Mandt Wagon Works Fire, 1-13-1883 

“On the bitter cold day of January 13, 1883, a fire broke out at the wagon works.  The flames spread rapidly through the all-wooden buildings.  Fanned by a strong wind that carried flaming shingles more than a mile, the fire assumed disastrous proportions and the entire village was endangered.  A lucky shift of the wind saved the village.  There was no fire department in town but the workmen labored valiantly to keep the blaze in check.  Bucket brigades were formed and the men threw pailsful of water until all the wells in the neighborhood were dry.  Then they threw snowballs at the fire.  Mayor Conklin of Madison was appealed to for help and responded by sending a fire engine and a hook and ladder company on a special car and engine furnished by the railroad company.  Although the run from Madison to Stoughton was made in 20 minutes, when the firemen arrived at the blaze their engine was frozen and useless.  However, by that time the fire was under control but the factory was a ruin.  Most of the buildings were burned to the ground.” “It is interesting to note that at their very next meeting, the council voted to buy a fire engine (hand drawn – coal fired) with a hook and ladder attachment.  This was the beginning of the Stoughton Volunteer Fire Department.” 

Ferd Homme, Oak OpeningThe Story of Stoughton

1873 Map

1873 Businesses Listed, Mandt see block 34

1871 Birdseye Map

In 1883 Mandt Wagon employed 225 men and sold over $350,000 worth of wagons, etc. annually.  "For a time it appeared that the wagon industry was lost to the community but in 1884 a stock company was formed and incorporated.  The T.G. Mandt Mfg. Co. Ltd., with a capitol of $250,000.  T.G. Mandt was elected president and once again the "Stoughton Wagons" began to pour from the lines."          Oak Openings, The Story of Stoughton, Ferd Homme