physical with them and they ran away.

July 29/30 1903 Change of venue for hearings, Wood County, bail set at $1000 initially, sixth time A Berg has been prosecuted for the same charge, first time for a state violation, objections to the form of the bond and the sureties, defendant in custody of the sheriff.

Oct 1903 A Berg accused of drugging and kidnapping 16 year St Pt girl, Bessie Eggleston, Dolly Miller mentioned, house in woods mentioned, back roads chase. This is mentioned in the Grand Rapids, Appleton, and Oshkosh newspapers, but NOT the Stevens Point papers. Have found no other documentation on this yet. Portage County legal records mention an underage girl who worked for Amelia and was sent to an institution for girls in Milwaukee. It is unknown if this was the same girl or another at this time.

Watch for the final part of our abridged timeline on the ever sensational life of the industrious notorious Mrs. Amelia Berg