Blasphemy & Bicycles

Note that this work is incomplete.The timelines we write are meant to be fluid and changing. That is one of the reasons they are described as abridged. Not only do we not include all the details in them, but there is always more to find, and always more to write. Overtime more sources are found, more stories are heard, and more tips are followed until a full article is ready to be written.

Stevens Point lost an interesting landmark this past month, a building that is said to have quite the sordid past. The Belke Manufacturing Company building was razed recently, and rumors have been floating around about its history beyond the lumber company for many years. But none that told much of the story behind the building, or maybe we should say the story ‘inside’ the building.

Just as our work on Amelia Berg began with Wendell Nelson, so does on our research on the history of Kobella’s Polish Hotel. We are grateful to him, as always, for his work before us and hope we are able to expound on his considerable research overtime. We only wish we had the opportunity to speak with him about this notorious Stevens Point building, and so many others, before he passed. Alas, we pick up, hopefully near where he left off.

Please enjoy the beginning of our research on the infamous T. Charles Kobella and the history of his notorious disorderly house, The Polski Hotel.

Theophilus Charles Kobella was born in Poland around 1864 and arrived in the states with his family in 1882. He likely came to the Portage County with his parents, John and Rosalie Kobella shortly after arrival. According to genealogy records, by 1887 he had found a wife. Charles married Augusta (Augustina) Hintz/Hinca, on a cold day in January at a small Catholic church in Polonia, when he was 23 and she just 17. Together they had at least six children, three who survived to adulthood, Martha, born 6 months after the wedding, John, and Frank. Rose and Peter didn’t survive infancy. At some point after marrying, the Kobella family moved to 203 Portage Street (today 701 Portage Street) and began their, at first seemingly normal, but later, quite infamous and often difficult twenty years in Stevens Point.

June 1894 first known Stevens Point Daily Journal entry, Chas Kobella, 28, reported as fireman. He was hurt and bruised after being dragged by a team of horses while on the job. Kobella attempted to claim damages of $78.30, ($2,490.73 today) but it was rejected and disallowed by the Finance and Claims Committee.

1895-96 City Directory, ‘Kobila’ Charles, fire dept No 1, 203 Portage. He does not appear in previous editions

October 1896, And so it begins… Kobella remained a member of the fire dept likely until he was arrested for stealing $20 ($636.20 today) in beer and wine from St Peter’s Church during a horrible fire on October 18, 1896. The original church building and adjacent properties were a total loss and a crushing blow to the Polish community. Kobella and the other gentleman involved pleaded not guilty and posted $100 bail each, the witness eventually dropped the suit, but the damage to his reputation was already done.

Feb 1897 Kobella builds a “gun and bicycle repair shop on North Second Street” with plans to open May 1. Bicycles were extremely poplar at the end of the decade due to the invention of the Safety bike with chain. Over 150 bicycle manufactures existed across the nation at the time so a bicycle repair shop would not have been a bad business venture. “He is now engaged in erecting a two story frame building 18×26 feet, just north of the slough. The upper story is to be finished off for living rooms.”

June 1897 Ad for bicycle repair appears in SPDJ, Hans Nielson, in the basement of 245 N Second Street

Nov 1897 Kobella family is living in a one story house at the corner of Portage and West Street, there was a small fire that began in the cellar of the property which was reported in the papers

Dec 1897, uh oh, Little Martha ‘Kobiela’ is first on the list for tardy first graders in the Fourth Ward, but manages to be “promoted to Second Grade, in June of 1898.

1900 City Directory, ‘Kobela’ T. Charles, bicycle repair, res 245 N 2^nd‘

1900 Census lists, Charles, 34, Gusta 30, Martha 12, John, 9, Frank 5, Peter 1, and servant Katie Worzela 17, notes that Gusta has birthed 6 children and only 4 are living. Peter died young and does not appear in 1905 records, nor the 1910 census.

April 1900 Ad in SPDJ for ‘Kobela & Raizner’ Bicycles, Hardware, Musical Instruments, 121 S Second Street, where The Cabin bar is located today.

May 1900, Kobella wheel stolen by woman who said she was going to Plover, but went to Mosinee and did not return it!

Aug 1900 Kobella charged with assault, first known recorded incident. A drunk man had caused some issues in Kobella & Raizner’s bike shop on S Second Street. The man swore in front of Kobella’s wife and young daughter, as well as a female patron. Kobella asked him to leave several times eventually throwing him out by the shoulders. The man claimed he was kicked in the stomach, but no one could corroborate the story. Kobella pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed.

Sept 1900 Jas. Pusdrowski paid a $50 fine for a Sept 15th assault on Charles Kobella

Sept 23, 1900, Kobella placed ad in SPDJ that he “has removed [his business] from Bishop’s block to 233 N Second Street, first building north of the Slough bridge.” This is the only time this address is used.

Oct 1901, Another wheel stolen from Kobella, 245 N Second Street. He placed ad with a description of the bike hoping for its return.

Mar 1902, Kobella opens a bicycle livery and repair shop on Clark Street at the rear of Strong’s barber shop with Cychoz, likely John Cychoz, Clark Street near Third

Nov 1902 Kobella begins an addition to his building on N Second Street

1903-04 City Directory, Kobela T. Charles (T. C Kobela & Co) bicycle repairs, 247 N 2^nd, Leon Kobela listed as barkeep at same residence.  

Aug 1903, Kobella announces that he will “embark in the hotel business and will cater especially to the Polish trade.” He had the “old Ciecholinski blacksmith shop moved from Portage Street” to the back of his building near the incline of the Slough to become a hotel stable.

Kobella’s new hotel at 245-247 N Second Street was soon to become a popular address, some would say, for all the wrong reasons…

Note: Kobella is spelled a variety of ways, we chose to use this spelling for uniformity as it is most commonly used in records and in both Augusta’s and Charles’ obituaries.

Watch for Part 2 coming soon!